Kickstarter: Wood Wars 3D Engages All Ages in a Pastoral 3D Printed Game of Strategy, War & Marble Artillery

May 21, 2015 by Bridget O'Neal 3D Design 3D Printing

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3D printing has offered an incredible boon to gamers of all sorts, and very much so for those who enjoy the tabletop challenge.

With the ability to design and manufacture pieces, replace pieces, and do so affordably, even the toy industry becomes self-sustaining. If a piece doesn’t survive one game, you’ve got the files to simply make a new one–a far cry from the ‘old days’ when losing parts usually meant eventually just replacing an entire set. And in a game like Wood Wars 3D, boasting 65 pieces, it’s nice knowing it’s not the end of the world if you lose a few pieces. That’s also part of the beauty in 3D printing–you are not held hostage by a manufacturer.

Joe Larson

Surviving and avoiding attack are major elements of this game just launched on Kickstarter by Joe Larson in hopes of raising $20K by June 18^th. Wood Wars 3D is a 3D printable, tabletop game for all ages that incorporates strategy, movement, and attacks on the enemy by employing a torrent of rolling marbles. Not only that, while you can make the game as complex and time-intensive as you’d like, it can be as short as a quick thirty-minute jaunt through the perilous woods in this ‘build ‘em up and knock ‘em down game.’

“I want the final version of the game to be made on a lot of 3D printers,” says Larson, whose enthusiasm for the game is infectious.

The game was created with a storyline that has a dark fairytale bend to it, regarding animals who drank from enchanted waters and discovered they could both think and talk due to the magical qualities found therein. An evil sorceress ‘encrypted’ the water one fateful night, however, transforming the animals who came to drink into ‘bodies like people,’ thirsting for power. This was the beginning of the Wood Wars.

To rule the woods, you have to build your army of 3D printed pieces, referred to as pawns, which make up a herd that you will move in measured distances. This does involve some time for calculation and setup of pieces both in building the herd and placing pieces on the board in varying quadrants on the ‘terrain’ which is the theater where they will attack each other with marble roll attacks.

The base set includes:

Six class pawns
Eight race heads
Forty filler pawns
Four terrain pieces
Four tokens
Two coins
One marble roller
One marble and 22 cards

“Am I crazy for wanting to buck the trends of traditional manufacturing?” asks Larson. “Well, I’ve run the numbers and I can get you a high-quality product with a lot of variety for a lot less money–and don’t listen to the people who say 3D printing can’t produce high-quality parts. 3D printing can produce beautiful quality parts.”

With the funds acquired through the Kickstarter campaign, Larson plans to “build (or hire) a farm of 3D printers” which will fulfill orders and keep production going. Funds will also be designated for improving and expanding the game further. Larson is experienced in 3D printing as a designer, teacher, and entrepreneur, and when it comes to his Kickstarter campaign he states that he has backups for his backups, which is always good to hear.

For as little as $5, you are able to receive a file to 3D print one gamepiece and see what you think. Supporters who pledge $35 or more are able to receive the early bird manufactured base set at the ‘Sounder of Boars’ tier which includes stretch goals, box, cards, and everything necessary to play. These are already going very quickly though, with few left, so check it out now if you are interested at that level.

Supporters who pledge at the higher levels receive different tiers such as the ‘Gang of Elk’ tier or the ‘Pride of Lions’ tier at $300 which includes–along with the whole base set–a character custom made in your name, and also offered to everyone.

Be sure to keep in mind Larson’s words regarding 3D printing and his Wood Wars 3D game: “It’s the coolest thing since maple sugar pie, man!”

Is this a campaign you are interested in supporting? Have you 3D printed any games of your own? Discuss in the Wood Wars 3D Printed Tabletop Game forum thread over at 3DPB.com. Check out the Kickstarter and game play videos below.