Are miniature painters doomed?

Occasionally, a question pops into the hobby that stops you mid-brushstroke, and the one I tackle in this video definitely fits that description. It came from Evangelos Georgopoulos, who reached out to me through my blog to highlight an article he’d written and to ask for wider opinions on a rather provocative topic: will AI eventually paint our miniatures? It’s the kind of question that makes you smile nervously, look at your paint desk, and wonder whether the machines are quietly plotting behind your back.

This blog post accompanies the full video discussion, where I take a deeper look at how developments in 3D printing, colour-print technology, and AI-assisted tools might reshape the future of our hobby. Only a few years ago, colour 3D printers were clumsy, experimental machines that produced chunky, multicoloured blocks. Today, they’re edging toward the ability to print miniatures in full colour at resolutions sharp enough to compete with hand painting—at least at tabletop distance. When those printers eventually become affordable for everyday wargamers, the landscape could shift dramatically.

The video explores this evolution from early 3D printing to the modern resin revolution, and into the rapidly expanding world of AI. Sculpting tools are already becoming smarter, slicing software is increasingly automated, and digital workflows are accelerating. The next logical step is a printer that produces fully 'painted' miniatures straight out of the machine... and it is starting to feel less like science fiction and more like something quietly creeping over the horizon.

But the real heart of the discussion isn’t just technological; it’s psychological. Will wargamers choose convenience over craft? Will traditional painting become a niche pursuit? Or are miniature painters simply too passionate, too stubborn, and too invested in the creative process to be replaced? Add in the wider issue of “AI slop” on social media, and the question gets even more complex. We’re already learning to spot fake images online; the physical world might turn out to be far less forgiving.

If you’re curious about where all of this might lead, the video digs into the possibilities, and as always, the conversation is the best part. 

Is Big Wargaming Changing?

The tabletop wargaming hobby is full of exciting variety right now. On one side, we’ve got the traditionalists who love the sight of two massive 28mm armies clashing across a six-by-four table. On the other, we’ve got innovations that are changing how people collect, paint, and play. The real question is, can we identify the “weathervane products” that point the way toward the future of the hobby?

A weathervane product isn’t necessarily the biggest or most profitable release of the year. Instead, it’s the kind of product that shifts expectations, inspires imitation, and shows us which direction the wind is blowing. In my latest YouTube video, I take a closer look at several examples that I think are acting as true signposts for where wargaming is heading.

Games Workshop’s skirmish titles like Kill Team and Warcry prove that accessibility and narrative-driven play are here to stay. Warlord Games’ Epic Battles line shows how even large-scale historical games are moving toward affordability and practicality. The rise of 3D printing subscription services decentralises production, allowing hobbyists to personalise their armies in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago. Hybrid boardgame-wargames, such as Marvel Crisis Protocol and Star Wars: Shatterpoint, are attracting completely new audiences through popular IPs. And digital tools, from army builders to campaign apps, are transforming how players engage with the hobby on and off the table.

These products don’t replace the old ways. Big armies, physical books, and traditional clubs are still thriving. But they do point toward a future where the hobby is more accessible, more diverse, and more flexible than ever before.

So what do you think are the real weathervane products of today? Do you agree with my analysis, or do you see other trends leading the way? Watch the video and join the conversation.

Proxy Miniatures in Historical Wargames

Is the use of proxy miniatures ethical in tabletop wargaming? In this video, we dive deep into the debate surrounding alternative miniatures, 3D-printed miniatures, and using non-proprietary figures in games that have official model ranges. Historical wargames have traditionally allowed players to choose from various miniature manufacturers, but when a wargame ruleset is tied to a specific line of official miniatures, does that change the equation?

I forgot to re-post this here on Sunday and was debating whether not not to do so a few days late. I feel like I kicked a hornet's nest with this topic, judging from some of the comments. Although my top-tip for some commentators is to actually watch the video you are passing judgment on before jumping to conclusions about my position on the topic! 🤣😂

#MiniatureWargaming #Wargaming #ProxyMiniatures #TabletopWargaming #HistoricalWargaming #3DPrintedMiniatures #MiniaturePainting #WargameEthics

Instant Armies: Are Mini Painters an endangered species?

Could colour 3D printing eventually become cheap enough (and good enough) to make miniature painters an endangered species? Could we one day see fully 'colourised' starter box sets similar to the current Waterloo starter set for Black Powder? Ultimately the answer may not be 'Can the technology be developed?' but rather 'Is there a market for it?'