Space Tiles

Alea Publishing Group has released Paper Tiles: Space, a downloadable pdf file you can purchase from RPGnow.com.

"Need a battle map for your d20 system futuristic spaceships to battle upon or glide through the universe? Or for your strategic space combat miniatures game? Well, APG Paper Tiles: Space gives you an inexpensive, gridded map with numerous layout possibilities including, planets, asteroid fields, nebulas, and more!
Each of the map tiles are realistic, 300 .dpi, 5 in. x 8 in. skirmish size tiles with 1 inch grids ready to print-and-play!"

A demo is available so you can see what these tiles look like.

Deep Space Felt Game Mats

from Hotz ArtWorks

5/1/2008 - The latest update from Hotz:

Just a short note that we now offer our game mats with 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 5 inch hexes, and also 1, 2 and 4 inch squares. All of these are available with the Deep Space game mat (actually, any game mat we produce up to 6 x 4-ft).

12/19/2006 - Hotz ArtWorks has released mats with 2 inch and 4 inch hexes so their selection of hexes now come in 2, 3, 4 or 5 inch sizes.  

Plus they have released mats with a 2 inch square grid, perfect for the new Star Wars Miniatures Starship Combat game.

Also mats are now available in a half mat size of 45 x 34 inches (114 x 86 cm) quarter mat size of 22 x 34 inches (56 x 86 cm).

9/6/2006 - The Deep Space Felt Game Mats are now available from Hotz ArtWorks.  They are available in both with either 3 inch or 5 inch hexes in a 6x4-ft mat or without hexes in 6x4-ft and 6x8-ft sizes.

The star cluster artwork is silk screened, while cosmic dust/clouds and solar flares have been airbrushed onto the mat's surface. The mats have been treated with a protective fabric binder that helps to prevent pilling and other forms of wear normally associated with felt.

3/25/2006 - Hotz ArtWorks will soon release game mats with a few different backgrounds including Deep Space.   The mats are roughly 6-ft x 4-ft (72 x 45 inches) and made of an acrylic felt fabric treated with a fabric binder to strengthen the fabric.   They have a 5 inch hex grid silk screened on them but are also available without the hex pattern.  Other size hexes may also become available.

Star Mats from Star Mats Plus
12/19/2006 - Carl Scheu is making custom air brushed star mats on black felt in 4'x6' and 8'x6' sizes with larger sizes possible as custom orders.  Contact Carl at thrud62@yahoo.com for more information.

Uncharted Space

from WorldWorks Games

7/30/2007 - WorldWorks Games has released Uncharted Space: Sathrican Homeworld, a premium PDF gaming mat (with props), their first product targeted at tabletop, stellar-combat wargamers. This cost effective gaming mat allows users to create their very own 60” X 40” star mat and asteroid fields using a number of custom created graphic templates. By utilizing a home printer and a few basic materials, frugal gamers can build a game mat for their next engagement, in stages, as time and money allow.  A pre-printed version on vinyl is in the works for release in later 2007.

Every visual element contained within Uncharted Space is 100% original and has been handcrafted using WorldWorks Games renowned high quality texturing standards. At the base of the mat is the upper atmosphere of the giant Sathrican homeworld.  Uncharted Space includes 3-D asteroid clusters to fill the voids and add depth to your tactics.

Uncharted Space: Sathrican Homeworld Includes all of the following:

* Fully illustrated instructions for creating your very own game mat
* 32 Zero grid space tiles covering a vast region of space
* 32 1-inch Hex space tiles covering a vast region of space
* Fully illustrated instructions for creating 3-D asteroid clusters
* 2 pages of varied asteroid cluster models
* Asteroid cluster stands
* Asteroid cluster basing in 1-inch Hex
* Asteroid cluster basing in Zero Grid
* Asteroid debris field tile
* Interactive User Interface (PC users only).

Starscape Hex Maps 

from EN Publishing

6/11/2009 - EN Publishing has made available Starscape Hex Maps, a pdf file consisting of six basic starscape hex maps for use in space tactical boardgames.  Each is one page of A4/Letter, allowing you to print out different combinations and join them together.  The base set contains the following maps: Blank (black) without stars, Clear with background stars only, Lens flare, Distant star, Bright sun, and Bright coloured light.

Additional pdf map sets are also available:

*Starscape Hex Maps 2: Natural Phenomenon
*Starscape Hex Maps 3: Planets & Asteroids
*Starscape Hex Maps 4: Nebulae
*Starscape Hex Maps 5: Galaxies

The Starscape Hex Maps pdf files can be purchased from EN Publishing or through RPGnow.

Galactic Mats

from Terrain Mat

7/12/2009 - Terrain Mat is a UK company that makes space mats based on images from the Hubble Space Telescope showing swirling gas clouds with near and far star clusters.  Mats are available in many sizes ranging from 3'x5' to 6'x12' plus they also do custom sizes.  Grids are available on the mats, both square and hex in several sizes.  One interesting thing about these grids compared to other mats, instead of painting the grids on the mat, Terrain Mat does it so they mat is mostly painted but the grids are unpainted.

4'x4' Galactic Mat

Galactic Mat with hex grid

With miniatures available from some of our favorite TV shows, a couple places have created some custom decal sheets to help make the finished miniatures as accurate as possible.

B5 Decals

from Griffon Games (formerly Tangents)

2/6/2008 - These decals no longer show up on their list of available products.

They have some cool stuff for sci-fi nuts, but of interest here are the decal sets for Babylon 5 miniatures (plus some other neat decal sets too).  These decals fit the Babylon 5 Wars miniatures from Agents of Gaming (now produced by Mongoose Publishing for A Call to Arms) very well.

3 sets are available,

The Forces of Earth (ship names, EA flashes, and symbols) US$10.00

The Aliens (symbols for Narn and Centauri fighters and capital ships) US$10.00

Earthforce Fighters (a variety of wingart markings, logos and numbers) US$8.00

I bought The Forces of Earth and am very happy with it.  The decals were very robust and I had no problems with them falling to pieces as I applied them to the minis.  I really thing that the decals for the Hyperion class Heavy Cruisers are wonderful and they add a lot to the final mini. 

Starship ID Codes

from Decals Express

Many gamers try to add some designation to the base of their minis to identify the ship type (destroyer, escort cruiser, dreadnought, etc.) along with a number to differentiate multiple ships of the same type.  It was hard to find lettering of the right type and size and writing the info on the base by hand with a white paint pen never looked clean enough with my handwriting.  So along comes Decals Express with their Starship ID Codes decal sheet, with enough ID's for a couple fleets at least using the common 2 and 3 letter abbreviations for ship types along with an identifying number.  I got a pre-production sample and they are durable, easy to use and look fantastic. 

9/29/2004 - Updated the website URL to http://wargames.rpgshelf.net/ per email from Tom Pope: 

We had problems with our old provider and the domain is now locked, even though some people can still see the old site.  While we sort out the details, we also have a temporary contact address of: beseny@aol.com.

3/6/2005 - A new email address is wge@speakeasy.net 

Starline 2400 Decals

From Starfighter Decals

10/6/2008 - Mark Tutton of Starfire Decals made the following announcement on the Star Fleet Universe Message Board:

The Starfighter Decals web store is approaching its first year anniversary. After looking at the sales figures, it is with a heavy heart I am going to discontinue most of the Star Fleet Battles decal sets. Most of the line experienced little or no sales in the past 50 weeks. Only the Federation ships, Federation Commander Squadron, and Fleet Boxes have enjoyed anything close to steady sales. I am also going to discontinue customizing the Federation ship names. Starfighter Decals line of 1/144, 1/72, and US Navy Air wing decals and resin parts have experienced phenomenal growth during the same period. So this is where my energy is going to be concentrated. This means something has to give, and the slow sales items have to go. This means the Star Fleet Universe Decals.

In two weeks I will be discontinuing to following decal sets: All Klingon, Romulan, Kzinti, Gorn, Hydran, Lyran, Tholian, WYN, Juggernaught, and Orion sets. The following Federation sets will be discontinued: POL, BATS, CVN Carrier Group, BB, DNL/DNH, DN Combat Circle Option, DNG, SCS/CVA, CV(O), CX, CVF/CVS, GSC/CF, DD/SC, “Old” NCL, and “Old” FF markings. Also being removed form the list are the 2 Cruiser box sets.

I am going to continue supporting the Federation Commander line as long as sales justify it. With FC:Distant Kingdoms on the horizon, almost all of the races in the SFU will be represented and I will consider making the decal sets to match if demand warrants it.

I will no longer accept any custom decal orders for SFU ships unless you want to pay the $50 per hour charge my other customers pay along with the 4 to 6 month wait that goes along with it.

It was a lot of fun developing this line of decals for my fellow SFB fans, but economic realities, my business, and most important of all, my family comes first. To keep the bills paid and have time for my family, SFU decals becomes the odd man out.

Thank you again to all who supported my business!

2/6/2008 - Now online, Starfighter Decals sells decals for the Starline 2400 line of miniatures for Star Fleet Battles and Federation Commander with the approval of Amarillo Design Bureau.  Decal sheets are available for specific ships or sheets for the miniatures in one of the boxes of multiple minis.  Sheets can be customized with names and hull numbers from the List of Names published by ADB for an additional fee.

SFB Decals

From Pomroy Productions

10/1/2009 - Now available

"Pomroy Productions decals are designed to be used with the Star Fleet Battles, FASA Star Trek miniatures, or any other miniature lines in which the ships are 1 to 3½ inches long. They can be used to aid game players in identifying their ships, or just to make well-sculpted miniatures look even better.

Decals are sold in sheets, half-sheets, or strips; decal strips are approximately 2.5 inches by 8 inches, and contain the basic markings for several ships (for example, Federation frigates or Klingon capitol ships). Sheets are 8.5 x 11 inches, and of course contain more decals. Customized decals are also available.

Currently, we offer markings for Federation, "Mirror" Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Gorn, Kzinti, Lyran, and WYN ships. Federation ships are offered in the "block" lettering used in the original series, or in the "rounded" lettering shown in the Star Fleet Technical Manual. When ordering Federation decals, specify the specific product number to insure you'll receive the correct lettering.

Under development are markings for the ISC, Hydrans, and Seltorians. Also under development is a sheet of battle damage decals."

Space is full of stuff and if you don't want to make your own planets and asteroids from scratch, there is some help out there.

Interstellar Set

From Xmarx.com

11/21/2009 - Xmarx.com produces three resin items for sale in their Intersellar Set, available together or individually.  They have a Class M Planet, an Asteroid, and a Star.  They do their sales through and eBay store so not all items may be available at one time.

Custom Painted Planets

from DLD Productions

"The custom painted planets we offer, are made of acrylic plastic globes, not styrofoam! Each globe is glued together and primed then painted by our in-house artist. A stand and base is included with all planets. (Please note, all planets are subject to artist interpretation.)"

6/25/2003 - 4 sizes are available, 100mm, 80mm, 60mm, and 40mm.  There are also several basic 'Types' of planets to choose from (Temparate, Ice, Gas, Desert).  Each starts with a base color plus 2 colors standard but additional colors can be added in increase the detail (and the price).  View DLD's Custom Painted Plants page for full details and pricing along with lots of examples.

Cosmic Clutter

from EPICAST

10/15/2006 - It seems the EPICAST is no longer producing this line of space objects and has no plans to put them back in production.

EPICAST has a line of "Cosmic terrain" you can buy that should fit in with any miniature game system.

The following items are available and come as

unpainted resin with stands:

501 THE BLACK DWARF ($12.00)

502 PLANETS (2) ($12.00)

503 ASTEROID FIELD (6) ($12.00)

504 DEAD PLANET ($12.00)

505 LARGE MOON ($8.00)

506 SMALL MOONS (2) (out of production)

Galactic Features

from KimKayes

10/4/2009 - This website is no longer online and nothing turns up after a quick search.

9/29/2005 - Now available from KimKayes in the UK, a full line of painted space objects for gaming.  Included in the line full and half sphere planets, moons, suns, plus asteroids.

Gamers need some way of getting their miniatures from here to there

Space Ship Tray

from Figures in Comfort

This is the first product I have seen specifically for the transportation and storage of space ship miniatures.  This foam is 350mm x 270mm and has 32 circular cut outs for the base stand of the miniature.

A second tray for larger bases and miniatures has been released and will hold 18 ship miniatures.

3/6/2005 - One item to note, I got a report from Roger that the common hex based stands don't quite fit into the holes cut into the foam on these products.  He had to do some modification to make the slightly larger hex bases fit into the round holes.

Basing miniatures can be done using stands you create yourself using washers and nails or you can use pre-made flight stands from one of many sources.  Most starship miniatures include stands plus they usually sell stands in bulk.  A few sources for stands of a unique type or in bulk are EM-4, Monday Knight Productions, Ground Zero Games, and Games Workshop.

Englobe System

from Englobe

10/4/2009 - This website is no longer online.

6/30/2007 - "The Englobe System presents three dimensional movement on the wargames table, enabling Roll, Pitch and Yaw through 360 degrees to be presented. For many years, tabletop gamers have struggled to represent flight maneuvers effectively. This device is a solution to this problem. Application potentials include, space, aircraft and submarine games, superhero and rocket assisted flight games, fantasy games which include winged creatures and levitating spells.

HOW IT WORKS:

The miniature is fixed within a clear spherical capsule, this is free to rotate on a clear cradle in a roll, pitch and yaw movement. Friction with the edges of the cradle prevents the sphere from free rotating.Changes in altitude are achieved through the use of a telescopic mount (not supplied).  The cradle is magnetically attached to this rod.
Easy removal/attachment of the cradle enables gamers to set a second support at the position of the end of their move, facilitating swift gameplay. For the first time, all aspects of models become targets and firing platforms. Weapons can be bought to bear on the dorsal, ventral, fore, aft and broadside aspects. Shields arcs and firing arcs take on real significance. Rolls, Banks, Spins, Lofting attacks and even Immelman Turns are finally possible!"

There are currently 4 sizes of spheres from 50mm to 80mm and 3 sizes of cradles.

Litko Space Tokens

From Litko Aerosystems

5/1/2008 - Litko has added a bunch of flight stand add-ons and accessories to Jim's Product Lab that would be quite useful for starship miniatures.   These new bits include numbered dials, dice trays, elevation markers, peg pointers, plus vee formation and hex shaped peg toppers (perfect for mounting a formation of small fighter minis).

2/6/2008 - Litko has taken some of the products from trial release and moved them into full production under their space gaming section.  Tokens available are Space Mines, Space Shields, Space Missiles, Space Drones, Space Asteroids, Space Torpedoes, and Blast Area Effect.  

The trial release tokens not picked up for full production can still be ordered on a custom basis.

11/3/2007 - Litko has released on a trial bases a whole bunch or tokens and stands for use by the space gamer under their "Jim's Product Lab".  They are only available for a limited time and after that, only the best sellers will stay on as a regular product.  All of the other items would still be available as a custom item with a small additional fee.  Litko offers many laser cut and etched products for gaming use including build your own tokens within certain parameters.

Items in this space range include elevated fighter bases, full stop tokens, full speed tokens, hex scanner tokens (multiple colors), alien skull tokens, tractor/energy beam tokens, jammed scanner tokens, energy tokens, blast tokens, transparent gray base flight stands, evasive action tokens, repair tokens, space torpedo tokens (multiple colors), space asteroid tokens, alien target reticules, damage tokens, double hex flight stands, sensor scanner tokens (multiple colors), space drone tokens (multiple colors), space missile tokens (multiple colors), space mine tokens (multiple colors), and space shield tokens (multiple colors).