Is this Christmas present referring to WGS Series VI or the BoB starters?
[RANT]I really think the WGS series needs to be about the aircraft to be used in the game and not rare, fancy, collectors items.
Just do them with iconic livery by squadron and not specific pilots.
Kind of like they did with the Stukas and some of the WGF aircraft.
I don't think we need 3 versions of each, some with very obscure choices.
Perhaps supply them with user-choice decals to make slight variants within a squadron.
Then we could play awesome scenarios for the Battle of Britain, Midway, Berlin etc. etc. with multiple aircraft that look like they belong in the battle.
Oh, and keep them available at a reasonable price...
/[RANT]
This subject has come up in a few threads to do firstly with selling prices and secondly the gaming-piece versus scale model debate. Last time I saw this it was on Oberst Hajj's Giants thread about some new releases for WGF.
Selling Prices: Ares Games are some of the best gaming pieces out there in terms of coming ready to run out of the box as well as in terms of the kit supplied with each one. The current situation is that the Wings of War range had some iconic aircraft types within what Nexus produced some of which are still available for sale whilst others are available on the pre-owned market. But within the Nexus reign we only had single engine aircraft types although some of these were dive bombers. Since the Ares reign began WGS has been given twin engine aircraft along with medium and heavy bombers. One of which (the Avro Lancaster Dambuster Edition) has IMHO to be one of the most innovative gaming pieces ever produced for a wargame. All of which are available at a reasonably user-friendly price but this means that in order to maintain this user-friendliness other features cannot be included. Including (more than likely) optional decals for each and every which would push production costs up considerably if these were to be included. I have seen the prices of Airfix construction kits change over the years - particularly when Airfix went through their bad patch in the early to mid-noughties. One reason for the prices being pushed up to customers' annoyance: Decal options and additional decal features and the production of these additions.
Bringing us nicely onto the gaming piece versus scale model debate. This I came across with Oberst Hajj's latest Giants for WGF posting about the brand new Staaken and Handley Page O/400 to be released for WGF. I would like one of each to display in my mainline aircraft collection because these are after all spectacular. However this entails being a bit pernickety in terms of detailing and certain features (for those who have seen this thread - the engine ladders!) About which I accept being outnumbered - people want these aircraft as WGF gaming pieces. So out will come my full-time (closet WGF) WGS interested paint brush and a few corrections performed if I wish to go ahead with these two ideas!
I think the same debate gently applies to the optional decals idea - obtain WGS as gaming pieces first and then customise as required. As for our gaming pieces becoming collectors' items I think that owing to their pre-painted nature and appeal this is going to happen anyway - the best example is look at what is happening with the Nexus Messerschmitt Bf.109E-3 aircraft and how collectable they have become. Add to that the Bader Edition Hawker Hurricane Mk I and anything from a Deluxe or Starter set now both are out of production! There are on the whole three versions of each aircraft but this adds to their collectability factor. I never witnessed the same properties with Bolt Action figures and accessories (unless assembled and painted to an excellent standard!) So to think I am playing Wings of Glory with a potentially valuable collectors' item under my command adds to the appeal of the game.
PS - I hope that at no point I come across as trying to shoot you down Pete. Not my intention as this debate is IMHO a very good one
Last edited by Tonx; 09-06-2015 at 10:58. Reason: Typo!
Voilą le soleil d'Austerlitz!
Same here Sven.
I go away for a long August Bank Holiday and when I return it's all over bar the discussion.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
If there is only one (or maybe two) versions of each aircraft then the costs associated with the third would be easily covered by supplying decals.Decal options and additional decal features and the production of these additions.
And I only mean enough decals to change squadron designations etc., not full-blown decal sheets.
Love the Lancs and have both of them. If they can include the extra map sheets for the dams then surely a small decal sheet won't break the bank.One of which (the Avro Lancaster Dambuster Edition) has IMHO to be one of the most innovative gaming pieces ever produced for a wargame. All of which are available at a reasonably user-friendly price but this means that in order to maintain this user-friendliness other features cannot be included.
That's my point. Because the only British version of the Hurricane is Douglas Bader it has become ridiculously hard to find/expensive for those of us unfortunate to not have been there from the start. All I am asking for is to be able to buy an iconic British fighter that doesn't have Bader attached to it.... the best example is look at what is happening with the Nexus Messerschmitt Bf.109E-3 aircraft and how collectable they have become. Add to that the Bader Edition Hawker Hurricane Mk I and anything from a Deluxe or Starter set now both are out of production!
Not at all, Barnaby. As I pointed out, it's just a rant. But I think there would be a bigger market for some "generic" iconic aircraft over the collector pieces.PS - I hope that at no point I come across as trying to shoot you down Pete. Not my intention as this debate is IMHO a very good one
I would buy multiple versions of those pieces in a heartbeat.
With all the to do and hurrah new series being released...sometime never...and although I love Ares/Nexus minis 'cause you can play right out of the box I have come to realise that if I want squadrons or flights of similar decaled aircraft I have to go to AIM or Shapeways, get the decals and paint the aircraft myself. I have bases, courtesy of Litko and Keith, I have the required amount of A,B,C and D decks from buying the blister packs and from mini's I own oh and lots of I decks from Fire in (from?) the Skies so I'm not worried. I missed the WGS intiial range and came late to the party. I will never be able to afford to buy vast amounts of those so I will be content to buy elsewhere and use the bases and decks on offer from Keith and Ebay, when and where I can get them (not bases just decks).
For those lucky individuals who got in at the start or found decent buys of the early planes well done. For us others who don't want to or can't wait we will just have to source them from other places.
I do think ARES has missed a trick with the anniversary year of BoB but hey if I could do it better and had the money then I would so I'll shut up and just get on with what I like doing best, playing the game and having fun doing it.
PS: I do own a large quantity of 1/144th WGS aircraft purely for the BoB but that as they say is another story.
Neil
See you on the Dark Side......
Series 6 is coming out before the BoB starters.
Probably in late Oct or Nov
I'm not sure if you will get your wish with Series 6, but the info I have is that future releases will have one named Ace (A version) with full decals applied and the other two planes (B & C versions) of that same type will just have squadron markings and a decal sheet to turn them into several different planes from that squadron. I don't know if the B and C versions will be from the same squadron as the A, if all three will be from different squadrons, or if A and B will be from one and C from another.
You could say I've had a few chats with Roberto about WGS. lol
That means few chats between competent persons mean more than prolonged mournings and laments on the Forum
Keep chating, keep chating Boss.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
That decal-option business sounds like an interesting development ... I had better brush up on my decaling skills as these are bound to get fiddly / hairy in places - especially where Serial Number decals are concerned. Then after treatment with Humbrol Decalfix the are going to require a coat of satin varnish or if you want to be really authentic matt varnish. The existing coat given to WGS looks very like satin - what it definitely is not is gloss!
I am very sorry but WW2 aircraft with gloss paint or varnish all over them IMHO look ghastly and unauthentic Even in 1/200 Scale!!!
This is great news - just what I was asking for!
Yes, sounds ideal!
I look forward to this wish coming true.
Yes! I am all for the BoB starter, but my heart is truly aligned with series 6! I will be. Rey excited to add these to my collection in the near future! Give me, my SBDs already!
I am really pleased about the projected intention for Ares to produce aircraft in this format.
For those who just don't have the inclination or confidence to do a repaint, it opens up the prospect of being able to field Flights of aircraft from the same Squadron/ Kette.
Potential for selling 12 instead of three aircraft can only be a good thing.
Even though I do repaints myself, it will certainly get me buying again.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Very exciting! Time to start saving again!
Saving?
What's that?
WGF was never brought up when discussing this new format, so I do not know if this decal format will extend to WGF or not. I personally don't see it as big of an issue as withe WGS units.
Series 6 is in production as we have this conversation, so they are expected in Dec some time.
I expect there are no camo hints for Series No.6, right?
Awesome. I suck at decals though, but it will be a while before I need to do it.
So..I need to put series 5 AND series 6 on my Christmas list. Yikes!
Count me in for x3 each of:
Yokosuka D4Y
Dauntless SBD-5
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
When the Corsair comes out, that is when I will need a squadron of at least 12 planes and those stickers will really come in handy!
This is very good news and a smart move on Ares part. However, tell the European distributor, that if they keep on putting the price up with every new release, they will soon be wondering where their customers have gone.
Hopefully to the AA store Seriously, though this is something you should talk to your local game stores about and have them pass it up their chain. Ares did have a small price increase a couple of Series ago, but I for one did not pass it along to you guys. If they have another one, I'll be forced to pass at least some of it along to you guys
Any sneak peak pictures of series six yet?
Not yet, but I'll see what I can do.
Yes, that B2G1 sale last year hurt me as well... that and their KS direct sales. At lease in the KS I get a little cut by supplying them several of the stretch goals. There is very little profit for any of us on the Wings minis. All the big online stores price them so low, us little guys have a hard time matching them and making any money at it.
Pricing of the minis is what does not work in the WoG world (at least Europe), IMHO. There is a wide range of recent WGF minis (e.g. two seaters, float planes) constantly available in one of our online shops at app. 25$ each which is absolutely ridiculous. What I can see they do not sell at all. Capronis and Gothas - 37$ each. There is absolutely no chance for the Game to become more popular, when minis of a competitive miniature system (Okey, don't tell me the odds) are not only constantly available, stocks are being renewed, new products are massing and pricing is way nicer. I know you can feel the lack of faith in me disturbing, but with such a slow publishing agenda and distribution policy favouring the (biggest - I know) American market WoG won't absorb new players. And thus ARES's income won't increase. That is a "closing circle" as we say. So when I (as a customer) read about B2G1 free there - it is a promo we here can only dream about.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
And we are approaching the 1st anniversary of the start of Boss' thread :despair: No emoticon.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
yes its a labor of love we cant compete with the big online guys so we dont even try. ive had a few customers tell me "i know we can get them cheaper online but wed like to support your store". kinda gets you right in da feels. im constantly amazed what good natured people this game attracts (take a bow folks i really mean that).
I will continue to support the Oberst for minis and will enter pre-orders with pre-payment if desired.
I do the same with our local music store. I save my Wish List on Amazon for convenience, print it off and buy it from him.
Keep up the good work, Keith.
Hear, hear!
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
I think the B2G1 sale was an attempt by them to draw in new players at the 15,000+ people Convention. Not sure it worked as well as they wanted it to since they did not do it again this year.
I think the norm is 1.5 years from first announcement to store shelves.
I'm a big supporter of the LFGS. Those are the places that truly build a player base and grow any given game system.
Thank you sir
When I first started looking into the game, I did send a message to Ares and was told Series 6 would be out soon...
Since then, I have been scrambling around the house, gathering unused backpacks to sell, and pushing my patch sales just to make sure I have some funds allocated for it's release. I found a company that showed it having a WoW BF-109 in stock, but it has been sitting, unfilled for 2 weeks, leading me to believe it is just a problem with their store inventory. I will be very happy when i can order 2-3 of them without having to search every nook and crannie on the planet for one.
I looked at the 'Upcoming' section of the Ares website today and series 6 planes are not included in the December releases.
quelle surprise!
Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!
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