I bought two, thought you might like to see what they look like. I had them printed at Shapeways, in "sandstone", which is their euphemism for zCorp printed stuff.
It's somewhat well named: the end result is very sandpapery to the touch. But it's also chunky and satisfyingly solid. I wonder if the end part has been dipped, in some kind of glue perhaps, to make it feel this way.
They cost me EU16 each a few weeks ago which means a full set would cost quite a lot. But that's in 2011, as this stuff is emerging; by this time next year, the price will be lower, and we all know that true boardgame geeks would spend a fortune on the right sort of object for play anyway - right, Games Workshop?
So exciting!
The pieces on Shapeways are here, btw. I'm also curious as to whether or not the makers of Settlers would ever sue over this sort of thing. After all, it's not a copy of anything, but an interpretation, and an improvement, too.
EU16 each? Nineteen land tiles in the basic game, so that's not much change from EU300. Meanwhile you can pick up the limited-edition 15th anniversary SoC with wooden tiles (in a very nice wooden box, and the 6-player expansion included) for £100, or you can still find the tenth-anniversary edition with hand-painted 3D resin tiles, in a wooden chest, for US$300-400...
Posted by: James Wallis | December 03, 2011 at 21:10
Indeed. And by this time next year, those pieces will be 10EU each.
I'm not saying these are the only future of game pieces, but they are A future!
Posted by: Alice | December 04, 2011 at 19:33
It's worth pointing out: 3D printing's main pro point is not competing on cost with mass-produced work (and won't be for a VERY long time). 3Dprinted stuff comes into its own when something is personalised or customised.
So - your name on the bottom? Easy. No-one will ever steal your pieces :)
Posted by: Alice | December 04, 2011 at 19:39
I'm sure the irony of that is not lost on Klaus Teuber.
Posted by: James Wallis | December 04, 2011 at 23:54
Heh.
Assuming you consider a creative evolution of the original piece "theft"; but yes, it's definitely unauthorised work. But it's better.
Klaus could do some Official ones.
Posted by: Alice | December 05, 2011 at 09:18