Image from bloodandpigment.com | Painted by Joseph Forster
Case Study:
Firelock Games and the Adoption of SiOCAST Technology for "Oak & Iron" Miniatures
Client: Firelock Games
Industry: Tabletop Gaming
Challenge: Firelock Games, faced a significant challenge in producing high-quality, detailed miniatures for their popular naval strategy game, "Oak & Iron." The traditional manufacturing processes they used were not only costly and time-consuming but also limited in terms of scalability and material flexibility.
Image from Timberandsail.com
Oak & Iron Changes to SiOCAST Technology
Oak & Iron has had a wild ride since its release. Its Kickstarter opened on November 7th, 2018, and was an overwhelming success, raising $199,592–well over the pledge goal of $45,000. Little would Firelock Games know what was in store for them. Production was completed on January 9, 2020, just before the world was turned upside down. Despite the setbacks, Oak & Iron shipped worldwide, fulfilling all orders by June 15th of 2020. Since that time, Chinese manufacturers have failed to be able to keep up production, a global shipping crisis ensued and things looked grim. (Read more at Timberandsail.com)
Solution: In 2023, Firelock Games turned to SiOCAST technology to manufacture in-house their production process. SiOCAST, known for its innovative approach to miniature manufacturing, offers a unique resin casting technology that blends the quality of injection molding with the flexibility of traditional resin casting.
Implementation: The transition to SiOCAST technology began with a series of consultations and trials to ensure that the high standards of detail and quality that "Oak & Iron" fans had come to expect were maintained. The SiOCAST team worked closely with Firelock Games to adapt their designs to the new production method. This collaborative approach helped streamline the manufacturing process, reducing both the time and cost associated with producing miniatures.
Image from Timberandsail.com
Results: The implementation of SiOCAST technology brought immediate and significant benefits. Game companies globally are transitioning to SiOCAST, a new type of thermoplastic used in injection molding that is accessible and cost-effective for both small and medium-sized enterprises. This innovative material and its manufacturing process present several compelling advantages over traditional materials like metal, resin, and PVC. Here are some of the benefits:
- Cost Efficiency: The use of SiOCAST technology is significantly more economical, costing 40% less than traditional resin and 85% less than pewter.
- Durability and Flexibility: The thermoplastic resin utilized in SiOCAST hardens to achieve an optimal balance of stiffness and flexibility, allowing the material to bend without breaking.
- Exceptional Detail and Quality: SiOCAST enables extremely precise and high-quality detail in model production, surpassing traditional methods in fidelity.
- Increased Mold Longevity: Molds used in SiOCAST technology last up to 20 times longer than traditional Resin RTV Silicon molds, dramatically reducing the frequency and associated costs of retooling and mold creation.
- Faster Production: Production times with SiOCAST are up to 10 times faster compared to the traditional pour and cure time required for resin models, enhancing efficiency and throughput.
These features make SiOCAST an attractive option for game companies looking to improve their production capabilities while maintaining high quality and reducing costs.
Image from Timberandsail.com | SiOCAST Prototype 3rd Rate Ship
Future Plans: Encouraged by the success of "Oak & Iron," Firelock Games plans to expand the use of SiOCAST technology to other games within their portfolio. This move is expected to standardize production quality and foster innovation in new game development.
Conclusion: The partnership between Firelock Games and SiOCAST is a testament to how innovative technology can transform traditional manufacturing processes in the gaming industry. The success seen with "Oak & Iron" miniatures sets a new standard for what is possible, promising an exciting future for tabletop games.
For more information on how SiOCAST can revolutionize your production processes, contact us today.
