Martian Metals

Martial Metals was a company that produced miniature figures in the 1970s and 1980s for tabletop games such as Ogre/G.E.V.,[1] Traveller,[2][3][4][5][6] and RuneQuest.[7]

Works

OGRE/G.E.V.

OGRE/G.E.V. is a miniatures line for tabletop games published by Martian Metals. OGRE/G.E.V. is a line of miniatures that consisted of miniatures for Ogre and G.E.V.[8] Nevin J. Templin reviewed OGRE/G.E.V. in The Space Gamer No. 29.[8] Templin commented that "My sample [of Ogre] needed a minute with a file prior to assembly. The G.E.V. is sharp and crisp, and requires a bit of assembly. The Heavy Tank is an impressive vehicle, nicely cast. The only other vehicle available is the Missile Tank, another sharply detailed casting."[8] The OGRE series won the H.G. Wells award for Best Vehicular Model Series of 1979.[9]

RuneQuest

Runequest is a line of miniatures published by Martian Metals for RuneQuest in 1982. Runequest was a line of 25mm scale miniatures, bubble-packed sets of denizens of Glorantha.[10] John Rankin reviewed Runequest in The Space Gamer No. 57.[10] Rankin commented that "Overall, the Runequest line is a very imaginative and well done offering. Considering how long Runequest players have waited for these figures, the line should enjoy considerable success."[10]

Aslan

Aslan was published by Martian Metals for Traveller. Aslan were released as a pack of twelve 15mm miniatures for Traveller.</ref> William A. Barton reviewed Aslan in The Space Gamer No. 46.[11] Barton commented that "The figures are nicely detailed, as usual with MM figures, and relatively free of flaws or flash."[11]

Beast of Burden

Beast of Burden was published by Martian Metals for Traveller. Beast of Burden is a 15mm Traveller figure consisting of one quadruped beast and rider.</ref> William A. Barton reviewed Beast of Burden in The Space Gamer No. 47.[12] Barton commented that "Overall, Beast of Burden will probably prove of more use in your Traveller miniature animal encounters than those figures in the earlier Aliens pack. I'd recommend adding at least one or two to your collection."[12]

Citizens

Citizens was published by Martian Metals for Traveller. Citizens were released as a pack of twelve 15mm miniatures.[13] William A. Barton reviewed Citizens in The Space Gamer No. 40.[13] Barton commented that "If you're a completest, you may even wish to pick up a set (no more than one) each of Citizens and Patrons."[13]

Droyne

Droyne was published by Martian Metals for Traveller. Droyne were released as a pack of twelve 15mm miniatures for Traveller.[14] William A. Barton reviewed Droyne in The Space Gamer No. 46.[14] Barton commented that "The figures are nicely detailed, as usual with MM figures, and relatively free of flaws or flash."[14]

Imperial Striker Force

Imperial Striker Force was published by Martian Metals for Traveller in 1982. Imperial Striker Force were released as a pack of twelve 15mm miniatures for Traveller. The Imperial Striker Force features figures in various poses with a variety of small arms, plus a miniature of the map box featured on the cover of the Striker miniature rules.[15] William A. Barton reviewed Imperial Striker Force in The Space Gamer No. 56.[15] Barton commented that "Overall, the 15mm miniature enthusiast will probably find [this set] of use, as will Traveller players and refs who use the miniatures in their role-playing campaigns."[15]

K'kree

K'kree was published by Martian Metals for Traveller. K'kree were released as a pack of three 15mm miniatures for Traveller.[16] William A. Barton reviewed K'kree in The Space Gamer No. 46.[16] Barton commented that "The figures are nicely detailed, as usual with MM figures, and relatively free of flaws or flash."[16]

K'kree Military in Cloth Armor

K'kree Military in Cloth Armor was published by Martian Metals for Traveller in 1982. K'kree Military in Cloth Armor were released as a pack of three 15mm miniatures for Traveller. The set features K'kree warriors wearing cloth armor and carrying centaur-sized weapons.[17] William A. Barton reviewed K'kree Military in Cloth Armor in The Space Gamer No. 57.[17] Barton commented that "For those who have an interest in them, these K'kree figures will be well received."[17]

Mercenaries

Mercenaries was published by Martian Metals for Traveller. Mercenaries were released as a pack of twelve 15mm miniatures.[18] William A. Barton reviewed Mercenaries in The Space Gamer No. 40.[18] Barton commented that "If you're into 15mm miniature use in your Traveller scenarios, you'll probably want to pick up a set or two of Mercenaries."[18]

Miniatures for Traveller

Miniatures for Traveller was published by Martian Metals for Traveller first in 1980. Miniatures for Traveller were a line of 15mm miniatures, most of which contained twelve figures per set.[19] Forrest Johnson reviewed Miniatures for Traveller in The Space Gamer No. 32.[19] Johnson commented that "All in all, a B plus effort. Recommended to Traveller fans and SF miniatures gamers in general."[19]

Patrons

Patrons was published by Martian Metals for Traveller. Patrons were released as a pack of twelve 15mm miniatures.[20] William A. Barton reviewed Patrons in The Space Gamer No. 40.[20] Barton commented that "If you're a completest, you may even wish to pick up a set (no more than one) each of Citizens and Patrons."[20]

Sword Worlds Military

Sword Worlds Military was published by Martian Metals for Traveller in 1982. Sword Worlds Military were released as a pack of twelve 15mm miniatures for Traveller. The Sworld Worlders are lower tech level troops with smaller weapons, and are clad in uniforms with beret-type caps.[21] William A. Barton reviewed Sword Worlds Military in The Space Gamer No. 56.[21] Barton commented that "Overall, the 15mm miniature enthusiast will probably find [this set] of use, as will Traveller players and refs who use the miniatures in their role-playing campaigns."[21]

Zhodani

Zhodani was published by Martian Metals for Traveller. Zhodani were released as a pack of 15mm miniatures for Traveller.[22] William A. Barton reviewed Zhodani in The Space Gamer No. 43.[22] Barton commented that "If you're collecting the MM Traveller miniatures, add a set of Zhodani to your collection [...] But I certainly could have hoped for more than this. And I certainly will expect more from future sets, hopefully with Aslan and other Traveller aliens. You should, too."[22]

Zhodani Military

Zhodani Military was published by Martian Metals for Traveller in 1982. Zhodani Military were released as a pack of twelve 15mm miniatures for Traveller. The Zhodani pack features figures clad in the distinctive Zhodani battledress.[23] William A. Barton reviewed Zhodani Military in The Space Gamer No. 56.[23] Barton commented that "Overall, the 15mm miniature enthusiast will probably find [this set] of use, as will Traveller players and refs who use the miniatures in their role-playing campaigns."[23]

History

The company was founded in 1976 by Forest Brown to provide metal miniatures to the burgeoning fantasy role-playing game industry.[24] Miniatures produced by the company had a distinctive six-sided base designed to fit the standard hex grid map used in many miniatures games.[25] Martian Metals rapidly became one of the premier miniatures companies in the RPG industry, winning several awards.

Martian Metals went out of business in the mid-1980s. Brown would later start up another miniatures company, Deimos Design Studio, that was active until his death in 2010.[24]

Awards
  • 1979: Origins Award for Best Vehicular Model Series, for their OGRE series[26]
  • 1981: Origins Award for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Figure Series, for the Dragonslayers & Travellers line[27]

Reception

Martian Metals received many positive reviews in industry publications.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Various reviews in the pages of Dragon use phrases like "quite distinctive",[25] "a good range of armored and unarmored figures [...] Technical rating of 9/10", [28] "Fantasy 15s series is excellent",[29] and "incomparable 15mm Fantasy Line". [30]

References
  1. Templin, Nevin J. (July 1980). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (29): 29.
  2. Barton, William A. (June 1981). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (40): 34.
  3. Barton, William A. (September 1981). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (43): 33.
  4. Barton, William A. (January 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (47): 31.
  5. Barton, William A. (October 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (56): 36, 38.
  6. Barton, William A. (November 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (57): 33–34.
  7. Rankin, John (November 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (57): 34.
  8. Templin, Nevin J. (July 1980). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (29): 29.
  9. "1979 Origins Awards Winners". Archived from the original on December 16, 2012.
  10. Rankin, John (November 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (57): 34.
  11. Barton, William A. (December 1981). "Expanding Traveller". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (46): 9.
  12. Barton, William A. (January 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (47): 31.
  13. Barton, William A. (June 1981). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (40): 34.
  14. Barton, William A. (December 1981). "Expanding Traveller". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (46): 9.
  15. Barton, William A. (October 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (56): 36, 38.
  16. Barton, William A. (December 1981). "Expanding Traveller". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (46): 9.
  17. Barton, William A. (November 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (57): 33–34.
  18. Barton, William A. (June 1981). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (40): 34.
  19. Johnson, Forrest (October 1980). "Expanding Traveller". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (32): 8.
  20. Barton, William A. (June 1981). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (40): 34.
  21. Barton, William A. (October 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (56): 36, 38.
  22. Barton, William A. (September 1981). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (43): 33.
  23. Barton, William A. (October 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (56): 36, 38.
  24. "Forest Brown". Warpigs. September 2010. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  25. Eastland, Kim (February 1983). "Figure Feature: Knights". Dragon. TSR, Inc. (70): 25.
  26. "The 1979 Origins Awards - Presented at Origins 1980". The Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2020-02-20.[]
  27. "The 1981 Origins Awards - Presented at Origins 1982". The Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2020-02-20.[]
  28. Fawcett, Bill (April 1981). "Figuratively speaking". Dragon. TSR, Inc. (48): 72.
  29. "Origins: Chaos with a Happy Ending". Dragon. TSR, Inc. (30): 10. October 1979.
  30. Kask, Tim (November 1979). "The Dragon's Augury". Dragon. TSR, Inc. (31): 49.
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