I have been preaching the Lock & Load gospel for quite some time now. I firmly believe that If Morrow and Menoth were ever to duke it out, Lock & Load is where it would happen. Yup, it’s that big of a deal. (Menoth would totally win by the way. No contest.)

Development UNBOUND: Confessions from the Big Game

Over the past few months I have been playing a lot of WARMACHINE and HORDES –truly large games with great masses of models on each side of the table. Games that engaged me on every level and challenged my over stimulated mind to constantly adapt and refocus on the rising and falling tides of conflict erupting across the tabletop. I have mounted cavalry charges in which three full units of Uhlans slammed into my opponent’s zealot horde. I have faced the massed might of six Wraith Engines (damn you, DC!). I have seen a tabled littered with dozens of wrecked warjack. These were the epic battles I have longed for throughout my tenure at Privateer Press.

Today’s HORDES: Domination battle engine preview is not for the squeamish. If you are afraid of the gribbly things that go bump in the night, then go ahead and take a pass on this one. For those of you brave enough, I present the finished concept for the Throne of Everblight battle engine.

Astute readers will recall there are a number of painting projects I’ve discussed starting recently: Cryx, Circle, Cygnar, Retribution, and maybe some others I’ve forgotten. Cryx gave way to Circle, Cygnar was being painted for the Impossible Dream Challenge, and Retribution was being painted in anticipation of TempleCon 2011.

Last week we pulled back the curtain on the Celestial Fulcrum, the first of the battle engines from the upcoming HORDES: Domination. I am excited to say that due to the overwhelming response I’ve managed to get the initial sculpt for everyone to see in today’s Insider. Behold the awesome might of the Celestial Fulcrum!

This year marks a very special anniversary for Privateer Press. Ten years ago, Privateer Press was founded, began producing award-winning games, and introduced the world to the Iron Kingdoms and all of western Immoren. To celebrate this momentous occasion, No Quarter Magazine will produce a special Privateer Press 10-Year Anniversary issue that will debut* at Lock & Load GameFest 2011.

Today is a two scoop day of battle engine awesome! To start here is the initial concept art for the Circle Orboros Celestial Fulcrum, the first battle engine from HORDES: Domination.

Today, I have the privilege of writing about Domination playtesting. Well, maybe I do. I’m going to write about it, and then we’ll see what actually makes it onto the Privateer Insider site! There are plenty of great Domination playtesting stories, but I’m going to narrow it down to just one model per faction.

Of all the visual spectacles that will be at Lock & Load this year, what I can’t wait to see are the paint jobs. There’s something about walking around the convention floor just checking out everyone’s armies that I find really entertaining. You never know what you’re going to find. Bright-yellow Cryx? Cotton-candy-pink Skorne? An entire Blindwater Congregation force converted to look like mechanical gators with laser eyes and flamethrower tongues?!