The Battle of the Hobby Budget, Pt. 1

I’m pretty certain that for all of gamers, it’s all about balancing our hobbies.  Many of the miniatures gamers I know are also board gamers.  Others are video/PC gamers.  RPGers.  Book readers.  Sports enthusiasts.  Drinkers.  Fathers.  Etc.  So the key is to balance the time and money spent between the hobbies.

Well, my gaming hobby budget is going to take a hit over the next few months, as after reading this week’s Sideshow Newsletter I’m afraid of how much I’ll be spending on my 1/6th hobby!

So, first off, the Infantry Battle Droids have been released…and I ordered two sets.

And then, over the next 30 days, more releases:

IG-88

and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

And if all that isn’t enough…

They go and announce the STAP!  Great! 

Now, I saw all of these at San Diego Comic Con last summer.  I was mesmerized.  I spent quite a while ogling at the upcoming figures in their cases.  But nothing prepares you for the price tag that these guys all come with.  You can check them all out at the Sideshow website, or the Urban Samurai site for prices.  But maybe you better not.  You just might cringe a little.

Looks like I’ll be painting a lot more of my old minis in the near future…I won’t be able to afford any new ones!

Thanks for reading.

**Image all borrowed from the Sideshow website.

Cobra Viper (1/6th Scale)

Last week I received the first of two Cobra Vipers that I had pre-ordered.

This is what he looks like with minimal ‘futzing’ (the term used to describe playing around with the various gear and clothing to make it look more realistic), and not all of this gear on (his ammo pouches are not attached yet).

This one came from Legends Toys, although I almost always order my 1/6th figures from Urban Samurai Hobbies, or pick them up from Silver Snail here in Toronto on Boxing Day.  This is a Sideshow Collectibles figure, as are most of the ones I buy. 

I love him.  He looks very similar to the original toy.  After a little bit of futzing, I think he’ll look even better.  I originally only wanted one, but I forgot to cancel one of my pre-orders, so I’ll be getting a second one soon.  That’s okay, though, as I can make one an officer and one a regular.

So this is just one of many belonging to my other hobby, 1/6th scale figures.  Dolls.  Mandollies.  1/6th scale, historically/film accurate, highly detailed, thoroughly poseable action models.  Whatever you call them, I collect them.  I used to collect WWI and WWII figures, but once the Star Wars, then G.I.Joe lines arrived I pretty much moved over exclusively to them.  I do have a few others, like some of Hot Toys’ marine from Aliens (sadly, none of the Aliens yet!), and Ghostbusters.  And yes…I have a Jabba, with his throne.  And Han in carbonite.  And many more.

As my room gets clean and I move to the basement, I’m going to find space to display them all, and I can take some more pictures.  To me, they’re kind of like art that I can pose.  They’re expensive art that I can pose, for sure, but I think I’ll keep collecting them.  One day I might even let my son play with them.  Maybe.  Probably not.

I just felt like sharing with you one of my other hobbies.  It’s okay if you want to make fun of it.  I’m comfortable with it.  And besides…it’s not too far removed from little plastic and metal men on a felt table

Thanks for reading.