tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.comments2023-04-12T08:04:18.749-07:00The word from the OutpostImperial Outpost Gameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08346549685959560523noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-67653132176226237862012-05-08T14:23:25.946-07:002012-05-08T14:23:25.946-07:00It's business as usual for GW. Take that as y...It's business as usual for GW. Take that as you will. That being said the average consumer doesn't need to replace their whole paint line. Now me, I try out new product like a squirrel with ADD. For me that's half the fun. I like trying new products. This time though, I see little motivation to replace my existing paints. I'll buy new ones to as I need them or as I like them. I've always liked GW washes and the new ones are top notch. The new "dry" range has interesting possibilities as well but I can't see dumping my entire range, although I'm sure some will. All the paint companies are trying out this "new" high pigment paint. Reaper, P3, GW, all of them. For the most part I've found that they all perform about the same so it all comes down to price, at least for me.Darkwan75https://www.blogger.com/profile/15598354118359277402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-81670923560676744572012-04-22T08:39:25.212-07:002012-04-22T08:39:25.212-07:00I believe your right about is complaining about th...I believe your right about is complaining about the release of the paint set. Yea that has been out there for a while. But he has a very valid point when it comes to miniature releases. <br /><br />The schedule has a mystery until two weeks before release for a little while now, giving retailers no time to hype the newest army and let gamers get excited. I remember when a new army was being released a lot of people would look around and snatch up what remained of the armies older models at discounted prices and prepare for an awesome new book. Now many retailers look at a stock of older models that they didn't sell because no one knew what army was coming out next and thus no one bought anything. For GW it's noy really a problem. They've already sold the product to the retailer, they got there money, but some retailers will end up with piles of models they can't get rid of because the new models came out before anyone knew what was happening.<br /><br />I personally don't like GWs new no leak policy. I think it's detrimental to the game. But we'll see it it has an impact or not.Coyote81noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-38086694961827740492010-07-05T20:07:56.713-07:002010-07-05T20:07:56.713-07:00I also enjoyed this post quite a bit. I find it in...I also enjoyed this post quite a bit. I find it interesting to learn how others find (or don't find) their passions and direct their careers in those directions. Best of luck to you in future years!Peter Charnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10204152727626930933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-82999992094094933952010-05-29T09:57:14.284-07:002010-05-29T09:57:14.284-07:00A very interesting read, thanks very much for shar...A very interesting read, thanks very much for sharing. I was very surprised to see that WHFRP didn't take top slot.<br /><br />Nice blog, I'll be back.<br />Sigmar<br /><a href="http://battlereporter.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">my WHFB blog</a>Sigmarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11642441201859816835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-57471278404917460262010-01-13T11:49:31.136-08:002010-01-13T11:49:31.136-08:00@ 2nd anonymous from above, Labyrinth Lord has bee...@ 2nd anonymous from above, Labyrinth Lord has been available through distribution since December, and I know it can be ordered through Alliance or ACD distribution.Dan of Earthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04957424338566461756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-89546375237579661142009-12-12T17:57:26.182-08:002009-12-12T17:57:26.182-08:00Yeah, I'm a new dad, so the resources that I c...Yeah, I'm a new dad, so the resources that I can devote to gaming are pretty sparse. I use my box of old minis, and a piece of gridded foamboard with a sheet of clear poly over top for mapping. Otherwise, I do everything online. I used to love the corner game shop, but I can't afford to go into it anymore.<br /><br />But for the customer that does have some money to spend, there must be other things you can do. One thing I'd think of off the bat is to make sets of minis and dungeon tiles available for gaming groups - even pack them into carrying cases, then rent them out. <br /><br />People are less likely to buy Dungeon Tiles and boxes of minis they may never re-use, but with a credit card for deposit, you could get some of that stuff working for you in a way that only involves buying them once. Heck, you can rent an Xbox and games, why not rent a set of gaming stuff?Jeremy Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17072164588443858336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-89831694715372313122009-12-11T20:54:53.836-08:002009-12-11T20:54:53.836-08:00Wickedmurph,
I know for a fact that some of thos...Wickedmurph, <br /><br />I know for a fact that some of those tools have affected sales, if not for the books themselves then for some of the accessories. Take the power cards for instance. When they first came out, I was able to move them, but when people discovered that when you make a character with Character Builder, the complete description of powers is printed out and my sales of the power cards ceased. I'm not even ordering the next set that comes out. It'd be like throwing the money down the drain.<br /><br />What I need to look at is trying to provide things that aren't provided for through those sources. Sadly.. there's not a lot that a VERY cheap alternative can't be found far. *sigh*Imperial Outpost Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08346549685959560523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-64824520734704793182009-12-11T09:37:31.303-08:002009-12-11T09:37:31.303-08:00Do you think that the online tools for 4e, like Co...Do you think that the online tools for 4e, like Compendium and Character Builder are having an effect on 4e's book sales? I know from personal experience that I simply don't feel that I need to buy 4e books anymore. I have the PH1, DMG1 and the now-unnecessary MM1, but what do I need the rest of them for? I get everything I need to play from my DDi subscription?<br /><br />Plus, I use free online tools like Maptools for my mapping and Minis. I suspect this is a big part of the reason for dropping 4e sales, in addition to the wailing grognards factor.Jeremy Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17072164588443858336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-35728987765007330422009-12-11T00:09:22.810-08:002009-12-11T00:09:22.810-08:00I don't think that sort of reaction should sur...I don't think that sort of reaction should surprise anyone. The hardcore tabletop gaming fanbase is, by and large, a bunch of petty brats. I can think of precious few other hobbyists as capricious and prone to jerking of the knees. It's unfortunate, but at the same time it's not a huge deal for the industry at large. D&D will move on without these particular gamers, and the hobby will (in my opinion) be improved for it (though given that these particular gamers make up no small part of the average LGS customer base, it might hurt your business). I'd much rather sit down with the sort of gamer you talk about (where the particular system is nowhere near as important as the people playing it) than those who petulantly swear of a system because of something they heard about it on the internet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-4533364888852019412009-12-09T22:13:36.023-08:002009-12-09T22:13:36.023-08:00To First Anonymous - I do separate out the Battlet...To First Anonymous - I do separate out the Battletech between their RPG and their Mini lines. Sadly, not too much is out right now for the Btech RPG.<br /><br />To Second Anonymous - Thank you for sticking wiht it and NOT letting the fact you're not interested in 4th ED deter you from playing. THAT'S what should be done. It's perfectly ok to not like a system. What I was upset about was how people stopped doing anything and just quit because of it.Imperial Outpost Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08346549685959560523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-63394360213388971812009-12-09T20:31:00.890-08:002009-12-09T20:31:00.890-08:00I've played D&D all my life and spent TONS...I've played D&D all my life and spent TONS of money on it but I have ZERO interest in 4th ed. I haven't sworn off playing at all - me and my players still get together every saturday and roll dice. But instead of going forward we decided to go backward, so now we're using the Moldvay/Cook Basic/Expert rules - and LOVING it. Simple, elegant, crazy, fun. We're using the Labyrinth Lord retro-clone rulebook and some Swords & Wizardry stuff thrown in. I know a lot of the OSR (Old School Renaissance) stuff isn't available for you to sell in your store (and I feel bad about that, because I want to support my FLGS)but if/when it is, if you stock it, I will buy it. Best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-27104270738446770542009-12-09T17:34:49.119-08:002009-12-09T17:34:49.119-08:00is the battletech line considered RPG or minis in ...is the battletech line considered RPG or minis in your calculations? or have you seperated the individual books into their respective niches?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-38693427720725305822009-12-02T18:50:18.238-08:002009-12-02T18:50:18.238-08:00Nice numbers.
So which month was Dominion the top ...Nice numbers.<br />So which month was Dominion the top selling game?Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11863855744814088537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-43083142846769273802009-12-02T18:12:10.069-08:002009-12-02T18:12:10.069-08:00Darren,
These are really interesting posts, I en...Darren, <br /><br />These are really interesting posts, I enjoy reading them. It's good to see IOG successful and you working to better it for yourself (and as a fringe benefit, all your customers!). Stuff like this and your unwavering charm keep me coming back.philoizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14314497589755581148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-12620438557295423472009-12-02T17:54:38.296-08:002009-12-02T17:54:38.296-08:00Awesome comp numbers Darren, congrats on the good ...Awesome comp numbers Darren, congrats on the good sales. We saw a 17% increase on black friday at my shop, but ended 4.4% down on the month.<br /><br />As a curiosity, are those top sales by quantity, or gross revenue, or some other method?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-39073483191504920822009-12-02T16:47:21.884-08:002009-12-02T16:47:21.884-08:00Those are phenomenal comp numbers Darren, congratu...Those are phenomenal comp numbers Darren, congratulations :)Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-4783899635514456262009-11-17T15:08:30.771-08:002009-11-17T15:08:30.771-08:00Hey again Chuck! thanks again for the comments.
...Hey again Chuck! thanks again for the comments.<br /><br />As to the "well other industries do this". Sure they do, and since I'm not involved in them, I don't kvetch when I see this stuff happen. :)<br /><br />You do bring up some very good points, and frankly ones that I had not considered.<br /><br />I can certainly see where the switchover had some effect on sales, but, from my experience, and what I _directly saw_ in my store, there were were only a few people who after 3.5 came out wouldn't buy the third party stuff that came out for 3.0. We actually sold Testament pretty well. ( I attribute that to having a Russian Orthodox priest working as my store manager at the time, and he pimped that book out pretty hard.)<br /><br />Most people still bought the older stuff, as most of what I had wasn't really significantly changed from 3.0 to 3.5. Adventures still worked just fine, and only minor tweaks were needed to make things compatible.<br /><br />I also DO know from direct conversations with people that some of them felt 'burned' by buying product that was bad. Yeah. some of them should have done some more product research, sure, but there's only so much that impersonal descriptions on the net can say. Some of them, after being burned by a couple of bad D20 products, didn't want anything to do with the brand anymore, and either moved on to other RPG's or fell back into previous editions or previously released product. <br /><br />I think it would be best to say this about the whole D20 bubble/burst is that there were several factors out there that contributed to a lot of the problems the RPG industry saw then and is still feeling now.<br /><br />1) Retailers were not selective enough in bringing in product for their stores.<br />2) The 3.5 changeover provided enough of a tripping block that a lot of the momentum in the D20 market stumbled, and never fully recovered.<br />3) Some manufacturers (yes..the big guys too, and given that they were bigger were responsible for a greater percentage) were putting out junk, which soured some customers perceptions of the D20 branding.Imperial Outpost Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08346549685959560523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-2815508695004346642009-11-13T10:31:27.991-08:002009-11-13T10:31:27.991-08:00I saw this post first on Berin's new network t...I saw this post first on Berin's new network then Jonathan referred me here. It was informative to say the least and got me ticked as well. I'd know about what Dancey had said and that it wasn't complementary, I'd also known about his association with D20 from some conversations he'd had in the comment threads on RPGpundit's site, but I wasn't aware of the GAMA stuff. <br /><br />It's really a shame that such a smart business mind that could be helping the RPG industry realize it's niche better has decided to drag it down instead. I'm in favor of CCP building the World of Darkness and Exalted IP's into MMORPG and wish them nothing but success at it, but I really feel for the guys at White Wolf right now in that they have a guy associated with them saying toxic things and they can't speak out to refute anything because he's a superior in their parent company. If it were just some random blogger they could at least say something.Helmsmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05248835491973291242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-34062824143938990242009-11-12T19:54:22.553-08:002009-11-12T19:54:22.553-08:00Consider me subscribed. There are far far too few ...Consider me subscribed. There are far far too few retailers who are writing there own blogs. I hope you keep it up.<br /><br />This post on Ryan Dancey was... insightful ... but being a new very tiny publisher myself (Nevermet Press) I have nothing to add unfortunately.jonathanhttp://www.nevermetpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-20810920448045922112009-11-09T21:25:42.942-08:002009-11-09T21:25:42.942-08:00Some of these look awesome!Some of these look awesome!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18291108223952251268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-27020354889137077492009-11-09T19:49:46.785-08:002009-11-09T19:49:46.785-08:00Right, but you could say that about any industry. ...Right, but you could say that about any industry. <br /><br />How many movies are made every year? How many are bad? Same with novels.<br /><br />I don't think d20's problems had anything to do with a "glut", or the percentage of that glut that was bad. <br /><br />d20 was still *extremely* dominant until 3.5, which meant that many d20 products fell out of favor, because suddenly they were less compatible with the market leader (D&D). <br /><br />This led to a lesser period, with fewer products, which was reduced even further with the release of 4e. <br /><br />For example, as someone who made largely modern products, 3.5 affected our sales very little, I suspect in large part, because there was no "d20 Modern 3.5" and so there was still strong compatibility with the market leader.<br /><br />In short, I always felt the glut was a convenient excuse, because some people had an easier time laying the market's problems at the smallest producers, rather than the company really to blame for a lot of those d20 products no longer selling: Wizards of the Coast.<br /><br />They moved aggressively to 3.5 and left a lot of retailers with a lot of product customers naturally saw as obsolete. <br /><br />They had turned 3e products into X-Box games, while the new hotness was the 360. <br /><br />That move is what did *real* damage to the market, and what led many of the "mod majors" to abandon d20, not because it was a bad system or because its brand name was seen as inferior, but because companies like Green Ronin realized they were at Wizards' mercy the more closely they tried to support them.<br /><br />Remember Testament? It was gutted by coming out so soon before 3.5 and after that, Green Ronin began to move to OGL games with their own brand identity, distinct from Wizards, such as M&M and True20.Vigilancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12302020918798504358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-40688134057839291532009-11-08T21:26:48.156-08:002009-11-08T21:26:48.156-08:00Thanks for taking the time to respond to this post...Thanks for taking the time to respond to this post.<br /><br />First off let me say that there was indeed a LOT of good gaming products out there that were published for D20. A whole ton of them. Many of the good ones were from some VERY tiny publishers, and certainly some of the biggest dogs came from some of the larger houses.<br /><br />I was not trying to imply anything with regard to small publisher versus large publisher. Both had their hits and both had their stinkers.<br /><br />What I was trying to get at was that there were a lot of books that were just BAD. Just. Plain. Bad. Small publisher or large, a bad book is bad, and while at the beginning there were far more good ones than bad, eventually the 'chum' began to clog the waters.<br /><br />I do have to take a bit of exception to the "But that would have been work".<br /><br />I, as a retailer, do a TON of work. I wear MANY different hats, I have to coordinate miniatures games, card games,RPG. I have to maintain finances, keep the store clean, and make sure that everything is in order. <br /><br />Just as people blaming the small press publishers gets your goat, people thinking that game retailers just sit around doing nothing is what gets mine.<br /><br />At one point, there was just too much stuff coming out to be able to make truly informed decisions on stuff. Distributors could barely keep up on the stuff, and sometimes products would just appear there without any kind of adequate solicitations before hand which would allow me to do good research on a lot of them.<br /><br />In order for me to keep up, keep product coming in, sometimes we just had to order blind. If a game store down the road gets it's new releases a few days earlier, that's where the customers will go. Such is the mercenary nature of retail.<br /><br />Did I make some bad buying decisions during that time? Yep. Sure did. Not going to sit here and claim that I was just an innocent victim. <br /><br />I will say though that there was some stuff that really shouldn't have seen the light of day back in those times. Weather it be from one of the larger houses where an editor really should have had the sac to say "this is junk..and it shouldn't have our name on it", to the small press companies as well. <br /><br />No one is immune from doing a bad job. I know it's happened on my end from time to time, and it does happen at the publishing companies.. large and small.Imperial Outpost Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08346549685959560523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-71894807245656964242009-11-08T19:30:26.073-08:002009-11-08T19:30:26.073-08:00I agree with most of your comments about Dancey.
...I agree with most of your comments about Dancey.<br /><br />Where you go off the rails is this part: "anyone and their inept dog who could type a few words was able to put out a craptastic D20 game."<br /><br />Yes, there were a lot of games, and a lot of bad ones at that.<br /><br />But most of them were not put out by "anyone and their dog".<br /><br />The company making most of those games was called Mongoose, and it was (is?) a well-capitalized huge company. <br /><br />The fact that retailers bought the 18 Mongoose d20 books sight unseen that came out monthly (28 during Christmas season), then couldn't sell them all, is not the fault of small-press publishers. <br /><br />Retailers could have spent a little time learning which companies made good products and which were just churning out stuff ASAP. <br /><br />But that would have been work. <br /><br />Either way, blaming the little guys, when companies like Mongoose and Green Ronin accounted for 95% of that "glut", always gets my goat. <br /><br />The guy and his dog companies generally made a few books a year.Vigilancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12302020918798504358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-8563215366813739892009-11-03T18:56:24.122-08:002009-11-03T18:56:24.122-08:00Awesome! I can't wait to check these out! Mist...Awesome! I can't wait to check these out! Mist Robed Gate is incredibily intriguing...therabidmonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018558164984727665.post-9230642610594274572009-10-13T10:27:45.198-07:002009-10-13T10:27:45.198-07:00The Rogue Trader collector's edition is gorgeo...The Rogue Trader collector's edition is gorgeous! Now we just have to find some people who are interested in playing.Karanoreply@blogger.com