After watching Predator: Badlands, I went on the hunt for Predator minis. Immediately. Some are out there floating around, But nothing from the masters at Wargames Atlantic. Do you sense the potential here guys?
Bring us a box of Predator/yautjas. Wowtjas is what we'll call them. Here me out:
Think about the variability of the Predator's armors, masks, and even color patterns across the wealth of predator media out there. Every comic and film practically has its own unique take on the character. Nothing would be more impressive on the tabletop than an army of Predators. Differing colors, different masks and armors... These models would be a painters/kitbashers dream. This would be the box everyone wants, and if they didnt, one look at what the miniature painting/kitbashing community could do with them would change their minds fast.
Predator Badlands has practically blown critics/audiences minds. Its a hit. The franchise is now primed to get more Games and films, so expect the interest in these miniatures to only increase over time.
So what will the box even look like? What I envision: size of primaris marines, a little larger than average wargames atlantic troop. Detailed musculature to encourage custom painting. Each sculpt will have varied bits of armor, seperate bits from the bodies is ideal. The ability to add or take away bits from each troop will only increase the variability factor. Remember that many may want to paint patterns on the armor, many may want to even sculpt ontop of said armor, so you wouldnt have to go completely overboard on design overkill there. As we have seen in the films no two predators are alike. Their armor practically reflects their personalities. Mandables as seperate bits to help with the molding, and also because I would imagine the mandables would need to be cut off to accomodate the masks anyway. Hell, even give them two mandables to discourage infringement lawyers lol.
Whereas troops often come with a variety of heads, these guys no so much. The variety will be in the masks. And the greatest selling factors of this box should be the masks. Put in a sweet variety. Technologic esque. Tribal masks adorned with alien tusks or antlers. Battle damaged masks. Have a look through the treasure trove of dark horse comics for design inspiration there. as for armor, there has been 30+ years of sweet predator action figures if you need armor inspiration.
Throw in some spears, wrist mounted cannons and talons, shoulder mounted cannons for weaponry. Even take some creative liberty and design some predator rifles (for standard infantry), some handheld firearms for the command. Spears, swords included.
This box could give you only ten predators. A first for WGA, but necessesary for the treasure trove of weaponry, masks, and tribalesque trinkets therein to totally individualize those ten troops. This would be the greatest box on the market. And dont even get me started on the sequel command squad box.
So whadda ya say?
