Hi Guys,

As you all know I always use the emails, phone calls, and general conversations with our customers to research and develop new products.

With the release of the new P.A.C.K. C4, the P.A.C.K. MAX and the Officially licensed FLAMES OF WAR KIT BAG we have done alot.

One thing I always said when I started Battle Foam was that I would never stop perfecting our products and creating what us gamers want.

So here is your chance.

As fellow gamers of many different game systems what would you like Battle Foam to do for you next?

I don't just mean foam kits, or new bags. I mean as a whole company.

I have 2 new products launching early next year that have nothing to do with bags that all gamers will be able to use.

These type of products is what we need your feedback on.

Imagine being able to call or email GW and tell them what you wanted them to build next. In our case Battle Foam may actually listen.

As an added perk, if your idea is a good one and we decide to go with it, we'll give away an army. More details to come on that.

Lets get those thinking hats on gamers. What do you think?

Romeo

Battle Foam

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CAPITAL LETTERS.

I personally would like to see a bag size between the 1520 and the 432, The points that I play with at my local tournament, makes it so that I need about 2 more inches of foam to be able to fit my army into one of the 432s, but the 1520 is much to large.

So lets see... aside from amazing bags and sweet custom foam....

How about a portable fold out tray with some solid design?

A good sized lip, sturdiness, nice aesthetics. Something that could either be attached to or just match your bags.

Also, maybe different surfaces (like say, a metal surface for those people with magnetized bases).

Good luck to your company! I should be placing an order at my FLGS soon.

-Fool Whip

Something in between the 432 and 1520 would be great, ideally with large degree of modularity to it so you can take a just what you need and nothing else. Perhaps something along the lines of a tank transport bag and an infantry transport bag which can be combined together/split apart as required.

One problem atm is that with many armies going the mech route, the 432 struggles to fit all the tanks in an army and has no room left for the infantry for anything over 1000-1500 points (for example I have 6 Wave Serpents and 3 Fire Prisms in 2000-2500pts which can just barely fit into a 432 and I very rarely play less than 2000pt games). For me this means the 432 isn't viable, which forces me to look at the 1520. Sure it can carry everything I own but it is both more expensive and significantly larger and I would like to be able to take just what I need wherever possible, rather than taking all 5000 odd points around with me at all times.

It may sound kind of lame but what about book covers? I know theres plenty of people (if not everyone) who DONT want their $50 Rule Book to get damaged... or their multiple $25 Army Book/Codex to get damaged. So it would be pretty cool to get cool covers (possibly custom ones) for them.

Modularity was mentioned. I'd suggest a bag with military style MOLLE/PALS webbing on the side, to which pouches could be attached. Obviously the pouches would come with a block of foam cut to accommodate a single dreadnought, or ten infantry or three scout bikes, ect.

Something for those who need to carry a few extra models who don't want to upgrade to the next full pack size. MOLLE/PALS is the way to go.

Another, off the wall suggestion is a really large back, that, once emptied, can be set up as a small table, just large enough to let the player lay out his books. In my (admittedly limited experience) it feels like there is never enough space to put the rulebook and codexes without cluttering up the table.

In the same vein, a large bag that can be made into a folding chair. nothing worse then showing up to an event without a place to sit. Make a pack hang from the bottom. And its gotta have those mesh beverage cups.

Finally, packs should have a folder for codices, and side pouches for dice and measuring tape. The could be either integrated, or available as add on pouches, as described above.

I would like to see a portable gaming table, not just a top that you can put on free standing table (like the GW board) but a complete gaming table with legs that can fold up into a large pack.

I would like to see BF produce gaming aids like custom objective markers, or army specific icons. For example 'Necron' themed run markers (WBB markers would be sweet too) that utilize Necron Glyphs, or Chaos themed markers all done in somewhat the shape of the Chaos Undivided symbol.

I’m planning on 2 of the large 1552 PACK’s, but haven’t quite yet got enough models for my Orks built, to know exactly what I need before ordering. Probably do it Feb / Mar 2010. Anyway, here’s my ideas…..

Bags
Bag Security – In case someone decides to open it or even worse, walk off with it..... Locking bags or Motion Alarms – Its picked up, the Alarm goes off
Different Colours – Make it stand out and be noticed
Velcro Signs – A Velcro patch on the front you could make custom labels for, “Names”, “Army”, or even ‘Fragile’ for when your transporting them by Aircraft or coach somewhere.
Detachable webbing pouches for books, tape measures and stuff.
A 6” thick insulated tray with cut outs for Beer and Ice Packs to keep them cool!
I nstead of stacked foam trays, is there any way you could have the front of the bag opening up, and then the trays ‘pull out’ like a set chest of draws?
Built in speakers for an I-Pod connection

Terrain – If your so good at custom foam……
Interlocking foam road sections
Magnetised modular foam buildings (think Lego)
Hills – The Foam spacers, could they not have push out bits that stack together to make a hill or even craters?
Or some sort of Modular building, that also doubles up as a troop transporters. A Foam bunker, but open the top and there are sections for models to be stored?
Some sort of Terrain, which all packs away small (think Russian Dolls). Terrain takes a lot of storage space up.

Something else to enhance the hobby…….
Squad markers – I’ve a Steel Legion army of +150 troops, what about some token or something that fits underneath the base to identify the squad. Currently I have the numbers painted on the side of the bases.
LED Lighting kits for my vehicles.
A Foam ‘beard’ I can wear or pass to my opponent when they are being a beardy arse!
Electronic dice? Vocal Dice? Press the button to roll, its speaks the result (not everyone’s eyesight is spot on. Or x10 Readouts for D6 results. Press the button and it gives you 10 random D6 results (and you need to select between 1 and 10 of the readouts to work).
Some decent telescopic flyer bases (think radio Ariel). I currently use a 15cm Dia piece of MDF with 2” brass rod which screws together, there has to be something better.

Well, there’s my ideas for now, I may come back with some more!

Here is a good one from me: For the LARGE bags, give them these toll things .
Not because its heavy no , its convenient so you dont have to grab the strap when ever you want to shift the bag to another spot.

( and most importantly so people wont look like dorks hauling a giant bag around )

I just want a distributor in Europe, to save on shipping.

This could be solved If i did just one large order but Im not that style of customer, I'm the kind of getting stuff slowly and for example I would buy one empty box first, then months later some customized foams... The US shipping costs would accumulate to ridiculous levels.

So as I said... get your stuff in Europe asap... pretty please

TERRAIN BAGS!

One of the major problems i currently have is transporting/storing all of the terrain i have. Either it be the Planetstrike bastions from GW i bought or even all of the custom scratch built buildings/forests/hills i own. And even the storage system i have for my terrain i am not comfortable with. I would love to see BF come up with a great system to store/transport terrain so i would no longer need to do constant repairs to it. (fixing trees, broken walls etc)

I also would like to suggest a new option with your website! Custom made trays via point and click on your website. A template could be done so customers could just click and drag what they wanted on a tray via an easy to use GUI. The user would select the "thickness" of his desired trey, then they would be able to click and drag the shape of the vehicles they want on the trey, providing a much larger variation on what could be fit on a trey. For example a Guard player may be able to fit 3 sententials 2 Leman Russes and 2 chimeras on one trey if done this way.

Expand on the use of in-game useful items. A tape-measuse with a laser on it would be great. Also... Battlefoam T-Shirts!!!!

A Canadian distributor, also bags in black. The olive green is nice, but a little drab for me

LunaHound wrote:
Here is a good one from me: For the LARGE bags, give them these toll things .
Not because its heavy no , its convenient so you dont have to grab the strap when ever you want to shift the bag to another spot.

( and most importantly so people wont look like dorks hauling a giant bag around )

Maybe it's just me, but I think of the wheely handle thing as more of a dorkiness multiplier, rather than a reducer.

I'd like to second wheels.. even moreso if you can find some means of making them attach to an existing 1520. Even when its not fully loaded my 1520 will start to dig into my lowerback.

I'd jump all over a P.A.C.K. 700(ish). Running mech or Kan wall orks means the 432 just doesn't have the total capacity I need. 3 or 4 trays for boys, a good 2" tray for nobs and character conversions (I'm somewhat into conversions...) and at least two 4" trays for battlewagons, trukks, kans, koptas, you name it.

I've been wanting to get a Battlefoam bag for a while now, but the smaller size is exactly that, and the 1520 is out of my price range.

Also, for you guys, custom embroidery would be *huge*. I'm not sure of the initial investment for one of those computer controlled machines, but I'm fairly certain with a small charge to add names or symbols to the bag exterior, you'd see a R.O.I. pretty quick.

And hell, if you can make a bag that fits in a Harley saddlebag, then we'd be in business

I would definately like to see some sturdy travel bags more like the style of tough books if you will, but also I definately would love to see you guys do more indy GTS. The east coast really gets no love when it comes to those and I heard you guys do some great event.

Big jars of paints for cheap would be nice from any company
Or a codex and rulebook box of sorts that is a attachment

Non-bag product:
pre-built display trays either an open front or doors, or slide out drawers. The top would be flat so people could build their display bases on top of your display box.
Maybe something 18x12x6 or 18x24x8 with four fold out legs like a card table...

As a follow on you could sell display inserts to fit the flat top and forstner bits to drill the holes for standard size bases. If you were really froggy you could texture the inserts and sell matching bases.

I'll second(third) the display/carrying trays.

Also, pre-cut trays for more games(AT-43, Epic, SoTR, Confrontation, BFG, etc.).

And if you do end up doing pre-cuts for AT-43 and Confrontation, maybe doing ones that would fit inside the army boxes as well as bags(like with Space Hulk).

Red_Lives wrote:I also would like to suggest a new option with your website! Custom made trays via point and click on your website. A template could be done so customers could just click and drag what they wanted on a tray via an easy to use GUI. The user would select the "thickness" of his desired trey, then they would be able to click and drag the shape of the vehicles they want on the trey, providing a much larger variation on what could be fit on a trey. For example a Guard player may be able to fit 3 sententials 2 Leman Russes and 2 chimeras on one trey if done this way.

This is a fantastic idea! It would make ordering custom foam so convenient.

Also a big fan of retractable handles and wheels on packs, especially ones that can be carry ons. Wheels can be a life saver when you have to go all the way across a large airport to catch your connection.

On top of the 1520, maybe a turn/victory point tracker.

And a spot of velcro for patches on each bag, like the FOW.

NAVARRO wrote:I just want a distributor in Europe, to save on shipping.

This could be solved If i did just one large order but Im not that style of customer, I'm the kind of getting stuff slowly and for example I would buy one empty box first, then months later some customized foams... The US shipping costs would accumulate to ridiculous levels.

So as I said... get your stuff in Europe asap... pretty please

+1337 to this

I'd love a 216 for my Infinity army and a C4 for Necromunda and BB. A 1520 for my Dark Eldar. But I can't afford that in just one shot.

PLEASE! Even only one in UK for all Europe would be ok.

How about a painting modeling station type of thing but better than GWs MDF box (that really doesnt help at all). Possibly draws for paints and brushes ect... I dunno about you guys but I am always misplacing my paint brushes or forgeting where I put a pot of paint. I've heard a lot of comments about people having messy work areas so a work station that actualy makes organising easier would probaby work.

Just my opinion

Commander Endova wrote:Modularity was mentioned. I'd suggest a bag with military style MOLLE/PALS webbing on the side, to which pouches could be attached. Obviously the pouches would come with a block of foam cut to accommodate a single dreadnought, or ten infantry or three scout bikes.

A MOLLE system on the outside would pretty much rock. With a selection of different additional pouches it could really add to making a bag 'yours'. Plus it would give me something to attach all of those pouches from the army to ^_-.

Hah. Yeah. Likewise. I can carry my dice cube and tape measure in an old ammo pouch.

On that note, that gives battle foam a foot in the door of the airsofter/weekend warrior/range queen market demographic. These people are always looking for ways to protect their expensive customized pistols and high end optics, and they'll buy anything with MOLLE on it. I'd know. I'm one of these people. Anyway, that seems like something Battlefoam could do.

Sorry. I'm not trying to stray from wargaming here. I'm just highlighting the pros of my argument.

Commander Endova wrote:Hah. Yeah. Likewise. I can carry my dice cube and tape measure in an old ammo pouch.

I do the same thing. Mine's half full of dice from various sources and multiple cubes, though.

Commander Endova wrote:Hah. Yeah. Likewise. I can carry my dice cube and tape measure in an old ammo pouch.

On that note, that gives battle foam a foot in the door of the airsofter/weekend warrior/range queen market demographic. These people are always looking for ways to protect their expensive customized pistols and high end optics, and they'll buy anything with MOLLE on it. I'd know. I'm one of these people. Anyway, that seems like something Battlefoam could do.

Sorry. I'm not trying to stray from wargaming here. I'm just highlighting the pros of my argument.

Hell, battle foam could sell custom cut foam for airsoft weapons and equipment.
Make your bags double duty if you have two hobbies.

I'd like to support the "more colors" crowd here.
Handles/wheels, too... but do it better than Sabol

Also... lower prices. Your stuff is SO expensive.
(you asked. LOL)

Wanna know what keeps me from considering your product for my nex purchase? It's not price.
Allow your distributors to order custom foam.
I want to support my flgs, who carries your product, but -last I heard- you don't allow retailers to order custom foam.
if i could order a bag with a custom foam layout, my next carrying bag purchase has about an 85% to 90% chance of being Battlefoam.

More templates.
You have templates for models laying down. I want some for models standing up. I don't like my painted models laying on their sides, rubbing at the paint.

Eric

Red_Lives wrote:
I also would like to suggest a new option with your website! Custom made trays via point and click on your website. A template could be done so customers could just click and drag what they wanted on a tray via an easy to use GUI. The user would select the "thickness" of his desired trey, then they would be able to click and drag the shape of the vehicles they want on the trey, providing a much larger variation on what could be fit on a trey. For example a Guard player may be able to fit 3 sententials 2 Leman Russes and 2 chimeras on one trey if done this way.

This is a great idea. I remember finding a sabol pluck foam tray planner a while back. It would be great to have a template builder for BF. Pick the biggest model you want in the tray to get minimum depth, then have a visual aid for how much you can fit.

To expand n the GUI idea, you could even select a P.A.C.K before starting to make the trays, and the GUI would keep track of your total inches of foam used.

Also, I think a popular thing for Guard (and maybe Eldar) players would be to offer cut outs for extra turrets. I know a few IG players who have multiple magnetized LRBTs and commonly change the turret to suit the enemy roster or the game point limit.

Prices in pounds, and UK retailers, and a foam type for pencils, paper and other things to make army lists

How about a special refrigerated bag with battery backup to last a minimum of 24 hours that comes fully stocked with at least a 12 pack of your favorite beer?

Most has been said before.

Medium sized pack

Different "uppers and lowers" for the 1520, so you could make it modular with the existing split.

On the 1520 some form of Wheel system, cause when they are loaded down they are Crazy heavy and cumbersome to wear as a backpack. If you got to go more than 50' you're in trouble.

A nice case/bag for multiple Codex/s and a large size format bag/case for rule books or Multiple Forgeworld books.

Bags for the GW terain... Fortress of redemption? Bastions?

Different colors for the bags

Stack able Thunderhawk/large model bags

An on line custom foam creation aid

A Price Reduction!

What about the Battle Foam Marriage Saver?

Let me explain. Not all of us have a hobby room, and some of us have small ones that we don't want to expose to small parts and fragile items. How about marketing chests or cabinets that are sized to handle BF foam horizontally so that we can put our toys away so it's out of the wife's way and it's safely stored. Maybe you can team up with Geek Chic (http://www.geekchichq.com/) for that.

Bring back your line of Sabol sized trays specifically (custom) cut for various SM and tyranid layouts.

Romeo , would i get some gifts if i come up with an extreeeeemely good suggestion? :'D

I like the Airsoft Weapons idea.

Life-sized foam daemonettes. Proportion of male/female parts to be determined by the customer.

RE: Lower Prices:

Remember you can only ever get 2 out of the following 3:

Great Product
Great Customer Service
Low Prices


Take your pick.

Less all caps and better international deals or you making deals with suppliers abroad so we can also enjoy your stuff without having to pay an awful lot.

The PACK1520 is 12 pounds without models. I find the bottom corner digging into my lower back when i carry it. Perhaps cushion that portion with a foam that wraps around the corner.

Also, my wife mentioned that a roller bag design of the 1520 will make it convenient lugging it around a convention or tournament area. I recommend spinner wheels as you will not need to add a handle like most roller bags have. The hand strap on the top works great with spinner wheels.

I agree with Jerick that a size between 1520 and 432 would be great. Perhaps sell the top and bottom half separately.

As an addition to the custom lettering on the trays, have custom embroderies on the bag pocket. It would be pricey as heck but having your name on the bag itself deters theft as they will not be able to sell the bag. And, it adds to the coolness factor of having a Battle Foam Bag with your freakin name on it.

I like the idea of the velcro patches for people that want to add a patch to his bag. You can expand the business to produce patches that go on the bags (at additional cost). Sell a patch for every faction/chapter/race/army type. A novelty item and very functional as the player can patch his bag according to the army he plans to bring.

Jerick wrote:I personally would like to see a bag size between the 1520 and the 432, The points that I play with at my local tournament, makes it so that I need about 2 more inches of foam to be able to fit my army into one of the 432s, but the 1520 is much to large.

Amen to that! I'd love to see something "in the middle" as the 432 just doesn't work for the 1750-2000pt armies I tend to build, but the 1520 is just too darned big!

Oh, and agree 100% on the idea of a web-based "bag builder". Plug in the bag you're getting (or have, and include the competitors too, if you can!) and the app tracks how many inches of foam you've used and have left. I know Romeo's had to answer a lot of dumb questions about what size bag to get. I know cuz I've asked quite a few of them myself!

Vale,

JohNS

Bunker wrote:A Canadian distributor...

I second that. No matter how awesome a bag/foam you come up with I'm not going to pay duties for it.

Well for the big cases the carrying handle would be nice. But as a guy who is collecting a fairly small DG army, I wouldn't need it.

There really isn't anything I can think of... it's perfect already.

And I didn't know you were in AZ I'll have to drop by sometime.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
OH!!!
sorry, double-post but I think that different colors or custom designs/pictures on the actual bags wouls be cool.

(But again, as far as an actual practical improvement, I got nuthin')

Romeo,

The #1 thing I'd like to see from Battlefoam is a bag designed to maximize the amount of stuff you can take on a plane in a SINGLE carry-on bag.

I just don't trust putting minis into a checked bag, even those protected by Battlefoam, so I really like to carry my armies in a carry-on bag.

The PACK 1520 is too big for carry-on and while the 432 is definitely small enough to carry-on, it isn't really big enough to carry a really large army or even multiple armies (that I sometimes need to take to a tournament).

I currently use the taller Sabol case that has wheels and a handle (just like a carry-on bag) and it just barely fits into an overhead luggage compartment and I've never had any issues with it getting onto a flight, but it definitely offers me much more capacity than a 432 would.

So if there was some way for you to make a case that would absolutely maximize the amount of space possible for a bag that would still fit into overhead compartments, that would be absolutely ideal.

And having wheels/extendable handle like other carry-on bags would be fantastic as well.

Specs wrote:

Bunker wrote:A Canadian distributor...

I second that. No matter how awesome a bag/foam you come up with I'm not going to pay duties for it.

You don't pay duties for foam.

I didn't both times Romeo sent me foam

I 3> Battlefoam! I have your 1500 and enough extra foam that I am considering ordering a 2nd 1500. I think that you foam trays are amazing, and with the ability to get customs, they are perfect. I would like to see some minor improvements to the bags, as well as modularity; all bags can be combined (Devistator?) together.

Wheels and a collapsible handle on the (outside) of 1500. Just like most modern luggage. No, I am not asking you to do this to all 1500s, but a 1500 with this feature would eliminate my need for this hand cart.


I love the top part of the 1500, and how it is detachable. I like to take this with me for small games and painting. But having an all metal army can be heavy, and i would love a shoulder strap. Iirc, the 432bag is the same size. You could add the zippered bottom to make it attach to the lower portion of the 1520, and them only have to make 1 template for both parts (more efficient for you). And/or I would like the shoulder strap to allow me to carry my small pack with the trays held level, not on their side (or both, everybody happy!).








Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, if you sold the bottom part of the 1520 separately, that would answer people's need for a mid-size bag. Then they could always buy the modular version of the 432 later (or vise versa). Anyways, keep up the good work, and you'll be hearing from me soon; I NEED more foam, again!

elijahdprophet wrote:

Red_Lives wrote:
I also would like to suggest a new option with your website! Custom made trays via point and click on your website. A template could be done so customers could just click and drag what they wanted on a tray via an easy to use GUI. The user would select the "thickness" of his desired trey, then they would be able to click and drag the shape of the vehicles they want on the trey, providing a much larger variation on what could be fit on a trey. For example a Guard player may be able to fit 3 sententials 2 Leman Russes and 2 chimeras on one trey if done this way.

This is a great idea. I remember finding a sabol pluck foam tray planner a while back. It would be great to have a template builder for BF. Pick the biggest model you want in the tray to get minimum depth, then have a visual aid for how much you can fit.

And again, having these options available for the Sabol and GW sized tray you sell would be very nice as most of us gamers have a ton of sabol/GW carrying cases and would be interested in buying your precut trays to fill them.

What would we like to see? Id suggest custom dice. With army motifs and what not on them. Customizable colors as well for them. I knwo one person on here does that but the problems I find with his dice is he does not have a big enough selection. Not to mention some of the symbols he uses are kind of basic.

I agree that Canada needs a distributor. Ive been wanting to order one of your bags but duty fees would kill me.

But I don't, know why not terrain? Like a good pre made movable set of trees. Or why not movement trays for fantasy? Not just the build your own kind but ones made for skirmishers. Maybe a bunch of weird shapes that could be glued together to make any sized group youd want.

Also display boards would be nice. Could go with magnetized or none magnetized. I mean if you made, for example a 4x2 foot board you could make 1 foot sized sheets of plastic where the holes for the models could be cut.

Also for the prize why not the option for a bag instead of an army? Im sure im not the only one who would pick that option if it was given.

Some apparel would be great. I would definitely rock the Battle Foam hoodie. “Battle Foam: The only way to go to war!” That would be an awesome shirt/hoodie to wear around the store, maybe even out in public.

As a 40k and Bloodbowl player I would love to see a small briefcase type bag to fit my bloodbowl team in. I personally don’t own battle foam for my space marine army (yet!) but I would love a small thing to transport my Bloodbowl team, rulebook and dice in one package.

Seriously, though, that is the pack that Batman uses to transport his models.

The only thing that I'd like to see is a really cheap version. Like a very no-frills pack with no sidebags or anything, a handle on top, and a zipper, no bells or whistles of any kind, that can hold 4 trays or so, for $40. I'd buy that. In the interim, I'll hope somebody buys me a 432 for Christmas.

Yakface wrote:Romeo,

The #1 thing I'd like to see from Battlefoam is a bag designed to maximize the amount of stuff you can take on a plane in a SINGLE carry-on bag.

I strongly second this.

I third this.

I'll fourth of 5th it. My sabol army transport is big enough to carry a good sized 1850 army and I can take it on the plane with me.

I also agree with those that are asking for a bag size in between those that are offered now. Something that can easily carry 15 to 17 inches worth of foam.

Heaven forbid I should actually read the original post. Something other than bags you say? Why not a GAME! With Games Workshop being the biggest wargames company I know, they sure do receive a lot of negative criticism for bad customer service/ not tailoring their product to meet the needs of their customers. Which is the exact opposite of Battlefoam; top notch customer service. I mean, this thread itself is a prime example of you (battlefoam) listening and dilivering the goods. Imagine if you created a wargame. Rules that were fun and creative, but that took the needs/wants of the customers into consideration. There are tons of great sculptors here on dakka (chapterhouse studios comes to mind) and I imagine more out there waiting to be discovered.

As for what types of games to do I have two ideas:

A post apocalypse car gang skirmish, ala mad max. 3 to 5 cars racing around and gangs of 5-20 fighting over fuel, food and ammo.

Also a naval/pirate game with HUGE ships with crews. Each ship could contain a crew of 5-20 models with 1-3 ships per side. Rules for ship vs ship combat as well as boarding actions. The expansion could involve submarines and mere-people, maybe even an underwater city (anlantis?) Or maybe beach landings and combat with naval support . Got to re-supply and bury that treasure sometime, right?

I know, GW has some of the best models around, but their rules and game support are abysmal. It wouldn't take too much work to make a better game (rules set/mechanics) to beat them.



The other thing you could do is make great terrain that's affordable. Sorry GW, but your terrain is gack and so is its price. Why do they only make human buildings for a game with 5+ alien races? Why do they not make any complete multi story buildings, only ruins or bunkers/forts? People have to live somewhere, don't they? Something along the lines of model railroad buildings but with a sci-fi twist that are both the right scale and game friendly (each level is removable to allow access to figures.) Also, some great objective based terrain, you know things that are actually worth fighting over, like a power station, satellite up link, fuel depot, water treatment plants, ect.

Anyways, I'm sure that whatever you do will be great, as long as you keep listening to you customers needs (like you've been doing). Cheers, good luck, and I can't wait!

My idea: cases large enough to put terrain/gameboards etc. aswell as being able to take your models around in it (with the terrain in it aswell). imagine you going over to a friends house but they dont have a board so you take yours!

A portable gamers table with telescoping legs. I need something to put my books and reference material on and to collect my wounded, most tables I play on don't have room for my extras and the telescoping legs would let me adjust it for different table heights. This table could also be used to put you bag on if you don't like keeping it on the floor.

Battlefoam costume cut dice like Chessex does.

a distributer in the AUS

we need love too

wyomingfox wrote:Bring back your line of Sabol sized trays specifically (custom) cut for various layouts.

Ditto, several people have too many bags to convert over to another "system". You could probably sell a lot more if you included case sizes other than your own.

I'd like to see a deal with a UK distributor. That way I could consider buying your products without also having to consider selling a kidney in order to pay the US postal service to send the stuff across the pond.

(Note: the US postal service is a lot more expensive than the Royal Mail. One of those strange facts that occasionally occurs. Normally everything in the US is cheaper than the UK!)

Local Distribution I'd love to walk into my LFGS and see your products, I'm a tactile sort of shopper, and the only 2 I can find are sabol and GWS so guess what I buy.

2nd these ideas:

-Lower prices (this is a recession after all)
-patches (non copyrighted stuff like a chaos star or military symbols)
-interactive website for custom foam

I'd go with a PACK with a system similar to what the new Flames of War bag has, so both the top and one side are openable if you pull the zippers far down enough. This would make loading/unloading exceptionally easy.

Valhallan42nd wrote:What about the Battle Foam Marriage Saver?

Let me explain. Not all of us have a hobby room, and some of us have small ones that we don't want to expose to small parts and fragile items. How about marketing chests or cabinets that are sized to handle BF foam horizontally so that we can put our toys away so it's out of the wife's way and it's safely stored. Maybe you can team up with Geek Chic (http://www.geekchichq.com/) for that.

I like this idea the most. Having some kind of furniture item for your models would be great especially since a lot of us have wargaming tables at our homes.

I agree about the distributors maybe even an Asia and Europe based hub to get the ball rolling.

Maybe a job lot rate on enough of your foam to fill other peoples cases? Currently wanting to replace the foam in my GW case atm.

Also how about doign what you did for SH with Assault on black reach etc.? Not sure if its physically possible but I swear you guys are some how making foam based TARDIS systems.

mortal888 wrote:

-patches (non copyrighted stuff like a chaos star or military symbols)

How cosy are you with GW? I'd love to have my Chapter insignia on a Velcro patch, and I'm sure the xenos scum would like their assorted heretical or tribal daubings similarly displayed.

I'd like a pack between the two largest sizes you currently have... between the 4xx and the 15xx...

I saw one of the larger ones at DaBoyz GT in rochester, it looked awesome, but its capacity is a little outside what I needed. The smaller one wouldn't hold enough of my army though... I need a middle one!

In either case, it looked certainly like alot better protection than my crappy GW case, which had a hinge snap and shatter half my models recently.

How cosy are you with GW?

I actually hate all forms of copyright law. I think if someone else can do it better, then who cares.
But I'd have to agree with most people that it's not worth the possible legal annoyances to go anywhere near it.

Hi and thanks for the great feedback.

I just want everyone to know that I am reading each and every one of these posts.

The funny thing is that some of these ideas are already in production. Now I can't tell you the exact ones, but I can tell you that 2 ideas are spot on.

I'll give you a bit of a hint. Both of these products will be out right after the first of the year.

One of the items is along the same lines of what we currently do now.

The second item is something nobody else in the industry has done and will be an amazing addition to all lines of wargaming.

I would also like to touch on a topic a few of you have actually asked for.

That topic is to bring back Sabol and GW vehicle and other larger trays. We actually still do all of that its just under custom foam. Due to our own Battle Foam line growing quickly we have almost maxed out our warehouse space. Trust me, that's not easy to do when you have 10,000 sf to fill. Because of this we only make Sabol and GW foam as you order it.

The good thing is that you can get any size from 2 to 6" sizes at one low price. These would be custom cut so you don't have to worry about making a tray fit your needs. It will be designed just the way you want.

I'll also point out that a "Build Your Tray" app has been worked on and will also be up live on our site within weeks.

Stay tuned for the app and for the two new amazing products already in production.

Please keep the ideas coming. We are almost in 2010 and we would love to release many more great new products next year.

Thanks
Romeo
Battle Foam


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I almost forgot.

We have been talking to the nice people at Wayland Games over in the UK. We hope to have product to them in the very near future. This should take care of most of our friends on the other side of the pond.

Stay tuned to Waylandgames.co.uk for details as they become available.

Romeo
Battle Foam

What would I like? That's an easy one - a UK distributor!

I was also recently looking for a bag to pack all of my painting stuff in to transport it all around. I did contact you about customising some foam but had to decide against yours in the end due to the prohibitive costs. In the end I've cobbled various bits together in a bag and it does pretty well, but I would have loved to use your products since all reviews point to excellence. Something the size of the top part of the PACK 1520 would seem about right....


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Dammit. I've just been to your site and seen you now do the full paint range of bags. Oh well, I guess you've recently added them. Ho hum.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I'd still like to see shoulder strap carrying handles on them though, and maybe a large zip pocket for carrying books (codices, paint guides etc) on the lids.

So, I'm calling the Mid-size carry on bag, and what I will now dub the BattleFoam War Chest (Insert Number), [the storage locker idea] as the two products.

I almost forgot.

We are currently working with Wayland Games in the UK to start stocking our products. This should happen in the very near future.

We are also looking at several distro centers over the pond and in Canada. Once these are in place it should really help everyone accross the boarder and over the pond.

Check in with the nice people at Waylandgames.co.uk for more info in the next few weeks.

Romeo
Battle Foam

Sgt Diablo wrote:We are currently working with Wayland Games in the UK to start stocking our products. This should happen in the very near future.

Woohoo! Nice one Romeo!

THAT is a good new!!

Ozymandias wrote:RE: Lower Prices:

Remember you can only ever get 2 out of the following 3:

Great Product
Great Customer Service
Low Prices


Take your pick.

Explain Warstore then.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Necroagogo wrote:

mortal888 wrote:

-patches (non copyrighted stuff like a chaos star or military symbols)

How cosy are you with GW? I'd love to have my Chapter insignia on a Velcro patch, and I'm sure the xenos scum would like their assorted heretical or tribal daubings similarly displayed.

unfortunately GW is far to, ummm, fickle? for such an idea to work.

They'd approve it, wait for Battle Foam to expend money to start it up and sell it, then C&D them and have a nice giggle at the home office.

If not a distributor for the AUS, prehaps a discount of shipping if you pay over X amount, the shipping price is scary (for my wallet)

Less capitol letters? lol ... wow what a great audience.

OH YEAH BABY! Let the capitals be, since its coming to wayland it deserves all the shouts!!

Now let me do the bug happydance!

Thanks Romeo!

Howlingmoon wrote:

Ozymandias wrote:RE: Lower Prices:

Remember you can only ever get 2 out of the following 3:

Great Product
Great Customer Service
Low Prices


Take your pick.

Explain Warstore then.

He meant from a manufacturer

Howlingmoon wrote:

Ozymandias wrote:RE: Lower Prices:

Remember you can only ever get 2 out of the following 3:

Great Product
Great Customer Service
Low Prices


Take your pick.

Explain Warstore then.

Its a Farm, everything on farms is great.

Exactly, can't compare apples and oranges. Retailers can do all 3, manufacturers and often service providers can usually only do 2 out of the 3.

Whatever.
Just because some "can usually only do 2 out of the 3," is no reason not to EXPECT all 3.
It IS possible. Look at Dragon Forge as a prime example.
Not only does Dragon Forge provide it all... they're a one-man show.

There's no good reason not to expect all 3 from anyone.

Eric

So you're saying you would expect a Ferrari for a Kia's price?

Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying.
Wow. I'm amazed that you were able to read my mind so thoroughly.

Let's keep it a little more realistic. Shall we?

I gave a perfect example of a manufacturer that distributes directly to consumers at a reasonable price (Dragon Forge) and still provides spectacular customer service. This shows it can be done.

Using such an over the top example just looks desperate on your part.

Besides, Battlefoam (though I DO like their product) is no Ferrari, and Sabol sure as heck isn't Kia.

MagickalMemories wrote:Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying.
Wow. I'm amazed that you were able to read my mind so thoroughly.

Let's keep it a little more realistic. Shall we?

I gave a perfect example of a manufacturer that distributes directly to consumers at a reasonable price (Dragon Forge) and still provides spectacular customer service. This shows it can be done.

Maybe I should have put a smiley or a winky Ork so that you could understand it huh MM?

You mention DragonForge, a one-man operation. I've never ordered from them so I can't speak to it but let me just say that finding an example of a one-man company that you believe happens to do all three well doesn't invalidate the argument. I'd be willing to be that as soon as demand gets high enough from Dragon Forge that something will give (in a one man operation my bet would be service).

Using such an over the top example just looks desperate on your part.

God you are pretentious sometimes.

Besides, Battlefoam (though I DO like their product) is no Ferrari, and Sabol sure as heck isn't Kia.

*sigh*

Romeo, here's what I want to see in a new Battlefoam product.

A handy dandy pouch with a pull string and the words "Emergency Use Only" attached to every single one of your products. Inside is a smoke grenade. Only instead of smoke, it's full of room deodorizer. Think how useful this would be! Your opponent in a tourney stinks so bad you can't focus on your minis? No problem. Pull sting. Deodorize. Win Game! Or, to appeal to the testosterone laden masses that carry Battlefoam products, try this scenario. You've been gaming for two days and haven't taken a shower, and are now sitting at the bar winding down with some buddies and stinking up the place when Miss Holy Hotness Batman walks in the door. Pull String. Deodorize. Get Lucky!

I see this as a win-win situation for everyone. You can even offer a variety of scents and work a deal with Glade or Lysol!

Sgt Diablo wrote:I'll also point out that a "Build Your Tray" app has been worked on and will also be up live on our site within weeks.

This is what I was going to ask for, awesome.

I'm going to try to articulate what else I'm thinking about, say a 2 inch foam tray with a section of 4 inch to accomodate some less numerous but taller models. A second 2 inch tray would be able to fit above the 2 inch section of the first tray, but make the overall impression being that of a single piece of 4 inch foam. Great for the games where you have a bunch of smaller guys and only a handful of the big ones.

As a 'left field' suggestion - how about a PDF catalogue that we can download from your site, and even printed versions you can bring to big events/conventions. It'd be a good way of showing lots of product without having to sift through the website.

Unless of course you already have one of those, I just haven't seen it.

Trust me, that's not easy to do when you have 10,000 sf to fill. Because of this we only make Sabol and GW foam as you order it.



How can you make Sabol Foam and GW foam if you are not Sabol or GW? Seems like you should only be making your OWN foam.

@kingggames...

Please, don't troll the thread looking to start fights.
What he does is perfectly legal and, if you aren't familiar with the laws involved, you should read them before you chime in.

@H.B.M.C...

Good idea.

Eric

kinggames wrote:Trust me, that's not easy to do when you have 10,000 sf to fill. Because of this we only make Sabol and GW foam as you order it.



How can you make Sabol Foam and GW foam if you are not Sabol or GW? Seems like you should only be making your OWN foam.

How do third party companies make parts for cars? Same principle.

Plus it's more of a service to the community that he does this so you can order custom foam for your existing cases. Can't afford to buy a brand new BF case, but want custom layout for your current GW case? Order a set from BF and save a bit of cash while getting what your army needs. Makes sense to me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I dig the printed catalog idea too. Would be nice to tote along with me to help show more of what you do with cases when people ask about the PACK's I have.

I would like to see Battefoam post their personal business on their OWN website. If they are grasping at straws for "what to do, or what to make" on public forums, that speaks clearly for them as a "company". After reading hot-headed comments and posts from the "owner" on this site, it would be a better, "more business-like" approach to ask these kinds of questions on their own turf.

orkbossX wrote: I would like to see Battefoam post their personal business on their OWN website. If they are grasping at straws for "what to do, or what to make" on public forums, that speaks clearly for them as a "company". After reading hot-headed comments and posts from the "owner" on this site, it would be a better, "more business-like" approach to ask these kinds of questions on their own turf.

Do you also complain when companies do surveys, or give free samples/stuff at events or on the street, or anything else where they leave their offices and interact with the public?

Because that's basically what you're saying here.

One thing that makes me prefer Romeo and Battlefoam over Sabol is that he's out in the community talking it up and hearing what we think(hell, a Dakkaite actually named the bags).

Platuan4th wrote:

orkbossX wrote: I would like to see Battefoam post their personal business on their OWN website. If they are grasping at straws for "what to do, or what to make" on public forums, that speaks clearly for them as a "company". After reading hot-headed comments and posts from the "owner" on this site, it would be a better, "more business-like" approach to ask these kinds of questions on their own turf.

Do you also complain when companies do surveys, or give free samples/stuff at events or on the street, or anything else where they leave their offices and interact with the public?

Because that's basically what you're saying here.

One thing that makes me prefer Romeo and Battlefoam over Sabol is that he's out in the community talking it up and hearing what we think(hell, a Dakkaite actually named the bags).

Methinks that someone created a new account just to chime in and be confrontational without being identified. Very mature.

Do you also complain when companies do surveys, or give free samples/stuff at events or on the street, or anything else where they leave their offices and interact with the public?

Ok, my bad.
I hate surveys.

Great! 2 new users trolling BF... Not cool.

Battlefoam is a good example of how a company can grow and still be in touch with their costumers... they always talk and clarify things with the comunity and above all they really listen to what we ask... Thats a rarity.
But I guess both users just want flames, so please go burn your marshmallows away.

I would like to see a bag the size of the top bag of the 1520. It is the perfect size for armies around 1500 to 1750. A patch system would be great but it would be really tough to work with GW.

As far as lowering your prices, I don't think you need to do that. You have the best bags and quality out there. The others line can't compete(except with lower prices). Keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to the other bags that will be coming out!

Cheers

Lowering prices tends to have a negative effect on sales, shockingly enough.

People look at lowered prices and tend to wonder what happened to the quality.

I do like the fact that Romeo has started adding bulk discounts to his foam.

What I'd like to see is trays sized for pelican cases.

captain.gordino wrote:What I'd like to see is trays sized for pelican cases.

I am sure you can order a custom foam tray and provide the dimensions you want with the custom cut outs you want for your units.

Valhallan42nd wrote:Lowering prices tends to have a negative effect on sales, shockingly enough.

People look at lowered prices and tend to wonder what happened to the quality.

I do like the fact that Romeo has started adding bulk discounts to his foam.

Not if you market your price changes correctly. If you discount or do clearance pricing people start to worry. If you advertise across the board price reductions and advertise legitimate reasons for doing so it won't have a negative effect.

I love battle foam but it's priced beyond my reach. I'll stay with Sabol because I already have the bags and it is much more practical to work with what I have vs buying a whole new product.

I personally would love a file that has all of the stock cut-outs on it.
This way customers could print and it out and know which models need custom foam.

I would like to see 4" calvary and small troops offered in Army Transport sizes. Looks like you have the rest of them covered and only lack those two.

I really apprecieate the efforts Battlefoam makes for it's customers. Great work. Hard cases that can fit the traveling tourney army for plane travel seems like a good idea.

Lets see what i can fill in here -

- A mid sized bag between your 432 and the 1520. Something like a 610 or a 720 or something. That type of middle ground would be awesome for infantry heavy armies that also use tanks and transports (orks/IG come to mind here).
- A Aussie retailer please. I saw that your going to be using wayland games for a UK retailer (which i do shop there) so for a aussie one i would try http://defiantgaming.com/shop/ (I seriously recommend them, aussie based minitures online shop)
- More pictures in the website gallery.
- Bag color choice (While the green just looks smashing, i'm normaly a rabbid fan of the color red because red ones go fasta! Even some camo like patterns would look great).
- The option to color the foam if possiable (Costing extra no dout, but some people would be interested).
- Some templates and counters would be lovely (Custom designs by the user like the foam. I would kill to have some tau markerlight counters).

I also agree with the wheel idea for the 1520. That thing is huge and it would get pretty heavy imo once loaded with models... specialy if the majority of your army is made of metal (Dark eldar/Daemonhunters/which hunters anyone?).

Hmm... and i recommend some type of storage foam for planetstrike stuff... those bastions and wall sections would be easy to cater to (Pretty boxy imo) tho the incoming fortress would be a problem.

All in all however, Battle foam your doing a kick arse job with what your doing already ;p

TheSecretSquig wrote:I’m planning on 2 of the large 1552 PACK’s, but haven’t quite yet got enough models for my Orks built, to know exactly what I need before ordering. Probably do it Feb / Mar 2010. Anyway, here’s my ideas…..

Bags
Bag Security – In case someone decides to open it or even worse, walk off with it..... Locking bags or Motion Alarms – Its picked up, the Alarm goes off
Different Colours – Make it stand out and be noticed
Velcro Signs – A Velcro patch on the front you could make custom labels for, “Names”, “Army”, or even ‘Fragile’ for when your transporting them by Aircraft or coach somewhere.
Detachable webbing pouches for books, tape measures and stuff.
A 6” thick insulated tray with cut outs for Beer and Ice Packs to keep them cool!
I nstead of stacked foam trays, is there any way you could have the front of the bag opening up, and then the trays ‘pull out’ like a set chest of draws?
Built in speakers for an I-Pod connection

Terrain – If your so good at custom foam……
Interlocking foam road sections
Magnetised modular foam buildings (think Lego)
Hills – The Foam spacers, could they not have push out bits that stack together to make a hill or even craters?
Or some sort of Modular building, that also doubles up as a troop transporters. A Foam bunker, but open the top and there are sections for models to be stored?
Some sort of Terrain, which all packs away small (think Russian Dolls). Terrain takes a lot of storage space up.

Something else to enhance the hobby…….
Squad markers – I’ve a Steel Legion army of +150 troops, what about some token or something that fits underneath the base to identify the squad. Currently I have the numbers painted on the side of the bases.
LED Lighting kits for my vehicles.
A Foam ‘beard’ I can wear or pass to my opponent when they are being a beardy arse!
Electronic dice? Vocal Dice? Press the button to roll, its speaks the result (not everyone’s eyesight is spot on. Or x10 Readouts for D6 results. Press the button and it gives you 10 random D6 results (and you need to select between 1 and 10 of the readouts to work).
Some decent telescopic flyer bases (think radio Ariel). I currently use a 15cm Dia piece of MDF with 2” brass rod which screws together, there has to be something better.

Well, there’s my ideas for now, I may come back with some more!

Well, I've had a 'fink, and here's some more idea's for the pot.............................

Flying Bases. At the moment I make my own, but the new ones from Forgeworld / GW are crap, so I'll continue to make my own. But a decent flying base, that comes apart in oder to be packed away. How about one that incorporates some sort of ammunition tracker, i.e. how many bombs you've dropped or missiles you've fired?
Telescopic skimmer bases. Then there is no argument over whether your skimmer is hiding behind the 3rd level of the building, or ducked low behind the trees. The current skimmer bases avaialable just don't offer that type of flexability. I'm picturing something like a skimmer on the end of a radio ariel here......
Wound trackers. I'm sure everyone has their own method, I place a small dice next to a wounded model, is there a better method? Something that would standardise woound indication accross gamers, maybe a disc that the base sits on, I don't know, its just an idea.
Electronicafy (I know this isn't a real word) the gaming table. Terrain with actual working bits in it, lights, rotating turrets. How about real working street lamps? I used to run a Necromunda Campaign, and once a month we'd put tea light candles over the playing area, and knock the lights off. Its created a real atmosphere and allowed you to actually hide your models in the shadows. Even worse was when you couldn't see or remember where you've placed your model (we counted them as lost in the game). It gave a game a real atmosphere of a dark underhive and really stepped the game up a level. How about an actual river you fill with water? I like realism in a game, and terrain plays a key part in that.
Destroyable Terrain. Lets face it, your bunker takes a hit and is destroyed. But its the same bunker. What about a terrain peice that actually came appart so it can be marked as destroyed?
I like the idea of drag and drop to create your own cut foam on the website - Thunbs up.
I like the idea of a 'Mad Max' type game. Cross between Dark Future and Gorkamorka.

I was looking at ordering my bag before Christmas, but I'm now waiting for Wayland to start stocking in the UK!!!!

I would like fewer caps locks laden words.

Then I'd like to see some of the custom trays made available for general sale.

Hey love the look of the product planning first order for some stuff for my GW cases.

Since I ride a motorcycle what I'd love is a back pack maybe between the 216 and 432 that could fit a couple infantry trays and a vehicle tray.

you could call it a BackP.A.C.K

Jerick wrote:I personally would like to see a bag size between the 1520 and the 432, The points that I play with at my local tournament, makes it so that I need about 2 more inches of foam to be able to fit my army into one of the 432s, but the 1520 is much to large.

Ditto. A mid-size bag.

So far I really like the idea of the wheels.

I would like to add an idea with an interactive section of your website maybe with Flash player or something where we can pick out specific products and see how they fit into the bags of choice. Would really help the newcomers get their feet wet with the product.

On the items side:
- a bagpack. Trays are wide but can fit on a back placement, as shown by the 1520 bottom part. Add in a proper straps and back support system, a la trekking bagpack, and you get something vastly superior to what Feldherr offers (see here). I'm shocked no one mentionned that before, since this is the most convenient way of carrying a mid-sized army when using public transportation (but your client base is primarily in the US, granted).
- 2 inches deep infantry trays for all those minis using 40 mm bases, or with very dynamic poses (think necron Wraiths, ork Meganobz, many IC, etc.)

On the game system side:
- a naval warfare game, since other niches are already quite busy. Plus you can market the C4 for this game

On the accessories/terrain side:
- something that takes advantage of your superior foam and foam cutting technology, probably trenches made of hardened foam, bunkers with movable top, hills of rough terrain area, slopes for water, etc.

Hasdrubal wrote:
- a bagpack. Trays are wide but can fit on a back placement, as shown by the 1520 bottom part. Add in a proper straps and back support system, a la trekking bagpack, and you get something vastly superior to what Feldherr offers (see here). I'm shocked no one mentionned that before, since this is the most convenient way of carrying a mid-sized army when using public transportation (but your client base is primarily in the US, granted).

To add to that, a backpack that blends in, i mean not everyone in the world likes people who play the game, who would want to have people going 'Hey look at that kid, he's got Battlefoam!, Hey kid you want some battlefoam? come here and I'll give it to you!'? i got bullied for liking warhammer 40k in my last school and don't want people to know i play it at my secondary school, so please come up with something incognito that helps the closet gamers

the Loki spoke

7.75 in by 12 in trays. A Half size to fit the one monolith, land raider or other giant tank in your collection without using an entire 4-6 inch foam tray. Other half sized trays could be made for troops and fit next to the half sized tank tray.

Also 3.1 in by 4 in trays. There would be 15 of the in each of your existing trays. Instead of ordering a tray of foam you could custom order a block that you one super-converted model could fit in, so you wouldn't have to spend $30 for one model. These block could fit in exterior pockets on a pack and would be 2-3 in deep.

A stencil sheet downloadable from your website. For custom trays now you need to trace physical product to send in the custom order. These stencils would be printed out on card stock and could be of land raiders, drop pods, battlewagons, etc, so you can buy a tray for the army you plan on having not the one you have right now.

B.D.