Privateer Press has plans for a new futuristic sports-ish board game called Grind, which at first glance seems like an offshoot of the WarMachine game. The new game will come “with several highly detailed plastic components, including six Runner steamjack figures, four Crusher steamjack figures, 32 interchangeable weapon arms, two spiked pillars, and the Grinder ball” (whatever that is). Along with a full-color gameboard and custom dice, Grind may become a rules-light entry point to the WarMachine universe. We’re promised more info from an official website launching this Friday.
Privateer Press announcement text follows:
Grind Board Game Coming October 2009
Full Metal Battle Sport
Bellevue WA. June 30, 2009—Privateer Press is pleased to announce Grind, an extreme combat sports board game for two players ages 14 and up releasing this October. In Grind players customize a team of steamjacks—10-ton, steam-powered mechanical robots—and battle to move a large, spiked ball into their opponent’s goal. The game comes with several highly detailed plastic components, including six Runner steamjack figures, four Crusher steamjack figures, 32 interchangeable weapon arms, two spiked pillars, and the Grinder ball. Also included are a full-color game board, 11 tokens, and custom dice.
When asked about the design behind Grind, Privateer Press Game Development Manager Erik-Jason Yaple said, “As we were developing Grind we looked at nearly every sport in existence for inspiration. Grind borrows from American and international football, rugby, billiards, hockey, and even stock car racing. The game delivers aggressive, in-your-face action as players slam and bash their steamjacks into each other. At the same time, it rewards careful planning and strategy as players try to get the Grinder across the playing field and into their opponent’s goal while the clock is running down. And thanks to the incredible amount of steamjack customization, players can build the team that suits their play style right out of the box.”
The official Grind webpage will be launched on Friday, July 3rd on www.privateerpress.com.
Grind actually comes from an old issue of No Quarter. I very much look forward to having it in a proper package!
Plastic warjacks are a welcome development too – I wonder if they’re prepainted.
Ah! Haven’t picked up an issue of No Quarter in a while – that’s nifty to hear the game’s a full treatment of a known quantity.
I doubt the plastic figures are prepainted, though Matt Wilson mentioned plans for more plastic figures from Privateer in my interview with him recorded at the GAMA Trade Show 2009.
I gave up on No Quarter. Just was not enough information and support for the Iron Kingdoms if you want to roleplay there.
Maybe Grind was the only thing worthwhile from NQ.
It was certainly the most developed/standalone thing I ever saw in NQ.
Also, recent issues seem to be stepping up the IK content, although as I’ve said before, if I were Privateer I’d be looking at either a serious, serious reboot of IK Roleplaying or at abandoning it altogether at this point.