I’m all about supporting miniature companies that also release their wares as 3d files. I love some metal miniatures. I like plastic miniatures. But I love 3d printed minis. They are just cheaper to print, and I can digitally kitbash them as needed. Today I thought I would review the latest releases from Trader’s Galaxy.

If you are not aware of Trader’s Galaxy, they (he) is a one man shop from Australia who produces a line of miniature games based loosely on 80’s cartoon shows, think Transfomers, and GI Joe. Anthony Mallet recently released a new game called Beat ‘Em Up. I have not looked at it at all. I’m still trying to wrap my head around his giant robot game, Bot War.

I might as well stop beating around the bush and get to the review. I have not played any of the games as yet. (And probably won’t, I have too many games as is, and no one in my current circle has quite the nostalgia I have for 80’s cartoons). The models are very nice. I really like them. The biggest drawback for me is they are supplied unsupported. I think this is/will continue to be a a big hindrance to people who want to support this companies effort at breaking into the 3d printing market.

The models also have a lot of small finicky parts. I have already lost one of the arms for my sword wielding Autobot. Completely my fault, but I don’t feel like the models are optimized for 3d printing. I think they are perfectly optimized for casting in metal or plastic.

I understand that Anthony is a one-man shop, who does this in his spare time. So I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.

The models are really well sculpted. The price point is reasonable for what you get. I subscribed to his 32mm range, and his Bot War tiers. Around 17$ a month for both.

The 28mm tier is phenomenal. This month you get the lovely space chimps. The wings are separate, so I didn’t print them. I probably should. I just didn’t have time or room on my plate to get them done. And we just had a cold snap, so my resin printer is out of comission until it warms up again in a few days. Everything printed great with auto supports in Chitubox. I’m sure someone who cares could do an even better job.

The Bot War tier is a great value. I do wish they were presupported, but what I can say. I’m a lazy person, who wants to do the least amount of work possible. I did not print the Kaiju sharks yet.

Here is an example file, I think the next time I print them I will digitally remove those sprue gates. It’s possible they will print flat on the plate, but I’m not going to risk it.

Will I stay subscribed? Of course. I think the models are great. I think supporting the smaller creators and games out there is important to our industry. Do I think there is room for improvement? Of course I do.

Give us presupports!!!! Or don’t. It’s a small complaint. Especially when auto-supports just worked.

The creator is very active on the facebook group, and he seems to be a genuinely nice and caring person. So while I might not play his games, I think $20 a month is a small price to pay.

Also give us Voltron, Anthony, give us Voltron.

He already has rules for combiners in the game.