Pritchard self-published Lensman in '69, hand-drawing the map (pictured above) and stenciling most of the pieces. Loosely inspired by the Lensman novels, it was the first space wargame and also the first "4x" game (Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate). As revolutionary as it was, Pritchard himself admits that, "the designer's creativity exceeded the components' capacity to support the design."
The new components will be double-sided and die-cut, showing the original maps and markers on one side and a new version with modern colors and graphics on the other (modern map pictured above). You can play three different versions of the game: a quick version that will last two hours or so, the 4x version that involves exploring nearby star systems, and another version with deep tactical combat that includes orbital fortifications, mines, tractors beams and other goodies.

Keep in mind that even the updated Lensman will be strictly old-school. There are no fancy miniatures with clicky bases, just lots and lots of cardboard chits and a hex map to move them on. There are forms to track your systems and your ships. It's pretty hardcore grognard stuff. There's no set date for the release yet, but they're close enough that they had a booth at Origins last month promoting it. Images by: Phil Pritchard.

Last week we talked about five of our favorite sci-fi miniatures games, and Seth L was kind enough to point us to a game not on our list. Infinity, by Spanish publisher Corvus Belli, has been out for a few years and is steadily gaining fans among tabletop warlords. The miniatures tend to have a distinct anime feel, while the game's evolving backstory borrows a few elements from Battletech. The rules are based around D20 rolls and have several cool, innovative mechanics, such as the ability for certain units to "hack" the electronics of armored or robotic opponents, shutting them down. You can read through the quick start rules here, and there are tons of images of miniatures (which do not come prepainted) as well as the full rulebook in PDF at the official site.

And just in case you thought I was joking about the nun in a thong:

Photos by: Corvus Belli.

Car Wars, Steve Jackson Games. Yes, the rules are flawed. It can take two hours to play through two minutes of action. And the "miniatures" were really 2D paper cars. But you can't beat the concept: Road Warrior style running battles between heavily armed and armored cars and trucks. If you've ever gone to a car dealership and asked which options package includes "Autocannon," this is the game for you. Photo by: Steve Jackson Games.

Star Wars Miniatures, Wizards of the Coast. Another game where the concept outshines the rules themselves, which were shoehorned into the Star Wars setting from Wizards' D&D miniatures game. They aren't bad rules, just a little dry. But anything that allows you to recreate the Battle of Hoth is a sure winner. Bonus: you can own your own Stormtrooper army. Photo by yowzer.

Heroclix, Wizkids. If you're looking for a comic book themed miniatures game, Heroclix is pretty much your only option. Luckily, it's a great game. You can choose between both Marvel and DC universes (or mix and match), and unless your tastes run to the impossibly obscure, a version of your favorite character already exists. Heroclix is a quick-playing game that captures the action of a good comic book fight scene.

Warhammer 40,000, Games Workshop. I'm going to confess that I've never played Warhammer 40K, so I can't speak to the rules. The minis are gorgeously sculpted, and the game's near ubiquity means that it will never be hard to find an opponent. Line up your Space Marines against your buddy's Tyranids and make your own "What if Earth waged all-out war against the aliens from Aliens?" scenario. Photo by: Games Workshop.

BattleTech/Mechwarrior, FASA/Wizkids. Whichever flavor you prefer, this classic game of warring giant robots is the godfather of sci-fi minis games. Old-school BattleTech featured metal minis you painted yourself, an intricate and detailed combat system, and the occasional hour-long turn. Bolstered by a rich backstory of galactic politics and conquest, the franchise was revitalized when Wizkids released a clix version. The larger-scale, prepainted miniatures negate the need for paperwork, and the game itself presents a compelling version of combined arms sci-fi warfare.

Top photo by: Catalyst Game Lab.