Ghillie offers Taktika, a set of free wargames rules for 25mm - 28mm science fiction games. Ghillie writes:
Taktika uses few rules and the combat system is very basic. It focuses on tactics and the joy of miniatures. In just a few turns, you will never have to refer to the rules except in dire circumstances. The game is great for beginners and a breath of fresh air for experienced players. I have had people that have never played miniature games or RPG’s and they were kicking ass in less than 10 minutes.
Probably one of the best and most unique designs of Taktika are the models. You can use any type of 25mm-28mm models. In fact you can use any type of miniatures, just remember that the scale is 1’ = 6 feet. I use all sizes of battlemechs for vehicles and walkers, Warhammer 40k, Living Steel, Heavy Gear and a varity of odd miniatures. Just decide what type of unit you want and create the stats.
A lot of miniatures games these days seem to be blurring the distinction between miniatures gaming and role playing games. For those of you who think you might like to try out a more role playing miniatures game, you could try out the free Basic System RPG at Dilly Green Beans. This system has a pretty good list of weapons and a lot of plug-ins for different genres.
Heroes In The Imperium is a “individual/commando” game system that the anonymous author says was heavily borrowed from the “Inquisitor” game system by Gavin Thorpe, “Maxim To Minimi” Skirmish Rules from 1900 to Today by Jason R. Weiser, “Platoon” Squad Level Rules for Vietnam Era Skirmish Games by Julian Davies, “Skirmish ‘90” Modern Wargames Rules 1915-2005 by Aaron Longbottom (1989), “Slammer” S.F. game system by Chris and Alex Nicole, “Void 1.1: Evolution or Extinction” by John Grant & other authors, “Where’s Charlie?” Platoon Level Vietnam Rules (V3.6) by Pete Jones, “Warhammer 40,000” series by Rick Prestley & other authors and “Waste World” RPG by Bill King. Whew. If you’re familiar with any of these rules, you know what kind of a rules set “Heroes” is. You can get them here.
Fallout is a legendary computer role playing game. Set in a post nuclear world, it has a 1950s science fiction aura. Here's a miniatures game set in that world.
The Tales of Terror site is a collection of scenario ideas for horror role playing games, especially the excellent Call of Cthulhu (which is the only RPG I play these days). Although the site is aimed at role players, many of the ideas can also be ported over to miniatures games. There are a number of excellent skirmish combat games that live on the border between miniatures and role playing that could be used here.
Miniature Wargaming is part of the "adventure games" hobby, which includes r ole p laying and board games. Wargamers recreate battles on the tabletop with toy soldiers, like a more complicated game of chess. Models range in height from 6mm to 28mm tall, with 15mm and 25mm being the most popular. There also is a growing interest in toy soldiers and military models, such as the 1/32 and 1/35 scale plastic soldiers from Conte, and Marx.
The most popular miniature wargames are fantasy and science fiction based, such as Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmachine and The Lord of the Rings. World War II games such as Flames of War and Axis and Allies are new favorites. Other favorite historical periods include Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and ancients, such as Romans or Greeks. Other gamers enjoy miniature naval wargames, recreating battles like Trafalgar, Jutland and the Coral Sea.
Hobbyists research historical periods and paint their tiny soldiers in accurate uniforms. Others develop "historically realistic" rules sets or build scale battlefield terrain using model railroad techniques.
For pictures, visit the gallery.
Some of the bigger hobby companies are Games Workshop, which produces Warhammer, Wargames Foundry and Old Glory Miniatures. Wizards of the Coast produces several lines of pre-painted miniatures games, such as the Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons miniatures games, and a historical game with pre-painted miniatures: The new Axis and Allies game. Wizkids produces a fantasy collectable miniatures game, such as the Mage Knight and Heroclick fantasy games, the science fiction games MechWarrior and Rocketmen, as well as the quasi-historical Pirates of the Spanish Main.
