Tag Archives: Dust Studio

CADWALLON, Isabeau, O, Isabeau

(from the left) Werner Klocke’s Isabeau, MIKH’s Isabeau, and the C:CoT Isabeau

A little over a week ago Legacy Miniatures, in conjunction with CoolMiniOrNot, released three more sets of models formally produced by Rackham: Nobles of Cadwallon, Bodyguards of Cadwallon, and Griffin Pack 1.  The pattern for this release followed that of the others: each set was comprised of models previously available from Rackham (and still ubiquitous in the aftermarket) and one or two rare or never-before-released models.  It’s the latter that usually makes the sale (it has been in my case, anyway).

I’ve been hesitant to buy any of these three sets.  My gut tells me I’ll eventually give in and buy the two Cadwallon sets, but I’m not quite there yet.

During some downtime, today, I checked the CMoN site to see if there were any reviews of the models, as some have no doubt been delivered by now.  In the announcement for this release, one customer wrote the following:

There is a problem with this release.
The Isabeau miniature that is provided is neither the original sculpt (thats shown) nor the WK…. Instead it appears to be a recast of the pre-paint figure thats available in the Cadwe FFG hero set.

Really?  I began in investigation immediately.  It didn’t take long, because as fortune would have it the customer who wrote that comment on CMoN posted a comment here when I was in the thick of my search.  After a brief exchange via email, he pointed me to his post on the UK:CORD forum, which included a photo of the model in Legacy’s Nobles of Cadwallon set.  Sure enough, it is indeed a resin cast from the same sculpt used to make the board game piece for Cadwallon: City of Thieves.

I’m not entirely surprised to learn this.  Sculpts and masters, especially if they’re resin, are prone to breakage unless they’re cared for properly.  The only reason I can think of for including this sculpt in the set, is that the others were lost or damaged beyond repair.

As to why they advertised the set with a photo of a different sculpt, I blame this either on human error, or because painted models lead to better sales and they had access to a great studio photo of Isabeau.  Why not just use a photo of the model in the set with an updated paint job?  Because Legacy Miniatures is a side project for Dust Studio/Games, and their resources are largely devoted to the game universe they’re currently developing (Dust) as opposed to one from their past.  And thank god for that.  Artists create, they don’t dwell.  Ever forward, boys–ever forward.

NOTE: MIKH’s version of Isabeau was released in 2006. Werner KLOCKE’s version (together with Rafal ZELAZO) was released in 2007 as a free promo for subscribers to the French edition of Cry Havoc!.

WRATH OF KINGS, Resin Models Now Available

Limited edition resin versions of some Wrath of Kings models are now available from the Cool Mini or Not store.

Wrath of Kings is being developed by the same studio that made Rackham so famous years ago.  Some of those aesthetics are on display here, but for the most part Wrath of Kings represents an obvious transition into a new stylistic direction.  Kudos to the team for not letting their past haunt their future, and for finding new focus for their creative energies.

CONFRONTATION, Phoenix Edition

Confrontation is coming back.  The announcement was made at the Game Manufacturers Association‘s (GAMA) trade show, currently being held in Las Vegas.  The game and all associated products will be licensed by Cyanide Studio, produced by Legacy Miniatures (a division of Dust Studio), and distributed by Cool Mini or Not.

I haven’t seen a huge response to this news yet, and it’s too early to tell how successful this venture will be.  So far my impression is that people are either extremely excited about this announcement or somewhat indifferent.  I never played the game initially, and don’t predict that I’ll start with this new edition.  That’s not because the game doesn’t appeal to me; I just don’t have the time at this stage in my life (maybe again one day).  Consequently, I’m in the indifferent camp.

I’ve also had more than my fill of Confrontation products.  I became a Rackham devotee back in 2003, and have a nearly complete collection (all in storage, sadly).  That being said, I picked up most of the Legacy sets that were released in the past months, and might purchase a few bits and bobbles this year if tempted enough.  I’ll even get the rulebook, assuming they hire a writer worth their salt to edit the volume (someone with a thorough knowledge of composition, grammar, style, and punctuation).  That purchase will be mainly for the art and photos, however, and to satiate my incessant appetite for books.

Some of the most informative tidbits on this incarnation of Confrontation were in a QA with David Preti of Dust/Legacy posted by Almanro on the DragonPainting forum.  I’ve posted this below (with some edits):

Q: Is it a new edition of the C3 manual with the integration of the C3.5 rules?
A: It starts from version 3 and 3.5 with a complete review and refresh

Q: Are there changes (improvements) to C3.5 rules, or will they remain the same as we know?
A: I think there will be changes

Q: If the previous is “yes”, is there the opportunity to propose changes or the project is already closed and tested?
A: The project is not closed and is being tested

Q: Is a print hard copy version planned or only the pdf will be offered on-line? If a hard copy version is planned, which will be the languages?
A: A hard copy of the manual will be available in English and French.

Q: Do you think to re-release all the Confrontation miniature range?
A: No. Of course the miniatures that are too old won’t be re-released

Q: Will there be new miniatures no longer in “limited edition”?
A: There will certain be new miniatures, but not immediately. Be patient!

Q: Will be the cards modified to improve the game dynamics?
A: Yes

Q: What is the expected timing?
A: At Gama previews will be shown of what you will see from now to 6-9 months

Q: Metal or plastic or resin?
A: Resin and Metal

Q: Possible costs?
A: In line with other miniature games (certainly not Legacy prices! Which will remain for the moment for the next few waves)

Q: Is there the possibility to create an official tournament circuit supported by the brand?
A: Yes

LEGACY MINIATURES, Production Changes Coming

A week ago a representative from Legacy Miniatures posted a comment to a news item on Tabletop Gaming News about their latest batch of releases.  Posts on TGN get buried pretty quickly, as news is uploaded to the site at a steady pace throughout any given day; and since Legacy’s response didn’t appear until the  post was already five days old, it’s very possible many people are still in the dark about what’s in store for the range in the near future.  The response is therefore quoted here in full:

Legacy Miniatures wrote:
November 7, 2011 at 3:55 am

Hi,

I take the opportunity to explain and answers to some of the complains I read in these last months.
First of all thanks for posting them, we were expecting them and it is important for us to read and react.
As David from CMON said things are not always black and white.
I will explain where we come from and why we acted in a certain way and not in another:

CMON has no responsibilities on the pricing, we sell them the waves at a certain price and of course they charge their profit margin. So no need to attack them, they are just doing their job.
We are located in China, finding a trustworthy resin caster is very difficult and we found a solution that is still too expensive. For you and for us. We are now in the process to reconsider the whole process.
We wanted to provide an impeccable product in term of quality; this is the reason why a resin mould is used only for few casts (5 to 8 depending on the piece) and why we inserted a plastic tray. We understood now that these solutions are too expensive so from future waves we will change this approach. We also work the miniatures with a system of integrated plugs and this is also an additional cost.
We collected all the resins masters left by Rackham and we found them in a very chaotic status. Some pieces are missing; some others incomplete and we have to archive and catalogue in a proper manner. This is time consuming and we are not that many at Legacy Miniatures.
After wave 2 and wave 3 we understood there is no reason to re-release existing products. We will limit the release to new pieces or to limited edition ones.
When we will have finally sorted out the catalogue, we will sit down with our distribution partner CMON and we will decide what is the best way to relaunch the game. Again it is not an easy call because it is a huge investment and we have to do in the right way.
These pieces now on sale will never be recasted in this manner and quality, hence customers who bought them could be sure of the uniqueness of their acquisition.
The Cynwall Dragon will be sold at what we consider the right market price after we looked into similar pieces. No doubt, it will be expensive, but again we don’t think we will be able to produce many of them.

Thanks to all of you for your patience, critics and we hope that we will be able in the future months to fulfil your expectations.
Again if you have to blame someone it is us.

Regards

Legacy Miniatures

I have my own opinion about the Legacy project, and will save sharing my thoughts on the range for a later date.  In the meantime, I want to address the “revelation” that Legacy resin models are made in China, and the surprise many customers expressed upon learning this.

Legacy Miniatures is owned and operated by Dust Game Ltd, the makers of Dust Tactics.  I’m not sure how the corporate structuring works, but Dust Game Ltd is directly tied to an older company, Dust Models, which makes a variety of products based on the Dust universe, including comics books, scale models, modeling guides, etc.  Both Dust Models and Dust Game are the brainchild of none other than Paolo Parente, who, as director, oversees Dust Studio, the creative team that brings the Dust world to life.  Paolo, and much of his team, were central players at Rackham, so it’s no surprise that they were able to secure licensing agreements with Cyanide Studios (owners of the Rackham IP) and CoolMiniOrNot (distributors) to bring the Legacy Miniatures project to fruition.

Legacy Miniatures manufactures their resin models in China (Hong Kong), because Dust Studio has been based there for years.  From what I recall, Paolo started Dust as a side project in the early 2000s, but had been kicking around ideas about the universe long before that.  With a foothold already established in China to make plastic model kits for Dust Models, Paolo had the right connections to help his employer (Rackham) make their transition to prepainted plastic: all of the Age of Rag’narok plastic models were made in China, specifically by Cathay Plastic Factory Ltd.

A little known fact–even though it’s written on box!–is that the Rackham Legends models were made in China, too.  If you own any of these models, you know they are of very high quality with little or no flash from the molding process.  My hunch is that for these first releases of Legacy models, Dust Game repeated the manufacturing process used for the Legend models, and may even have commissioned the same manufacturer.

Given the location of their operations, established business connections, targeted production levels, quality concerns, and associated costs (packaging, for example), it was a logical choice for Dust Game to produce their models in China.  Mind you, I’m not here to defend or criticize their decision to operate out of China; I just wanted to provide an explanation as to why.