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I have to be honest, a M&M wargame is a thing I was dreaming of since my first contact with a tabletop wargame as a kid. High hopes on that one. Especially curious regarding the game design approach.

Also that Kraken looks juicy, really looking forward to this one.

Glad to see Mantic's plastic improving through Archon! Although I'll wait and see about the sculpt quality and pricing.

No interest in Archon's boardgames since way back with LOAD and I have a backlog of games to play an mini's to paint (including Archon . You can review for yourself the BGG comments on their games.
Heroes of Might and Magic, another 4x game, had positive reviews.
Astra newsletter link : https://masteroforionadastra.com/

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeksearch.php?action=search&advsearch=1&objecttype=boardgame&q=&include%5Bdesignerid%5D=&geekitemname=&geekitemname=Archon%20Studio&include%5Bpublisherid%5D=35217&range%5Byearpublished%5D%5Bmin%5D=&range%5Byearpublished%5D%5Bmax%5D=&range%5Bminage%5D%5Bmax%5D=&floatrange%5Bavgrating%5D%5Bmin%5D=&floatrange%5Bavgrating%5D%5Bmax%5D=&range%5Bnumvoters%5D%5Bmin%5D=&floatrange%5Bavgweight%5D%5Bmin%5D=&floatrange%5Bavgweight%5D%5Bmax%5D=&range%5Bnumweights%5D%5Bmin%5D=&colfiltertype=&searchuser=ced1106g&range%5Bminplayers%5D%5Bmax%5D=&range%5Bmaxplayers%5D%5Bmin%5D=&playerrangetype=normal&range%5Bleastplaytime%5D%5Bmin%5D=&range%5Bplaytime%5D%5Bmax%5D=&B1=Submit

Looking forward to throwing money at Caves. Thanks DaveC for the post!

Master of Orion 2 is one of my favorite games. Archon keeps putting out stuff that pushes all my nostalgia buttons.

Now I need some scatter terrain compatible with the Kazumi temple to make my day.

M.

Great to see updates on the work in progress.
Looking forward to getting this KS bundle in.
Just wondering if this set below could have more Demons rather that Skeletons?

Demons Domain - Skeletons and Imps - 11 minis - Skeletons + Imps + Horned Demon.

More Demons would fit in better with the title and Cave type i think.

 manic _miner wrote:
Great to see updates on the work in progress.
Looking forward to getting this KS bundle in.
Just wondering if this set below could have more Demons rather that Skeletons?

Demons Domain - Skeletons and Imps - 11 minis - Skeletons + Imps + Horned Demon.

More Demons would fit in better with the title and Cave type i think.

So right now, we plan on having 6 Skeletons, 4 Imps and 1 Demon. We want to have enough miniatures for a regular encounter as it was a common criticism that our miniature sets never had enough of a particular creature for a full encounter. Personally, I would have replaced the "Belly of the Beast" theme with a crypt and added a Lich with Skeletons into it, but it is what it is. We might have more Demons in our next campaign, but the focus for caves is meant to be the terrain and not the miniatures.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 ced1106 wrote:

No interest in Archon's boardgames since way back with LOAD and I have a backlog of games to play an mini's to paint (including Archon . You can review for yourself the BGG comments on their games.
Heroes of Might and Magic, another 4x game, had positive reviews.

Keep in mind that the HoMM board game isn't out yet, but we have done plenty of open tests and demos and the feedback was very positive from those that actually played the game. It's hard to pinpoint how much of that was nostalgia, but the game should definitely live up to expectations. I think we're also planning to start doing TTS demos with our future board games as they're a pretty valuable source of feedback (although don't quote me on that).

@Szymon_Archon - except, hopefully arriving soon, animals pack, would there be possible to have other similar boxes? For example undead, heroes/characters, daemon etc. etc.? All with a proper numbers per category

 Shadow Walker wrote:
@Szymon_Archon - except, hopefully arriving soon, animals pack, would there be possible to have other similar boxes? For example undead, heroes/characters, daemon etc. etc.? All with a proper numbers per category

That's what I'm also hoping for, although it's gonna take some convincing :p

Just a heads up but the CEO also reads this forum so I'm really hoping that we will start making more generic miniatures because we really do have the ability and skill to make detailed and high quality minis, I feel like we're just really lacking in the design department when it comes to making generic high fantasy. I think we wouldn't have this issue if we already had an established IP or if we were working to make miniatures for an existing IP (like D&D or Pathfinder) as they'd need to go through an approval process, but I do think it's about time we learnt how to actually do it ourselves.

 Miguelsan wrote:
Master of Orion 2 is one of my favorite games. Archon keeps putting out stuff that pushes all my nostalgia buttons.

Now I need some scatter terrain compatible with the Kazumi temple to make my day.

M.

I remember a very long hot seat MoO2 game at uni that ended through lack of endurance more than anything else.

The_Real_Chris wrote:
I remember a very long hot seat MoO2 game at uni that ended through lack of endurance more than anything else.

Any 4X game with hotseat is great. One time, me and a friend did a hotseat game of Civ V and we set the turn timer to 10 seconds. Genuinely lots of fun, very similar to playing bullet chess.

Szymon_Archon wrote:

 Shadow Walker wrote:
@Szymon_Archon - except, hopefully arriving soon, animals pack, would there be possible to have other similar boxes? For example undead, heroes/characters, daemon etc. etc.? All with a proper numbers per category

That's what I'm also hoping for, although it's gonna take some convincing :p

Just a heads up but the CEO also reads this forum so I'm really hoping that we will start making more generic miniatures because we really do have the ability and skill to make detailed and high quality minis, I feel like we're just really lacking in the design department when it comes to making generic high fantasy. I think we wouldn't have this issue if we already had an established IP or if we were working to make miniatures for an existing IP (like D&D or Pathfinder) as they'd need to go through an approval process, but I do think it's about time we learnt how to actually do it ourselves.

If Archon can crack the issue of broadly appealing generic fantasy sculpts then one niche that is not really catered for that Archon could consider is the ability to offer kits to make the same characters in different versions, meaning given how well Archon has done with transparent/translucent HIPs.

Archon could make adventuring party kits like North Star do for Frostgrave but the add additional sets that allow an undead version (admittedly this would require the expense of a new mould though), a mounted version (sell mounts in a separate kit so players could change/upgrademounts), an “invisible” version (same mould, different plastic.

Make it clear and players could even use washes to make ghost versions of their characters).

As for mounts, create models that can be without a saddle, with a saddle to ride, with baggage to make them a pack animal and maybe undead versions?

The appeal of the North Star Frostgrave kits is that they are relatively plain and simple. Easy to modify to fit a number of different settings, games, eras, IP‘s with just a little customer modification. And it is relatively easily to make an undead version of a character if you have the right sets (for example cultists box is pretty good for this) and you can make some mounted characters with the various Oathmark cavalry but nothing in transparent plastic.

If kits could be made to be compatible with Wargames Atlantic, Victrix, North Star… even better! Kitbashing can take kits right through the gamut of games, genres and settings. Sci-fi, post-Apoc, Fantasy, you name it.

That all sounds ridiculously niche imho.

> Easy to modify to fit a number of different settings, games, eras, IP‘s with just a little customer modification.

What I particularly like about Oathmark sets is that you can choose which weapons you want for your models. So, if I'm playing a solo miniatures game, I can find distinguish the ranged units from the melee ones. Likewise, I can equip my hero with what's on the character sheet, not what model that's "close". Archon is already doing this with their Deuslair PC set.

Although I could just drill holes in foamcore strips I'd like to see some bits that let you make freestanding walls. I have some 2D battlefields and dungeon maps that I'd like to add walls to, but not floors.

Szymon_Archon wrote:

Just a heads up but the CEO also reads this forum so I'm really hoping that we will start making more generic miniatures because we really do have the ability and skill to make detailed and high quality minis, I feel like we're just really lacking in the design department when it comes to making generic high fantasy. I think we wouldn't have this issue if we already had an established IP or if we were working to make miniatures for an existing IP (like D&D or Pathfinder) as they'd need to go through an approval process, but I do think it's about time we learnt how to actually do it ourselves.

Best thing about generic miniatures is that they do not require any IP Take Bretonnia ones as example. Majority of minis would be at home in most fantasy settings. Generic undead, orcs, kobolds, gnolls etc. also are easy to create. Basically you have tons of possible kits to release without worrying about any IP, and at the same time a huge market to explore. I bet your dragons are very popular, and the reason is simple - you could use them for various fantasy games. More of that, and the customers will be happy to buy. Also give at least few options, like different weapons, and you have a golden mine. Release another giant, could be even modified Pepe, but this time give it at least two heads, two weapons, mayby some bare hands as options. Simple things like that would for sure make your minis hugely popular.

IIRC Pepe originally released pretty much at the same time as the first AoS all Gargant book... if he had been modular...

and larger, Pepe is in line with the regular Giant and too small for a Gargant

though using Pepe and the hungry Troll and as regular giants and the Mantic ones as Gargants would make a nice AoS Army

 kodos wrote:
and larger, Pepe is in line with the regular Giant and too small for a Gargant

Gargants is a name for a race, and mega gargants are a newest, bigest ones Pepe is in line with a mancrusher/aleguzzler gargant.

Szymon_Archon wrote:

 Shadow Walker wrote:
@Szymon_Archon - except, hopefully arriving soon, animals pack, would there be possible to have other similar boxes? For example undead, heroes/characters, daemon etc. etc.? All with a proper numbers per category

That's what I'm also hoping for, although it's gonna take some convincing :p

Just a heads up but the CEO also reads this forum so I'm really hoping that we will start making more generic miniatures because we really do have the ability and skill to make detailed and high quality minis, I feel like we're just really lacking in the design department when it comes to making generic high fantasy. I think we wouldn't have this issue if we already had an established IP or if we were working to make miniatures for an existing IP (like D&D or Pathfinder) as they'd need to go through an approval process, but I do think it's about time we learnt how to actually do it ourselves.

Szymon, will you be at Spiel in Essen on Friday?

 Shadow Walker wrote:

Best thing about generic miniatures is that they do not require any IP Take Bretonnia ones as example. Majority of minis would be at home in most fantasy settings. Generic undead, orcs, kobolds, gnolls etc. also are easy to create. Basically you have tons of possible kits to release without worrying about any IP, and at the same time a huge market to explore. I bet your dragons are very popular, and the reason is simple - you could use them for various fantasy games. More of that, and the customers will be happy to buy. Also give at least few options, like different weapons, and you have a golden mine. Release another giant, could be even modified Pepe, but this time give it at least two heads, two weapons, mayby some bare hands as options. Simple things like that would for sure make your minis hugely popular.

Oh trust me, I know we're sitting on a gold mine. The NPC and Townsfolk miniature pack are among our most popular kits in retail, and for good reason. Not sure why, but we have issues with creating generic kits, although this should start to change with the Caves campaign. The miniatures and creatures from those sets should be generic, and if I find anything that seems weird, I plan to immediately point it out to the team

Not trying to stroke my own knob here, but I really do think I'm pushing as hard as I can for more generic stuff. Maybe it's time I propose some sets to the big man himself?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Grumpy Gnome wrote:

Szymon, will you be at Spiel in Essen on Friday?

I'm afraid not, I'm still recovering from the disaster that was Gen Con. Never have I had so many delayed and canceled flights.

In all seriousness, I'm usually the one to go to trade shows when nobody else can. My position is Customer Service, but I handle all sorts of odd jobs like proofreading, community management, writing updates, and testing games. This does mean that you won't usually see me at trade shows unless I want to go privately (Pyrkon in Poland for example), although I can act as a replacement when necessary. I believe the CEO might be at Essen Spiel for some time, and he's always down to talk about pretty much anything, you just gotta catch him first as he's a busy man

I recall a really good chat with Archon staff one year at Spiel in Essen. It is great when companies take the time to listen to customers.

Talking about the Spiel: Does anyone know if Archon is represented this year?

Edit: The avid reader has an advantage: I have overseen the most recent replies. Sorry

charles_the_dead_lizzard wrote:
Talking about the Spiel: Does anyone know if Archon is represented this year?

Edit: The avid reader has an advantage: I have overseen the most recent replies. Sorry

If it helps…

Archon Studio

Hall 1 1D102

https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/the-spiel/exhibitors

Generic figure sets would be great to see.A few ideas would be miniatures from different climats and such that they would be wearing different types of clothing.Then you could do sub sets of the different class sets from the lowly to the Elite of the area.

+1 for generic stuff. I'm painting some dungeons and lasers and it is astonishing how much of a missed opportunity the bases are. You have 3 50mm stone base on the sprue. One is a generic stone base, one is a cobblestone and the other is cobblestone with a giant goo puddle with hands reaching out of it. WHY? 1/3 of the bases being weirdly specific isn't the ideal ratio. For the 25mm bases there are only TWO generic cobblestone bases out of 32, but you made sure to include a base that is rows of cabbages.

Take the goblins from D&L. The basic goblin design looks good but but they are so irritatingly wacky that I have no use for them. One is a dumbass lighting sticks of dynamite strapped to his back, another is shooting a bow with his foot, and the third is drawing his sword rather than just wielding it, which is like what 99% of us want in a miniature. WHY? You went 0 for 3 on goblins! Like who there is going to concepts of battle ready mooks and going "that one needs to be holding a pig, that one needs to be picking his nose with both hands, and that one needs to be eating his shield"?

It's what I call the Archon Almost. Figures that could be good but ruined at the last minute by some oddball nonsense. Please stop listening to the few vocal people in your comments section that keep screaming "LOL MOAR random!". I'm begging you, please stop sticking farm animals on things.

Generic fantasy staples in hard plastic would be very welcome.

Nobody does nice wood style elves for example. And the generic "high" elves from Oathmark are more 28mm scale than modern scale.

Nice wood elves sized for modern fantasy with many extra parts and options would sell well I'm sure.

“Archon Almost” sadly echoes my own thoughts.

Woodhaven was brilliant in the design concept artwork. And the plastic was on the right track but felt not quite finished. It did not deliver on what was shown in the artwork. A missed opportunity as Archon moved on rather than worked to complete Woodhaven.

And then of course there was, “the doors drama.” Same with the Rampart terrain, although that time is was “the floors drama.”

I have been called a diorama gamer but it looks to me many of the terrain Archon makes seems designed and marketed for staged diorama photos rather than actually gamed on by the designers. I may be wrong of course but it feels like the design process is the same as a movie where the director does not have a core idea that ties their story together and instead makes a series of cool scenes and hopes they will ties themselves together.

Having so many uniquely one-off sculpts for miniatures is the same kind of thing. It is as if a piece gets green lit because a design sketch looks cool without considering how that miniature might fit into gameplay… or selling multiples of the same sculpt to the same customer.

For me North Star really cracked their Oathmark and Frostgrave lines by making things so modular. It makes it easy for me to justify buying multiples because I can put things to many different purposes.

And Boss Hogg makes a good point about the bases. I was excited about them originally but once I got my hands on them and realized just how uniquely specific many of them they are… it does not encourage buying additional sprues of those bases.

Archon gets things so often, so very close… but not quite there. Not yet. However, I still have hope though because Archon has shown great potential.

I recall hearing that the Kazumi Temple Rampart sets did not sell well. But it it one of my favorite sets and considering the big player base of GW Seraphon/Lizardmen it should sell well. I want to see it sell well and so even more can be designed and sold to folks like me.. But it will not sell well without good floors (and roofs) so that customers can create buildings without having to build those from scratch.

 Grumpy Gnome wrote:

Having so many uniquely one-off sculpts for miniatures is the same kind of thing. It is as if a piece gets green lit because a design sketch looks cool without considering how that miniature might fit into gameplay… or selling multiples of the same sculpt to the same customer.

It's funny you bring this up, as I said this verbatim during one of our meetings. Miniatures and terrain should be cool and functional, not just cool. I was mainly talking about the Caves terrain though, as I personally don't like the Belly of the Beast theme or the Demonic Caves themes (as they aren't very generic in my eyes, even if they are "cool"), but to each their own. I will say that we are paying more attention to this now, especially when it comes to how much space the miniatures take up (because of poses that would cause it to extend past the base). We want the miniatures we make to actually fit on the terrain we're selling, and not clip against the wall.

For me North Star really cracked their Oathmark and Frostgrave lines by making things so modular. It makes it easy for me to justify buying multiples because I can put things to many different purposes.

100% agree there. Not only are the kits very modular, but they also save a LOT of money on production by having everything on one sprue. I sent the CEO some examples so he can review them.

Archon gets things so often, so very close… but not quite there. Not yet. However, I still have hope though because Archon has shown great potential.

Thanks. I also really think that there's a ton of potential, but with that potential comes space to improve.

I recall hearing that the Kazumi Temple Rampart sets did not sell well. But it it one of my favorite sets and considering the big player base of GW Seraphon/Lizardmen it should sell well. I want to see it sell well and so even more can be designed and sold to folks like me.. But it will not sell well without good floors (and roofs) so that customers can create buildings without having to build those from scratch.

The Kazumi Temple kit wasn't very popular during the campaign but it sold decently well when it was released to retail, my guess is that people generally wanted a specific set, and not everything else that came with it, like the Stretch Goals. When it comes to "unfinished ideas", I'd say that Rampart was the biggest culprit, because the themes were too different from each other and none of them received enough support in the form of Stretch Goals or addons.

All in all, I hope that you'll be able to notice some changes with our future campaigns and turn that Archon Almost into an Archon Always.

Szymon_Archon wrote:

For me North Star really cracked their Oathmark and Frostgrave lines by making things so modular. It makes it easy for me to justify buying multiples because I can put things to many different purposes.

100% agree there. Not only are the kits very modular, but they also save a LOT of money on production by having everything on one sprue.

And you already have one advantage over Northstar = you do not produce minis with those awful/hard to remove integral/puddle bases. Another thing is to make them proper size = bigger than Northstar (read Mantic, Fireforge fantasy/modern historical, GW scale).

Castle Grayskull and She-Ra available until the 8th of October only

https://shop.archon-studio.com/masters-of-the-universe/316-castle-grayskull-dice-tower-5901414671341.html
https://shop.archon-studio.com/masters-of-the-universe/315-she-ra-with-swift-wind-5901414674755.html

Archon could always do both. Archon's "cool" figures could focus on leader units, player characters, and solos, which you wouldn't want more than one figure for. Generics would be for gamers who want more than one figure. Generics might be easier to assemble and have less minute detail (I'd still want different weapons), while solos would have more options. I've been on KS since Bones I, so already have plenty of generics (yet never enough of something unusual, like five kobold archers...). I'm always looking for uncommon and unusual miniatures, myself.

I like some of the crazier things but agree that they can work better if they're more like optional details. I personally am not the biggest fan of dead enemies and the like on bases and on active pieces of the model (trophies work fine for instance) because it can limit them more to specific enemies and the like. It's the same with bits of ruin and the like. Those just don't fit into many settings whereas a stolen goat fits into far more settings.