MINIATURES GAMES NEWS
October 14, 2006
Mongoose to Release Modern Combat Minis
Future Warfare and the Future of Wargaming
 BBG Newsroom - January 2007 will mark the beginning of a new tabletop war. Mongoose Publishing, makers of the popular Starship Troopers miniatures game is putting the final touches on a new military miniatures game system.
Battlefield Evolution is no sci-fi bug hunt; it's a fast-paced game of opposing real-world military forces in the near future. If you know anything about “Land Warrior” or the Brit's “Future Infantry Soldier Technology” program (FIST), then you already know something about Battlefield Evolution. The game lets players think ahead 10 to 15 years, build forces that are believable and test a wide variety of 'whatif?' scenarios and conflicts.
Mongoose hopes that its new modern combat system will revolutionize miniatures gaming. They say Battlefield Evolution not only demonstrates the future of modern warfare but also showcases the future of wargaming. The game is designed around pre-painted, non-collectible 28mm (1/65th scale) miniatures made of high-grade plastic. Mongoose says the models are painted to a higher standard than they estimate, “90% of players can paint themselves.” And the best part; these expert level painted models will cost about the same as unpainted metal miniatures. The company hopes customers will see value in the time saved and less money spent on glue and paints.
The Game System
Mongoose spent some time and effort refining the core mechanics of its Starship Troopers game rules to be used with Battlefield Evolution. Each package of miniatures will include unit cards and a single page rules sheet for quick and easy game play. And if you really want something to sink your teeth into, a hard-bound rulebook will be released in the spring containing extensive army lists and scenarios of real-world military operations.
The Forces
Starting in January there will be two box sets released for each of four armies. After that there will be a new box set available each month for each army. Initially, the forces slated for development are:
- The United States Marine Corps: The first two sets will include Land Warrior technology equipped infantry and the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank.
- European Union Coalition: The first box sets will include FIST equipped infantry and the Challenger II MBT.
- Middle Eastern Alliance: These sets will be composed of government troops and tribal militias armed with low tech but effective AKs and RPGs.
- People Liberation Army: Don't underestimate the Chinese with the largest land army in the world! The first sets will include Infantry squads and the Type 99 MBT.
 And yes, Mongoose is taking a serious look at other forces including the US Army, the Israeli Defense Force and even African Warlords.
The Kreplakistan War
Sometime in the spring of '07 (about the same time the rulebook comes out) Mongoose will start a worldwide, Internet-based wargame based on Battlefield Evolution. Players will be given prepared scenarios based on a conflict in the fictional country of 'Kreplakistan.' Players will log on to a website and record the results of battles that they fight. The results of the games will be collated and an online map will be updated to show how various armies are doing in the fictional war.
Future Expansion
Mongoose says it will guarantee that players of Battlefield Evolution will never be short of opponents. They will produce a wealth of units to add to whatever army you decide to adopt. The company is already play testing rules for elite forces such as USMC Force Recon squads and SAS sections. There will be plenty of armored vehicles available for everyone, as well as helicopter gunships and fast attack jets.
Battlefield Evolution promises to be a 'target rich' game of strategy for those that like to play at the game of war. Visit BigBox Games for our everyday low prices; the new arms race starts in January!
© 2006 BigBox Games LLC
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