This stems from a conversation with Imam.
He remarked that the pricing structure and tactics of certain companies makes him less likely to purchase their products.
I guess, at the core, do I care enough about companies to buy their products - and drink their Kool-Aid - based on their games? And the answer is... no, not really.
For example. I like Warmachine. I like the Iron Kingdoms. At present, I own at least 500 points of each Warmachine faction (barring Mercs, which is slightly less, I think) I have picked up some of the IK:RPG books - not the two new hardbacks, but I suspect that's just a matter of time.
I do this because I find the world interesting and the games challenging and fun. I don't feel that Privateer is a model game company - whatever that means - or because I feel compelled to buy their product for any reason external to my personal enjoyment.
One of the arguments I've seen raised from "players" of games when gaming industry people complain about the declining sales and dying companys is this:
The industry =/= the hobby.
Meaning that players do not always have a vested interest in keeping company X afloat. Yes, it means that support materials pretty much come to a screeching halt. While the RPG folks are the least affected by this, even miniature gamers aren't totally destroyed, so long as there were enough releases to make the game playable and/or suitable proxy models on the market.
For example, I remain a fan of the game Legions of Steel. I still pick up the odd model for it off of Ebay, and have, um, three sets of the tiles for the game. I haven't played it in years - but I am amused to read that Steve Gibson runs a LoS-rules scenario game at Gen Con every year, using a variety of miniatures - Heroclix, 40k, Shock Force, whatever. Global Games, maker of Legions of Steel has been out of business for probably 10 years now, but the hobby of the game lives on.
Mostly.
So. I buy Warhammer and 40k games and models because I like the games. I enjoy playing them. I don't like Games Workshop - and that has nothing to do with prices; that has to do with their foolish decisions concerning the games (and their butchery of Fanatic Games) and their staff members that I have interacted with. (particularly the retail staff, who generally ranges from well-meaning but annoying to outright jackasses)
If Privateer Press, tomorrow announced that all of their future books would only be the $100 limited edition style books with leather covers and faux-animal skin pages, well, I think I'd have a grand time with my existing books and models. 'cause I'm not loyal to that sort of artiste-mindset that they sometimes peddle.
So. Loyalty to games, not to companies. And even that is tenuous, because we are always getting impressed by new shiny things out there.
Oh, right. One more piece. I am somewhat of a purist for having the right model for a given game. This can be seen as an extension of loyalty...but it is deeper than that. Back in the day, when I was first starting my miniature gaming life, one member of my gaming group - named Mark - was absolutely infamous for his proxying. He did it to be cagey and tricky about what model was armed with what weapon, but playing against him grew very tiresome. "No, THIS model has a missile launcher, and THIS model has a pistol...." In the end I think my preference for the "right model" grew out of this. When I put my army on the table, there are no questions about what they are, what they are armed with, etc. It's a courtesy, in my mind, to my opponent. I know that some people (PAUL) feel diferently about proxying, and that's fine...it's just not me.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Tactics Articles
Chances are there is at least one if not dozens of tactics articles for every army in every miniature game out there.
Some of these articles seem to have been written by chimps. Truly groundbreaking paradigms of thought like "These troops are your best shock troops. They need to be in hand-to-hand to work properly."
WOW. Sun-Tzu is spinning in his grave like a rotisserie chicken. You're telling me that these troops - these pricey, elite-quality troops with big swords and no guns- need to be in hand-to-hand to work properly? Check out the big brain on Brad!!
(sighs)
All me to cite a fine example, and the inspiration for this piece. In my prep work for the upcoming Starship Troopers tourney at Origins, I was considering the options for a Skinnies army. I figured that even if I didn't take them (and I am not) it would be a good exercise in seeing what sort of armies we might see there. But upon reviewing their army book, and the list of what models are going to be available between now and the tourney, I don't see any way that someone could really put together a winning force.
But, my curiosity was raised. So I posted on to the Mongoose SST forum this inquiry:
"Does anyone have some actual Skinnies gameplay experience? I've been rolling the points around and trying to see how they'd play compared to my preferred MI, and they are just so radically different.
The Skinnies don't have the MI mobility at all. My standard way of dealing with the Warrior swarm is Ready-Jump/Shoot. It seems cheap, in a way - but the MI don't really have much choice. They can't win the game as a stand-and-shoot army - they lack the range for that kind of gameplay.
So I'm curious how the Skinnies can win. They don't have a lot of weapons with extreme ranges, and they can't beat the fast retreat of the MI, either. I suppose it's possible that they could try and do alternative reactions of Shoot and then Flee, but even then, that's dangerously close to the mouth - and the belly - of the beasts.
So, please, if you've proxied models and played the Skinnies, at any point level, I'd like to hear what you've had success with."
And this is my first reply:
"Some units just die, others die hard..."
(sighs)
Very concrete example there.
And the second:
"Well when I played I played with my friend with an arachnid controled skinne army. It was very cool considering the power of the arachnid close combat combined with the ranged weapons with the skinnies. I am now considering getting skinnies. They are very powerful if you know how to use them. They can kick some serious butt."
Um. Okay. Let's revise my request here, since You Are Not Getting It.
I posted again:
"Any specifics that come to mind? Brutes versus Marauders, anything?
I have plenty of theory. I'm looking for concrete examples."
And I got:
"I imagine the ambushing will help keep the MI on their toes, you could easily get a list where the MI must overun you, and by placing large quantities of raiders in ambush positions the MI go forward at their perril, and dear god... who trusts Mass drivers to slaves!!!! My point being a 60inch rng gun that can pump out that sort of fire power is demonic...
I think skinnies will do just fine, the venerables are mobile, and if you want you can even go bug for brute, the brute being 15 points and as good or better than a warrior..."
ARGH.
In fairness, I did get three posts (the last three) with examples of results and ideas for what appear to be, on paper, good armies/configurations. But so much NOISE to get to the signal. It's madness.
Let me pull one other fine example of some GREAT tactical advice out there...
"Chaos Warriors and Knights come in two flavors, regular and Chosen. The Chosen Chaos Warriors are cut from the 5th edition cloth. They have two attacks and chaos armor. The drawback is that they are very costly, and you are only allowed one unit. Regular Chaos Warriors and Knights have only one attack and wear heavy armor. They are still better than most similar units out there, are definitely worth the price, and you can have as many of them as you want."
What exactly are we learning here? Two attacks, chaos armor - right, I read the army list. Very costly - okay, I see your point, comparing them to this Empire Spearman over here, they cost more. Better than simarlar units - like what? How are they better? How are they worth the price????? WHY AM I FILLING MY MIND WITH THIS MEDIOCRE DREK???
Here's what I have in mind as a replacement:
CHAOS WARRIORS: Arguably the best Core infantry in Warhammer. Also the most expensive. Chaos Warriors are capable of fighting against any unit in the game, and if supported by a secondary unit (like a Chariot, fully ranked Maruaders, or another unit of Chaos Warriors) winning critical combats. Chaos Warriors will rarely outnumber their opponents based on their high point costs, but against typical opponents (Empire, Skaven, Goblins, etc) can expect to win combats by killing more of the enemy to compensate from their lower unit strength.
This could be a lot deeper - discussing optimal unit sizes (12-18), options based on what God you follow, etc. But this is the tip of the iceberg and it is STILL better than the alternatives by a wide margin.
Some of these articles seem to have been written by chimps. Truly groundbreaking paradigms of thought like "These troops are your best shock troops. They need to be in hand-to-hand to work properly."
WOW. Sun-Tzu is spinning in his grave like a rotisserie chicken. You're telling me that these troops - these pricey, elite-quality troops with big swords and no guns- need to be in hand-to-hand to work properly? Check out the big brain on Brad!!
(sighs)
All me to cite a fine example, and the inspiration for this piece. In my prep work for the upcoming Starship Troopers tourney at Origins, I was considering the options for a Skinnies army. I figured that even if I didn't take them (and I am not) it would be a good exercise in seeing what sort of armies we might see there. But upon reviewing their army book, and the list of what models are going to be available between now and the tourney, I don't see any way that someone could really put together a winning force.
But, my curiosity was raised. So I posted on to the Mongoose SST forum this inquiry:
"Does anyone have some actual Skinnies gameplay experience? I've been rolling the points around and trying to see how they'd play compared to my preferred MI, and they are just so radically different.
The Skinnies don't have the MI mobility at all. My standard way of dealing with the Warrior swarm is Ready-Jump/Shoot. It seems cheap, in a way - but the MI don't really have much choice. They can't win the game as a stand-and-shoot army - they lack the range for that kind of gameplay.
So I'm curious how the Skinnies can win. They don't have a lot of weapons with extreme ranges, and they can't beat the fast retreat of the MI, either. I suppose it's possible that they could try and do alternative reactions of Shoot and then Flee, but even then, that's dangerously close to the mouth - and the belly - of the beasts.
So, please, if you've proxied models and played the Skinnies, at any point level, I'd like to hear what you've had success with."
And this is my first reply:
"Some units just die, others die hard..."
(sighs)
Very concrete example there.
And the second:
"Well when I played I played with my friend with an arachnid controled skinne army. It was very cool considering the power of the arachnid close combat combined with the ranged weapons with the skinnies. I am now considering getting skinnies. They are very powerful if you know how to use them. They can kick some serious butt."
Um. Okay. Let's revise my request here, since You Are Not Getting It.
I posted again:
"Any specifics that come to mind? Brutes versus Marauders, anything?
I have plenty of theory. I'm looking for concrete examples."
And I got:
"I imagine the ambushing will help keep the MI on their toes, you could easily get a list where the MI must overun you, and by placing large quantities of raiders in ambush positions the MI go forward at their perril, and dear god... who trusts Mass drivers to slaves!!!! My point being a 60inch rng gun that can pump out that sort of fire power is demonic...
I think skinnies will do just fine, the venerables are mobile, and if you want you can even go bug for brute, the brute being 15 points and as good or better than a warrior..."
ARGH.
In fairness, I did get three posts (the last three) with examples of results and ideas for what appear to be, on paper, good armies/configurations. But so much NOISE to get to the signal. It's madness.
Let me pull one other fine example of some GREAT tactical advice out there...
"Chaos Warriors and Knights come in two flavors, regular and Chosen. The Chosen Chaos Warriors are cut from the 5th edition cloth. They have two attacks and chaos armor. The drawback is that they are very costly, and you are only allowed one unit. Regular Chaos Warriors and Knights have only one attack and wear heavy armor. They are still better than most similar units out there, are definitely worth the price, and you can have as many of them as you want."
What exactly are we learning here? Two attacks, chaos armor - right, I read the army list. Very costly - okay, I see your point, comparing them to this Empire Spearman over here, they cost more. Better than simarlar units - like what? How are they better? How are they worth the price????? WHY AM I FILLING MY MIND WITH THIS MEDIOCRE DREK???
Here's what I have in mind as a replacement:
CHAOS WARRIORS: Arguably the best Core infantry in Warhammer. Also the most expensive. Chaos Warriors are capable of fighting against any unit in the game, and if supported by a secondary unit (like a Chariot, fully ranked Maruaders, or another unit of Chaos Warriors) winning critical combats. Chaos Warriors will rarely outnumber their opponents based on their high point costs, but against typical opponents (Empire, Skaven, Goblins, etc) can expect to win combats by killing more of the enemy to compensate from their lower unit strength.
This could be a lot deeper - discussing optimal unit sizes (12-18), options based on what God you follow, etc. But this is the tip of the iceberg and it is STILL better than the alternatives by a wide margin.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Hordes and Warmachine
So now is effectively poll time. Although I've always enjoyed the Warmachine mechanics, miniatures, and fluff, none of the faction ever direclty prompted me as the Faction I had to play. They each had something interesting, but nothing unifying as a "FACTION". Well this has all changed now that Hordes has come out. I get the same base mechanic (replacing fury with focus) and 4 new factions.
But the question at hand is how does the Disorderlies Group plan to handle Hordes and Warmachine. Are there players that will not want to face the Might of the Circle Warpwolves with their Khador jacks? Individuals who would prefer not to have to see their Cygnaran Sword knights getting decimated by a unit of Skorne Preatorians? Perhaps nobody wants to watch their wonderful Basilisk Drake shot to shreds by a line of Cygnaran long gunners. Or do you believe all is good in love and war and we now have 8 factions to be played.
Each side has a respectable point to be had. My warmachine opponent may not have taken time to read primal and understand that my Beasts don't have a cortex, and I never use Focus. Thus when he loads up to bear against a 'jack army, he gets pummeled by by all around beat force. I know this is mitigated in tournament play with the alternate army lists, but what about good ole fashioned Gaming Mecca fun….
Take your pick which one are you?
Warmachine Elititst
Hordes Zealot
Or Hold on sec I’m busy having my Skorne Titan double hand throw a Cygnaran Warjack into that unit over there.
But the question at hand is how does the Disorderlies Group plan to handle Hordes and Warmachine. Are there players that will not want to face the Might of the Circle Warpwolves with their Khador jacks? Individuals who would prefer not to have to see their Cygnaran Sword knights getting decimated by a unit of Skorne Preatorians? Perhaps nobody wants to watch their wonderful Basilisk Drake shot to shreds by a line of Cygnaran long gunners. Or do you believe all is good in love and war and we now have 8 factions to be played.
Each side has a respectable point to be had. My warmachine opponent may not have taken time to read primal and understand that my Beasts don't have a cortex, and I never use Focus. Thus when he loads up to bear against a 'jack army, he gets pummeled by by all around beat force. I know this is mitigated in tournament play with the alternate army lists, but what about good ole fashioned Gaming Mecca fun….
Take your pick which one are you?
Warmachine Elititst
Hordes Zealot
Or Hold on sec I’m busy having my Skorne Titan double hand throw a Cygnaran Warjack into that unit over there.
Origins and the planning madness
Yeaargh.
I really wasn't planning to do the convention circuit this year. But the circle of circumstances surrounding Origins - a friend in the area where we can crash, good odds of getting phat prizes from Mongoose in their tournaments, et al - have made it painfully attractive.
So the planning is underway. Army purchases and painting. Logistics of the trip - travel, coordination, etc.
It's amazing the amount of effort that goes into these things. I think for every hour I spend playing, three or four hours go into preparation, planning and general mindspace for the playing. For example, if this happens - and there is no definate answer that it will - I've got to set-up time for playtesting, rules review, army list adjustment, etc.
In my more lucid moments, I sometimes sit back and wonder the hell I've gotten myself into. Gaming is a very abusive mistress - she's needy, she's noisy, and generally speaking her ROI is laughable. But the ride is fun while it lasts, I guess.
Lucky for me the lucid moments are few and far between. Pardon me while I get back to my pondering of whether or not I need to put a nuke into my Mobile Infantry Army List, or whether I am making a mistake by sticking with the Centauri for my A Call To Arms fleet.
I really wasn't planning to do the convention circuit this year. But the circle of circumstances surrounding Origins - a friend in the area where we can crash, good odds of getting phat prizes from Mongoose in their tournaments, et al - have made it painfully attractive.
So the planning is underway. Army purchases and painting. Logistics of the trip - travel, coordination, etc.
It's amazing the amount of effort that goes into these things. I think for every hour I spend playing, three or four hours go into preparation, planning and general mindspace for the playing. For example, if this happens - and there is no definate answer that it will - I've got to set-up time for playtesting, rules review, army list adjustment, etc.
In my more lucid moments, I sometimes sit back and wonder the hell I've gotten myself into. Gaming is a very abusive mistress - she's needy, she's noisy, and generally speaking her ROI is laughable. But the ride is fun while it lasts, I guess.
Lucky for me the lucid moments are few and far between. Pardon me while I get back to my pondering of whether or not I need to put a nuke into my Mobile Infantry Army List, or whether I am making a mistake by sticking with the Centauri for my A Call To Arms fleet.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Hordes Release
So, Saturday morning, I trekked out to the DW to see about securing myself a Hordes boxset and rulebook. I was still undecided which faction to pickup - Everblight's fluff tempted me something aweful, but I fell in love with the Circle models. I arrived promptly at 11, where my compatriot, Rob F. was not to be found - he was running late, and I was informed I should put aside a Circle box and alt. caster for him.
Well, shit. That makes at least a couple of people I know looking at using the Circle. Everblight is looking more appealing at this point just to ballance out the factions in our sanguine little group.
I get in, and Sean's not there. Uh-oh. This could be a problem - the Hordes stuff wasn't put out and I didn't know if Dan had be told that I was getting a mini box on the free for the last WM tourny. No big deal, as I know Dan, will, uh, take care of me.
Anyway, at this point, I'm still undecided, but leaning toward the EB.
I should mention that when I pulled up, there were at least 20 people waiting outside the doors.
This could be a problem.
Turns out, there was a freaking Pokemon tournament that day and the adults were very eager to drop the kiddies off for a cheap babysitting job. Ok - cool.
Doug put aside my spiffy hardback copy of the book, so I begin looking through it to see if I can decide. Turns out it was easy - I'm really not impressed with the EB visuals after looking through the book - have no clue what the stats are like, and I don't really care, either. I'm still a bit on the fence though, for the ballance reason.
Shit.
Sean rolls in about 10 minutes after 11, and I offer to get the Hordes stuff out of the back, thus ensuring I get my grubby mitts on it before the rabble.
I go get the goods and begin to unpack. I settle on getting a starter of each - after all, one is free, right? Also the alt. casters and a Minion Totem Hunter - this thing rocks (the model - still hadn't looked at the stats at that point - but the stats are awesome too!). Pulled Robustiano's stuff to set aside as well.
I look through the book some more, and end up deciding just on the Circle. I really dig the models that will be coming out - especially the 2! types of Woldwarden.
Cool.
I figure when Rob gets there, we'll settle up with the purchases, then get to playing some Confrontation. He shows up around 12, bearing Krispy Kremes. This makes the big man happy.
He lets me know he forgot his Conf. models, so no biscuit there. Fucker.
We bullshit for a while, and decide to break out a game of Arkham Horror (with Dan, and later, James when he showed up). This is a very fun game - I would recommend it. We go get some Chipotle for lunch and come back and set up the game. This was probably arounf 1:30. Finish eating around 2, and start the game about 30 min. later after Dan and Rob explain to me how to play.
We get going (it's a cooperative game - try to stop the greater demon from invading reality) and I start working on my Circle box - I get the Warpwolf filed and drilled and Kaya cleaned up. The models have very little flash and seem to go together very well.
James joing us about 4 - 5 turns into the game - he's getting Circle too! Fuck. I didn't think too many people would be picking them up. Oh well.
We end up winning the game - my character was mostly a lame duck, though I did manage to close one gate - and I could kill anything that wasn't magically imune with no problem.
After discussion, we decided we needed a regular boardgame night to get our Fantasy Flight fix. I lamented how much money I was anticipating spending at their booth at Gen Con (Warzone CMG, Decent Expansion, Starcraft Boardgame, Game of Thrones expansion).
We will be playing the Game of Thrones (based on George R. R. Martin's world) after the Hordes boxset tourny this Saturday then going to B.D.'s Mongollian BBQ, for all who are interested.
All-in-all a good day.
Now to finish assembly and start the painting process.
Aaron
Well, shit. That makes at least a couple of people I know looking at using the Circle. Everblight is looking more appealing at this point just to ballance out the factions in our sanguine little group.
I get in, and Sean's not there. Uh-oh. This could be a problem - the Hordes stuff wasn't put out and I didn't know if Dan had be told that I was getting a mini box on the free for the last WM tourny. No big deal, as I know Dan, will, uh, take care of me.
Anyway, at this point, I'm still undecided, but leaning toward the EB.
I should mention that when I pulled up, there were at least 20 people waiting outside the doors.
This could be a problem.
Turns out, there was a freaking Pokemon tournament that day and the adults were very eager to drop the kiddies off for a cheap babysitting job. Ok - cool.
Doug put aside my spiffy hardback copy of the book, so I begin looking through it to see if I can decide. Turns out it was easy - I'm really not impressed with the EB visuals after looking through the book - have no clue what the stats are like, and I don't really care, either. I'm still a bit on the fence though, for the ballance reason.
Shit.
Sean rolls in about 10 minutes after 11, and I offer to get the Hordes stuff out of the back, thus ensuring I get my grubby mitts on it before the rabble.
I go get the goods and begin to unpack. I settle on getting a starter of each - after all, one is free, right? Also the alt. casters and a Minion Totem Hunter - this thing rocks (the model - still hadn't looked at the stats at that point - but the stats are awesome too!). Pulled Robustiano's stuff to set aside as well.
I look through the book some more, and end up deciding just on the Circle. I really dig the models that will be coming out - especially the 2! types of Woldwarden.
Cool.
I figure when Rob gets there, we'll settle up with the purchases, then get to playing some Confrontation. He shows up around 12, bearing Krispy Kremes. This makes the big man happy.
He lets me know he forgot his Conf. models, so no biscuit there. Fucker.
We bullshit for a while, and decide to break out a game of Arkham Horror (with Dan, and later, James when he showed up). This is a very fun game - I would recommend it. We go get some Chipotle for lunch and come back and set up the game. This was probably arounf 1:30. Finish eating around 2, and start the game about 30 min. later after Dan and Rob explain to me how to play.
We get going (it's a cooperative game - try to stop the greater demon from invading reality) and I start working on my Circle box - I get the Warpwolf filed and drilled and Kaya cleaned up. The models have very little flash and seem to go together very well.
James joing us about 4 - 5 turns into the game - he's getting Circle too! Fuck. I didn't think too many people would be picking them up. Oh well.
We end up winning the game - my character was mostly a lame duck, though I did manage to close one gate - and I could kill anything that wasn't magically imune with no problem.
After discussion, we decided we needed a regular boardgame night to get our Fantasy Flight fix. I lamented how much money I was anticipating spending at their booth at Gen Con (Warzone CMG, Decent Expansion, Starcraft Boardgame, Game of Thrones expansion).
We will be playing the Game of Thrones (based on George R. R. Martin's world) after the Hordes boxset tourny this Saturday then going to B.D.'s Mongollian BBQ, for all who are interested.
All-in-all a good day.
Now to finish assembly and start the painting process.
Aaron
Thursday, April 20, 2006
On Hype
I think that when a company stretches out the marketing on a product for so long, we naturally lose interest in it - there are just too many other immediate "now" games and releases we track as a group to get excited about something over the course of a year.
This has happened with almost all of PPS' releases - I'm excited about them +/- 2 months or so from the release date. Then, since we know all the stats and such from the book(s), it's just a waiting game for the models to come out.
I really rather prefer Rackham's approach. You maybe get to see some artwork 2 months out (from the French release, admitedly - so 3 - 4 from the English), then see the mini about 1 month out, then have the release. This is repeated EVERY month, so there's always a sense of mystery and excitement with the game. Add to the current trend of excellent communication from the new U.S. company reps, and I'm pretty completely sucked in.
Aaron
This has happened with almost all of PPS' releases - I'm excited about them +/- 2 months or so from the release date. Then, since we know all the stats and such from the book(s), it's just a waiting game for the models to come out.
I really rather prefer Rackham's approach. You maybe get to see some artwork 2 months out (from the French release, admitedly - so 3 - 4 from the English), then see the mini about 1 month out, then have the release. This is repeated EVERY month, so there's always a sense of mystery and excitement with the game. Add to the current trend of excellent communication from the new U.S. company reps, and I'm pretty completely sucked in.
Aaron
Let the bitching commence.
Well, since I'm doing *so* well on the painting front (see http://disorderlies.blogspot.com/ for the lack of details) I suppose it is high time to start some highbrow gaming commentary.
Highbrow? From the Disorderlies?!
For variant definitions of highbrow, I suppose.
I'll start the ball rolling: burnout.
All too often, game companies start the hype machine and pump excitement into players. New! Improved! Bigger! Better! And, being ever-hungry for excitement, we buy in, and we're hooked like fish on the line. "Man, X is coming! I gotta get/play X!"
For a while.
The problem with hype is that it is ultimately self-defeating. Hype is like a diet of sugar - man, it's good for a while, but it can't sustain you, and when you crash, it's ugly.
Case in point, since it's been a recent topic of Disorderlies Discussion: HORDES.
Hordes was formally announced by Privateer Press last August at Gen Con. It had been teased for months beforehand; being called the "Next BIG Thing". Several of the Disorderlies were present for this announcement, as well as a lot of the Warmachine faithful. The crowd - and there was quite a crowd - was electric for it, but when the actual truth of the matter came out, there was an undercurrent of disappointment. Not new factions for Warmachine, but instead, a new game that is COMPATIBILE with the game most of the people there were addicted to.
Not what we expected.
But, I expect, if HORDES were for sale at that very moment, we would have torn into it like a shark into chum. Rules, boxes, all of it, I know I would have tried just BECAUSE the hype machine had hooked me.
But we couldn't buy it. It wasn't coming out until....MARCH?
[which has now turned into April, and the END of April, for that matter]
During this time, we have been fed tidbits. Pixie sticks of hype, if you will. Quickstart rules, remarkably alike Warmachine. Pictures of damn near every release for the first year of the game.
So, I've tried to do my part. I've preordered the game. The armies. Etc. But I tell you, the hype has driven me crazy. Some members of the Disorderlies are still flying high on the sugar rush. Some have crashed and lost interest. I'm somewhere in the middle - I still have some excitement, but overall I think the hype machine has burned me a bit, and in general, I don't think the game is going to live up to the expectations created by this long wait.
Nothing can.
I could be mistaken. This time next week, I might have disgested the rules and the models and the machine might have me back in its clutches and snuggled into a warm pablum-filled place. I doubt it - but I admit it is possible.
In the meantime, though, I'm swearing off that sugar shit and eating a burger or something.
Highbrow? From the Disorderlies?!
For variant definitions of highbrow, I suppose.
I'll start the ball rolling: burnout.
All too often, game companies start the hype machine and pump excitement into players. New! Improved! Bigger! Better! And, being ever-hungry for excitement, we buy in, and we're hooked like fish on the line. "Man, X is coming! I gotta get/play X!"
For a while.
The problem with hype is that it is ultimately self-defeating. Hype is like a diet of sugar - man, it's good for a while, but it can't sustain you, and when you crash, it's ugly.
Case in point, since it's been a recent topic of Disorderlies Discussion: HORDES.
Hordes was formally announced by Privateer Press last August at Gen Con. It had been teased for months beforehand; being called the "Next BIG Thing". Several of the Disorderlies were present for this announcement, as well as a lot of the Warmachine faithful. The crowd - and there was quite a crowd - was electric for it, but when the actual truth of the matter came out, there was an undercurrent of disappointment. Not new factions for Warmachine, but instead, a new game that is COMPATIBILE with the game most of the people there were addicted to.
Not what we expected.
But, I expect, if HORDES were for sale at that very moment, we would have torn into it like a shark into chum. Rules, boxes, all of it, I know I would have tried just BECAUSE the hype machine had hooked me.
But we couldn't buy it. It wasn't coming out until....MARCH?
[which has now turned into April, and the END of April, for that matter]
During this time, we have been fed tidbits. Pixie sticks of hype, if you will. Quickstart rules, remarkably alike Warmachine. Pictures of damn near every release for the first year of the game.
So, I've tried to do my part. I've preordered the game. The armies. Etc. But I tell you, the hype has driven me crazy. Some members of the Disorderlies are still flying high on the sugar rush. Some have crashed and lost interest. I'm somewhere in the middle - I still have some excitement, but overall I think the hype machine has burned me a bit, and in general, I don't think the game is going to live up to the expectations created by this long wait.
Nothing can.
I could be mistaken. This time next week, I might have disgested the rules and the models and the machine might have me back in its clutches and snuggled into a warm pablum-filled place. I doubt it - but I admit it is possible.
In the meantime, though, I'm swearing off that sugar shit and eating a burger or something.
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