Michael Wolf’s Open Letter
I had this blog post pop up in my Google alerts over the weekend and it pretty much sums up my feelings about the state of at-43 vs TOG (the other game). It’s a well written humourous account of Rackham and its mediocre success vs TOG.
Should Rackham hire him like he says? Can a social media campaign really push AT-43 into the next level? Who knows. I sure got a kick out of reading this though.
Sounds like someone looking for a job! Not a bad idea but could have been a little more subtle. Hopefully he will get hired.
Agreed, I share his frustration that AT-43 hasn’t blown up massively yet. We all know the game is the best thing since sliced bread and can’t understand why there aren’t a bajillion players buying and playing it.
Its got Gorillas in Power armour! What more do you need!
Vastatum, I tell you why we havent player. Because we havent this game in ours game shop.
MTG, TOG a lot of other shit there. But AT-43 not.
Our local gaming shop stopped selling AT-43 because of Rackham delay and high shipping cost from Rackham (stupidity from R). But its a year ago.
Now we re trying to help ourselves.
I’m sorry to hear that you have trouble getting your shop to stock the game. I am fortunate that I am in Canada and can take advantage of fairly cheap shipping from the US. From what I’ve seen the EU prices are astronomical compared to the US ones.
Would a dedicated player locator help you find more players or do you think that because of the high shipping costs to the Czech Republic that the chances of there being any more AT-43 players is small?
Yes, everything cheap, compared to EU, specially middle Europe. In Germany, Austria is near everything cheaper (and 5x bigger salary). But its same fairy tale again, again
So EU prices are high. Maybe in US nobody will buy stuff which will have same prices as in EU
))
I know few players, we starting some advertisement on some game week, gamecons and more. Problem is that no game shop has this stuff and nobody want it put in stock.
If I compare shipping cost from US to Czech. Its same price per model as in EU.
for example unit cost 10$ in US, with shipping to CZ it costs 10 Eur.
Its still good, but new models is near same, mostly better to buy directly from R.
We need some advertisement and at least on shop with stuff
One month ago I have done some exhibition of AT-43 on one game week. Many games were there, and a lot of people said that AT-43 is very very good looking and great game.
and asked me, where can they buy it.
I said… ehm, EU and US.
So I wont be new distributor, I have another biz.
TOG game is in all shops
Many gamers have same level of frustration with painting , scenery, IGOWHOLEARMYOUDIEINFIRSTROUD etc. I will want other game, if they know more about that..
And we lost few players with old rules problem (routines, errata for many units etc.)
look at the offer our shops
http://www.cernyrytir.cz
http://shop.fantasy.cz/
http://www.pekelnykotlik.cz/
http://tomovyhry.cz
http://www.hras.cz
http://www.planetaher.cz
http://www.rebelshop.cz
TOG, TOG, TOG and a lot of other minis games.
I think ONI will make better reputation
In fact R have prodused almost all units form armybooks.
But you can’t buy it anywhere.
And that’s the main problem.
A message for tabletop wargamers and where AT-43 fits in…
There is no simple explanation as to why some have success while others do not. Tabletop gaming is and will always remain outside the mainstream, particularly with the advent of PC / video gaming…as well as the portability and lesser space needed for board and card games. That being stated, there is, however, a commited group of individuals interested in table top miniatures style games.
So what of AT-43 and Rackham as a whole…?
AT-43 has an interesting theme, prepainted miniatures, and is relatively easy to learn and play, but has tactical depth…sounds good so far. However, speaking from my own experience, I live in Phoenix, AZ where there are only 2 active tabletop game related stores, which both stock and sell Rackham products, but the tables and calendars are booked with GW and a few others…NO Rackham or AT-43.
Some 20 years ago, a friend and I discovered a store in North Los Angeles which was very small but very well run for its time. The owners actively played games alternately with the customers using their own miniatures, not requiring any purchases, etc…and after a couple of plays I became hooked.
My advise to Rackham is this….you need to develop grass root support for your products through “liaison gamers’ who will target and recruit your audience.
I see many people go in and out of gaming specialty stores empty handed and game tables sitting unused. Why? Every customer is an opportunity, particularly the 10-15 age group. As a liaison, I would set aside a table for AT-43 for a demo during peak times, set up display materials to be viewed, and have the game packs, starters, etc. ready at hand with prudently marked down items.
Last world on the subject: If you are a gamer, it’s not an either/or proposition. Most gamers play multiple titles. There is no reason why GW and Rackham cannot coexist. Players will have preferences and there is SO much about AT-43 to like and different from the competition, that it should succeed. Evaluate the areas within the US and Europe where it is selling well and being actively played, and I will show you players and owners recruiting. Stores and games have much in common – their live span depends upon ‘new’ blood.
Only two of us play AT-43 at my local store, some people come over to watch but then cringe when they hear that the models are pre-painted. For folks with not a lot of free time like myself AT-43 is perfect, there is something to be said taking a game out of the box and being able to play it in less than an hour.