I'm going to trace out an argument with a set of quotes from recent posts. The first is from this post at Plastic Legions on GW's Hobbit range:
The mini manual in the starter set doesn't contain the stat profiles or point costs of the new models. The starter set scenario booklet contains the profiles but not the points. In short if you bought the starter set thinking you were getting the new rules. Think again laddie, its GW 2012!!! you still have to buy the $85 USD big rule book if you want the full package, ...
... the best part is they dont tell you that until you open the starter box! So if it wasn't for "whistleblowers" letting us know in advance you are buying the starter set thinking you're getting something you are not.
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The only reason I'm still around is they have an untouchable IP I love, ... Believe me the old PT Barnum addage "There is a sucker born every minute" has never been so true for all of us, that participate in the Games Workshop hobby. They suck, they suck rotten, stinking zombie ass, they truly do, and yet we keep on buying-
The telling passage may seem to be "The only reason I'm still around ...", but for me it's the assumption that "the points" are necessary for "the full package". Hold that thought.
So $41 bucks late,r what can I say now about the limited copy I now have in my hands? Firstly, I can say it is not worth $41 bucks maybe... $25 at most. I knew that going-- as did many others. From the mostly recycled art to the obvious space filler Crusade of Fire doesn't have the depth I expect from a campaign book. If you compare Crusade of Fire to even an average Dungeon & Dragons module you will find it wanting.
With all that negativity said, I still love the book. I hope it sells out so that Games Workshop can build from it and make better books down the road.
...
If you are willing to tweak the campaign a bit I can see this being a great supplement, but then again why should I spend $41 bucks if I am going to being do so much extra work...
Here the telling passage might appear to be "With all that negativity said, I still love the book", but I think it's "so much extra work". What am I getting at? Hold this thought too.
... There’s always been a part of the wargaming hobby which loves looking at stunning terrain, lovingly sculpted and painted figures and a fine display. ... And, of course, generally with roleplaying those visual themes in gaming are not as pronounced – it’s not about a layout as much as the game itself. But for a wargamer, looking around an active roleplaying convention at 6pm on a Saturday evening, with gamers furiously rolling dice and crowding around tables, I felt there was a sharp contrast with a thinning crowd at some wargames shows by 3pm.
And the fourth and final quote, from a comment I left in response to that last reflection:
... Maybe it's related to the physicality and structural limits of higher scale wargaming, and the fact the tabletop and miniatures shoulder some of the creative burden. The demands of a more virtual back and forth may give players a workout that raises overall gaming vigour or stamina. ...
This is the kind of help I'm talking about - help playing the game. From modelled terrain, through miniatures, grids, rulers and templates, to decks and dice, to rules themselves, with points values, even that IP, how much do we need? Do we need the points? Can a campaign book be complete? Should it be? Squares or hexes? Does a single miniature represent just the one individual or 10? If all the 6' x 4' tables are busy, is the game off?
How much beyond ourselves do we need, and what effect will it have on that vigour and stamina? Forget the usual arbitrary divisions - into board game or wargame or skirmish game or RPG etc. A question at the root of it all seems to be this one: do gamers need help? If we can put it like that, maybe we can see the bigger picture and build up better.
How much beyond ourselves do we need, and what effect will it have on that vigour and stamina? Forget the usual arbitrary divisions - into board game or wargame or skirmish game or RPG etc. A question at the root of it all seems to be this one: do gamers need help? If we can put it like that, maybe we can see the bigger picture and build up better.
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