So the name WAR PRIME has been an idea I have had in my head for many years. It originally started as a 3rd person Action shooter strategy game. Think of something like the game Dynasty Warriors mashed up with Warhammer 40K. I designed it, wrote the world history, and there it sat for years waiting for a programmer to help me build it.
Two years ago I started playing Warhammer 40K again. While we were doing that one of my friends moved to Arazona. it got me thinking about all the people I use to play with and how I missed playing games with them. So last year I had the notion to make a digital tabletop war-game. This would allow me to play the games I like to play with my friends regardless of where they are in the world.
I started looking though my old design documents and came across Warprime. Well that game wouldn't work, but some of the ideas in there would. I used it as the foundation for this new game. Once again I designed it and this time found a small group of people to rally behind the idea. We got a prototype built but before we could get it ready to show to investors, my programmer vanished into the ether (the perils of working with people over the internet). Once again I couldn't find another programmer to pick up the mantel.
But this time it was different. I had spent to much time and money building this universe to just let it go. I looked at my options and thought I would look into how hard it would be to make actual miniatures. Looking at the cost of miniatures, manufacturing, and shipping I was astounded to discover how much money miniatures companies were overcharging.
For less than $1.00 worth of plastic a customer is charged $30 for a pack of miniatures. There are many reasons for this.
1. Shipping
2. Packaging
3. Store Markup
4. Advertising
But there is another factor that is less obvious. Competition.
There are many tabletop miniatures games. There are even many tabletop miniature war-games. But there is only one science fiction 25mm tabletop war game. This game doesn't need to be named. Without competition this game has become synonymous with the grim dark future of war and have stood at the top of the war game pile for many years. But without competition to keep them honest and hungry, they have become greedy. Without someone to challenge them they have run roughshod over the hobby and their fan bass. It is time for this to change.
I am going to push forward because playing without an opponent is against the rules.
I really like your business model and I will support you, I just hope that if they decide to buy you, you will resist! ;-) I really think that we need a better system that is not revamped every 5 years or so!
ReplyDeleteHehe....not much chance of them buying us. More likely they will slap us with lawsuits in the hopes of crushing us under lawyer fees until we go bankrupt. The best way to support us is to get the word out. Hit the forums and social media so everyone hears around us. We will have the Kickstarter launching later this month. Please keep in touch. =P
ReplyDelete"But there is only one science fiction 25mm tabletop war game."
ReplyDeleteYou haven't looked very hard.
@Warren Honestly they haven't looked at all, that's one of the silliest things I've ever heard!
ReplyDelete@Kingsmaker Strange how you first throw dirt all over them and then put a last line disclaimer "I am going to push forward because playing without an opponent is against the rules."
Cheap shot if you ask me...
PS. I'm signing "Anonymous" 'cause I don't really want anything else to do with this. Good luck... but buckle up ;)
First, let me say I love 'Their" stuff. They have the best miniatures in the market. Awesome designs. Cool races. But its not accessible to the average player. And its defiantly not affordable.
ReplyDeleteSaying they don't have competition is not a cheep shot. They have sat on the top of the dog pile for 30 years. Its perfectly fair to want to take a shot at them. When I am sitting on the top I would fully expect that others will want to be sitting where I am at too. And if I don't keep innovating and making the customers happy, someone should try to take my spot too.
Where do I throw dirt on them? I call them greedy? Thats it. Because in my opinion their deliberate manipulation of their rules and unit prices for the single purpose of driving miniatures sales (not supporting their game), is their guiding light. Money over fun. Profit over good will and brand loyalty.
Im sorry, but that is straight from people who worked at GW...so not even my words. If thats throwing dirt then get me a shovel.
As for other Sci-Fi war games...yes, hey are out there. Can most people name any other game that competes with them? When you talk about sci-fi war games, the first thing that comes to mind is theirs. They are the Kelnex of sci-fi 28mm war games.
I suppose when you ask for other games a lot of people now-a-days think of (and assuming we are not including GW fanboys/girls that cant see outside their own box), there is for skirmish level: Infinity, Malifaux, Deadzone and then at the squad level Warmachine which has been growing a lot. As for massive army level it may be the only one I can think of now (except for Warpath which is slowly growing) but 40K was never really made to have that many troops on the field and problems can see seen with the gameplay because of it. Your game may be a contender to it, but it is not the only one, many more have come before you and many are in the market growing at rapid rates. Good luck to you though, if it is planned well I hope it succeeds. Its always nice to a see another sci-fi on the market.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Me too.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the announcement of War Prime! It sounds like an exciting project with a rich history and a strong vision. It's inspiring to see your determination to bring this game to life despite the challenges you've faced. Best of luck with the development, and I look forward to hearing more about it as it progresses!
ReplyDelete