Threat is a modern micro armor game. The authors write:
THREAT is a modern-era miniatures wargaming ruleset that was designed to be a fast-moving fluid game of modern tactical ground combat using 1/285 scale miniatures.
THREAT is a very realistic simulation of the deadly modern battlefield. Combat is simultaneous, for this reason a referee is recommended to direct resolution of the firing and resolve line of sight (LOS) problems. Each miniature represents a one-for-one ratio of personnel and equipment. Aircraft may represent multiples of aircraft of similar type.
Unlike other game rules, THREAT does not use individual vehicle charts, rather it uses charts for each weapon system that modern vehicles employ. In this way any number of vehicles with different weapons mountings can be utilizied without having to create new charts.
Mega Minis has published Golden Goal, a set of free rules for miniatures soccer games. Paper figures are available for free, but they’ve also got lead minis for purchase. They look very cool.
Seems appropriate given the World Cup madness going on now.
Contemporary action-adventure movies have been made into tabletop role playing games before, but not in a totally simple, clean way like E&E. All you need to play is 3d6 per player, a character sheet (included) and pencil, plus some knowledge of how RPGs work and a Game Master willing to think quickly. That last part, about the GM, isn’t necessary, though, as long as everyone is willing to let stuff blow up whenever there’s a doubt about what should happen next in the story. This game works really well with a wargames table too; get out your action figures or miniatures and some urban terrain (buildings, city streets, etc.).
Miniature Motorsports is Furidion Games’ free miniatures rules for racing. They write:
M2: Miniature Motorsport aims to recreate all kinds of motorsport in miniature, from straightforward track racing to the most bizarre alternative pursuits. For now, we are concentrating on getting the basic game right, and that means a track, some race cars and a whole lot of action!
M2 takes a simple approach; it uses easy mechanisms to recreate the feel of the sport rather than representing the effect of every tiny spoiler tweak. As a result the games are fast and action-packed and are suitable for everyone!
Breaking News is a set of free wargames rules for modern skirmishes. From the introduction:
BN recreates the tension of today’s battlefields, scenes of difficult operations that are often called “peace keeping” missions, with the additional presence of civilians and the media.
In BN the main elements are the men and their choices on the field – these rules are not a “brochure” containing all the features of modern weapons.
BN is designed for “one-off” simulations. Build up your unit with group of miniatures and spend other points on EXTRAS (support fire, intelligence, rules of engagement…)
Andrew Stevenson offers new set of modern wargames rules based on the Lightning War/Red Storm system. Called “By Fire and Movement”, it is aimed at playing a corps or more each side. You can get the free beta version by joining the Yahoo Group.
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.
