Spartan Games company closure - sold to Warcradle

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**Overread**

I think Spartan's problems were jumping from small to big fry suddenly with Dystopian Wars; I think they had to learn how to operate with a bigger market and bigger customer base and I think they had a lot of lessons to learn in that. I also think that delegation has been a problem which has hit them hard with Neil being ill this last year.

They lost traction, but at the end of the day they are not malicious about it. They also produce good model with good models at a good price. If the can sort out their end the market is more than ready, willing and eager for them in the niche they've carved out. I think so long as GW doesn't do another Battlefleet or Epic in the next few years Spartan could well corner that market very well. I'd love them to do that in a serious way!

**Sarouan**

Overread wrote:

I think that delegation has been a problem which has hit them hard with Neil being ill this last year.

That, and the fact they rely a lot on voluntary work (aka not paid). When you're not paying someone with a salary for all their extra work, well...passion only pushes you that far on long term.

We have the justification of them being a "small company" for quite a few years now. It doesn't excuse anything, actually - it only explains. They try to correct their bad reputation (especially about their communication), but it will be a long and hard process.

They're now stuck since a few days, and I think it's normal because they don't understand they have to show more and faster than that. They have to play cards on the table, otherwise the other people interested but knowing the past of Spartan Games will just hold their money - rightfully, honestly. There is a potential of backers still to be found, but so far, they got the ones who will blindly support them no matter what. Now they need the others, otherwise I'm not sure the project will be funded, simple as that.

So far, we have Neil telling stuff. It's fine, but the guy is known to promise a lot of stuff that never happened. I think people expect actual acts - pictures of the new miniatures, and not just the cover of the boxes and/or renders (a render is good, but Spartan Games showed renders before that never made it into miniatures), more stuff of the real content of the books, not just the covers, and so on.

They make great miniatures, that's good. But there is also the Dystopian War kickstarter, that still isn't fully dealt with and...well...it's Spartan Games. Making promises and telling dates, they can do - but it's the question of if they will actually manage to make it on time (or sometimes,make it at all) that is the important one. So far...we're still not sure of the answer.

**Overread**

In brighter news - 6 new 3D renders of the rest of the core boxed set from the Pathogen and Saurions

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/921886974/firestorm-galaxy-expansion/posts/1965434

**RiTides**

Very nice!! The only one I'm not a huge fan of on the Pathogen is the Frigate, it just seems to be lacking the detail of the others.

**Sarouan**

The more I look at the Pathogen ships, the more they look like mere "space monsters" to me. I really don't get that "cyborg amalgam" they are supposed to be.

They're still nice, though. Details are enough for their size, mostly, especially for what is a glorified " space jellyfish with teeth".

I expected frankly more for an update. I guess they need more time to get the other stuff ready.

**warboss**

Sarouan wrote:
The more I look at the Pathogen ships, the more they look like mere "space monsters" to me. I really don't get that "cyborg amalgam" they are supposed to be.

They're still nice, though. Details are enough for their size, mostly, especially for what is a glorified " space jellyfish with teeth".

I expected frankly more for an update. I guess they need more time to get the other stuff ready.

I assumed they were just big pregnant organic space monsters ala nids from a casual quick stroll down glance (and not reading any actual accompanying text) through the kickstarter and posts here.

**Overread**

Pathogen are basically super-cyborgs. I think the best way to think of them is Tetsuo's final transformation in Akira. An organic like blend of machine and organics. Or like the Beast from Homeworld Cataclysm

**warboss**

Yeah, other than the Doc Ock tentacles now taking a closer look, I don't really get that vibe from a first impression. YMMV.

**Overread**

The infected ships should give a greater feeling of the blending of organic and machine so together should carry the effect over well. That said it would be nice if they could add some finer mechanical details to the existing ship design to give them a little bit more of a hint at their techo-organic aspects.

That said a good paintjob could also carry the effect well (though likely be more challenging for painters)

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Two new Terran ships and a new Aquian!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/921886974/firestorm-galaxy-expansion/posts/1965726

Terran Battle Carrier!

Automatically Appended Next Post:
And speak of the blending here's one of the infected Pathogen ships!

**Sarouan**

Now with that Dindrenzi ship, we get the "nanovirus melting metal and organic matters together". Real nice.

Hmmm, the Terran ships really follow the last design, more "Hawker Industries' new innovations". The Battle Carrier is especially interesting, with the special way the engine is designed. The back wings look a bit strange, but I think it would be better with the 360 picture.

There is also the Light Destroyer, simple but effective

The Aquan ship is also very in the lines of the latest ships as well.

I have no doubt the resin models will be showing a lot of details. They know their stuff with that material.

They also release the new timeline for the Firestorm Universe. It's...kinda interesting. Some things definitely changed.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/921886974/firestorm-galaxy-expansion/posts/1965830

**schoon**

The miniatures are lovely...

**vonjankmon**

I so wish Spartan would properly support their games. I god damn love their miniatures but finding a game to play is next to impossible.

**Overread**

Hopefully this is a start of a big revitalising! I think it was supposed to start last year with Dystopian, but Neil falling ill I think scuppered it. They seem to be coping better now and hopfully this kickstarts (excuse the pun) the popularity of Firstorm Armada again

**Sarouan**

Two more Light Destroyers are revealed, the Sorylian and the Dindrenzi ones :

They're nice, but I really wonder if this is a good idea for the balance of the game. You can see they are very similar to previous Destroyers miniatures, and you can only guess if their firepower won't be too much for Tier 3 space ships (meaning it will be an auto-include and thus the others will simply be left behind).

Kickstarter seems to be slowly reaching its peak. I think they can reach the 50000 minimum, but I don't believe it will be much higher. It's nearly a certainty they won't reach their Dystopian War's one.

There is an interest, but people are careful. They see the Dystopian War Kickstarter is still not fully finished (and that they don't react on their commentaries anymore), and this one of Firestorm Armada feels a bit like a cash grab. They made a clumsy move, here, and I don't think it is in their favor for believing in a "big revitalising new beginning".

**Overread**

The Dystopian, from what I can see, is shipping now and good few on the forums are reporting that they are getting their stuff from it. I think if the Armada had held off for another two weeks it would have done it a world of good in light of Dystopian stuff shipping.

That said don't forget these destroyers are small light ships rather than the mid-range destroyers. So a compliment or a cheaper lighter option. How they fit in should be clearer in the 3.0 rules as they come out. So in theory they should fit in really well to the new rules system.

**Overread**

They've jiggled some of the stretch goals around; more rewards; more unlocks including some pirate ships now sitting ready to unlock. There's also a preview of the Directorate Destroyer up now!

Automatically Appended Next Post:

New bonus ship for backers of Bridge Officer - free addition when the game funds at £50K. In addition its a KS exclusive and a marauder class ship so can ally with any faction. It's also a special character warship which isn't something we've seen before in Firestorm!

**RiTides**

I'm loving most of these renders! Very close to funding now

**Overread**

Yeah and the great thing is that Spartan really know how to work well with Resin, so the renders will be very very close to the actual models!

**Sarouan**

Sure, the models will be close to the renders and those are nice, but as long as you don't see the actual model, you're not sure that's what will be coming out in the end. Renders can be modified or just throwed to the trash can, and Spartan Games has already done that in the past. Also, last time I remember, they're trying to sell a game with a universe as well. We still have nothing new in the updates about that. Remember, they're talking about a new version of the rules with a (finally) updated background since the old books and the promises about giving a free PDF about this (hint; it never came).

16 days from the end of the kickstarter, and they still aren't funded. That's actually a problem, that means they still have trouble to convince people about the project.

**schoon**

That new pirate ship is dead sexy. Pretty good deal, too. Included if you buy a copy of the new rulebook.

**Overread**

Sorylian Heavy Carrier!

**Shrapnelsmile**

NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:
I actually really like the Firestorm system... but man.... Spartan games....

Fool me once shame on you... fool me fifteen times... I am a freaking moron.

Precisely. The most redeeming aspect of this thread is I'm not the only fool out of money.

**JBSchroeds**

I was thinking of doing this for the book and maybe one or two of the faction expansions (got the Dindrenzi/Terran starter a while back after it went OOP), but after looking over the shipping costs I've gotta say: nope. The shipping for just the book is ~$9USD, and for the starter set it's a whopping $40USD. The starter set pledge is $85USD so a total of $125. To put that in context, you can get the current starter from a US retailer, shipped, for $110-130. So it seems to me that it'll be a better deal for a US customer to just wait for general release (assuming none of the extras are must-haves).

**warboss**

Shrapnelsmile wrote:
NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:
I actually really like the Firestorm system... but man.... Spartan games....

Fool me once shame on you... fool me fifteen times... I am a freaking moron.

Precisely. The most redeeming aspect of this thread is I'm not the only fool out of money.

You need to read his post a few days later...

**Overread**

Sadly it appears not only is the KS over but Spartan games is closing doors as well :(

http://www.spartangames.co.uk/spartan-games

**Nick Ellingworth**

It's a real shame that they've gone bust but I can't say I'm surprised. Their models were excellent and rules whilst not perfect a lot of fun to play however the on going support of their games disappeared as soon as they released a new game and that was very off putting for a lot of potential customers (and possible repeat customers like myself). I do hope that someone who is willing to spend the time and resources needed to provide support does acquire the rights to at least Firestorm Armada and Dystopian Wars as I think the gaming scene would be a lot poorer without them. I also hope that all their employees find their feet quickly.

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

Overread wrote:
Sadly it appears not only is the KS over but Spartan games is closing doors as well :(

http://www.spartangames.co.uk/spartan-games

I sincerely hope the games get sold to other studios. I have no doubt someone building on the backs of one or two of these pretty excellent games, could do wonders for them.

**infinite_array**

Totally not surprised. Spartan Game's inability to stick with a setting and ruleset meant this was inevitable as they constantly spent money to chase something new and shiny.

Which is a shame. I think a Spartan Games that had stuck with Uncharted Seas and given it the full Dystopian Wars treatment (without the constant rules cycling) could still be going strong, since it's not an overcrowded market. Or even a Spartan Games with the full Dystopian Wars range and no rules churn could be a strong competitor in the market, since it's not an area that anyone else really covers.

I guess now's the time to hit the clearance bins and find some alternate rulesets to use.

**RiTides**

Wow, that's pretty shocking - could someone copy and paste their website announcement here, as their webpage isn't loading for me?

I had backed this heavily, and it's kind of scary that they were on the verge of closing but raising that amount of funds at the same time... but again maybe there are more details in the website announcement that I can't see right now.

Is there any discussion about selling the line, as it seems like it would have value?

**xowainx**

The following statement is issued today, Friday 25th August 2017.
Following a prolonged period of challenging trading and despite the directors’ best efforts to manage through, Rebel Publishing Ltd was unable to continue to trade and the directors have taken the difficult decision to cease. All members of staff were made redundant.

The company, which traded as Spartan Games, is a Somerset, UK based provider of tabletop miniature games which include

Uncharted Seas, a fantasy naval combat game (now retired)
Firestorm Armada, an exciting space combat game featuring highly detailed starship models
Dystopian Legions, a game based in the world of Dystopian Wars using highly detailed 32mm scale figures and vehicles (now retired)
Dystopian Wars– an exciting journey in a Victorian sci-fi world encompassing naval combat, ground warfare and aerial combat.
Spartan Scenics – a range of detailed and easily assembled wargames terrain.
Rebel Publishing Ltd was formed in July 2002 and traded successfully for a number of years. Spartan Games was launched in 2008 and grew rapidly. However, the tabletop games market is challenging and has changed over recent years, and suppliers are predominantly a small number of large well-known names and several small, cottage industry, type businesses.

Initially the business outsourced production but following quality control and production management issues, manufacturing was moved in house between 2009 and 2011. Over this time and since, significant investment was made into machinery and infrastructure. The business also expanded to provide models for a well known video game, moving this into the tabletop games arena. However, significant new development costs, timing issues and the deflection of management time from the core games brands resulted in a significant trading loss for 2015/6. The business was able to continue to trade by raising additional finance and refocusing on core brands, and direct / online trading improved significantly. Results for 2016/17 were significantly improved.

However, despite this it continued to encounter challenging trading conditions and it became clear this month that the company could not continue to service its liabilities, particularly given the burden imposed by the amounts owing to finance companies.

The company was in the process of running a Kickstarter project to raise funds for expansion of one of its successful product lines. This was well supported and positive feedback on the new products was given showing the popularity of the product line and ongoing demand. However, this does not, unfortunately, provide the full range of success and resources needed to sustain the business.

In addition to challenging trading issues, one of the directors has suffered from a long period of poor health which became significantly more serious earlier this year and although now back in the business, requires ongoing treatment. That has inevitably taken a toll on the amount of time available to the business so, along with other challenges, has significantly contributed to this difficult decision.

The directors are extremely saddened by this decision and particularly regret any losses incurred by employees, customers, suppliers or other trading partners. The directors fully committed their time, energy and personal resources to effect a turnaround. Employees will receive redundancy payments through state funds and although efforts have been made to fulfil customer orders, it is hoped that anyone who does not receive their goods will be able to redeem their payments through their credit card or PayPal.

If customers have made a deposit or paid for goods or services by credit or debit card and the goods or services are not going to be received by the due date, they may be able to get their money back by claiming a refund from their card issuer. They should contact their card issuer as soon as possible. Further information including time limits that apply is available from the UK Cards Association: Credit and debit cards: A consumer guide. Similar schemes exist in other countries.

Throughout the years that Spartan Games has traded, it has prided itself on the highest level of product quality and customer satisfaction. This has been delivered consistently and is evidenced though annual customer research that the company has undertaken.

We would encourage anybody who may be interested in acquiring either stock, assets or the business to make contact as soon as possible. Spartan Games and its product lines have a strong reputation in its markets together with an asset base which may be of interest to a number of parties, and a variety of machinery in addition to Intellectual Property.

All enquiries about this matter should be sent to spartangames@mail.com.