Man Battlestations Forum
Other Naval Games => Space Naval Games => Topic started by: Landlubber on April 12, 2013, 01:21:11 am
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So on a tip from a guy at Gamer's Haven, I gave this little idea a try, and boy oh boy am I happy with the results!
I went to the Hubble Image Gallery (http://hubblesite.org/gallery/ (http://hubblesite.org/gallery/)) and selected a picture of a nebula that I thought looked cool. I then went to Banners On The Cheap (http://www.bannersonthecheap.com/ (http://www.bannersonthecheap.com/)), uploaded the image, cropped it, and selected the size I wanted (3'x3'). Waited about a week, and got this in the mail today:
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/space%20gaming%20mat/238508936b5ff33d5cbacf65660985cc.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/space%20gaming%20mat/3575d8b395923c2d160faa06b646004a.jpg)
Total cost with shipping was $32. The banner itself was only $15, but I paid extra to get it here sooner. I'm very pleased with the result! The total playing are is actually 3'x3'; the white space around the edge is just a little extra. It's printed on vinyl, so it should be fairly durable, although it smells a bit like an inflatable swimming pool if you get up very close to it.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/space%20gaming%20mat/99acdd1f4b45a9fac6f6a7a1dbea998b.jpg)
A couple of issues, as you can see in the picture above: it does reflect overhead light, although the light is somewhat diffused. Also, up close, the image is a little grainy. But for playing at arm's length on the tabletop, I really don't think these issues are going to matter all that much.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/space%20gaming%20mat/42f0ac7dd40ead2b56a6d381bb8d7bef.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/space%20gaming%20mat/490daf016ff63b9dea1593b517ae869c.jpg)
Also, the darker colors (blues and blacks) are actually a bit darker than what you see in these pictures; I guess the iPad camera can't capture all the awesome.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/space%20gaming%20mat/4cc0e9da074f427af56298cdd2ffc96c.jpg)
All in all, not a bad investment! I think I'll troll the image gallery for a few other pics that might make a good space battlefield background. Now that I have this one to use, I can probably have the others shipped by regular mail, which should drop the total cost to about $20.
I'll post some battle pics after I play next week.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/space%20gaming%20mat/73205bc9684a8e9b25513655e8643533.jpg)
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Great idea,
A lot of times we have to find items to meet our needs that may have never been intended for war-gaming and this is a perfect example of it. Thanks for sharing Landlubber and passing on the link.
Something else that may peak your interest is this: http://www.joann.com/premium-quilt-fabric-stars-navy/xprd862614/ Its a little more flimsy than the vinyl you have there but can fold up nicely for storage and travel. Also if you need more of a smooth surface, a vinyl layer and be purchased at the same site and sewn onto the fabric. Only upside to this solution is that you can get yards at a time, Downside is sewing if you can't do it or the fact that its not a Hubble shot.
Stitch
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Stitch,
Thank you for the kind words! It isn't often that I have bright ideas that actually work out.
I have actually seen that fabric recommended before, but to be honest I haven't worked up the gumption to go into a store called 'Joanne'. :-[. But I may have a look at some point. I think Walmart also has some sort of space-themed fabric as well. I would like to get a couple more space-themed mats--either by getting more Hubble mats, or other means. Variety is the spice of wargaming!
This weekend, however, I will be hunting for lava rocks, so I can try my hand at making asteroids. Already looked at Walmart with no luck, so next up will be Home Depot.