Unveiling PROJECT Z...

Every year I like to set myself an overall project, just something ticking away in the background that I can return to when I have some downtime.

I'm so far batting 0.500 for success. Two years ago, in a time before HeroPress, it was supposed to be the Year Of Stargate, but my enthusiasm got the better of me and I sank my funds into a 20mm line of miniatures that promptly disappeared from the marketplace never to be seen again.

This year I did better, declaring in January my desire to explore The Crusades, and while I may not have broadened my intellectual horizons or my knowledge base, what digging I did inspired me to really pull my finger out on my Castles & Crusades campaign - which kicked off in earnest in August; becoming the first RPG I've run for over a decade.

Tekralh (my homebrew campaign) has proved a big hit with my players - three-quarters of whom were old school gamers like myself returning to this updated, but streamlined, version of the game we all cut our gaming teeth on: Dungeons & Dragons.

At a time when I thought, maybe, I might have actually outgrown roleplaying games and resigned myself to a lifetime of fruitless schemes and pipedreams, this campaign has been the virtual kick in the butt I needed.

So, while I was on a roll, I thought it was time to start hatching next years' project. It's taken about a month to settle on an idea and really it shouldn't have taken that long, as Nick said to me the other day (without even knowing what I had been thinking about), words to the effect of: "Well, you've always had a thing for zombies."

And so, 2009 is going to be the HeroPress Year Of The Zombie.

I've already begun my research, collected all my zombie DVDs and books together, and ordered a few miniatures from companies as diverse as Hasslefree and Musketeer Miniatures, which will be winging their way to my painter (Neil) soon.

This will mean that, even if I don't have time to squeeze in a second roleplaying campaign (and the ever-helpful crew at the Midnight's Lair boards have been suggesting a variety of zombie RPGs for me to try) I will, at least, have a chance to put the numerous, random pieces of near-future/post-apocalyptic terrain scenery I've accumuilated over the years to some use... and finally get to actually play a wargame on my games table!

More news as Project Z takes shape...