We are here today with Gregory Millsopp who is the developer of Delta One Zero: The Miniatures Game.
SRGA: Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in gaming.
Gregory: It all started when I was a teenager and my next door neighbour introduced me to Games Workshop games, such as Blood Bowl, 40K, Epic and Wargammer Fantasy.
SRGA: Tell us about the game you have developed. (Genre, setting etc)
Gregory: We’ve developed a modern warfare tabletop game that is set roughly in Eastern Europe. The basic premise is that Eastern Europe is being destabilised by forces unknown with the UN struggling to maintain peace in the region, with the added element of Russian forces operating just off the border…tensions are running high, whilst an unknown terrorist faction are up to no good in the area.
SRGA: What motivated you to start creating your own game?
Gregory: My gaming group are a talented bunch; they’ve already developed expansions for other tabletop games (Rumbleslam and Kings of War) for the wider community to use.
I guess making our own game is a natural progression. We also think, given our wide experience, that we can do a pretty good job!
SRGA: What has surprised you most about your experiences creating / producing a game in Australia?
Gregory: I think in general the community as a whole (worldwide, not just in Australia) is very supportive – I’ve obtained advice here and overseas which has been invaluable.
Tabletop Game Designers Association has been a great resource, although more board game centric, it does have a few wargame developers that are very supportive and helpful. Facebook groups are an invaluable resource and I am constantly blown away by the help that’s available.
There is a downside though and that’s how dysfunctional it all is; TGDA does a good job bringing different industries together but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
One of the issues with tabletop game design is the multiple roles involved; project management, financial management, rules design, professional editing, graphic design, 3D sculpting, printing and logistics to name just a few! It would be great to have a central network where everyone associated with game development can tap into.
At the inception, I was hoping to produce Delta One Zero in Australia, but unfortunately that won’t be the case with the majority of parts being produced in China. I also have my sculpting done by a Spainish artist and my artwork by a German artist.
It would be great to have a one stop shop game designers could go to here in Australia to tap into local talent. I’m sure there are local sculptors and artists I could work with, but I’ve no idea how to contact them.
SRGA: Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you meticulously plan every detail, or spontaneously go with the flow when creating your game?
Gregory: I very much go with the flow as far as creating the rules for a game is concerned, but I always ask myself the question “does it fit the original intent?”, that way I don’t get sidetracked.
Regarding the manufacturing element, I very much want to know every detail so therefore I plan and research as much as I can.
SRGA: What is important to you as a player, and how have you incorporated aspects of that into your own game?
Gregory: Fun, haha! Making sure the player experience is as good as it can be and not bogged down. We’ve tried to make the game as streamlined and as easy to pick up and play as possible…and to a large extent I think we’ve achieved that – but there’s always room for improvement.
You always have to look at continuously improving and not be complacent.
SRGA: What do you think will change about the Australian hobby gaming industry over the next 5 or 10 years?
Gregory: It would be great to see more government grants for game designers/manufacturers or tax incentives to increase the scale of development in Australia….fingers crossed!
In the short term an online resource to contact professionals in the industry across the board would be great; not just sculptors or graphic designers but the whole range of professionals needed.
SRGA: Finally, some fun questions to finish off (give quick answers please!):
SRGA: If a movie was made of your life what genre would it be, and who would play you?
Gregory: Monty Python with the late, great Robin Williams
SRGA: If you could bring back any fashion trend throughout history, what would it be?
Gregory: Anything 70’s
SRGA: What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble?
Gregory: Wanting to make people laugh…
SRGA: Thank you for your time, and for being part of the Australian role playing community. If readers what to find out more about your game, or purchase copies, what is the best way for them to do that?
Gregory: Check out our Facebook page for updates on Kickstarter release.
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