Nov.21, 2013
Older gamers with elephantine memories will recall Archon: The Light & The Dark developed by Free Fall Games, which first graced out existence back in the 1980s. Archon is an early chessboard style computer game with loads of strategy and tons of fun. The beauty of the game is not in the presentation but in the game-play. The basic format is like battle chess - pieces move on the board. The goal of the game is to either destroy the enemy completely, or control all 5 power points.
Interested in retro gaming and 3D printing, Jimmy Wilhelmsson (aka spelpappan) set out on a journey to print a physical version of Archon: the Light and the Dark - with a 3D printer.
Jimmy's goal was to create a physical board game out of Archon that looked like it's predecessor. "I wanted the physical pieces to look exactly the same as their 2D counterparts when looked at from the side, but from all other angles they should be 3D." says Jimmy.
All 3D models were created using a software called Qubicle Constructor and then 3D printed with blue and yellow filament, the original colors of the two teams, on a Replicator 2X 3D printer. It is recommended to use both raft and full support when you print due to their complex looks. But the process went pretty fast, says Jimmy, each icon takes only about two hours to print. Check out the beautiful results below.
(All images credit: Jimmy Wilhelmsson)
Jon Freeman, Archon's creator, obviously likes the creation - "We think they are marvelous", said Freeman. With the explicit consent of Free Fall Games, Jimmy published all 3D-models on Thingiverse. You are free to download and print your own set of Archon, but can not use it commercially - the Free Fall Games still owns the IP of the game, all characters and graphics.
This set does not include Archon game board, but you can download wulfdesign's module-based board set here to 3D print one.
Jimmy is pretty satisfied with the result. "In my hunt for other procects around the web I have not been able to find any images of someone doing exactly the same thing; thus I do not know if this is the only physical board game of Archon of its kind – but I do know that it's quite possibly so."
Nice work, Jimmy!
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
Maybe you also like:
- 3-D printing could shake up U.S. Navy's supply chains
- Make your kids' drawings come alive with 3D printing
- Microsoft's new Xbox One design benefits from 3D printing
- How to print photographs on a 3D printer
- Sightseeing by touch: experience the world with 3D models
- 3D printed bullets (video)
- Chilean Thinker Thing created first ever 3D object with the mind
- Charge Bikes: 3D titanium printing, the future of bike production (video)
- Sugar Lab 3D printed sweet geometric sculptures entirely from sugar
- An 11-year-old inventor and his 3D printer (video)
- Make a longbow out of a pair of skis... with help of 3D printer
- 3D printed robot bird can dive, spiral, flip - and fool a hawk
- A food bowl which gives a hand … to disabled hands!
- 3D-printed growing wearable accessories inspired by cordyceps, Insect-eating Fungus
Appreciating the time and energy you put into your site and in depth information you present. It's great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same old rehashed material. Wonderful read! I've saved your site and I'm adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Elisa wrote at 3/16/2015 9:27:25 AM:
Hello there! Quick question that's entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone. I'm trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share. With thanks!