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I was thinking about this topic this weekend over some wine with my buddies, and we never really came to a consensus.

What would make your wargaming lives easier? One great example is Battlefoam. Battlefoam came into the market and revolutionized carrying cases for the masses.

What's the next big thing for Miniatures? What is it that you desperately want but isn't available?

The only thing I could think of was some kind of case that can hold and army, books, and accessories (dice, tape, templates, ipod, etc) and was still not super bulky.

What do you guys think?

I'll start - clearer communication from GW about upcoming stuff. There's no real reason for us to have to rely on random pictures someone snatched off the internet after it was up for 5 seconds for our information about what new models will look like.

How about recognition on the part of developers like GW that balancing and designing for ultra competitive tournament play inherently improves the quality of the game for ALL other types of players as well, and you don't need to sacrifice fluff, cool models or fun to accomplish it.


Yeah. Seriously. If Sisters Repentia are a competitive choice and Necrons are kept balanced with Dark Angels and them with Space Wolves ... it doesn't hurt casual player experience, but helps it. Plus, the game works for competitors too. AND THE DIVIDES END!

wileythenord wrote:What's the next big thing for Miniatures? What is it that you desperately want but isn't available?

Well, if you're looking for niches to fill with a product, how about a way to safely transport an army overseas consisting of models with spears and slings and stuff sticking out at odd angles such that most of the figures will never fit into a standard box-cut foam case without most the bits snapping off?

I never understood that, almost every other product that has a hyped launch starts their hype months in advance. Why does GW wait until 1 month before hand?

Would it really hurt their sales? Most people that play this game know about the releases through rumors anyway, so why hold off?

wileythenord wrote:I never understood that, almost every other product that has a hyped launch starts their hype months in advance. Why does GW wait until 1 month before hand?

Would it really hurt their sales? Most people that play this game know about the releases through rumors anyway, so why hold off?

I could see it be 50/50. If they are releasing a new model that was not available before I think an early hype would be beneficial.

Take the HPA as an example, no model prior to now. Looking around and seeing the Skaven getting a cool model in 3 months could very well cause an increase in sales of Skaven to prepare a new army that includes the HPA.

The Lightning Cannon could be an opposite example. Seeing the model 3 months in advance could decrease your slaves for the next 3 months as nobody buys the old model while waiting for the new one to drop. (Of course some here might argue that the new models are crap, and could cause an increase in sales of the old models before they are lost....)

I can't help but feel that advertising a new release well in advance could have a negative effect upon GW sales as anyone who may have picked one up as an impulse buy will have had time to get used to the miniature and consider wether or not if they truly need it. It also gives people more time to question their purchases which could lead them to spend their money outside of the hobby.

If I could have one thing to make my hobby easier it would be in store paint mixing. A bit like how B&Q wil mix any colour you want for gloss and emulsion. There are certain paint mixes I use a hell of a lot i.e. a 50/50 mix of Bleached Bone and Goblin Green for highlighting Ork flesh. Mixing these by hand is a pain in the arse and leads to a lt of wasteage. I appreciate this means that GW sell a bit more product but I would happily pay a bit extra for a custom mixed colour.

I have to ask: What's the goal of this question?

If you're crowdsourcing third-party product ideas, then you need to state so; otherwise you're going to get GW specific stuff that you probably couldn't implement.

Should your answer to the above be "yes", I was kind of serious about that martini glass. To expand this into a usable collection of ideas, perhaps a line of no-spill glasses that don't look like sippy cups for three year olds? If you're looking for something more DIRECTLY wargaming related, the first thing that comes to mind that I personally would want would be miniatures that GW doesn't cover. Fill in the product line gaps. I want Hydras, GOOD rough riders, plastic stormtroopers, and so on. The problem is that this is going to paint a litigious target upon yourself within months.

Something a little more viable would perhaps be game table organizers. I'm picturing a slideout drawer that you could mount on the bottom of your game table. Maybe fashion removable inserts that would make them appropriate for storing stuff, like a tape measure/marker/dice drawer, a paint/glue drawer, a miniatures drawer, and maybe a liquor bottle drawer.

If you're idly asking for the sake of asking with no actual goal, then in that case I want a pony. It's too hard to walk from one end of the table to the other. I deserve a majestic steed to transport me.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
My biggest problem overall with the hobby is how cumbersome at home it is. Foam cases are great for transporting an army, but between me and my friends, we have every army except the specialty marines and Necrons, and it all gets left in my game room (horray for being the single guy with the largest place :( ). Make me a container that can safely store my hobby. It doesn't have to be especially mobile, but sturdy and well-organized. My shelves are for terrain. I hate bumping one and losing guardsmen down the side of one.

I'd like a case that automatically put my models back when I'm done playing.

1) I want some vehicles that can compete with GW for quality, but don't look horrid like most scale models would for 40k.

2) More models in plastic. And the rest of what is missing brought out. Case in point. 42 bucks for kasrkins, another 17 just to get 2 of them with special weapons. Also, it is easy to make SM look different, but for IG we have basically 2 choices, and neither look that great to me.

3) Lower prices! I think we ca all agree on that. And I don't just mean with GW, a lot of games could use a price cut.

4) After 3, more choices in games. At my FLGS, its 40k... and somewhat Warmachine. Add in WHFB, and I still want some other choices. Problem is, the minis are just too expensive no matter what.

A nice clean well lit place to play that isn't overrun with kids, thieves, and other undesireable types.

That's easy, just move to Saint Louis.

ame balance, clear rules and cross-codex parity..

Man, i'm stretching..

For GW to start a new business model. One that doesn't shoot itself in the foot.

I'd like to just compare GW to Gamestop. The only real difference is that Gamestop doesn't make and/or monopolize a particular product.

Gamestop advertises coming attractions.

Gamestop's magazine is free with the purchase of a discount card.

The reviews are honest. (new armies don't always win)

Gamestop acknowledges a secondary market and encourages it. Having the best policies and deals involving used product.

If GW did this, be honest and transparent, and treat its repeat and long running customers with respect, it would go far for a long time. Rather that seemingly prefer the new kids with their first purchase of space marines. That's not the secret to lasting. I have no desire to teach anyone Warhammer. While if I were treated well, I'd be a Warhammer pusher. Its like the stock holders need instant gratification with no interest in the future (if there are stock holders at GW).

I've come to appreciate Privateer Press's business model, and see it growing at leaps and bounds. I check the coming attractions constantly and plan for purchases. Take note GW.

I respect GW for being what it is, and I'd like to see it succeed, but another few years and I don't see alot of success.

d-usa wrote:Seeing the model 3 months in advance could decrease your slaves for the next 3 months as nobody buys the old model while waiting for the new one to drop. (Of course some here might argue that the new models are crap, and could cause an increase in sales of the old models before they are lost....)

I'm guessing this was a typo, but it was a nicely apt one!

JOHIRA wrote:

d-usa wrote:Seeing the model 3 months in advance could decrease your slaves for the next 3 months as nobody buys the old model while waiting for the new one to drop. (Of course some here might argue that the new models are crap, and could cause an increase in sales of the old models before they are lost....)

I'm guessing this was a typo, but it was a nicely apt one!

Oh my, how did this ever slip my mind....