CodeBlade

Ok so the title of this entry is going to be very ‘marmite’ for wargamers!  But bear with me..  CodeBlade is set in a world where Artificial Intelligence has been let loose on society and, for everyone except the privileged few, people work for AI rather than the other way around. So, whatever existential crisis we might have about the miniature production method, it fits the setting!!

The brainiacs behind CodeBlade have developed a method to create AI generated 3D STL files from AI generated 2D images using an innovative and complex GenAI workflow.  Don’t ask me how – I have no idea (an upcoming OTT interview should reveal all) – but they kindly sent me some 3D printed prototypes to have a play with.

CodeBlade has been, and will continue to be, a miniature-agnostic game, but the arrival of ‘official’ miniatures into the mix is very welcome from my perspective.

My first love faction-wise for CodeBlade was the Neon Underground.  So I was kindly sent models for the whole faction.

I laid them out to have a look and do some final cleanup of the support points.  Very little to do actually. First inspection they looked as good as any other 3D printed minis I’ve handled. I don’t print myself, but I’ve bought 3D prints in the past.

I picked two of the models to paint as an initial test.  I chose the Muscle (a hired Freelancer) and the Manipulator Hacker.  They even printed me some bases so I prepped two of those too.

I had a good look at them after this stage.  Even if a zenith is going to be completely covered up in the next stage, I do find that it really helps to see the details on the minis and plan how I am going to paint them.

At this stage everything was good.  Details crisp, and I couldn’t see any of those odd AI artefacts you sometimes see in GenAI images.  At this point they could be miniatures from any manufacturer (and that’s a compliment!).  I don’t underestimate the amount of work that must have gone into getting them to this point.

I took the Muscle forward as the first one to paint.  Basecoats went on super fast.