NEWS: Black Scorpion Marines

[Nathan Caroland]

Some new ones from Black Scorpion Miniatures.

http://www.blackscorpionminiatures.com/images/USM/USM_USM14_1.jpg

http://www.blackscorpionminiatures.com/images/USM/USM_USM11_1.jpg

[Patrick]

Kewl! :tongue2: A little stiff, pose-wise, but kewl.

[LeadAsbestos]

Is anyone else offended by this? US Marines and Iraqi militia minis right now?

Maybe I'm just feeling a bit delicate this morning, but this is in bad taste.

Yes, I know, "don't buy them if you don't like them" so save that response if that is all anyone can come up with.

[supervike]

Its a valid point. I can't say that it really offends me, though. Bad taste, perhaps, but that is subjective as well.

What is that one to the far left doing? Is that a giant joint he is smoking?

[Nathan Caroland]

Not offended in the least to be honest - now lets say you have an Iraqi sawing off the head of a prisoner, then yes, and it would be in pointless bad taste, but this is military personel and frankly, whatever is of a large interest to the population at the moment will gather attention (marines and iraqi's, etc).

That's just me though.

[vincegamer]

I think he has his foot on his helmet and he's swigging a beer. I like that one.

I don't see why it would be in good taste to make models of nazis or the Tuskeegee airmen but in bad taste to make models of modern soldiers. What am I missing? Did they title them minions of the great satan or something?

[supervike]

I can see why it could be a sore subject. The war is just a bit too current and real to have it something we could make light of with a wargame. I think LeadAsbestos may also be referring to the others in their line, they make a few of the Iraqi Militia as well.

Like I said, I am really not offended but can certainly understand the thoughts of someone who is.

[witchfire]

at least there not minis of british soldier kicking kids in the head

[Spacemunkie]

Exactly. Nowt to be offended by here, they're just toy soldiers. Kicking children, dressing up as a suicide bomber, torturing prisoners, murdering people because of a cartoon.... There are certainly bigger things to get in a twist over I reckon.

[LeadAsbestos]

Exactly why making light of such things seems tacky.

And yes, toy soldiers fighting "wars" that are still happening is indeed making light.

Now, why I feel this way, I can't tell you... but I still do.

[vincegamer]

Well, the history of war gaming as we know it was as a way of asking the question: What If?
During the cold war there were many "what if there were a 3rd major land war in Europe?"
"What if Napoleon had known in advance of Wellington's reserve troops?" is an especially popular one.

One reason for asking the what if question is to learn from past mistakes and develop strategy for potential future conflict.

I don't see the difference. I say there is a war going on regardless of what people call it, and have no problem with people working out in theory the potential outcome.
Others of course say the war is over, in which case how is reenacting this war any different from reenacting WWII or Vietnam?
I think rejecting such things denies the reality of what war games represent.

Of course, fantasy and science fiction games don't really ask the what if question, but they aren't the subject here, unless you have the marines fighting off Cthulu.

[supervike]

I think this is an interesting debate, and a similar one to what the PC Gamers are having.

There are plenty of PC games where you can kill nazis, strategize on how to beat the Viet Cong, and countless other 'past' battles.

I believe there have been some games set in the more current conflict, and they are met with the same uncomfortableness.

I still think it is the 'realness' that makes people uncomfortable. Although digital or pewter avatars, they still represent flesh and blood of family, friends, or aquaintences.

Just like I'm sure our VP Cheney and his buddy wouldn't want to play 'big game hunter' right now...

[Spacemunkie]

They're only figures! It's not as if they've released a game called 'Jihad' or 'War on Terror' and are starting to release supplements along the lines of 'Death on the Underground', 'Escape From Camp X-Ray' or Al Queda force lists.....

Hmmm. Idea for a game.....

:imsorry:

[Drake Farstrider]

They seem a bit bland to me. The poses are borring.