In the realm of miniature gaming there has been much fuss made over a game called, Kingdom Death. It is touted as a, "Boutique Nightmare Horror," table-top game meant for mature audiences. This game has been in development for quite some time now and while no actual game boxes have been released/shipped out yet, they have been selling collectable miniatures to continue to fund the project and keep its audience captive. While this may sound odd and kind of backwards, this hasn't stopped the momentum that its ridiculously successful Kickstarter produced. The original goal was $35,000 and they raised an astonishing $2,049,721 by the end of it.
This image of, "The King," was what first brought my attention to this project. I had been reading an article on a war-gaming website when this unique collection of pixels grabbed my attention in the ad sidebar. The style and uniqueness of the monstrosity instantly enthralled me and from day one. I'm a big fan of the horror and macabre genres in general so this was right up my alley. As time passed more and more art was released from the disturbing (NSFW) Forge God to the beautiful (NSFW) White Speaker - Nico.
They kept revealing more and more pieces of art and pictures of molded game pieces were also released as the game's actual ship-date kept getting pushed back. While this is not anything new to gaming projects (especially on Kickstarter), it does make one wonder and wound up losing my attention because of it.
I had checked back in during the winter holiday season and on the website they started/had been selling "pinup" collectors edition versions of the characters to keep the project rolling. With still nothing too new and me not willing to pay the asking price for the models, I let some more time pass. Fast forward to this week and I was lucky enough to catch a 48hr sale, knocking $20 off the Pinups of Death collection of eight miniatures. This collection was 60% off MSRP (if you were to buy each model individually) before shipping. Needless to say, I snatched it up. They are marketed as blank, unassembled display pieces (like all miniatures), giving me an exciting long-term painting project to undertake.
Now one of the things that this game has going for it is the amazing detail and quality of the mini's on an almost unparalleled level. Something to keep in mind with these images is that most are of 35mm scale - measured from foot to eye level of the model. When models are this small and you are dealing with plastic or resin, it is not uncommon for the details to become muddled or smeared in the casting process. This is not the case with Kingdom Death.
Everything is "art display case" quality and a pleasure to look at. In a round about way, this is also what has drawn some controversy and an ongoing debate to its doorstep.
Everything is "art display case" quality and a pleasure to look at. In a round about way, this is also what has drawn some controversy and an ongoing debate to its doorstep.
No matter where you go there will be a battle for what is considered PC, if something demeans or puts down a certain group of people or if a group is being exploited. The arena of hobby gaming is no exception.
Now I will always stand up against discrimination or intolerance (or stupidity), I will also point out when people are being myopic or using straw-man arguments to further their own cause, harming others in the process.
With one glance of the image to the right, its easy to see that the Preacher Pinup character has ample breasts, hips and has plenty of skin showing. The feminist media group, Bitch Magazine, chose to write an article about it, saying how the miniatures are sexist, demeaing and only being used as a selling tactic. *Note: They also commented on the disturbing monsters - its a horror/nightmare game so I'm not sure what else they expected. While it is easy to think this way due to the history of gaming in general having many women that are "easy on the eyes," there are a few things to consider.
From a business standpoint, this market is mostly dominated by males and therefore its smart business to more or less cater to your crowd. I'm not saying that I support this one way or the other, but its smart business for the bottom line. This can result in the classic "chainmail bikini" style of armor that is quite often found in games.
With one glance of the image to the right, its easy to see that the Preacher Pinup character has ample breasts, hips and has plenty of skin showing. The feminist media group, Bitch Magazine, chose to write an article about it, saying how the miniatures are sexist, demeaing and only being used as a selling tactic. *Note: They also commented on the disturbing monsters - its a horror/nightmare game so I'm not sure what else they expected. While it is easy to think this way due to the history of gaming in general having many women that are "easy on the eyes," there are a few things to consider.
From a business standpoint, this market is mostly dominated by males and therefore its smart business to more or less cater to your crowd. I'm not saying that I support this one way or the other, but its smart business for the bottom line. This can result in the classic "chainmail bikini" style of armor that is quite often found in games.
Another thing to consider is the fact that in this game (and a lot of gaming in general) they offer up an "easy on the eyes" male version as well. While the men wind up with more coverage when wearing armor (I do agree that the discrepancy is ridiculous at times), they are still physical specimens. I mean look at the guy - he's cut! This is a perfect example of how some men could feel that "ideal versions" or body types are being pressured or projected upon themselves as well.
At the same time I wouldn't be surprised if a good number of male gamers are drawn towards these buff male figures in order to embody something that they are not in real life. Escapism is a huge reason as to why we all game (that's an article for another day).
The human figure is an odd thing. Its something that we see everyday and yet its something that a lot of people are uncomfortable with. There is one area where the human figure has been a mainstay for practically all of modern time though - ART!
At the same time I wouldn't be surprised if a good number of male gamers are drawn towards these buff male figures in order to embody something that they are not in real life. Escapism is a huge reason as to why we all game (that's an article for another day).
The human figure is an odd thing. Its something that we see everyday and yet its something that a lot of people are uncomfortable with. There is one area where the human figure has been a mainstay for practically all of modern time though - ART!
Quite honestly, this is what I see in the Kingdom Death miniatures. Especially when they are painted and presented like the Preacher above and in their (some parts NSFW) Fan Painted Gallery. Art comes in all forms and is a result of hours upon hours of effort being poured into a piece. In order for these models to be made, they start with a detailed concept sketch (like seen above) before a clay sculpture or a digital sculpture (done on the computer) is completed. And then, only after spending much time refining the sculpture, does the actual model making process begin. Massive amounts of skill and creative vision are needed for the high quality results seen in the Kingdom Death miniatures.
At the end of the day, I am reasonable and can see where some of the models skirt the line a bit (no pun intended), but overall the pinups aren't really in any straight up sexual/suggestive poses. Another thing to consider is that all of these women are not weak and frail. They are all armed, here to kick ass and take some names! And as far as their ample proportions go, I have actually read some comments from women saying how they were glad that the women were actually "thick" for once and not tiny little twigs.
I know that I will continue to support Kingdom Death and await more news as to when the game may actually come out (Q3/Q4 of 2014 right now I believe). As always, the best way to make your voice heard on a product is with your wallet: buy it if you like it, if not, walk away and don't spoil it for the rest of us.
"Art isn't safe." - Rob Zombie
At the end of the day, I am reasonable and can see where some of the models skirt the line a bit (no pun intended), but overall the pinups aren't really in any straight up sexual/suggestive poses. Another thing to consider is that all of these women are not weak and frail. They are all armed, here to kick ass and take some names! And as far as their ample proportions go, I have actually read some comments from women saying how they were glad that the women were actually "thick" for once and not tiny little twigs.
I know that I will continue to support Kingdom Death and await more news as to when the game may actually come out (Q3/Q4 of 2014 right now I believe). As always, the best way to make your voice heard on a product is with your wallet: buy it if you like it, if not, walk away and don't spoil it for the rest of us.
"Art isn't safe." - Rob Zombie
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