Summoner Wars by Plaid Hat Games

[Aldin]

You're right, GB - Maelena totally looks like a Sailor Moon wannabe

Mebbe Truth ought to share another card or two for us to compare?

~Aldin, who remembers one of his geekier friends telling him that Sailor Moon is supposed to be a spoof of Anime

[Cavalier]

I've seen no anime influence.

[truth]

Originally Posted by Aldin

You're right, GB - Maelena totally looks like a Sailor Moon wannabe

Mebbe Truth ought to share another card or two for us to compare?

~Aldin, who remembers one of his geekier friends telling him that Sailor Moon is supposed to be a spoof of Anime

[HSisforcoolkids]

Splinter is in this game? I'm definitely sold now.

It looks like the left two are orcs/goblins with a Native American influence. Either way they they look really cool.

[Aldin]

Originally Posted by truth

Now that's what I'm talkin' about. Thankee Sai!

~Aldin, loving the Rat

[J4Jandar]

The only thing this chick can be accused of is having a bad hair day.


And wielding a Burning Blade... V.D.?

Hunka, hunka burnin' love!


My favorite is the Dwarf with the big ol' skull crushing hamma!

[KevinWC]

Okay, I am convinced now. I was just confused by the elf look and burning blade. The new pics look great! Now that I am convinced the game has no anime influence I am much more excited about it.

[RageAngel]

Truth,

Having run my own business as an independent book publisher over the last 5 years, I'd like to offer some advice from some of the lessons I've learned over the years (some rather expensive lessons).

You may already know some of this from working with Wizards, your own experience, or reading it. Anyway, I figure it's better to share it than withhold it.

1) Display advertising stinks. Devote your advertising dollars to something more direct. Weigh the cost/benefits of a google adwords campaign vs creating a promo pack and sending it to retail stores who request it, so they can try it and demo it for customers?

If you absolutely decide to do display advertising, avoid adwords (they're losing effectiveness), and use BlogAds on gaming sites or advertise on BGG.

The best advertisement you can get on BGG, though, is to get a top reviewer to review your game. So spend a few hundred dollars on banners or a few hundred dollars to put a copy of the game in the hands of the top 50 reviewers? Which would people actually look at most of the time? Think about sending a copy to off-BGG game reviewers like Penny Arcade. Low risk, but if they actually mention it, big reward.

Even spending the ad money on attending every gaming and comic con would be more worthwhile than TV or magazine ads.

2) Don't (necessarily) price competitively. I'm sure you are aware of the constantly rising costs of game manufacture. Plan ahead, and leave enough room in your profit margin for growth, instead of raising prices every couple years. Gamers will shell out $$$ for games they want.

3) Sell on ebay. Whatever else you do, sell directly through ebay. The new rate structure works great for listing something a lot and selling it only a few times. Very cheap advertising to people that are in the mood to buy.

4) Sell on Amazon. If you get a pro merchant account, you can directly add things to their catalog. See point #3 for benefits.

5) Read stuff by Seth Godin. I don't think you need to be told how important a "tribe" is to a product's following, but he's got some other really good advice.

6) Focus on what's unique. Focus on what makes your game unique in all the advertising and promotion. Heroscape is a miniatures game. But what makes it stand out is the 3D terrain and pre-painted, non-random figures.

[Heroscape Elffy]

Do you have your large mansion picked out for when Plaid Hat Games really takes off?

Congrats truth. I'm sort of glad I read that "I miss 'Scapetalk" thread now...or else I wouldn't have even bothered to look at this thread.

[nyphot]

Originally Posted by KevinWC

Just a quick question. The artwork on the cards seemed to have an anime look. I know a lot of people are into anime, but I have never been a huge fan of the style. Is all the artwork anime, or am I just misunderstanding the look of the elves? Thanks.

Just a quick question. The game design seems to have a <insert popular game type> feel. I know a lot of people are into <popular game type> but I have never been a huge fan. Is that really the feel, or am I just misunderstanding what you've told us so far?

Note that I'm totally kidding, of course! I'm just trying to sneak another gameplay preview since the quoted comment got some pretty awesome artwork as an answer. I suppose I must continue to be patient... but right now I'm honestly debating expanding my Heroscape collection vs. saving money for this game. If it's as great as it sounds, my limited budget will have some difficult choices ahead!

[skyknight]

Originally Posted by HSisforcoolkids

Splinter is in this game? I'm definitely sold now.

It looks like the left two are orcs/goblins with a Native American influence. Either way they they look really cool.

I told you they were going to call him Splinter Colby!!!!!.....

[truth]

Originally Posted by skyknight

I told you they were going to call him Splinter Colby!!!!!.....

His name is Con Queso, and that is what you will call him Rod! *Shakes fist*