Imperial Skies is a set of rules for Steampunk/VSF flying craft publiched by Robin Fitton of Rottenlead, who produced the Gruntz 15mm rules. It covers vessels ranging in size from small fighter aircraft to battleships, with a timeline that extends into WWI. Each ship has a detailed profile with multiple weapon types including torpedoes and three categories of gun, and stats for speed, turning and defence.
Robin has launched a Kickstarter campaign to get the rules into production, and Brigade Models is participating in this by offering fleet packs of Aeronef miniatures as add-ons. In addition, we’re committing to produce several new battleship models as stretch goals if the funding reaches sufficiently high levels. The top-most stretch goal is a whole new fleet, the Spanish Ejercito de Ciel.
The Kickstarter runs until December 22nd, with a projected ship date of April next year
7 thoughts on “Imperial Skies Kickstarter”
23/11/2015 at 12:02
Normally Aeronef leaves me cold, but that artwork is ace, and having seen some of the games on social media, it does look very niiice.
23/11/2015 at 12:46
I love the Aeronef setting/theme myself – that whole notion of “Gentlemens’ Wars in the Skies” in an age of Victorian-Edwardian adventure is one of the most charming things I can think of gaming.
I hadn’t realised Imperial Skies is made by the creators of Gruntz. That’s interesting to know. I still have to read through the KS before deciding whether to pledge or not (it depends on what sort of production values they’re aiming for – I love rulebooks with plenty of eye candy), but I’m definitely paying attention.
I agree that the cover artwork is ace. Captures that sense of fantastical old-timey VSF adventures in the great blue sky. Vague Miyazaki vibe.
23/11/2015 at 14:56
I’m friends with the artist on this one – and I agree, his work is tops! This is one I hope to back, myself!
23/11/2015 at 15:56
Things in the sky that normally ain’t, whats not to like!
24/11/2015 at 14:54
Having read through the product description and watched the videos, my impression is mostly positive, but I must admit to being a bit hesitant about the part in the demo video where he says that screening is handled in an abstract manner in the game and then proceeds to use that rule to transfer damage from the target ship to another smaller ship positioned several inches behind the target from the perspective of the ship that’s shooting. It doesn’t look right to me, especially given that the ruleset seems to otherwise be quite concerned with precision in positioning and movement (considering all the different turn arc templates and the firing arc template).
I might have to ruminate for a bit on whether I can learn to like that game mechanic or not. Right now it just sort of goes against the grain for me, mainly because it “looks wrong” on the tabletop.
26/11/2015 at 11:58
Just in case anyone is still reading this, I took the matter up with the KS creator and had a satisfactory answer. I’ve now decided to pledge.
26/11/2015 at 12:19
Good to hear.
I have not had chance to watch it yet, though a little bit of me is afraid to.