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 Tamereth wrote:
I always kinda fancied getting some of the trolls from hordes, but have never seen any in stock anywhere in the UK.

If this new deal can sort out distribution and get product back on shelves maybe the game / games have a chance at a comeback.

PP had already stopped production of non-MKIV product(which is a lot of the distribution issues), I don't see Steam Forge bringing them back. Hope you like the new pirate Trollbloods.

One of the co owners of SFG was asked about legacy models a couple of times and the consistent response seems to be not day 1 but part of the backlog.

 Overread wrote:
Actually that makes me wonder - one of the arguments we saw for them taking down the Press Ganger system was legal issues regarding voluntary work and pay (I believe around the time a bunch of MTG judges sued Wizards for pay?).

I wonder if this partnership might release that issue from "PP"?

Whilst there was not one thing that caused the steady decline in Warmachine, I do think that one of the big elements was the shutdown of the PG system. PGs had a vested interest in running, organising and hyping up the game at the local level and I think when that went it was both all too easy for people to not bother and also try out other games and before you know it no one was holding a torch for a few weeks and suddenly everyone moves on.

That was a fan speculation but Matt has said many times in interviews they closed it down because the person running it stepped down from that position (as they had been pulling double duty) and basically PP didn't have anyone else to run it (or wanted too). While Matt never went into it's probably because they couldn't afford to have someone just working on Press Gangers as it was implied that it was a massive workload to run.

 LunarSol wrote:
https://steamforged.com/blogs/brands/iron-kingdoms-manifesto-part1

Probably the big news here is that those models pictured are from a new character model 2 player starter that will be done in HIPs.

It also sounds like HIPS starter sets for more factions in the future too? And even more down the road. That's legitimately exciting.

I've been waiting for PP to get their act together since saaaay 2009? And honestly while I don't know if this is a good move or not - I'm glad to see someone get a chance to save the game because I feel like it's been bungled for a long, long time.

 Platuan4th wrote:

 Tamereth wrote:
I always kinda fancied getting some of the trolls from hordes, but have never seen any in stock anywhere in the UK.

If this new deal can sort out distribution and get product back on shelves maybe the game / games have a chance at a comeback.

I don't see Steam Forge bringing them back. Hope you like the new pirate Trollbloods.

Trollbloods never really needed to get into the theme thing bandwagon they were already cool on their own. Cant say pirate trolls does anything to me.

Schmapdi wrote:

 LunarSol wrote:
https://steamforged.com/blogs/brands/iron-kingdoms-manifesto-part1

Probably the big news here is that those models pictured are from a new character model 2 player starter that will be done in HIPs.

It also sounds like HIPS starter sets for more factions in the future too?

It would be great to have.

 NAVARRO wrote:

 Platuan4th wrote:

 Tamereth wrote:
I always kinda fancied getting some of the trolls from hordes, but have never seen any in stock anywhere in the UK.

If this new deal can sort out distribution and get product back on shelves maybe the game / games have a chance at a comeback.

I don't see Steam Forge bringing them back. Hope you like the new pirate Trollbloods.

Trollbloods never really needed to get into the theme thing bandwagon they were already cool on their own. Cant say pirate trolls does anything to me.

Yeah, I loved trollbloods, but was 100% fine with them mostly being traditionalist, more technologically modern, and more radical. Didn't need pirate trolls, definitely didn't need pirate trolls past the evil (and IIRC shinless) pirate trolls, and zero interest in a full seafaring troll culture. I don't know if was that they had no ideas or no restraint when they came up with that subfaction, but what an unconvincing idea and execution.

I've heard good things about Steamforged and I'd enjoy a good excuse to dust off the couple WM armies that have been sitting in a closet, but my only experience with them is their Dark Souls game that I'm almost embarrassed to talk about, the gameplay was so leaden and the environments were lifeless.

From the "Vision & Misson" article linked above:

Right now, we have two key priorities:

1. Strengthening the Supply Chain: Ensuring models (and everything else) are always available without interruption. This means not only a bunch of backend work on production facilities, inventory control, and logistics, but also collaborating with our distribution and retail partners worldwide to get Warmachine into your local gaming stores (FLGS).

2. Expanding the Game's Reach: We want to share this game with as many people as possible. That means implementing a solid marketing strategy to help more gamers discover (or rediscover) the Iron Kingdoms. Engaging with the community is crucial, as is building support through organised play, cool events, and narratives for gamers to enjoy. We want to make sure we’re present at key shows, running demos for everyone and anyone.

I'm timidly hopeful as I love the new aesthetic and would love to see more market competition.

 Monkeysloth wrote:

 Overread wrote:
Actually that makes me wonder - one of the arguments we saw for them taking down the Press Ganger system was legal issues regarding voluntary work and pay (I believe around the time a bunch of MTG judges sued Wizards for pay?).

I wonder if this partnership might release that issue from "PP"?

Whilst there was not one thing that caused the steady decline in Warmachine, I do think that one of the big elements was the shutdown of the PG system. PGs had a vested interest in running, organising and hyping up the game at the local level and I think when that went it was both all too easy for people to not bother and also try out other games and before you know it no one was holding a torch for a few weeks and suddenly everyone moves on.

That was a fan speculation but Matt has said many times in interviews they closed it down because the person running it stepped down from that position (as they had been pulling double duty) and basically PP didn't have anyone else to run it (or wanted too). While Matt never went into it's probably because they couldn't afford to have someone just working on Press Gangers as it was implied that it was a massive workload to run.

It's worth noting that Steamforged took the opportunity to shut down their own volunteer program around the time PP did. I wouldn't expect it to return.

 Theophony wrote:
Not sure if PP had the rights to do a Legend of the Five Rings game or not. They had some of the figures in their monthly subscription boxes a few years back and I had heard rumors of a rank and file game coming out again (Like Clan Wars). Could that be where the focus is going? I know a few people who would definitely be down for that.

No, they didn't have rights for an L5R minis game. Just the Mini Crate.

 Albertorius wrote:

 Theophony wrote:
Not sure if PP had the rights to do a Legend of the Five Rings game or not. They had some of the figures in their monthly subscription boxes a few years back and I had heard rumors of a rank and file game coming out again (Like Clan Wars). Could that be where the focus is going? I know a few people who would definitely be down for that.

No, they didn't have rights for an L5R minis game. Just the Mini Crate.

Which they never finished either. They got to the 3rd mini in 2021 and suddenly just stopped. At least I got my Kachiko before it ended.

 Sacredroach wrote:

 Albertorius wrote:

 Theophony wrote:
Not sure if PP had the rights to do a Legend of the Five Rings game or not. They had some of the figures in their monthly subscription boxes a few years back and I had heard rumors of a rank and file game coming out again (Like Clan Wars). Could that be where the focus is going? I know a few people who would definitely be down for that.

No, they didn't have rights for an L5R minis game. Just the Mini Crate.

Which they never finished either. They got to the 3rd mini in 2021 and suddenly just stopped. At least I got my Kachiko before it ended.

Thanks,

I almost hopped into the mystery box deal just for those models. Glad I didn't.

I wonder if the HIPS starter is an Archon job or one of the Wargames Atlantic projects they keep teasing they can announce soon. Pretty happy with all the kits I've gotten from both companies.

I'd never have touched the 3D printed MK4 sets, but hard plastic starter has me intrigued for the first time since MK4 was announced.

 Sacredroach wrote:

 Albertorius wrote:

 Theophony wrote:
Not sure if PP had the rights to do a Legend of the Five Rings game or not. They had some of the figures in their monthly subscription boxes a few years back and I had heard rumors of a rank and file game coming out again (Like Clan Wars). Could that be where the focus is going? I know a few people who would definitely be down for that.

No, they didn't have rights for an L5R minis game. Just the Mini Crate.

Which they never finished either. They got to the 3rd mini in 2021 and suddenly just stopped. At least I got my Kachiko before it ended.

They did stop, yeah, but certainly not after 3... I have like... 20?

They stopped after the 3rd miniature in 2021. I think they made 31 in total.

 Sacredroach wrote:
They stopped after the 3rd miniature in 2021. I think they made 31 in total.

Ah, gotcha ^^

 Kalamadea wrote:
I wonder if the HIPS starter is an Archon job or one of the Wargames Atlantic projects they keep teasing they can announce soon. Pretty happy with all the kits I've gotten from both companies.

I'd never have touched the 3D printed MK4 sets, but hard plastic starter has me intrigued for the first time since MK4 was announced.

Hard plastic would definitely be preferable to 3D prints, but unless it also rolls back the aesthetic, it's still stuck with the bigger problem with Mk4 minis...

I'd love to be interested in Warmachine again, but the current designs do nothing for me.

 NAVARRO wrote:

 Platuan4th wrote:

 Tamereth wrote:
I always kinda fancied getting some of the trolls from hordes, but have never seen any in stock anywhere in the UK.

If this new deal can sort out distribution and get product back on shelves maybe the game / games have a chance at a comeback.

I don't see Steam Forge bringing them back. Hope you like the new pirate Trollbloods.

Trollbloods never really needed to get into the theme thing bandwagon they were already cool on their own. Cant say pirate trolls does anything to me.

I always liked the winter stuff, like the ice troll and glacier king. Guess they are just models I will never own, unless steamforge put them back into production someday.

 Tamereth wrote:


I always liked the winter stuff, like the ice troll and glacier king. Guess they are just models I will never own, unless steamforge put them back into production someday.

Have you checked the second hand market? Everything shows up eventually and if it's old PP chances are good it will be at a significant discount.

 Eilif wrote:

 Tamereth wrote:


I always liked the winter stuff, like the ice troll and glacier king. Guess they are just models I will never own, unless steamforge put them back into production someday.

Have you checked the second hand market? Everything shows up eventually and if it's old PP chances are good it will be at a significant discount.

Yeah i snagged a bunch of stuff in really nice condition from noble knight for decent prices to finish off my MKIII army.

The new store pages are up - https://steamforged.com/blogs/brands/warmachine-iron-kingdoms-rpg-now-available

And they come complete with a price rise on most stuff that I bothered to look at.

Starter Armies aren't there, the Core Expansion Boxes are +$30 more and Auxiliary Expansions are +$20 more.

Core Expansions are new. They used to just be called "expansions", and were just a mishmash of stuff.

Looking at the Khador one, it's a much nicer complement to the Battlegroup(which was the original bit in the "starter army").

What material are those minis casted on for core £130 and auxiliary£120 expansions?

The models count is kind of modest for that amount and if its printed thing minis then yeah Warmachine will not get love.

I imagine its all still 3D printed as that would be an insanely short turn around time for shifting into an entirely new production medium.

 NAVARRO wrote:
What material are those minis casted on for core £130 and auxiliary£120 expansions?

The models count is kind of modest for that amount and if its printed thing minis then yeah Warmachine will not get love.

They're resin prints.

You're getting, for most of them:
-Warcaster/Warlock
-Character Warjack on an alternate body
-Unit
-Unit
-Unit
-Solo
-Command Attachment for a Unit

Khador gets an extra UA(Dog for the snipers) and Solo(mortar team).

Expansions are, again for most of them:
-Warcaster/Warlock
-Unit
-Unit
-Unit
-Solo
-Solo
-Solo

 Kanluwen wrote:
Core Expansions are new. They used to just be called "expansions", and were just a mishmash of stuff.

Looking at the Khador one, it's a much nicer complement to the Battlegroup(which was the original bit in the "starter army").

Yea, I was just looking at prices mostly.

The 2 "new" boxes seem to contain a split of the previous boxes between them and make a bit more sense.

It feels like they flow better as a way to play.

Going to have to keep an eye on the previous Starter Army prices since it seems they're now "OOP" ... lol

Shame really, I think the new starter in HIPS is quite tempting but all falls a bit flat once you want more and look at the resin Print expansions.

Basically, they removed the $200 entry level and leaned into the Battlebox concept as the primary starter. In its place, they've reshuffled things so the previous Core Starter can still act as a stand alone army or can expand the Battlebox. The Axillary expansion seems to be designed to be the must have purchase that turns either starting point into a full game.

In terms of cost....

Previous:
$200 - Core Army Starter
$130 - Army Expansion
$13 - Solo Caster
$13 - Character Upgrade
$20 - Heavy Body for Upgrade

$376 - Total

New:
$70 - Battlegroup Box
$160 - Core Expansion
$150 - Auxiliary Expansion

$380 - Total

So mostly a remix rather than a price increase, though it looks like they cut a standard bearer from the starters, which is rather unfortunate and definitely an odd gouge seeing as the prices otherwise are pretty much the same.