Plans for 2025...
It’s been a while since I’ve done any written content, so forgive the stream-of-consciousness style of this post—I’m sure I’ll get back into the swing of things soon enough.
To get everyone up to speed, there are some huge changes happening at DiceHate HQ.
Back in 2022, after settling in Canada for over a decade and welcoming our second child, we decided Alberta was our home. We tied up the last of our financial ties to the UK, planned one final visit for a family wedding, and fully embraced a North American life.
Naturally, as these things go, last year, we decided that moving back to the UK seemed like a great new adventure. And here we are.
The house is going on the market in just one week. We’re in full scramble mode—packing up, organizing everything, and preparing Evie for a fresh start in Wigan, our hometown in the North West of England.
It’s strange to think about returning. I left Wigan at 17 to join the Royal Air Force, and 24 years later, it doesn’t quite feel like “home” anymore. Still, with family nearby and the promise of new opportunities, it feels like the right move for us.
For DiceHate, I see this as a chance to recenter and refocus. When it all started, DiceHate was a passion project—a way to push X-Wing streams on Twitch without being tied to The Sentry Box’s brand, and a creative outlet outside of NoVA Squadron Radio.
Somewhere along the way, though, I lost my way. As I prepare to close the LLC and reflect on my time in Canada, I’m struck by how massive DiceHate became. All the different projects were enjoyable on their own, but combined, it was overwhelming. Add in two kids and a job at “The Store,” and there wasn’t much time left. I can’t even imagine tackling something as ambitious as painting 365 models in a year or consistently producing video content—but here we are.
Now that I’ve carved out the time to focus again, I can’t help but feel like the gaming and content creation space has passed me by.
X-Wing feels well into its twilight years. My competitive edge has softened, replaced by a desire to simply enjoy playing games. And the demands on my time have made grinding through multiple 3+ hour games of Warhammer a challenge.
That said, it’s not all doom and gloom. Packing up the basement in preparation for the move has given me a chance to reflect on what I own, what I actually use, and what’s worth keeping.
First off, working in a game store is dangerous! The sheer amount of stuff I picked up—whether to run demos or just because it “might be cool someday”—is slightly embarrassing.
Second, I’ve realized how much sentimentality has influenced my decisions. Even the smallest emotional attachment can skew my judgment. For example, do I really need to ship a giant box of unopened Dungeons & Dragons: Onslaught just because I enjoyed a demo four years ago and know someone involved in its development? Probably not. Especially when I haven’t played it in over a year, and there are better options for introducing Evie to miniatures games.
Which brings me to the big question: what’s making the cut? And what does 2025 look like for DiceHate?
Honestly, I’m still figuring it out.
I’ve found a local club in the UK that plays Legions Imperialis, and with the new Rise of the Dark Mechanicum book letting me field armies of Knights or Titans, I’ve decided to dive back in. That collection is definitely coming with me—in hand luggage, no less—so I can get back up to speed on the rules.
I’d also planned to bring my Necromunda collection, thinking it could be a great source of content. But now I’m questioning whether it’s the game itself I love, or just the fun of playing with my friends. Packing it up is no small task, especially since I went all in on building terrain for it. To test the waters, I’ve joined a local Necromunda league. At the very least, it’ll give me something to do while waiting for the move!
Then, of course, there are the Star Wars games.
X-Wing and Star Wars: Unlimited have both made the cut. For X-Wing, I’m bracing for a very different experience. In Calgary, I was part of building a community; now, I’ll be stepping into an established one for a game in its twilight years.
As for Star Wars: Unlimited, it’s an easy choice to bring along. It’s new, fun, and I enjoy tinkering with it. I’m not aiming to be competitive, but if I find local players, great—if not, I’ll just stick to online games with friends.
As for Star Wars: Legion, I’ve packed up my armies, including my fully painted Shadow Collective and Wookiee Battleforce, and am now focusing on the Experimental Droids of the Separatist faction. This came about thanks to a vote held on the DiceHate Patreon, where the community chose this faction as the next one for me to work on. I’ve also packed up any new-in-box items, knowing that I can replace them if I decide to pick up more projects once we’re settled in the UK.
I’m excited about the possibilities ahead with Legions Imperialis, Necromunda, and the rest of the hobby. It’s a fresh start, but also a return to some familiar projects. I’m eager to dive back into the hobby, work on new projects, and continue content creation in a way that works better with my time.
As I continue to build out these projects and explore new gaming experiences, I’d love for you to join the discussion. Whether it’s through our Discord or through conversations in the community, there’s plenty of exciting content ahead, and we’re eager to have you help steer where we go next.
