Get To Work, You...

Time for the tri-weekly whine. Still no progress, and I'm now redirecting clients away, mostly to Mark Mondragon and a fellow I worked with on CAV for Reaper, James Burrell. I still owe work to Khurasan, Comfy Chair, and others, if they can hang in there and put up with my Real Life BS.

There is hope, though. The rumor mill at work is circulating that the folks in management might be coming to their senses, and put my work crew back on night shift. The whole move to day shift has been a comedy of errors, but it's a job, so I grin and bear it.

IF (big IF) the move back to nights happens, my creative life can resume, though at a much more measured pace. I was having fun, there, during the summer, but my family and waistline started to suffer. For now, it's Atkins, and more time with the kids, and staying up late to prototype when I can. We'll see how it turns out. Hang in there.

Best,
JBR

That There's A Big Dang Tank

Critical Mass is a good client, very patient, and very good at presenting a build in all its glory when they have a mind to sell a few thousand or so. Here are a few pics of the Arc Fleet Heavy Tank, a little bit of monolithic armored terror I crafted up for them over the early part of 2009. This thing was a giant build, larger than most tanks I usually craft up. The text they gave me, though, had this thing dropping from orbit, and hammering enemy targets once it made planetfall. That called for a rugged, big design, in my book. Thankfully, they liked it.

You can purchase one, or a dozen, here, at Critical Mass Games' website. Or go directly to the Arc Fleet Vehicles store tab...

Buy a shyte-ton. They're good product.

Best,
JBR

Dayshift Is Officially Murder

Yup, it's official. Three weeks on day shift, and I've had exactly one hour of time to prototype. Brutal. From creative creature-of-the-night to daytime slave-to-the-grind in the space of three weeks. Dayshift is murder.

I am getting some design work done, but it's mostly sketches born of boredom. My clients should write me off as being trapped in a coma, for all the good I'm doing them.

There is a light of hope, though. Mark Mondragon, and others, have stepped up, and made the best of my bad situation. Congrats to Mark and the others that are getting the work I've had to shunt or re-direct. They're doing great stuff. Check out Mark's stuff on the blog I've linked to.

Also, Mars McCoy is moving closer to publication. Maybe the writing bug will bite, since I can't manage to find time to prototype anymore. We'll see.

Best,
JBR

CMG Hoverbikes, Pre-Final Detailing

Here are the Critical Mass Hoverbikes, pre-final detailing. The main configurations are all in place, now it's just a matter of adding all the fiddly bits, paneling, etc, to give it the stylistic cues to blend it in with the rest of CMG's product line.

The larger Warbike is actually a rough-out, using many of the same unfused components from the original light bike. I'll incorporate the double-barrel pintle weapon into the nose, and might offer Craig and Dale a second warbike that replaces the aft rider with a weapons station that can take any of a number optional weapons that are all based on the same mounting system.

Stay tuned.

Best,
JBR

Khurasan Man Of War Grav Vehicle Now For Sale, and New Blog Added...

Click on the pics for larger views.

Just wanted to add an update of a previous bit of work I did for Khurasan Miniatures. Jon at Khurasan is now launching his long-anticipated sci-fi line of 15mm miniatures, most prominent of which (in my opinion) is the Man Of War Heavy Antigrav Vehicle, with its three combat variants. Plus, those sharkmen infantry are just so damn cool, to me. Part of the reason I took Khurasan on as a client was because I was intrigued by his concept of underwater creatures, fighting on land, just like we air-breathers fight underwater in submarines. The concept went from there, and the Man Of War is one of my favorite sculpts of all time.

Click on the link below to buy a few dozen, or more.

http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/15mmscifi.html

Also, I've added the lovely and talented Dream Forge Games to my blog list. Mark is a fellow digital sculptor, and is very talented. Enjoy his linked blog on the sidebar.

Best,
JBR

The CMG Walker Will Be Up For Sale Soon...

http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com/2009/09/incoming-transmission-critical-mass.html

According to Mark over at Dropship Horizon, the 15mm scale walker I did for Critical Mass Games is getting ready for sale in a week or so. The variants and production pieces look impressive. Can't wait.

In the meantime, sculpting continues. Pop another Monster, and back to tappa-tappa-tappin'...

Best,
John Bear Ross

Work Started On Comfy Chair Mechs, Critical Mass Hoverbikes

Well, I'm making good on the declaration that I'd soon be prototyping like a man on fire. Here are the first of several offerings that can be shown.

The Scorpion is a development of the Spidermech I did for Comfy Chair Games. Notice the legs that the two have in common. This is just the bulk-out, more proof of concept than anything. I'll be modifying things to look even meaner, and adding a tail. This is going to be a close-in brawler, but will be able to mount weaponry. Stay Posted.

Also, Critical Mass wanted hoverbikes, so I dug up a design from the archives, and I'll be doing it for them. This is a hoverbike with dual pods, one for lift, the other for motive power. This is the rough-out for the light/scout version. A heavier, "battle-bike" version will be done, with approval.

Well, that's all for now. I've got some overtime this weekend, so prototyping may slip. Tthe day I go to dayshift looms, but I enjoy the pressure of getting these things out by my self-imposed deadline. Who needs sleep anyway.

Like I said before, my upcoming change in scheduling won't be the end of the world, but a large amount of adjustment will happen. Keep the faith.

Best,
John Bear Ross