Stargate SG-1 Miniatures Game

[Whiterook]

INTRODUCTION

— The Genesis Project

Many years ago, I started on designing my own personal Stargate SG-1 miniatures game. I'd seen a home-brewed miniatures game played out at the 2008 Origins Game Faire expo by a guy named Art, and I was so impressed, I decided to see what I could to figure out how he did it; but he kept his information pretty close to the vest, so I quickly realized on the spot in that convention hall, that I would need to come up with my own version of what he’d accomplished. Note that this is not an endeavor intended for sale, but rather for personal use, and maybe even to host at game clubs or expos.

My first try in 2008-09 was to see what simple combat systems might already exist and what they could do with the Stargate miniatures I was collecting. I looked first to FUBAR, which was what my initial draft shown here was based on. It was cool, encapsulating the basic combat feel of the series, but not quite right.



I also looked at Combat Evolution, of which I’d decided to use their Marines miniatures for the other SGC Team members besides SG-1; Two Hour Wargames, which turns out to thus far be the second best option of gamers that wanted to game Stargate (based on The Miniatures Page); and some free online skirmish rules… all brought interesting concepts to the table. I have also since been trying to decide if I wanted to use an established system entirely, in part, or mish-mash of several.

What I came up with as the best (and quickest) possible route is, a 2-pronged approach resulting in a combine:

• Reference Data: Using as a general foundation, the Stargate: SG-1 Roleplaying Game, based on the TV series Stargate SG-1, which was released in 2003 by Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG). The game, based on AEG's Spycraft, uses the d20 System. Since Sony did not renew AEG's contract to publish the game, it is now out of print. It is the definitive resource that delves to the nuts and bolts of the Stargate SG-1 universe and canon — and whereas it”s way too in the weeds to use specifically, it can be used to figure out and fine tune the mechanics of my miniatures game version.
  
• An already established Gaming System: Using the Devil Dog’s system, Dogs of War - Stargate module as a possible basis for a miniatures ruleset. That one keeps floating to the top as the preferred system advised by gamers that want to play Stargate.
  
• Use both above, to carve out my own version.

…this is just all theory at this juncture. I may end up with something totally different, and maybe even totally original, but I’m a big believer in not reinventing the wheel when it comes to devising a personal use game system.

So, that brings me to current day… I retired! So I have three months under my belt for decompressing and am once again feeling all kinds of creative burns in my gut! One of the projects I am digging out of the cobwebs is this miniatures game. I will as of this writing, get back to work researching and developing rules set on Word.

Already started years ago was my start in collecting the components. I was smart enough back in 2008 to ask the fellow at Origins, where he purchased his miniatures. With that knowledge, I was able to buy the SG-1 Team of Col. Jack O’Neill, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Major Samantha Carter, Teal’c, and the latter Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell. I use Battlefield Evolutions Marines as other SGC Teams. And I was able to buy Jaffa, Goa’uld, and System Lords. Also, I bought a Stargate! Many of these miniatures are no longer available or very hard to get, so I was fortunate to have the insight to buy while the products were around! I also added miniatures that would serve in the realm of the series, to depict townsfolk and alien combatants to ally with either the Stargate Command personnel or the System Lords.

Alongside the above miniature figures, I also collected a fair collection of accessories, such as obelisks, Egyptian structures and statues, and such… and even an Egyptian play set that the other designer used in his game!

So now that I’m retired, it’s time to get this back on the drawing board and begin work on where I left off. Besides the basic rules, I’ve painted the Jaffa, Goa’uld, and System Lords. Now, the adventure continues! And who knows, maybe I’ll GameMaster my own version at Origins one year!!!

[Whiterook]

INITIAL INSPIRATION - DIORAMA


As mentioned above, the genesis of this game was seeing a magnificent, home-brewed miniatures game at the Origins Games Faire expo in 2008. Here's a few pictures from around the time he GMed this game...




























Village...

[Whiterook]

The playset used in the game at 2008 Origins Game Faire expo was a playset from 2001, and I was able to buy one from eBay back in 2008 or 09. I can’t remember what I paid for it but it was probably at or a little over $50; copies are rare today and go for upwards of $125. Near as I can tell, the company that produced it was SOMA.

Its called Great Adventure of the Lost Kingdom, and is made from soft, hollow plastic for the big walls, and hard plastic for the rest. There are two, big statues, but I’m thinking they need modification to look less cartoonish. It was missing a few bits, the major stuff is there! I liked the idea of having a good foundation element to start from and build up from there. It’s the major building terrain element of the diorama.

Plans are to modify it with sheet styrene to fill in the columns that have open backs, some painting and weathering, and whatever modifications might be needed to make it look less “kiddie”.

[Whiterook]

INITIAL INSPIRATION - SERIES DATA

As mentioned in my first post, the designer of that game used a Stargate SG-1 role playing game book as his foundation. I later found and bought this same very book, which is a fountain of knowledge and groundwork which I will draw from for ideas as the game evolves.



The core Stargate SG-1 role-playing book is a hardbound and full-color 488 page volume. The content includes:

• Summaries of the television show's first six seasons
  
• Information on some worlds previously visited by SG-1
  
• Information regarding Stargate Command and the Cheyenne Mountain Complex
  
• Details on the Goa'uld, including their history, breeding information, types, and common psychology
  
• Skills, feats, and gear for character ability development
  
• Details for Game Masters on building worlds to visit, races to encounter, and otherwise constructing
  
• Adventures in the Stargate setting
  

This is invaluable research data in developing mechanics for weaponry representation and strengths, equipment used, and so on, as well as scenario development.

[mikeh]

This is just so cool! I remember you working on this game in the past. I like the playset too, as you say block in the open backs and some paint and your scenery is complete. I look forward to seeing more of this!

[Whiterook]

Jun 23, 2022 11:00:34 GMT -5 mikeh said:

This is just so cool! I remember you working on this game in the past. I like the playset too, as you say block in the open backs and some paint and your scenery is complete. I look forward to seeing more of this!

Thanks!   ….it went on the back burner mostly for many years, after working on most of the figure miniatures and trying out some simple game rules. Last year or so, I did try one small playtest… I’ll put that up in the playtest area if I can find the pictures.

I posted a few more pics that I just found, to the playset above so take a peek again! I also started a build thread for the diorama in total, starting g with the temple (which is the playset).

[Whiterook]

Well I scored big time!!! I looked up on the ‘net last night, if any of the supplements were for sale somewhere — this roleplaying game had four hardcover supplement books. There were, but they were hugely expensive and way out of my price range at a few hundred dollars each!

That was when I found a PDF download service that had all four supplements and the core rulebook available for FREE download! OMG    It was a bit of a convoluted process but, I stuck with it and I now have all four books on my iPad! Besides the core rulebook (which again, I bought the hardcover book already), I now have PDFs of the following…



Living Gods (2004), which is the second Holy Grail besides the core book, as it gives the full backstory of the Goa’uld and System Lords! That’s big!!! As an aside, the red head woman on the cover is Hathor, and my biggest SG1 TV series crush 




Fantastic Frontiers (2003), which details seasons 1 and 2 of the TV series




Friends & Foes (2004), which details seasons 1 and 2 of the TV series




First Steps (2003), which is a collection of worlds to visit and new adventures of the SGC Teams, breathed solely from the AEG team that produced these books, of which storylines were not from the TV series.


All of these books are priceless to game designers and storytellers, and I’m lucky to have put them together in my collection. I’ll have to figure out how to get them into DropBox or Google Docs, in case this iPad ever goes bust (I don’t want to go through the hassle of downloads again, or they’re disappearing from the Internet).

[Whiterook]

Well, no sooner do I say in another thread that someone, somewhere will end up 3D printing Stargate series stuff than I find some!!! ...two being pieces I do not have, which is a DHD (Dial Home Device) used to activate the Stargate, and Goa'uld Hawk Guards! The third item is a super-detailed set of the Stargate SG-1 Team. Yes, I ordered all three items!!! My reasoning was, I didn't have two of them...dah; and for the SG-1 Team, I'm thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea to have figures that stand out (because of their superior detail from Phoenix ICONs') and there are different options in poses. These are coming in from Finland, Hungary, and somewhere else   ...and of course, scheduled to arrive when I'm away on vacation 

First is an upscaled version of what I had for the actual SG-1 Team...





The other item is a squad of Goa'uld Hawk Guards, which I did not have...





The last item is a DHD (Dial Home Device), which I did not have. This is the device located next to a Stargate, used to dial a destination event horizon...

[mikeh]

Awesome! Stargate is really starting to come together for you.

[Whiterook]

Jun 27, 2022 11:56:59 GMT -5 mikeh said:

Awesome! Stargate is really starting to come together for you.

Thanks, Mike! Yes, it’s on a good glide path currently. Definitely resurrected from the cobwebs at this point! I’m very excited to continue with the miniatures, figures and scenery… I placed a couple Build Logs for thr Goa’uld I’ve put together thusfar. I’ve got the Phoenix Icon’s SG-1 on the bench, and I need to firm up the other Stargate Command military SG Teams; decide if I want to use my Battlefield Evolutions Marines, or look for new 28mm modern miniatures.

Originally, at the moment of the formation of Stargate Command in 1997, there were nine SG teams created, from SG-1 to SG-9. At present (in the storyline, anyway) there are at least twenty-five of them, up to SG-25. The majority of the teams consist of members of the U.S. Military, like the United States Air Force, some Marines, civilians and United States Army soldiers, as well as teams from other nations like the Russian Federation. That basically opens it up to a plethora of choices!

[josta59]

Hey, Em! I got heavy into Japanese tokusatsu shows over the spring, but it left me wanting to get into something a little more grown up. After some thought and research, I realized the franchise that might check all my boxes is Stargate!

I just watched the movie for the first time, and I was right! I'm excited that there's so much more Stargate to delve into, and I'd be psyched to play a Stargate game with you.

[Whiterook]

Jun 6, 2024 6:51:23 GMT -5 josta59 said:

Hey, Em! I got heavy into Japanese Tokusatsu shows over the spring, but it left me wanting to get into something a little more grown up. After some thought and research, I realized the franchise that might check all my boxes is Stargate!

I just watched the movie for the first time, and I was right! I'm excited that there's so much more Stargate to delve into, and I'd be psyched to play a Stargate game with you.

Karma that you post this, as I was just looking at my miniatures last week, taking a re-inventory of what I have and what needs work. I’ve been working on my backyard studio shed, clearing out and am soon to start cleaning and sealing up critter entry points… I’m hoping to be able to set up some camp tables upon which I can start assembling a diorama for the game. I have enough rough draft rules where I can play the game, but it definitely needs a lot more work so, I’ll gladly take any playtesters I can find!!!

The Stargate universe is truly amazing. The blend of science fiction and history is so well crafted, in the Stagate SG1 franchise; the television series is of course, much more rich in story and theme development. Atlantis took things in a completely different direction for Bad Guys, but the overall theme is still there, and offers interesting parallels and cross-game potentials.

Glad to see another fan!!!