If you love big conventions and tiny plastic soldiers, this one hits right in the hobby nerve. Archon Studio took StarCraft: Tabletop Miniatures Game to Spiel Essen 2025 as their main event, not just a teaser on the side.
This trip was about finally showing real models, real demos, and a game you can actually play. The result felt less like a first reveal and more like a proper battle deployment. And as you would expect from long time StarCraft fans, they went hard on both spectacle and detail.
Zeratul Mania At The Booth
The whole thing kicked off with a very on brand feeding frenzy around Zeratul. As soon as the doors opened, people sprinted to queue for the exclusive promo miniature. For many StarCraft players, Zeratul is that iconic character who defined countless late night ladder games. Archon clearly knew that and built a sculpt that leans into it.
The model has a dynamic, mid motion pose that fits his stealthy assassin vibe. Additionally, they produced a cloaked version in clear plastic, which instantly pushes it into collector territory. The crowd reaction was exactly what you want to see at a booth. Lines stayed long, feedback was glowing, and people kept calling it their first true StarCraft TMG piece. That kind of energy is what tells you the license is landing with the right audience.
Miniatures, Production Quality, And Blizzard’s Oversight
Zeratul was the hook, but the stand was about the whole range. Archon brought both HIPS plastic production minis and several 3D printed prototypes so people could see the full pipeline. They are working closely with Blizzard’s own team, so every sculpt has to clear two sets of standards, not just one. Because of that, some pieces are still being refined, but visitors could already judge the materials and production quality up close.
Instead of just putting a few models in a glass case, they laid things out in several ways. There was a big scenic diorama showing a proper battlefield clash. There were shelves of painted and unpainted minis for close inspection. There were loose sprues in grey and clear plastic so hobbyists could see how the kits actually build. Finally, there were fully painted playable sets reserved for demos. The common reaction from long time StarCraft players was simple: they said the models look just like the game. For a licensed miniatures line, that is basically the highest praise you can ask for.
Archon stressed that they want the game to feel authentic and immersive for anyone who grew up with the RTS. As tabletop players, we have heard that pitch before from other games. Here, though, the mix of detail, pose choices, and faction flavour really backs the claim.
Bringing Essen To Everyone At Home
Not everyone can make the pilgrimage to Spiel Essen, especially from outside Europe. Archon planned for that and pushed plenty of content during the show. They released detailed videos focused on the Zerg and Terran ranges, plus short reels that walked viewers through the booth layout. So even if you were watching from your phone between painting sessions, you could still get a feel for the display.
They also dropped a “How to Paint Zeratul” video, led by their content creator Dave. That piece walked through the promo miniature step by step, which is exactly what painters want when a high profile character hits. On top of that, the Zeratul promo was available online during all four convention days. Archon often opens web orders during major shows, and they made it clear that this pattern will continue. So if you missed this wave, it is worth keeping an eye on future events.
First Public Demos And Growing The Rules
Of course, nice models only get you halfway there. A miniatures game lives or dies on rules and replayability. For Essen 2025, Archon brought their first public StarCraft TMG demos and put them front and centre. Under CEO Jarek, who is himself a long time StarCraft player, the team has been tuning balance and mechanics for months.
All four demo tables stayed busy from morning to evening across all four days. Players could run Terran forces with Marines and Marauders, or dive into Zerg with Zerglings, Hydralisks, and Roaches. The aim was to show how each faction feels on the table, not just on a stat card. Crucially, this was still a beta rule set, so feedback really mattered. People praised how the game flowed and also suggested tweaks, which the designers plan to fold into further iterations.
If you want more than a quick taste, there are ongoing “Ask Me Anything” streams hosted by Jarek. These happen every two weeks and dig into mechanics, faction design, and long term plans. The October thirtieth stream focused entirely on Essen impressions and where the rules head next. For a game still pre launch, that kind of open channel is very reassuring.
Closing Thoughts From The Sector
By the end of Spiel Essen, Archon’s team went home tired but clearly energized. The response to StarCraft: Tabletop Miniatures Game beat their expectations and gave them a pile of real player data. They promised more updates through the rest of the year, so this was not a one off stunt. It felt more like the first real stress test for a game that is marching steadily forward.
They also shared one perfect fan story that sums up the vibe. A visitor mentioned that her sons are named Tassadar and Zeratul, which is peak StarCraft parenting. Naturally, she left with a Zeratul promo of her own. Moments like that show how deep this IP runs for people, and why getting the tabletop version right actually matters.
Overall, if you are a tabletop gamer who also burned hours in the Koprulu sector, this project is worth watching. The minis already look strong, the rules are being tested in the wild, and the team seem genuinely invested. Here is hoping the next round of reveals brings Protoss to the table and gives us even more excuses to shout “You must construct additional pylons” across a gaming hall.
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