Rayguns and Rocketships

Hey all,

I admit, this thread is a bit self-serving, but I am the designer of an Ameritrash game: Rayguns and Rocketships. It was intentionally designed to be a "love letter" to old-school skirmish games; set in a 1930's pulp sci-fi galaxy.

As the Ameritrash player is more my intended audience, I'm curious if any of you have heard of it, played it, or have any thoughts about it. Civil comments are always appreciated.

You can read more about it HERE

Thanks in advance!

Heard of it, yes. Played it, no. But that box cover is rad. Welcome to the site, stick around!

Heard of it? No. Played it? No.

It has cool Flash Gordon pulp sci-fi artwork though!




I like this dude. He looks like a sci-fi beholder.

Nope, never seen it or played it but I would like to. I LOVE THE THEME!

Actually saw it in one of my FLGSs the other day, but thought it was another Flying Frog release (Invasion from Outer Space) and I'm kinda lukewarm on their games, so I didn't stop to check it out. Will take another look. And: Welcome to the site.

Hey Scott, welcome to the site!

I picked it up after you recommended it to me on BGG. Presentation is top notch for sure. Only played at 2p so far though, and I feel like that's not the count it's best at.

I agree. The game plays much better with 3 or 4.

I've heard of it and was quite tempted to buy it based o. Its look. But the description reminded me if Battlestations which seemed awesome on paper but a complete dud in practice. At least for my taste.

I've owned and played Battlestation and researched it in preparation of creating Rayguns and Rocketships. Battlestations is much more of an RPG than a traditional board game. I've had the pleasure of playing it with the designer, Jeff, and I had a great time, but all of my own efforts to play it with my play group flopped.

Rayguns and Rocketships is more like Wings of War or X-Wing. You program movement cards. Those cards give you actions you can use for your crew to do different things in the ship or to go attack the other player in boarding parties.

I can see why you thought they are similar games, but R&R is faster, less convoluted and has really cool miniatures!

I played this at my buddy’s FLGS shortly after it delivered. Last December I think.

Really neat. Reminded me of Battlestations, but a very light and fighty version. It was fun. I think he felt like he got kind of screwed the way he was talking..think it was expensive at the time.

Still, I liked it.

This game was on my radar when it hit retail, and I almost requested a review copy from IDW, but then I flinched due to some of the criticisms mentioned on BGG.

I was surprised no one around here had given it a shot and talked about it.

Scott Rogers wrote: I've owned and played Battlestation and researched it in preparation of creating Rayguns and Rocketships. Battlestations is much more of an RPG than a traditional board game. I've had the pleasure of playing it with the designer, Jeff, and I had a great time, but all of my own efforts to play it with my play group flopped.

Rayguns and Rocketships is more like Wings of War or X-Wing. You program movement cards. Those cards give you actions you can use for your crew to do different things in the ship or to go attack the other player in boarding parties.

I can see why you thought they are similar games, but R&R is faster, less convoluted and has really cool miniatures!

Did somebody call me?

charlest wrote: This game was on my radar when it hit retail, and I almost requested a review copy from IDW, but then I flinched due to some of the criticisms mentioned on BGG.

I was surprised no one around here had given it a shot and talked about it.

There's still time!!

Scott's shameless shill for his game prompted me to relook it up. I got a copy for some stupidly low price off Amazon today. $25.48 including shipping due to Prime. I mean c'mon. For that price I'd give most anything a whirl and I do love my Buck Rodgers type sci-fi.

And the dude did F:AT up and get himself an avatar.

Should be here by Wednesday. Amazon claimed there were 2 more left in stock when I ordered so if you have an interest. Act now.

Link to Amazon.com's page

repoman wrote: Scott's shameless shill for his game prompted me to relook it up. I got a copy for some stupidly low price off Amazon today. $25.48 including shipping due to Prime. I mean c'mon. For that price I'd give most anything a whirl and I do love my Buck Rodgers type sci-fi.

Should be here by Wednesday. Amazon claimed there were 2 more left in stock when I ordered so if you have an interest. Act now.

Link to Amazon.com's page

You can shill and still have shame about it.

Thanks for buying the game. I agree it is at a ridiculously low price on Amazon.

You could not buy 36 sci-miniatures for $26 these days. That's less than a buck a mini! Oops, there I go, shilling again.