Interview with Ben (Apocrypha Now): A Petty Man Struggling with Capitalism
Today I am talking to Ben, aka Apocrypha Now, the Mastermind behind Fishing28, Tonks, Yellow cubes and the hobby neutral movement. Self-deprecating to a fault, funny and surprisingly sweary after a gin. Ben is one of the good ones*
*Don’t tell him I said that.
Portrait of the artist as a young man.
“Ben, let’s jump right into it. What’s brewing in the world of Apocrypha Now?”
Ben: "I'm developing Scabz with Max Fitzgerald (aka the Turnip Daddy). It’s set in his swill universe – grim, industrial, with battleships made of sentient meat floating on oil seas. It’s a dystopian setting, but with some comedic grimdark twists. Think Tonks meets Battlefleet Gothic. We’ve done some playtesting, and it’s shaping up nicely."
All Aboard the Scabz! A tasteful photo of a beautiful semi-sentient tin of meat. The deep red colour is obtained by mixing flesh tearers read with few drops of blood from a sales executive from any major tabletop gaming company.
Cupboard of Shame: "That’s a fantastic collaboration. I love the idea of sentient meat ships. And what’s happening with Tonks?"
Ben: "We’re progressing on Tonks 2. New rules for MegaTonks and aeroplenes are in the works. More scenarios, too. It’s coming along, albeit in the background."
Tonks 2 - Electric Boogaloo. A selection of wonderful Tonks from Ben's feed to give you some inspiration on how to get started.
Cupboard of Shame: I have just got some tonks and am excited to try it with my friends and kiddo. Any tips?
I played recently with my nephews over a couple of session. Firstly, we all built Tonks with them (pictured above looking awesome). They are amazing (can confirm).They came back to play Tonks on a second visit. Once it clicked for them…”you just need to shoot your brother in the arse, it is the easiest way to win” Watching the penny drop was amazing. You can tweak the game so that if you die you come back as a Mega Tonk - which they loved.
”you just need to shoot your brother in the arse, it is the easiest way to win”
Cupboard of Shame: Did I see you getting involved with the blender bracket?
Ben: The blender bracket – I got blended my first week. I know it is the point, but my model got blended. It hurt. I am a petty man. No longer fat, just petty.
Cupboard of Shame: Noted. Tanner better watch those DMs. So pivoting slightly "What’s your take on the current state of wargaming?"
Ben: The independent/28 community is in a great place right now. It feels like we are in the beatnik/punk phase. There are so many people creating great games, remixing existing ones and starting to host events (TurnipCon, Mates and Minis, Kamping Kitbash, any or all Necropolis events). I would love to go to more events organised by awesome people.
It is nice that elements of the hobby are becoming so mainstream. But it is a shame that the larger companies (you know who you are) are so obsessed with a focus on sustained growth. Short production cycles.
There is also a shift towards less customizability with monopose models and the rise of planned obsolescence in kits. But that’s what drives me towards more indie and miniature-agnostic games. It’s about the creativity, swapping bits with mates, building armies your way.
Cupboard of Shame: "Ben, we’ve talked a lot about your current projects, but let’s dive into something that’s gotten a lot of attention —your Hobby Neutral idea. What’s the driving force behind it?"
Ben: "Hobby Neutral started as a reaction to the increasing commercial control in wargaming. I wanted to create space for people to enjoy the hobby without the constraints of specific brands or miniatures. It's about creativity, using what you have, and resisting the pressure to buy the latest model."
Cupboard of Shame: "How did this idea develop? Was there a specific moment or game that sparked it?"
Ben: "Absolutely. It really hit me during the last games of Kill Team I played - ages ago before the '“update” in 2021. They introduced all these symbols and pre-built lists, and I could just see the customization getting phased out. That’s when I started leaning toward miniature-agnostic gaming. It was about rejecting the 'one brand fits all' mentality and encouraging a broader, more inclusive hobby."
Another classic example of Ben refusing to be direct and express his sentiments about something. Yeesh. Just take a stance already. "It can save the planet and also save the wonga."
Cupboard of Shame: "You've talked about the joy that comes from swapping bits with friends. How does Hobby Neutral support that?"
Ben: "It’s all about giving people the freedom to build and create with what they have. Multi-pose models are a big part of that. They're being phased out in favor of monopose statues, which make it harder to share or customize. Hobby Neutral pushes back against that—it's about collaboration, creativity, and making sure the hobby stays fun and accessible."
Cupboard of Shame: How have people responded to it so far?"
Ben: "The response has been great! People are really embracing the idea that you don’t need to stick to a brand or specific ruleset to enjoy the hobby. I’ve had messages from people who’ve used Hobby Neutral to reduce costs, make the hobby more sustainable, or simply have more fun. That’s what it’s all about—enjoying the creative freedom."
Cupboard of Shame: "That’s a great vision. How do you see Hobby Neutral evolving in the future?"
Ben: "I hope it inspires people to think outside the box. We’re already seeing more miniature-agnostic games and creative ways to play. If we can keep this momentum going, I think it’ll have a lasting impact on how people approach wargaming—less about following rules set by corporations, more about individual expression."
Cupboard of Shame: "Any final thoughts?"
Ben: "I’m just excited about the future. Whether it’s Scabz, Tonks 2, or our secret plans to organise a future fringe Salute event, it’s all about creativity and community. Let’s keep it growing, keep it diverse, and most of all, keep it fun."
Conclusion
Ben’s passion for the hobby, creativity, and community shines through in every project he’s involved in. From reimagining the grimdark with comedic twists to pushing for inclusivity in wargaming, his work is a fresh reminder that this hobby is as much about the people as it is about the games.
Stay tuned for more from Apocrypha Now – the best is yet to come. Find him at event and talk to him about tiny Tonks. This man is a gem. Our hobby is lucky to have him 13/10 would recommend making friends with him.
A selection of atmospheric images from Ben's Instagram and (unsurprisingly) not a GW mini in sight, and a solitary reference to his mysterious yellow cube cult.
