About
Charge! Space Fleet Boardgame for Miniatures
Contact me about Charge! at: charge.spacegame@gmail.com
In the years 2016-2019 the Charge! rules have been designed and playtested. All I wanted to do is get it out there for you to play. I started the first Kickstarter Campaign to just fund the release of the rules, there were almost enough backers to get it going.
I decided to try again but this time with added value for the gamers. I designed the space ship miniatures in 3D, so they can be printed for game play.
Ideally everybody would be able to get a full fleet with the new and revised rules.
Charge! is set of rules that allow you to play the game with many ships instead of just a few, without a lot of bookkeeping. A typical game will take a few hours with experienced players. Because of the nice-looking space ships, it will appeal to anyone. The rules are easy to learn and quite intuitive. Beginners can use scenario's and use the Quick Play Guide. Advanced players will discover lots of possibilities, including designing their own fleets using the points cost system.
Beginning of the story.
It all started with my friends and me playing different space games and being bothered about the rules so much. Ever tried playing Starfleet Battles with more than 3 ships a player? Ever tried remembering all the different rules and exceptions? For us it turned out that whoever remembered the rules best, would win the game. The book keeping was gigantic, one A4 paper per ship, with all the different systems, weapons and firing angles. Other games also focused on different weapons, I'd call it the Paper-Scissors-Stone principle. A game could last for many days and it was hardly ever real fun.
So I decided to write my own game. It took me 3 years to come up with the first version of Charge! and after some play testing with students I had to revise these rules again. Still too complex, still too much book keeping. I wanted to keep the game dynamic and players using tactics, not winning by being lucky. I did come up with a nice die roll system that actually did exactly what I needed. Still in the 4th version of the game it was complicated. That was the version I started the first Kickstarter Campaign for.
It took me another year, I designed my own 3D printable ships and revised the rules further. The ships come in different sizes and also two different, easy identifiable shapes. One fleet has round shaped ships, the other triangular shapes. Sizes vary from fighter squadrons and the small escort or gunboat ships, to space stations and huge dreadnoughts. Man, especially these look great!
This is a picture showing both sides of the Quick Play Fleet scenario.
And here is a picture of the first version of the Triangular Fleet, from Escort to Dreadnought:
And this is what a Heavy Carrier looks like (painted by me):
And a Space Station (also painted by me):
Play test picture:
Asteroid (painted by me):
Current Situation.
At this time everything is ready. There is a final version of the rules and all ships have been designed and at least one of each ship has been 3D printed. I have done some play tests and these have influenced some more refinements of the rules, saving more book keeping.
My intention is to provide you with a unique and exiting game and include the miniatures space ships. I am aware the fleets you can buy elsewhere are very expensive and I will attempt to give you your investment's worth. This game could become huge, there is no other like it and the possibilities are endless. Together we can do this.
I added some of my Stretch Goals. If we cross the 10K line it will be possible to order cardboard boxes and printed stuff, which I will do. I could have all the ships printed at a more professional company but these are expensive. One Battleship would cost around 25 euro or more. Now you have the chance of expanding your own fleet using the provided exclusive designs.
I will pay attention to any comments or suggestions you have. I put this on Kickstarter for Fame and Recognition and knowing I put a lot of effort to make a playable and good-looking game. The funding is used to improve the quality of the project.
Contact me about Charge! at: charge.spacegame@gmail.com
I have contacted professional graphic designers, cardboard box producers and software engineers to be able to improve the project.
The Future.
Launching the Kickstarter Campaign is the next step.
I am currently working on the first version of a Campaign System for the game. It can generate scenario's between multiple players going for galactic dominance. It is using the points cost system of Charge! and probably will be called Leap!
I have already designed 3D campaign elements, like agriculture stations and industrial platforms.
I still have to come up with a decent Logo...
Risks and challenges
If not enough backers the Project will fail, but with more backers I see only more possibilities.
There are no risks to not deliver, as the rules are already written and the ships already designed and tested for printing.