Taking a break from Gunpla modeling to work on this new Black Friday loot I acquired yesterday. Totally excited!
Author: greatscott84
The State of Gaming
There’s no secret at home that my gaming habits are shifting drastically. With balancing time between work, writing, art, and other hobbies…sitting down to play a 40-80 hour video game simply takes way too much time. Despite my attempts to cut down my gaming into small manageable chunks, the release of many big titles this past year, my backlog has grown into astronomical proportions.
Then last week happened. After several particular stressful weeks at work, I came home eager to continue my game of Assassin’s Creed Unity; but the bugs and glitches reminded me of a sour experience with EA last year (during their SimCity debacle). It had everything going for it: Great setting, great story potential, and refined gameplay. Yet it was marred by bad design decisions (microtransactions?), glitches, bland story, copy/pasted characters. As much as I wanted to enjoy the game, I simply could not.
It’s easy to find yourself immersed in the world of gaming. Most of us have grown up in an era where consoles have grown from a faddish electronic children’s device in the 1980’s to a competitive form of immersive entertainment, dominating even the film industry. Conventions such as PAX, E3, Tokyo Game Show, among others are always a hot topic in the tech world, and your rife to see cosplayers dressed in costumes from Bioshock, Mario, Zelda, and Final Fantasy.
Yet I’ve grown somehow disenchanted with all of that. Despite the inescapable presence of the regular Steam Sales, I traded my powerhouse Asus laptop for an inferior Apple. While most of that decision was so I could apply simplicity to my workflow, I found my interests in gaming simply pressed more towards consoles and mobile devices.
Yet the hype doesn’t hit me as it used to:
Smash Bros for the Wii U – Mehh…
Pokemon Alpha Omega – More of the same…
Farcry 4 – Ehh I’ll skip it…
Borderlands the Presequel – Another Borderlands shooter 
GTA V (for PS4) – Didn’t I just buy this last year?
Then there have been a few titles I’ve been surprised about. Dragon Age Inquisition was a game I swore I would never get, especially given the previous title’s blandness, and Bioware’s association with EA…but it’s surprisingly one of the best games this year. Bayonetta 2, Project Diva F 2nd, Samurai Warriors 4, Persona Q, and a few other quirky Japanese titles are also sparking my interest. Perhaps it’s just that they are different than the mold of domestic titles that have come out.
More and more, I’ve been shifting my attention towards mobile platforms. Perhaps it’s the low software prices that grab me, the many different functions of the iOS that push it beyond just gaming…but with games such as Monument Valley, Baldur’s Gate, and a few “Free to Play” high quality titles such as Terra Battle or Brave Frontier…I just don’t feel the urge to go out and splurge $60 on a gaming experience when I could enjoy a “casual” gaming experience for $5 or $10.
Will there be a quality title such as Dragon Age Inquisition or Bayonetta 2 on an iPad? Probably not…but in the meantime I’ll be spending less on disappointments such as Assassin’s Creed Unity and more on simple games I can play in the toilet at work.
Deathscythe Update
I’ve been a bit skeptical on the wings (or Active Cloak), but the fears were unfounded, given they hold together really well and doesn’t make the model tip over as originally feared. With that said, the model is now complete and ready for the post-modelling process, which includes the the matte primer (to clean-up the scratches and make it look less plastic and more realistic), the decals, and the lining. I might put those extra touches on hold for a few weeks so I can rebuild Char’s Zaku II.
Unfortunately, the Holidays means more time at work and less updates here :(. I’ll see what I can do to keep building.
A wingspan that would make even Batman jealous.
The blade is spans almost the length of the entire Gundam
Look at that intimidating stare.
Gunpla Update
Gunpla Update
Hello world. I’m stuck at work this weekend, but I’m not going to let that stop me from posting Gunpla updates. Here goes!
I’ve made some good progress with the Gundam Deathscythe Hell. The main body is done, all that is left is the Active Cloak and his weapon, which I hope to finish next week. The biggest change with this model from the Rick Dias is that I’m filing out the rough sprue marks where the runner is separated from the part. This has doubled the time it takes to build the model, but it’ll save me a lot of time trying to fix these issues when trying to apply the initial topcoat.
I also received the Gundam Mk-II from Gundam Zeta. I love the design and the color scheme. I’ve been watching the series at the same time, so building the models as I see them in action is a rather unique experience.
I’ve also received my Zaku II (Char Ver.) replacement kit. It’ll probably be my next build since I am very eager to get Char’s Mobile Suit back on display, looking better than before!
During my latest trip to Hobbytown USA, I came across a 1/100 Scale MG Wing Zero Proto kit. This kit will bring some memories since this is the first Gunpla kit I built back in Christmas of 1998. In 2003, I created a 3D Generated model of this Gundam (which I still have a copy of, somewhere…). And now in 2014, I’m building a 1/100 scale with all the skills I’ve acquired through the years. It’ll be an awesome build!
So at this point, with three pending projects…I’ll be knee deep in busy-work for the next few months (not to mention some other non-Gundam projects), so I’ll put a hold on other kits for now. My wish-list is still packed with some other great ideas, but those projects will be months down the line.
It’s coming…
What happens when you cross between a Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) and Megatron? THE MOST AWESOME Transformer crossover…EVER!
I should be getting it within the next couple of weeks. More updates to follow!
Finished Rick Dias!
I sometimes have the tendency to post stuff on Facebook and forget to upload the same content on my blog…breaking old habits methinks!
Here’s my completed Rick Dias project. It was my first attempt at Dry Transfer decals. I initially applied the decals using masking tape around the edges, but found it was too cumbersome and didn’t hold the decal as well as it should. I instead applied scotch tape over the decal and used a coin to scratch it onto the surface. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked out better in the end. Here’s the final results!
Before applying the decals.
The Process:
The completed project
For comparison purposes, the following images shows the model before and after applying the matte topcoat, decals, and subtle weathering effects using the Real Touch markers.
There you have it! For my third project, the Rick Dias turned out great! There wasn’t so much hesitance in applying new techniques as my first model, the RX-78-2 Gundam or vast experimentation with painting as my second model, the Zaku II (Char Variant). Applying a matte topcoat from a Japanese brand I’ve never heard of was a new thing for me, considering my process with more traditional models usually consist of a prime coat followed by enamel paints. But it certainly made a huge difference with minimum risk.
I haven’t decided whether or to apply topcoat before or after I do the panel lining/weathering/decals. In this model, I applied it before I did the detailing and had no issues. My Zaku II Char variant on the other hand…applying a topcoat afterwards made quite a mess.
Oh Nos!
While my Char Zaku II custom was a “test” kit so I don’t ruin any of my better kits while learning some new techniques, I finally ruined it.
I sprayed some of Testors Brand Topcoat, as suggested by a Gunpla Enthusiast at HobbyTown USA. Perhaps his paints were different than mine because immediately after I sprayed the coat, it caused the previous paint to run across the Zaku II, which ruined the decals and made salvaging very difficult. In other words, Char is going to be pissed!
I now have a replacement kit in the mail. I really love the Zaku II and it deserves a bit more than the hack job that I put into it during my previous build.
In the meantime, I have my Gundam Deathscythe work in progress this weekend. I’ll be moving to a new room to work on my models (the laundry room) to make it easy to set up and work on the fly, in between my real job and whatever else I’m doing around the house.
I have some more updates to come this weekend!
MG RMS-099 Rick Dias Quattro Custom – Part 2
Here’s a progress update on the Quattro Custom Rick Dias! With this being my third build, I opted to build everything in stages as opposed to haphazardly jumping around the project.
The actual model actually turned out really well and the colors don’t quite pop-out as I had originally feared. The only problem is that…well…It looks like a toy.
What got me excited for this project is the was that this will be the first time I’ll be applying a matte coat primer. Perhaps it’s just personal preference, but I want to strive for realism. When you think from a hypothetical viewpoint, and consider the resources available in the creation of a mobile suit such as a Gundam or Zaku II, a military organization perhaps won’t be too concerned about making sure the mobile suit has a nice plastic or glossy finish. In the real world especially, most countries are more concerned about a matt, flat look (although playing devil’s advocate, most countries wouldn’t paint their armament bright red/blue either :P).
There’s been a bit of hesitance when using something that can drastically change the look of a model. It wasn’t until I decided to ordered some of the Gundam Real Touch markers for some of the weathering detail when I came across a easy-to-ready diagram from Gundam Planet:
Seems easy enough?
I used the “Mr. Super Clear” Matte spray (Lesson of the Day: つや消し, or “Tsuyakeshi” in Romanji means “Matte”). Applying was easy, just spray and let dry. I strongly urge to pick up a set of goggles, gloves, and a face-mask though, and use a well ventilated space (or outside) to spray and dry since the contents are known to cause cancer and some other crazy conditions.
After I set to dry for about 45 minutes, the results were immediate.
There were a few mistakes to be made though. I had a bunch of the excess “nibs” (or however builders refer them as) that had to be filed down after the initial coat dried.
I also forgot to sand down the model before spraying it, so there were a few cases where the plastic was a bit too smooth and the matte coat didn’t stick. Combined with the colder weather outside it made some nasty looking jizz-like splotches that had to be sanded down and resprayed. I’m using a 600 grit sandpaper since that was the finest grain they had at Ace Hardware, although I’ve been told if I can find 700-800 grit, it works even better.
Looking at the before/after pictures, and you can tell how drastic the change was.
After assembly, the model looks pretty damn awesome!
Next, I’ll be doing the lining, weathering, and detailing process. So at this point the kit is still not quite done yet. 🙂
MG RMS-099 Rick Dias Quattro Custom – Part 1
Worked on the new model for a few hours today. Here’s the progress!
The setup
A set of Real Touch Markers for weathering (which will be much later in the project).
Another set of Real Touch Markers
My trusty tool kit
Here we go!
A can of “Mr. Super Clear”, which is a Matt primer based paint according to the stuff I’ve read on it. Will test it out on some crap stuff later.
Breaking into the shit
First part of the upper torso is in place.
Internals done
External armor
Back of torso
A part of the head
The hollow inside of the head
Now with some internal parts
All together
The red piece opens up to reveal some weaponry
Twin guns
The big cannon with an insertable magazine
And there you have it. Pardon for the briefness of the post, but I’m pooped out!
Rick Dias, Opening the Box
It’s time for a new blog update! I’ve been sick-ish the last few weeks, but feeling so much better now! Here’s a new update with what going on in the world of Scott!
A big package came in yesterday from Gundam Planet, which has great competitive prices, Mobile Suits sorted by series, scale, and grade (as opposed to Amazon that just dumps everything into “Toys & Games”). With that said, I wonder what’s inside?
What is this? It’s a new Mobile Suit, “Quattro’s” custom Rick Dias. The box design looks admittedly like generic 3D garbage. What does the actual model look like?
The inside of the box has a nice full insert of Quattro Vageena’s (snickers) custom mobile suit. Immediatly I can see that the model is a bit on the “bright side” as far as the usage of coloring…and that has me a bit concerned since I can be picky when it comes to putting my models on display.
For comparison’s sake, I pulled up this image from the 1985 design from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. Just as I expected, the red is a bit subdued in the actual series compared to the model illustrations. My assumption based off comparisons on various finished models is that model is actually just lit weirdly…but instead of conjecturing, let’s see what it actually looks like inside the box.
The colors look about right given the lighting conditions when I took these pictures. I’m also happy to say the instructions are easy to follow. Sure, it has four different alphabets (Romanji, Kanji, Katakana, Hiragana), but that doesn’t intimidate me in the slightest!
Whoops! You didn’t see that last picture.
This is going to be a fun project. Unlike my last project with Char’s Zaku II, there is going to be a lot less risks that I’ll be making with painting. Most of the focus will be towards weathering and panel lining. With that said, this is going to be an awesome project and I’ll be posting periodic updates of my progress.
Something About Scott 