MONSTERPOCALYPSE!

For those unfamiliar with collectable miniatures games, or “CMG’s for short, it is easiest described as a kind of strategic war game; players duel each other using little figurines which represent various units (troops and vehicles) and are arranged onto a tabletop area that symbolizes a terrain (which can be adorned with miniature representations of environmental objects like trees, buildings, etc). The genres that these kinds of games cover can be pretty expansive, ranging from historical reenactments to fanciful space and fantasy stuff (as seen with popular wargames like Warhammer 40,000):

Traditionally, the figurines used in these games are sold unpainted to allow for the player to customize them with color and decoration; the idea of a game which featured pre-painted miniatures was introduced in order to appeal to those who enjoy tabletop wargaming, but not necessarily the part of it devoted to painting up all the little pieces.

So what does this have to do with giant monsters? Well, it seems that a company called Privateer Press has plans to release a daikaiju-themed miniatures game. As described on their official website:

“Monsterpocalypse brings the kaiju (loosely translated from Japanese as ‘giant monster’) genre – a pop culture favorite – to the tabletop in the form of a fast-paced, action-packed CMG. Designed by Matt Wilson, the award winning creator of WARMACHINE and HORDES, Monsterpocalypse leverages the critically acclaimed abilities of Privateer Press as a leading miniatures manufacturer to enter a new category of product with a property that will appeal to a world-wide fan base of all ages.

“We’ve had great success in the hobby miniatures category, and we will continue to support and expand our offerings there. We are excited to grow the company in this new direction. Creating a property about giant monsters is a natural fit for us and something I’ve always wanted to do.” said Wilson.

The Monsterpocalypse CMG will launch with over 80 figures in the initial set and will include large-scale monsters, destroyable city structures, and vehicles. It is planned for release at retail in 2008. Figures will be sold in randomized booster packs and non-randomized starter games, and special figures will be available at events throughout 2008.”

The game’s webpage also has a couple of pictures of some early prototype figures (like the one above) as well as an email subscription service for announcing updates.