Broken Contract was designed to be an easy gateway from board games to wargames. Every book and expansion will be coming with map sections to play out the scenarios contained within, but for hardcore hobbyists, that just won’t be enough. The whole joy of playing a game with miniatures, is creating the full visual experience. One of my greatest joys, other than designing or tinkering with the rules to games, is making scenery. I can’t deny loving the range of kits on the market today that I can just assemble and paint up. However, I still love getting out the foam, blades, and glue, and going to town on something completely custom. Plus, with the convention year about to kick into full gear, I want something visual to show off at events like AdeptiCon, where the convention hall is full of hobbyists who appreciate a modeled board to play on.

Grippe Candera couldn’t take another day in the mines.

The action in the game Broken Contract begins in the FerrumSky iron mines on the planet Hathor. The miners are all indentured workers, many from off world, trapped within their work contracts and within the mines. Some of the miners, would rather risk death trying to escape than work another day underground. The game revolves around trying to escape or fight your way through the Prods; hired goons from Black Squadron Security. So to that end I needed to set the scene for action and adventure in the three dimensions!

Building scenery to represent the FerrumSky iron mines can’t possibly be a “one and done” article, so instead I’ve started a hobby series on the Broken Contract Design Blog. New hobby updates, for now, will be every Sunday and Wednesday, at least until AdeptiCon. I started with very basic shapes to construct a modular “room and pillar” type mine, but with the basic techniques ironed out in the first few installments, the time has come to add in more unusual sections, as well as thematic details. Check out Parts I-V on the blog, and keep an eye out for game announcements as well!

Making Mine Scenery Part I
Making Mine Scenery Part II
Making Mine Scenery Part III
Making Mine Scenery Part IV
Making Mine Scenery Part V

I’d love your comments, questions, and requests. Yes! I’ll take requests! (I even do commission work. You can find out about that at 2ndCityWarzone.)

Thanks for reading terrain lovers, and would be Breakers or Prods! Until next time.
-Nick

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