Grimthorpe East Progress Diary #1: Test shots and models.

Just thought I would keep you up to date with the progress here, which has been a bit behind due to some minor ills and a virus (No not the Corona virus, yet…) This has left me being behind with the latest Adventurer’s Post scenario, and the scheduled Pointless Classics edition, but no fear, they are still coming.

Anyway, progress is good on the Grimthorpe East set, with around 20+ building kits done or almost done. Some require a little adjustment before I carry on, but these are minor woes overall, and things are coming along nicely. The intention is to include around 50 buildings at least, plus accessories and stuff, enough to give you a good selection and variation for your builds, plus I’m trying to keep them as simple as possible to reduce build time.

After a test print or three (or six, or more!) to check for levels and such, I think they are turning out pretty good. Again, some of the kits need a little adjustment, but all is on track. When I’ve progressed a bit further, I’ll be doing more test prints…Lots of test prints!

Doing a bit of simple maths, I figure that the end product will fit around 26-30 house models on the playing area. I have still to test this, but it sounds about right. The accessories included should fill gaps here and there, but you can simply expand the area by printing another 3×3, or even just an extra 3 to add on, it’s totally up to you!

I have considered a 15mm version, but to be honest, since you can print the set at a reduced size, there’s probably no real need to do so. We will have to see what happens and what mood takes me!

Once the set is out, I’ll be adding more options by releasing smaller collections to add to the line, things like a big church/temple, castles, keeps, and all manner of specialised buildings, but at first, it’ll be just basics in the core set.

I’m thinking of a modern version using the same system, just for a change, although this won’t be Grimthorpe, but another place for modern gamers. Possibly some zombie themed stuff, but that’s in the future. Whatever happens, all these sets should be 100% compatible with other manufacturers paper model kits, so you can mix and match to your hearts content! There’s no reason you can’t use this set with other titles in our current ranges, check out the section over on DriveThruRPG in our paper model titles to give you some idea!

I haven’t started on the accessory sheets and extras, but I have a load of ideas of what I’m going to include. Carts and Market stalls are the first on my list, but sheds, gardens, fences, monuments and more will be done too. Let me know if you have any ideas which you think I should be included!

I’m also considering some background elements, although I’m not too sure just yet. As you can see from the mock up, it does add some additional ambiance, but I haven’t decided yet. Maybe I might make a few building fronts in partial 3D to add to the edge of the playing board, sort of like the Railway modelling community does for their set ups, although I don’t know if I would be best served bringing these bits out as additional titles. I do think they will look nice on the end set ups, but with so many ideas, I don’t want to add too much to the core set, or I might not have any ideas left for future sets!

The finished set will be available on both DriveThruRPG and our Payhip store, and I’ll ask that if you haven’t checked both of them out, please have a look, where you’ll find a load of unique and varied titles from Grinning Skull Studios.

I’ll be back later with more updates, and as ever, please comment and feel free to let me know what you think about any aspect of this or any of our other stuff!!