Their latest endeavor Dice Miner is a dice-based game that was pre-sold through a Kickstarter campaign. Because of the high expectations Kickstarter funders have, an early visual of the product was necessary to show off the new game to potential backers.

In order to create these visual components, Atlas Games sought out our 3D printing services to prototype the game pieces they needed, and were able to utilize 3D printing for fast and cost-effective solutions from early prototyping to final-stage designs.

Jeff Tidball, Chief Operating Officer of Atlas Games, has a deep passion for games. For a look behind the scenes at Atlas Games’ newest creation, we interviewed Jeff to find out how the advantages of 3D prototyping was critical for Dice Miner’s Kickstarter success.

Could you give us a quick summary about Atlas Games as well as your latest game, Dice Miner?

Atlas Games is a tabletop game publisher with a 30-year history and deep catalog of board, card, and roleplaying games. We’re best known for card games like Gloom and Once Upon a Time. Dice Miner is a dice drafting game with 60 custom dice and a unique mountain component that organizes the dice across each game’s three rounds, showing which dice are available to choose at any given time as the game unfolds.

What was the purpose of using Shapeways to make prototypes for Dice Miner?

Dice Miner’s Deluxe Edition will have a plastic PVC mountain, so we used Shapeways to prepare early prototypes of that component. We used Shapeways for two purposes. First, to playtest using components as close as possible to the final version, to make sure they performed as we expected at the table. Second, to evaluate their producibility while holding physical objects, as opposed to needing to evaluate them only on screen, or in our imaginations. 

How did you come to the decision to use 3D printing instead of other manufacturing methods?

Other manufacturing methods, to produce only one or two copies of a component like Dice Miner’s Deluxe Edition mountain, simply do not exist. (Maybe we could have hired someone to hand-sculpt one? I don’t even know.)

Did you already have technical knowledge in 3D printing? If not, was there a learning curve to getting into this technology?

Prior to Dice Miner, I had done very little 3D printing for a previous game’s miniatures prototype, also with Shapeways. However, we had the help of a consultant we had hired to create our plastic components, so we were able to use his model directly to produce the prototypes we used. So there was not much of a learning curve, but that’s because we had hired folks to help us already.

What material(s) do you print in and why?

We went with [Versatile Plastic, which are] cheap and fast for our game components. We were looking solely at form and function, rather than having any particular materials requirements.

How much time and/or cost were you able to save by prototyping with Shapeways versus using another method?

I don’t really have anything like that [to compare], since the other options don’t really exist. I suppose you could think about the complete disaster that would arise if a $3,500 mold was created wrong — having a physical prototype can help avoid that instance. Although it’s a small change, spending one or two hundred dollars to hedge against that downside seems pretty reasonable. Creating early prototypes also helped us get an advanced copy to an outside previewer, which helped illustrate to potential campaign backers how the game is played. Waiting for copies of the game from the production line would have simply been impossible. Without a preview of the game, I suspect fewer backers would have been comfortable joining the Kickstarter. Again, no hard-and-fast metrics, but I suspect we’d have left money on the table without being able to preview the game in that way.

Not only was Atlas Games able to succeed on Kickstarter, but they surpassed their goal by almost $80,000. Our 3D prototyping solutions were instrumental in this process by providing a simple and cost-effective means to creating a visual preview of the game.

And more importantly, game fans would now be able to “draft the dice” in Dice Miner with the empowerment that they helped make the game happen by supporting it on Kickstarter!

Are you creating a new game or product for an upcoming Kickstarter campaign? Find out how Shapeways can help with your rapid prototyping needs today.

The post How 3D Printing Helped Atlas Games Achieve Kickstarter Success appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

He started out as a fan of Roleplaying Games (RPGs), which are decidedly more than just games. They allow players to participate in a collaborative storytelling environment. Players are given agency in creating their own characters, while connecting with a larger community. Its unique narrative structure creates more than mere escapism into fantasy worlds. It builds bridges between different cultures, fortifying social skills and forging strong friendships.

Berberette was inspired by a friend, De Juan Daniels AKA “D”, to make Roleplaying Games more accessible to the visually impaired. “Roughly nine years ago, I attended my very first gaming convention in Richmond, VA. I signed up for a Changeling role playing game session, and that’s where I met D.,” says Berberette, “D absolutely blew me away with his amazing storytelling ability and fluidity with the game rules. Man, he was one of the best game masters I’ve ever played under… and D was completely blind.”

Through his bourgeoning friendship with D, Berberette learned of the challenges that visually impaired players face. There were no accessible roleplaying books available, and most of the game book PDFs were not properly tested for accessibility.

As Berberette explains, “I taught myself braille and raised money for a braille embossing printer and translation software. And I began translating small gamebooks and other gaming aids into braille. This was a great start, and was definitely raising awareness, but I discovered that braille dice weren’t really available. And let’s face it… gamers need dice! So, I started designing dice and my 3D model guy, Sterling Pittman created the files needed for 3D printing.” And the DOTS RPG Project was born.

The project is a labor of love for Berberette, and it shows in the clean design of the dice. The DOTS RPG dice 3D model files are available on Thingiverse and there’s no markup on the dice in his Shapeways shop. “This is a purely altruistic project… I don’t make a single penny of profit, and honestly have no desire to,” he says, “I don’t have the funds readily available to go through the injection mold process to mass produce the dice. But, I still needed a means to make high-quality dice.”

“I taught myself braille and raised money for a braille embossing printer and translation software. And I began translating small gamebooks and other gaming aids into braille. This was a great start, and was definitely raising awareness, but I discovered that braille dice weren’t really available.”

Though he lacks 3D printing experience, Berberette was able to bring the project to life through Shapeways. “Shapeways made it so easy to upload and sell 3D designs. So, I uploaded our first set and placed an order to see how they would turn out. I was shocked, in a good way, when my dice came in. If someone had handed these to me out of the blue, I never would have known that they were 3D printed… I mean, the quality is amazing! The other great thing about Shapeways, is they have great support, and a wonderful community that makes designing and selling things very easy.”

The Shapeways green d20 die is noticeably cleaner than competitor’s prints.

And the dice have been thoroughly tested by Berberette, even to the point of comparing the accuracy of rolls with a traditional injection-molded die.

“Basically, I rolled the Shapeways printed d20 and a Game Science d20 500 times each through a dice tower,” Berberette states, “The results were pretty amazing. There is a 5% chance for a d20 to land on any side, and based on my rolls (which are not scientific) the Shapeways dice (probably due to a larger surface area) deviated from the 5% by only 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Game Science d20 deviated by 0.82%. Again, I’m sure the Game Science die is way more precise, but the Shapeways die performed really well.”

“Shapeways made it so easy to upload and sell 3D designs. So, I uploaded our first set and placed an order to see how they would turn out. I was shocked, in a good way, when my dice came in.”

Berberette’s hard work is really paying off, as a blind player attests: “These dice are fantastic! I’m totally thrilled with the amount of time and effort you put into the designs. I’ve got a couple of blind buddies of mine who play various RPG’s, and I’ve been introducing them to your dice as well. This is really groundbreaking stuff you’re doing!”

The response from visually impaired gamers has been overwhelmingly positive. This tweet was retweeted over 7,000 times and got over 9,000 likes!

Sadly, D passed away in February. But Berberette is helping to keep his spirit alive through DOTS and helping other visually impaired players. “I am extremely grateful that before he passed, I was able to place braille gaming books and dice in his hands for the very first time.”

And as for the future of the DOTS RPG Project? “Currently, our main goal is simply raising awareness. I’m hoping to get the news out to the entire gaming industry that there is a huge need for accessible gaming materials,” says Berberette, “I want to create accessible materials and tools that enable visually impaired gamers to play roleplaying games without the assistance of a sighted player. The key to that goal being accomplished, is raising awareness so that making accessible products becomes part of the normal game design process.”

Berberette is working hard to take DOTS to the next level… “We are currently on our third revision of the braille dice based on feedback from visually impaired testers. And we have some incredible design ideas from my friends Joe Iovino and Jess Dempsey.”

“I’m hoping to get the news out to the entire gaming industry that there is a huge need for accessible gaming materials.”

Want to help? Do you know a visually impaired player that could use some dice? Berberette says he’ll do whatever he can to get them out to them. “We have a Dice Sponsor program. Through this, people who would like to sponsor dice can simply order dice from our Shapeways shop. And they can mail them directly to me, and I will get them to those on the waiting list. We also take PayPal donations and any funds we raise will go to the design, purchasing, and distribution of accessible gaming materials.” Details can be found on the DOTS RPG Project “Heroes Wanted!” page.

For more information on DOTS:

DOTS Dice Shop at Shapeways

Twitter & Instagram: @DotsRPG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DOTSRPG/
Website: dotsrpg.com

create something new

The post Helping the Visually Impaired Get in the Game appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

There are a ton of great things happening in the 2018, but today I just want to bring your attention to just a few of the really cool things we know for sure are either happening or will be part of the cultural zeitgeist for this year. I’m incredibly excited, and I hope it rubs off, because these things have me really amped up for the new year in tabletop games.

Lay Waste(Land) to Your Table

via Modiphius

As I mentioned before, the announcement of a tabletop version of the Fallout universe being put together by renowned TTG company Modiphius felt too good to be true. Then I looked at the miniatures, and I knew it was too good to be true. However, despite all my self-assurance that something this awesome couldn’t possibly exist in a world this damaged, Fallout: Wasteland Warfare is getting ready to drop in March 2018.

While the original release date was November 2017, it’s not like Modiphius has kept a lid on what exactly they’re working on. If you’ve been keeping tabs on their Instagram like I have, you’ve seen the new updates and character models that the designers keep steadily releasing for our hungry eyes to gobble up. For any tabletop gamer who’s also a fan of the Fallout series, this game is pretty much the greatest thing ever. Pre-orders are available now, so pick it up today and get ready to turn your game room into a post-apocalyptic wasteland!

D&D’s Mainstream Critical Saving Throw

Celtic Dice Set by eondesigner

If you’re a fan of Stranger Things or other shows like Harmon Quest, then you know that Dungeons and Dragons is coming back in a big way (and the Shapeways designer community is so, so ready). Shows like this have been popping up around the new media landscape, leading many to hear a bit more about D&D than they ever thought they would in the 21st century. After all, the game got a really tone-deaf movie back in the ’90s starring Jeremy Irons alongside Shawn Wayans, so wouldn’t that give it license to just kind of limp away into obscurity?

I’m here to tell you, with a gleam of childlike glee in my eyes: Nope!

Actually, D&D is getting a new movie and I’m praying to Bahamut it’s handled a bit better than the last one. However, that’s neither here nor there. What is definitely both here and worthy of your attention is how much fun the Internet is having with the classic game once again. Shows like Save or Dice, Critical Role and Dice, Camera, Action! have made pen-and-paper RPGs no longer a stereotypical activity nerds did in their basements. Here, they’re playing it for all of the world to see, and it’s incredibly engaging. Dungeon Masters craft worlds for players to inhabit, and those players breathe life into their characters and have amazing adventures. It beats the hell out of daytime TV, that’s for sure.

Sure, this all is doing a ton for D&D’s brand presence, but what I’m really interested in is the hope that this resurgence of one of the most iconic tabletop RPGs out there leads to a trickle-down effect of new players trying more games like it in the future, bringing more new blood to the TTG community. And if some just end up sticking with D&D, that’s fine too. There’s a mystical peddler in the Shapeways Marketplace that they need to meet.

The Greatest Action Movie of All Time Is Getting Its Own Board Game. You May Freak Out Now.

via Facebook.com/BigTroubleGame

There are some that may say that Big Trouble in Little China isn’t the greatest action movie of all time. While those people are wrong, I can still respect their opinion (I guess). However, you can still smugly look them in the face and ask: “Where’s your John Wick board game?”

BTiLC: The Game looks like a mash-up between stat-based dungeon crawler board games like Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate and Munchkin. However, the writing and quests you complete have the same braggadocio-laden tone and swagger that ol’ Jack Burton himself has. Pit yourself against the minions of Lo-Pan and save Little China (and the world). Or die trying and literally go to hell and back to complete your quest. Either way, it’s going to be one awesome ride. Expect Big Trouble in Little China: The Game sometime in the next couple months.

Creators, tabletop gamers, citizens of the Internet — with just three points, I’ve highlighted a small taste of the greatness 2018 has to offer: traversing the wastelands once more at my game room table, getting way too into D&D, and watching a grown man’s head explode in the back alleys of Little China. With so much more yet unannounced, so much more out there just waiting for the right opportunity to land on our collective radars, I’m incredibly excited to see what’s next.

What about you all? Do you have a game or other rumbling in the tabletop universe you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear about it. Until next time, happy gaming, and happy creating!

The post Bringing the Future to the Table: Tabletop Games You Should Be Excited About for 2018 appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Chuck Stover of Made by Wombat Joined the Shapeways Team to share his incredible collection of metal dice and other cool gaming products:

Ian Dwyer of Nvenom8 brought his cool, artistic dice as well, and showed attendees how you can transform any plastic die into a cool metal one, with a little paint and elbow grease:

Trent Troop of Prize Inside showed the Gen Con world his awesome transforming toys and conversion bits:

Professional painting guru James Wappel has featured our products before, and took a moment to show us his favorite 3D printed tank while he demoed at the Badger Airbrush booth:

When Lyn Stahl of Metalhead Minis wasn’t running classes in the Miniature Hobby Events area, she was demoing her awesome techniques near the Shapeways Booth:

We met a lot of friends at Gen Con, and even had the chance to take this fun group picture with Atom Smasher of Tabletop Minions:

Shapeways brought some of our favorite miniatures over to give to folks at the Paint N’ Take booth, and we saw some amazing work! Below is a mini by CybranKnight of Metal Core Collectibles:

And another from Hero Forge:

Nearby, some incredible artwork was on display. Check out this yummy sushi mini:

Of course, cosplay was out in full force during Gen Con. Here’s a group of intimidating sci-fi soldiers:

You could hear this adventuring party coming from a mile away thanks to the clanking sound of his full suit of real metal armor:

Of course, the heart of Gen Con is games. Here, folks are playing Open Legend RPG with Shapeways-printed miniatures!

The exhibition hall was incredibly spacious, so there’s almost too much to talk about. I’ll leave you with these two gifs and no context.

For more of Shapeways at Gen Con, check out our coverage on Beasts of War, Nerdarchy and Facebook. And, our next stop is the NOVA Open, so come say hi next weekend!

The post Scenes from Gen Con appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Innovation is at the heart of what makes Shapeways Shapeways. Every day, the community blows us away with innovative solutions to super specific problems. Especially when it comes to their favorite games, where the Shapeways community is using 3D printing to unleash their imaginations in ways never before possible. Here are just a few ways our designers are taking tabletop gaming to the next level.

The Creator of the Complete 3D Monster Manual

Dread Gazebo by The DM Workshop

Miguel Zavala (aka the designer behind The DM Workshop) is a guy who loves Dungeons and Dragons so much he’s taken it upon himself to create 3D patterns of every creature out of the Monster Manual. However, that was only the first step. To date, he’s got over 500 models on his creations tab available for download, and shows now signs of slowing down. Even better, every single one of his patterns is available to download for free, so whether you need to print the Queen of all Dragons or the infamous Dread Gazebo, you can download it for free and have us print it out for you.

Warhammer 40K – Endless Customization on a Miniscule Scale

One of Matt Sweitzer’s finished pieces, courtesy his @popgoesmonkey Instagram

Warhammer 40,000 is another well-loved tabletop game that’s found new life here on Shapeways. The heavy metal and sci-fi aesthetics of their standard 28mm miniatures are incredibly detailed and highly customizable, more like tiny scale models than solid chunks of pewter a la old-school D&D. Naturally, our community has figured out a way to take this detail even further, with users like Matt Sweitzer and his over 1000 different ways to customize those miniatures even further, with hundreds of shoulderpad designs, shields, weapons, or whatever your character needs to wreak havoc upon their enemies.

The Craziest Dice You’ve Ever Seen in Your Life

Labyrinthine Die 6 by Made by Wombat

Dice are the lifeblood of most tabletop games, but on their own, they can be works of art. One of my favorite memories as a little nerd was getting my own set of dice, and while they were cool, they can’t touch the stuff you can find Shapeways designers making. From the gleefully abstract to the mathematically symbolic, no matter what game you’re playing, you can find a die set here to match it to a T. Better still, most of them come in several different materials, meaning the ones you find in bronze or brass will also probably be available in plastic, like this amazingly detailed labyrinthine die from dice master Made by Wombat.

The world of tabletop gaming has never looked cooler, thanks in large part to our community of creators. To discover more, check out the games section in the marketplace, and be sure to stop by our forums to see what we’re working on right now. And, let us know in the comments: How do you personalize your favorite games?

The post Tabletop Games: The Next Dimension appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

1. For the prickliest of GMs, we recommend the Thorn Dice Set by CeramicWombat. Though they look sharp, the maker says they won’t scratch tables.

2. The ‘Twined’ Dice Gaming Die Set in steel by Tiny Tokens has been crafted to ensure that each die is “fair and well-balanced” for unbiased throws.

3. For those who prefer a lighter-weight die, Figurebang D20 Bone Dice are made “from the littlest finger bones of only the luckiest elven children.” Well, not really, actually they are 3D printed in white plastic with a smooth white finish, ready for hand painting if you prefer.

With dice like these, you’re practically guaranteed to come out the victor. Want to see more? Check out dice crafted by makers from all over the world.

Click to Roll The Dice for More

The post Whether You’re a DM or GM, You Need This… appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

His D20 Balanced Gaming Die, as featured in the Gamemaster collection in our Holiday Gift Guide, is designed in the visual style of the Kaladesh Magic the Gathering expansion. Its unusual artistry is sure to set apart anyone lucky enough to own it. As a regular D20 die, this piece works for Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, and other RPGs. A spindown version that can be used as a life counter is also available.

D20 Balanced Gaming Die by Tiny Tokens

And, if you’re looking to spoil your favorite gamemaster, the Starry Gaming Die Set below will set them up for whatever the game’s adventures bring.

‘Starry’ Gaming Die Set: D20, D12, D10, D8, D6, D4 by Tiny Tokens

3D printing has allowed for an explosion in creativity in the world of game design, resulting in intricately detailed collectors’ items like Chris Vos’ creations — perfect gifts for players who want to stand out from the crowd.

Discover even more incredible dice and gaming accessories in our Gamemaster collection, and check out our full Holiday Gift Guide for everyone else on your list.

The post Give Dice Worth Showing Off appeared first on Shapeways Blog.