A5 Gamers' Notebooks Kicstarter is Live

I've just launched a Kickstarter to fund a reprint of our popular A5-sized Gamers' Notebooks. The design is almost the same as the previous version. I've increased the paper thickness and reduced the number of sheets to keep the overall weight of the book the same as last time (an important factor when posting them out). The only other small change is that logo on the back cover will be moved to the inside back cover and reduced in size.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a5-gamers-notebook-0

It's a short campaign ending on Monday 22nd April. As soon as I've posted the rewards for it I hope to launch a new campaign for a version with hexes.

A5 Gamers' Notebook MKII

The first print run of my A5 Gamers' Notebooks sold out at the end of lest year. I'm ready to order a reprint, but want to tweak the design. The original version looked like this although I think this image is based on the smaller (same format) A6 version:

Here's what I have in mind for the new version:

It has the same 6mm square as the original design, but I've now added a page of 7mm hexes on the facing pages, which are scaled to match my existing A5 hex pads. To keep the Notebook utility I've included some lines under the mapping area.

I plan to print them on higher quality 120gsm paper instead of the 100gsm used previously. They will have 50 pages and I expect to sell them for £4.50 each. I don't need a Kickstarter for these, but they'll still be some sort of preorder offer with special pricing.

I'm interested to get some feedback on them, particularly from previous/existing Gamers' Notebook users.

FOSSIL Booklets and new Mapping Pads

Hot on the heels of Black Pudding Issue 4, which landed last week. I now have the print copies of the FOSSIL B/X Character Generation booklets. They cost £1 each, or you can buy 3 for £2, or 10 for £5. This makes them cheap enough to buy in bulk and give one to each player to keep.

You may find them here:
https://squarehex.myshopify.com/search?q=fossil

Also new to the site are 3 new DL sized (210mm x 99mm) paper pads:

Double Grid Pad
https://squarehex.myshopify.com/collections/square-hex-pads/products/dl-double-grid-pad

Dot Grid Pad
https://squarehex.myshopify.com/collections/square-hex-pads/products/dl-dot-grid-pad

Tri List Pad
https://squarehex.myshopify.com/collections/square-hex-pads/products/dl-tri-list-pad

Last 24 Hours of the A3 Grid Pad Kickstarter

There's just 1 day left to grab some of our premium grid pads at special Kickstarter prices. The campaign closes tomorrow (Thursday) at 8pm GMT.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a3-7mm-grid-pad/description

A3 Grid Pad Kickstarter 1 Week Only!

A lighning-fast, pre-Christmas campaign to reprint an improved version of our A3 grid pads. Here's a link to the project page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a3-7mm-grid-pad

Finished Car Wars Map

I've finished the Car Wars map that I posted as a work-in-progress here. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

I got a couple of other ideas whilst drawing it, but it might be a few weeks before I get time to draw any of them.  I also thought it would be cool to print some paper with the grey shading of the old Car Wars maps so that cut out buildings drawn on the white sheets can be placed on it. I'll add that to my long list of future mapping sheets.

The blank mapping sheets can be found here.

WIP Car Wars Map

Although my stock of A2 quarter inch grid sheets turned up on Friday (pre-orders were all posted on Saturday), I've only just had a chance to draw something on one of them.

I'm drawing a map of a compound similar in style to the one featured in Truck Stop Car Wars supplement. I'm adding features that will feature in an adventure I've put together. I'll probably run the game using Savage Worlds rather than Car Wars but I'll still add some Car Wars elements.

I'll try and do some more work on it over the next couple of days.

A1 ¼" Grid Sheets Pre-order

I've just started a pre-order for some large A1 sheets printed with a ¼" grid overlaid with a heavier 1" grid. Ideal for use with a wide range of games but especially suited for Car WarsTM maps. The pre-order runs until 4th May 2015. They cost £5 for 4 sheets or £8 for 8 sheets (these include a £1 saving during the pre-order). The prices include the a card mailing tube but postage is extra. Here's the links to the product pages:

A1 ¼ Inch Grid Sheet (tube of 4 sheets)

A1 ¼ Inch Grid Sheet (tube of 8 sheets)

GW Dungeon Mapping Sheets Found

I'm delighted to report that someone (thank you Red Orc) has found a sheet of the elusive mapping paper and sent me a scan. As a couple of people suggested the paper is printed with two grids (the second being offset by about 1mm). This means the small gaps between grid lines are ideal for shading in a walls.

I've printed a couple of sheets of the paper out and will try drawing a map on them tomorrow. The main squares are around 3mm which is quite small. I think if I were to print a pad of these sheets I'd want them to be double-sided with a different sized grid on the reverse side.

If anyone would like a copy of the full-size scan, send me an email (oubliettemagazineATyahoo.co.uk) and I'll be happy to send it to you.

Games Workshop Dungeon Mapping Paper 1982

Back in the 1980s I dismissed this product as just graph paper and never bothered picking up a pad. I seem to recall it was printed with extra lines that could be used to create thick walls in maps. The image of the cover (below) is the only visual trace I can find of the product on the web.

Does anyone have a better photo of the product, or even better a scan/photo of one of the sheets? I've been thinking of printing a similar type of paper and would love to get a better understanding of the dimensions/line weights/colour they used.

Squarehex January Sale

The Squarehex sale starts today and will run until Thursday 15th January. In it you will find savings on a selection of printed mapping pads along with a small range of games and books. Some of the items are limited stock so order early to avoid disappointment.

Squarehex January Sale Link

Gamer's Notebook Campaign is Live!

I've just launched my new campaign to fund a print run of custom designed, hardback notebooks for gamers.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/gamers-notebook

The notebooks will be a compact A6 size (105mm x 148mm) with wiro-binding, thick recycled card covers, and 50 sheets of custom printed paper.

The sheets in the notebooks will be litho-printed in grey on both sides. One side will have a 6mm grid, and the other side will have lines for notes. This will make them an ideal tool for writing game notes and ideas wherever you may be. The notebooks would also make perfect campaign diaries, in which players can collate maps and other essential notes as a game progresses.

The front covers of the notebooks will be left blank allowing you to write your name, campaign title, etc. The back cover will have a Squarehex.co.uk logo printed on it at the bottom.

These notebooks would make great Christmas gifts for your gaming friends, and if you opt for a pack of 10, they work out at just £2 each including UK delivery.

Battlepad Kickstarter Add-on Packs

The Battlepad Kickstarter has got off to a great start. In just over 3 days it has reached 67% of its goal, and only needs a dozen or so more backers to get there. The campaign has several stretch goals ready and waiting, and now I've also put together 2 add-on packs featuring mapping pads from the Squarehex range.

Battle Pad Kickstarter link

A5 Maps PDF Out Now!

I've just released A5 Maps as a Pay What You Want PDF on RPGNow.com. It features all the maps that I've drawn during the last few weeks. My main reason for producing it is to give my Kickstarter a push as it enters the closing stretch. If you've enjoyed any of my recent maps grab a copy here:

http://www.rpgnow.com/product/128019/A5-Maps

Watchtower Plan

This is my last map/plan for a while. However, I'll putting all my recent maps up on RPGNow.com as a free/PWYW PDF. I'll then do an email shot to my previous RPGNow customers to announce it and give my Kickstarter a final push for the last week. Thank you to everyone that has commented on and/or +1'd my maps. I'm sure I'll be back with more to support my next project.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a4-and-a5-dungeon-mapping-pads

Bodiam Castle Plan

This is a plan of Bodiam Castle in East Sussex.  Marg drew it for me using a couple of existing plans I found on the web for reference.  Having a drawing of it is handy, as it can be scanned at a high resolution and printed out (on several sheets of paper) at a scale for using with miniatures. 

It is drawn on an A5 sheet of paper with a 7mm grid.  Pads of the very same paper, along with larger A4 ones are available via my Kickstarter project.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a4-and-a5-dungeon-mapping-pads

Dwarven Trading Hall

This map is a plan for a Dwarven Trading Hall or Rest Stop. I imagine it to be set in the mountains, midway between Dwarven Holds. It would be a place for the little fellas to break their journeys, and/or trade with one another. I'm not sure strangers would be welcome.

It is drawn on an A5 sheet of paper with a 7mm grid. Pads of the very same paper, along with larger A4 ones are available via my Kictstarter project.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a4-and-a5-dungeon-mapping-pads

Borderlands Village Map

This map is a based on an illustration from a children's history book.  It's a map of an 11th century Scottish village, but I think it also has the right feel for a fantasy village on the edge of civilization. Marg drew this one for me (in case you were wondering why it looks better than my other maps).

It is drawn on an A5 sheet of paper with a 7mm grid. Pads of the very same paper, along with larger A4 ones are available via my Kictstarter project.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a4-and-a5-dungeon-mapping-pads

Mini-Megadungeon Map

Here is another new map that I've drawn to support my Dungeon Mapping Pads Kickstarter. This one is drawn on a sheet of A5 paper with a 3.5mm grid. It's part of a Megadungeon level designed to illustrate the usefulness of have paper with differing grid sizes.  I've also drawn the map split into quadrants, on 4 A5 sheets with a 7mm grid.

All the maps are completely hand-drawn with a pencil and a couple of black fineliners. The second image shows a scan of the first image. I corrected a couple of small mistakes, applied the cartoon filter in GIMP and used a grey fill for solid areas.

The Kickstarter project has now passed its first stretch goal. This means all the sheets in the pads will be double-sided, with a 7mm grid on the front and a 3.5mm grid on the back. Here's a link to the project page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a4-and-a5-dungeon-mapping-pads

Mountain Temple

Here is another new map that I've drawn to support my Dungeon Mapping Pads Kickstarter. This one is drawn on a sheet of A5 paper with a 7mm grid. It's a map of a Mountain Temple cut into the mountain. A centuries old forgotten place recently rediscovered by cultists. It would be very easy to extend it to serve as an entry point to a large dungeon with the addition of some stairs or maybe a doorway that has been bricked over.

The map was completely hand-drawn with a couple of black fineliners. I then scanned it, applied the cartoon filter in GIMP, used a grey fill for solid areas, and added a title.

The Kickstarter project is just £1 away from hitting the first stretch goal. Once this is reached the pads of mapping paper get upgraded to heavier paper stock and double-sided printing. Here's a link to the project page:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1730454032/a4-and-a5-dungeon-mapping-pads