Sad news on the "blow out" front but possible upside.

[Auggest]

OK, I was at a supplier/distributor/retail event yesterday and was speaking to the WotC reps. One of these guys is the same guy I spoke to about 8 months ago at a simular event (though but on by a differnt distributor). I asked about any word on an upcomming blow out sale he mentioned might happen last time we talked and he said it was unlikely anytime soon and that WotC was happy with the current pace of inventory clearing so they didn't need to "blow it out". SOOOO, sadly it looks like this is off for the forseeable future.

I began thinking along this statement, that if they (WotC) are relatively happy with the rate it's clearing out then maybe there was some hope for the future. I asked him and he said there were no immediate plans and nothing currently in the works BUT Heroscape does get mentioned around the offices a good bit and that it's entirely posible that one day they will "dust it off" and resume work on it. On the down side though, if WotC has any hope of someday resuming production that to me suggests the licence is much more unlikely to be sold to another company.
Anyway, just food for thought.

......Andrew

[Robotech Master]

Originally Posted by Auggest

OK, I was at a supplier/distributor/retail event yesterday and was speaking to the WotC reps. One of these guys is the same guy I spoke to about 8 months ago at a simular event (though but on by a differnt distributor). I asked about any word on an upcomming blow out sale he mentioned might happen last time we talked and he said it was unlikely anytime soon and that WotC was happy with the current pace of inventory clearing so they didn't need to "blow it out". SOOOO, sadly it looks like this is off for the forseeable future.

I began thinking along this statement, that if they (WotC) are relatively happy with the rate it's clearing out then maybe there was some hope for the future. I asked him and he said there were no immediate plans and nothing currently in the works BUT Heroscape does get mentioned around the offices a good bit and that it's entirely posible that one day they will "dust it off" and resume work on it. On the down side though, if WotC has any hope of someday resuming production that to me suggests the licence is much more unlikely to be sold to another company.
Anyway, just food for thought.

......Andrew

I'm personally of the opinion that they wait out the bad economy and dust off both Heroscape (new classic figures) and D&D Minis (the ones for D&D, not HS), with whatever revisions to both lines that they think will help give them fresh new starts instead of going with that pog idea they've been floating around with--which I think isn't so great an idea...

[i_r_beej]

Thanks for sharing, Andrew! That reinforces what I've heard at local game stores when I buy HS: "That stuff sells really well!"

I've wondered how much stuff I would even buy at blowout prices. I could see buying master sets for terrain, but what about Waves 1, 8, 11-13? If I ever see another Snipers & Vipers pack I'm going to scream! Even though we got into HS just last April, we already have all that we want from from the currently available merch.

[Oliver Upshaw]

Well I was hoping for some firesale prices on wrymlings and elementals, but as long as they do not landfill it I am good.

[Arcus]

Thanks for the update Andrew. Your post was an emotional rollercoaster of , to , then back to .

[braveheart101]

Thanks, Andrew. It sounds as though there is still hope, though slim.

[Johnnylama]

I very much appreciate these little bits of information-- thanks!

I think the determining factor in the rebirth of the game will be production costs-- can they find somebody willing to make painted plastic minis cheap enough? The brisk pace of inventory sales is a bit of a double-edged sword (no cheap stuff for us, but at least they're not forgetting about the brand).

Thanks again for keeping your ear to the ground!

[Auggest]

Originally Posted by Johnnylama

I very much appreciate these little bits of information-- thanks!

I think the determining factor in the rebirth of the game will be production costs-- can they find somebody willing to make painted plastic minis cheap enough? The brisk pace of inventory sales is a bit of a double-edged sword (no cheap stuff for us, but at least they're not forgetting about the brand).

Thanks again for keeping your ear to the ground!

I'm in agreeance with you. I persoanally think the biggest reason is the weak dollar. WotC just can't buy as much with it as they could when it was much stronger. Add to that Chinease inflation and pay increases and it's the double wammy. Reaper just had a big price bump (on their prepaint lines).

[braveheart101]

Originally Posted by Auggest

I'm in agreeance with you. I persoanally think the biggest reason is the weak dollar. WotC just can't buy as much with it as they could when it was much stronger. Add to that Chinease inflation and pay increases and it's the double wammy. Reaper just had a big price bump (on their prepaint lines).

I bet you could find people willing to prepaint miniatures here in the USA, what with unemployment and all.

[worldsenemy]

Originally Posted by braveheart101

I bet you could find people willing to prepaint miniatures here in the USA, what with unemployment and all.

Awesome idea!

[Auggest]

Originally Posted by worldsenemy

Awesome idea!

Americans don't work for $2 an hour.

['Scaper94]

I wouldn't mind having to paint my own figures. Assembled, unpainted figs are OK with me.