28mm Zombies, Mutants, Bases and a Newsletter!

Hey all,

I'll start quickly with a photo of some painted 28mm Bioblytes. I don't think I've posted this on the blog, so here they are. They are painted similar to some of the monsters in Mass Effect 3 (as you know I love that trilogy).

Click to ZOOOOM

Newsletter
I decided to add a "newsletter" to the website on the front page. So if you want to be alerted when new items are on-line, then feel free to go to the main page and fill out the small "newsletter" form.

I only plan to send out emails when new things are released, or if something changes on the website. So similar to the blog, just less often and more to the point! I mainly thought about the people who are not on Facebook or Blogger, so the best way for them to keep up to date is through email.

Here's the link: http://www.grekwoodminiatures.co.uk/

Website Photos
I finally retook the big bundle deal photo for the zombies. The previous one had the old bandaged nurses in it, so it now has the newer nurses in there. The photo is better in general too, more colour and slightly closer.

Here it is:

Click to ZOOOOOM

Sculpting
Yesterday I finally finished posing another 16 figures (zombies). I have finished sculpting 3 and 2 others are almost complete. I'm hoping to get these all done before xmas (in time for christmas), but we shall see.

I'm also working on another 45mm miniature. But I can't say too much at this stage. It is however zombie related in some form. Think along the lines of our "Executioner Steve", the "not silent hill" guy, but for that other popular video game/Movies.

Rock and Timber Bases
We have some bases in a number of sizes 50, 40, 30 and 25mm. I was thinking of finally adding them to the website. It would be bases like the one shown below (but in different size and shape rocks). They would be cheap like the other bases, as resin does not cost much to produce compared to metal.

Shows/Convensions
I'm contemplating going to a show here in Cardiff next January. It seems like a good place to start shows as it's only about 20-30 minutes away, so no overnight stays or any other costs. I just have to see how much it all costs.

I have also looked into those portable credit/debit card devices to hire for the show. Anyone ever had any experience with them as a trader (not a buyer)?

CGD Trip and a Pirate
So the CGD trip is next week, should be fun. I have my pirate costume almost complete, I just need to sort out the boots. I have decided not have a hat, just a bandanna will be good enough I think! This is mainly because I don't have a hat which is good enough!

Ok that's all for now... I think! Have a great day everyone :)

Zombie Masters... and other beings... coming shortly

Masters for the current batch of 28mm figures arrived today. So they have been sprayed white to show up the detail a bit better (silver is too reflective!). So, without any further delay, here they are:

4 Zombie nurses with "normal" zombie heads. Nice, how badly do you want these lovely ladies to look after you?!? haha

and  now for the behind shot...

 Some demon people. Kinda zombie like, just without arms flapping about. So they have a "straight jacket" appearance.  Their expanded chest has caused the front to tear open, making it a weak spot...or a weapon which squirts out infection?!?

... now for their behind shot...

Now for those mutants with guns! I like these, I know I sculpted them so I should like them right? But it's one of those things where you sculpt something and think...yeah, I really like them. I think I like the amount of detail I managed to put on them, and just because they were something different for me to sculpt.


So...behind shot, tubes everywhere, butts handing out...ummm.. yeah...





Ok that's those sorted for now. I assume that the production castings will be in my hands in the next week or two, but we'll have to wait and see. So I'l update when I know something. But for now, it's one step closer.

Once again, thank you for looking, feel free to use the photos to show friends and people who may like them. All comments are welcome as always. I will give an update on the Hospital beds and building next week. Cheers!

Mass Effect 3 - Extended Cut

Today's blog is different to my usual blogs. It's nothing about figures, or anything related to my business, but this time it is about my favourite video game of recent years, called Mass Effect. I've tried not to give any spoilers away (as much as I wanted to).

I am a huge fan of this game, and have played each ME1 and ME2 numerous times. Mass Effect 3 (ME3) was released in March this year, and although the game lived up to the amazing standard, the ending (last 10-20 minutes of cinematic stuff and dialogue) let it down.

If you are not familiar with the Mass Effect trilogy, then in short it's about an alien machine race who come to the galaxy every 50,000 years and wipe out nearly all of organic and synthetic life, leaving the not so advanced species to develop for the next 50k years. So your goal in the 3rd game is to unite all the races in the galaxy and go to an all out final war against the big machines and prevent them from killing everyone in your 50k cycle. Depending on the choices you make throughout the game, the outcome of the final battle will change quite a bit.

Without giving anything away, the original ending was ok, but created many questions which left you more confused than when the ending started. It also seemed rushed compared to the rest of the game, as if they had "run out of steam" and tried to get it done quicker. It had some plot holes and it left you feeling like you only had part of an ending and they were hiding the rest of it. It also made you not want to re-play the game as you knew that was at the end.

Luckily, Bioware decided to fix this by bringing out an "Extended Cut" DLC (download content) for free (always good!).

So today I downloaded it and played the ending a few times to see some of the various endings. I just want to say, for me it was worth the wait. Each of the numerous endings (there's quite a few different outcomes), were explained in much more depth and detail. There was far more clarity and much more thought went into explaining how each ending/choice made a difference to the future. Also, the plot holes that I had problems with were answered through extra scenes which made me happy. For me it turned a not so amazing ending into a great one, and it makes a decent ending to a trilogy. I would have liked to see maybe one or two extra things added, but I won't complain as they have already improved it dramatically!

What Really Grinds My Gears:
What really bugs me is the so called "fans" who complain in a vile manor and then hate the DLC and anything Bioware say before the DLC has even been released. I understand people were not happy with the original ending, but don't complain like it's the end of the world (well... it kinda is in the game, but I mean in real life). Some people just can't be pleased no matter how much you try to please them. So at the end of the day it's their loss right?

It's just silly that many people threw hate and abuse at Bioware for ruining the game (failing to remember that 95% of the game was amazing) and threatened to boy cot the whole company.

It seems that there will always be people who just love to hate things. Just because it's not the way they wanted it to be, they will throw a tantrum. I admit, I was not a huge fan of the ending and was disappointed as it did let the game down. But I held out for the DLC and gave it a chance, and I'm glad I did.

At the end of the day, it's Bioware's game, and it was their story to tell. We just went along for the ride and were able to customise the story to a certain extent. But the basis of the story was theirs. So although their initial ending was quite poorly done, they improved it vastly with the Extended Cut, and it now makes sense which is what many of us wanted. We now have some form of clarity and closure. Oh and people complain that your character dies in every ending...umm no he doesn't, you just have to make the right choice and play the game well :P

I am happy with the Extended Cut and will be happy to play all 3 games again in the future, even if ME1's graphics are starting to look a little dated (not much, just starting to show age...2007 I think).

Ok, rant over... *takes a bow*.. Thanking you!