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Made in gb
Worthiest of Warlock Engineers






preston

Hi, I have a question.
A few years back there was a great game called Dark Age. It was a sci-fi post apocalyptic game set on an old frontier world after the collapse of the Human Empire. It was really fun, and had a good following. Sadly my area was heavily gw dominated and the one store selling it closed back in 2016, so despite haveing some stuff I never really got the scene started. Just recently I went looking for a mini for a conversion job I wanted to do for another project and I was surprised to find that the minis are almost all gone, and the game seems to have vanished from the internet. Im only able to find a few bits on evilbay and even these are rapidly vanishing. What happened? The game seemed to be doing so well a few years back.

Also, if anyone has a Sister of Compassion or Sister of Wrath they wouldnt mind selling, please let me know

Spoiler:
i'm also looking to at least finish my 3 armies, but ill make a swap shop thread about that

Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
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Made in gb
Decrepit Dakkanaut




UK

CMON owns the IP and basically gave up on it (and Wrath of King) round and about 2017/18

http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?67255-Dark-Age-Alive-Dead-Limbo-etc

but we were never given a real reason why

almost certainly neither game were bringing in enough money compared to what they could get from kickstarter for another board game (i'm fairly sure we could see this in published accounts of a year or two previously

Wrath of Kings was intended to get a re-launch or push via a second edition that fell flat when stock wasn't shipped in time leading to 9 months to a year when not a lot was available

Dark Age seems to have been supported by somebody reasonably well placed in house (boardroom support is always helpful) but they stopped posting on the forums so i'm guessing they moved to another job leaving nobody to stand up for the game

when CMON hooked up with Asmodee to do their distribution they closed their own warehouse and Miniature Market picked up the remaining stock of Dark Age stuff but it had already been picked fairly clean from black friday sales where a lot of Wrath of Kings and Dark Age stuff was blown out at 80% off


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Oh and our very own Alpharius (https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/user/profile/123.page)
was heavily into Dark Age and might be able to offer more details if you need them

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/01/23 20:46:25


 
   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

Pretty much what Orlando said. CMoN quietly binned support for the game and product line. Theres been no formal statement or announcement to that effect, you can still find Dark Age (and Wrath of Kings) product pages on their site, but theres been zero updates or mentions of the game in company communications for several years no content for the games, no faqs, errata, or anything else, etc. Its as if it stopped existing.

It would be safe to assume that the game is dead forever, but its always possible with the success of ASOIF that they may learn how to properly support a "lifestyle" game and reboot it down the line (though I would guess they would stick with pre-built plastic minis rather than the metals they were using previously).

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/01/23 22:47:52


CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in gb
Worthiest of Warlock Engineers






preston

Well... That sucks. Really. Its not even a solid death either, its just an open ended never ever.
I cant say I can see myself supporting CMON in the future if this is how they are going to be, Dark Age was really good and everyone I have seen whom knew the game spoke highly of it. There was a lot of fan support too. I cannot imagine that it was not profitable, not with how popular and well liked it was.
Here is to hoping they bring it back or at least someone takes it or at least the mini line up again.

Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
DR:90-S++G+++M++B++I+Pww205++D++A+++/sWD146R++T(T)D+
 
   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

I get the impression it wasn't particularly profitable, at least not relative to the other products that they sold (in which case its a common business decision to cut underperforming product lines, even if they are profitable - why invest in something that only has a 5% ROI when investing those dollars into another product line can you a 60% ROI?

I didn't know anyone who played it tbh, I bought a couple minis myself but there was no community locally, and the few times I saw people hosting games at local conventions I rarely saw anyone showing up to play. It was only when I went to regional/national cons I noticed a community for the game, even then the turnout often wasn't particularly great. I myself only really took notice of it at Templecon around 2015 or so, mainly because the CMON crew there were trying really hard to sell it (and not having much success it seems, as they literally handed me and a group of friends each a free rulebook + mini (I got Saint Luke) to try to get us to give the game a shot.

CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in us
Grim Dark Angels Interrogator-Chaplain






A Protoss colony world

I got a starter set of it for free in my swag bag at Adepticon 2018. I've never actually seen it played. The minis are cool enough and might eventually get paint but they are honestly near the bottom of my extremely long painting queue.

My armies (re-counted and updated on 11/1/23, including modeled wargear options):
Dark Angels: ~15000 Astra Militarum: ~1200 | Adeptus Custodes: ~1900 | Imperial Knights: ~2000 | Sisters of Battle: ~3500 | Leagues of Votann: ~1200 | Tyranids: ~2600 | Stormcast Eternals: ~5000
Check out my P&M Blogs: ZergSmasher's P&M Blog | Imperial Knights blog | Board Games blog | Total models painted in 2023: 40 | Total models painted in 2024: 7 | Current main painting project: Dark Angels
 Mr_Rose wrote:
Who doesn’t love crazy mutant squawk-puppies? Eh? Nobody, that’s who.
 
   
Made in in
[MOD]
Otiose in a Niche






Hyderabad, India

I remember that game it was based on the art of... (googles, googles again) Brom! (I remembered the name as Bram so I think I should get half credit at least).

CMON still seems to be selling it if you're looking for models. Not sure how complete their selection is.

https://cmon.com/product/dark-age

Now if someone could just tell me what happened to Cell Entertainment's 1999... Kind of surprised no one ever picked up those models.

 
   
Made in gb
Decrepit Dakkanaut




UK

 Kid_Kyoto wrote:


Now if someone could just tell me what happened to Cell Entertainment's 1999... Kind of surprised no one ever picked up those models.


looks like they got side tracked into video games

http://www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Category:Cell_Entertainment

https://www.moddb.com/company/idol-fx/videos

https://www.giantbomb.com/idol-fx-ab/3010-2101/

you could always ask if they've still got the moulds hidden away in a garage or attic https://se.linkedin.com/in/stefanljungqvist (I think this may be the other chap, but i'm less certain about him https://www.linkedin.com/in/johans2/)

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/01/24 13:00:59


 
   
Made in gb
Worthiest of Warlock Engineers






preston

Well, a bit of an update(?)
I've been looking into this and what I have seen puzzles me a bit.
2018 is the year when new products for Dark Age ceased, and indeed all production ended BUT at the same time it is also the year in which they were working on a major revamp of the line.
From what I can see, in the latter half of 2017 a new round of Forsaken units were issued and several models updated, then in early to mid 2018 the Skarrd were given a full revamp, models were updated and an entire new sub faction was added, whilst a Brood revamp and overhaul was teased. Then, shortly after the new Skarrd units dropped, everything just stopped. Nothing was communicated by CMON. Indeed, some of the planned and teased updates of old minis never appeared. I have found some evidence of designs for the new Brood minis, including updates to the Alpha Broodling, Grist and Plight, but these never appeared.
Given all this.... I dont know, I feel even more mystified. Will we ever find out?

Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
DR:90-S++G+++M++B++I+Pww205++D++A+++/sWD146R++T(T)D+
 
   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

 master of ordinance wrote:
Well, a bit of an update(?)
I've been looking into this and what I have seen puzzles me a bit.
2018 is the year when new products for Dark Age ceased, and indeed all production ended BUT at the same time it is also the year in which they were working on a major revamp of the line.
From what I can see, in the latter half of 2017 a new round of Forsaken units were issued and several models updated, then in early to mid 2018 the Skarrd were given a full revamp, models were updated and an entire new sub faction was added, whilst a Brood revamp and overhaul was teased. Then, shortly after the new Skarrd units dropped, everything just stopped. Nothing was communicated by CMON. Indeed, some of the planned and teased updates of old minis never appeared. I have found some evidence of designs for the new Brood minis, including updates to the Alpha Broodling, Grist and Plight, but these never appeared.
Given all this.... I dont know, I feel even more mystified. Will we ever find out?


Probably not unless you can find someone who was involved that wasn't covered by NDA or is otherwise willing to talk. Likely explanation though is that someone on the finance team or just senior leadership in general made the determination that the returns weren't there to justify continued investment into it and stood down the project. It happens.

CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in gb
Worthiest of Warlock Engineers






preston

chaos0xomega wrote:
 master of ordinance wrote:
Well, a bit of an update(?)
I've been looking into this and what I have seen puzzles me a bit.
2018 is the year when new products for Dark Age ceased, and indeed all production ended BUT at the same time it is also the year in which they were working on a major revamp of the line.
From what I can see, in the latter half of 2017 a new round of Forsaken units were issued and several models updated, then in early to mid 2018 the Skarrd were given a full revamp, models were updated and an entire new sub faction was added, whilst a Brood revamp and overhaul was teased. Then, shortly after the new Skarrd units dropped, everything just stopped. Nothing was communicated by CMON. Indeed, some of the planned and teased updates of old minis never appeared. I have found some evidence of designs for the new Brood minis, including updates to the Alpha Broodling, Grist and Plight, but these never appeared.
Given all this.... I dont know, I feel even more mystified. Will we ever find out?


Probably not unless you can find someone who was involved that wasn't covered by NDA or is otherwise willing to talk. Likely explanation though is that someone on the finance team or just senior leadership in general made the determination that the returns weren't there to justify continued investment into it and stood down the project. It happens.


Aye. The funny thing is, the game was popular with those that new about it. With a bit of advertising it could really have taken off, but it was mostly unknown. Heck, my first encounter with it came when the old FLGS (now long dead) opened in town and I started visiting because it was a nicer place than GW (and the staff didnt try to hump my leg and suck my wallet dry when I stepped through the door) and most of the old gang had moved there. They had this section of DA stuff and eventually I picked up a Sister of Compassion with some store credit I had, then got into the setting from there (actually I owe that FLGS for introducing me to none GW games that were not Battletech, which was also dead back then). But outside of that? Never heard of the game before, and neither had anyone else that I asked. It went pretty much unsold until the day the store closed too, noone new anything about it and the other games were better advertised and promoted.
So yeah, I can see it making poor returns despite being so good.

Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
DR:90-S++G+++M++B++I+Pww205++D++A+++/sWD146R++T(T)D+
 
   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

 master of ordinance wrote:
Well... That sucks. Really. Its not even a solid death either, its just an open ended never ever.
I cant say I can see myself supporting CMON in the future if this is how they are going to be, Dark Age was really good and everyone I have seen whom knew the game spoke highly of it. There was a lot of fan support too. I cannot imagine that it was not profitable, not with how popular and well liked it was.
Here is to hoping they bring it back or at least someone takes it or at least the mini line up again.


Unfortunately a "open ended never never" is how most small games tend to end. Some get a definite finish, but most small companies simply move on whatever is selling best with a vague hope that if cash-and-audience-interest collide in the future they can revive it. I'm not going to try and push you to support CMON, but if you stick with gaming for a long time, just know that you will see alot more of this.

I have vague memories of when it came out way back. Very flavorful (albeit now dated) minis based on Brom artwork. Unsurprisingly, I recall there being visual similarities to some "Dark Sun" art, which also originated with Brom. I also got a"new" starter set at Adepticon a few years back and by then it didn't look very Brom so I traded it along to a friend. I heard from other gamers around then that it was a solid system, but one that never was able to get traction. I did pickup some original metal Forsaken minis last year on a whim. Wonderfully weird.

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My Project Log, mostly revolving around custom "Toybashed" terrain.
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Made in us
Fixture of Dakka





I'd not be surprised to learn this entirely came down to production decisions. Dark Age and Wrath were both part of the early kickstarter boom, which largely didn't result in successful transitions to retail outside the initial boom and were heavily based on some flimsy promises about the quality of multi-part PVC.

I'd actually not at all be surprised to learn that last bit is what actually killed it. A lot of companies were really sold on the concept, but the company pushing it really over promised and couldn't deliver all the projects they accepted in a timely manner. 2-4 year turnarounds were kind of the norm and the final product wasn't going over well with consumers. I'd guess that pretty early on CMON decided to stop producing models of that style and didn't think the game was popular enough to be worth transitioning to anything else. From what I've seen, PVC was ordered in pretty huge batches which, apparently still sit in a warehouse available for sale on their store. I get the impression so much of this stuff was ordered when it was all too good to be true to the point where even after the plug was pulled, it took years to finish releasing everything that had already been ordered.
   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

Can anyone tell me when the first edition of Dark Age as a wargame came out. Was it "Genesis" in 2005?

I was reading through the Rezolution: A Dark Tomorrow rulebook the other day and wondering why it never really caught on. It had good minis (for the time) and what looks like a good set of rules with fairly well fleshed out cyberpunky universe. Based on what I can find out about dates it looks like Dark Age, Rezolution and Inifinity all may have launched in 2005. That sort of competition might explain why Rez didn't make it past an edition and a single supplement.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/02/16 20:47:26


Chicago Skirmish Wargames club. Join us for some friendly, casual gaming in the Windy City.
http://chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/


My Project Log, mostly revolving around custom "Toybashed" terrain.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/651712.page

Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad!
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





I think it was 2004.

With many of these games it is a matter of getting a foot hold. Competition is part of it, but I think the bigger part is getting critical mass. Getting enough people to 'risk' buying in.

They got a start, and had several waves of popularity, but it was not enough to keep the game going.

Sad, as the aesthetic is great.

   
Made in in
[MOD]
Otiose in a Niche






Hyderabad, India

I think earlier, I have some memory of seeing them on the New Wave Games site around 2000ish...

 
   
Made in gb
Worthiest of Warlock Engineers






preston

My oldest mini has a date of 2003 on its slotta

Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
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Made in us
Insect-Infested Nurgle Chaos Lord






 Kid_Kyoto wrote:
I think earlier, I have some memory of seeing them on the New Wave Games site around 2000ish...


That it did. Just had a snoop on the Wayback machine and the first point Dark Age shows up is 2002.


Games Workshop Delenda Est.

Users on ignore- 53.

If you break apart my or anyone else's posts line by line I will not read them. 
   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

Good research!
I enjoyed just reading through the minis brands listed on that New Wave page.

In my own theory, it does make sense that with Dark Age already established and Infinity launching around the same time that Rezolution would have had tough time of it.

Regardless, it's still saying something that Dark Age survived at least 17 years as as minis game and over 20 if you include the 90s card game that proceeded it.

Chicago Skirmish Wargames club. Join us for some friendly, casual gaming in the Windy City.
http://chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/


My Project Log, mostly revolving around custom "Toybashed" terrain.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/651712.page

Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad!
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com 
   
Made in gb
Worthiest of Warlock Engineers






preston

Hopefully it will return for another 17+ too.
Anyway, ive managed to secure over 1.1K of points for my 4 armies (Skarrd, Brood, Forsaken Mary and Forsaken John) although there are still models I want but are just not there.

Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
DR:90-S++G+++M++B++I+Pww205++D++A+++/sWD146R++T(T)D+
 
   
 
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