12 Tact-Tiles Sold for $360!

[Crothian]

Even so, the Tact Tile building tutorials I found on line

Post links?

 

[Lhorgrim]

The original expanded set of 12 Tact-Tiles retailed for $54.70 (plus tax and shipping from Alabama of course). The one in the auction that just ended was the "Deluxe" set, that came with the cardboard box carrier and I think it also came with some dry erase markers.

I've never really been in a game that would have used more than 12 tiles. All the tiles together would be almost 3 feet by 4 feet of map surface, and one of the main selling points of interlocking tiles is that you can "scroll" them so you don't need the entire dungeon on the table at the same time.

I've had the 12 tile set for years, but I've only used them a couple times because I have to travel for my games and the tiles take up a lot of room in my back pack. I've used a wet erase battle mat and wet/dry erase flip mats to cut down on my encumbrance.

As far as the value of the Tact-Tiles in the auction that just ended, the value of a thing is set by the market. Obviously the vast majority of us would not pay over $300 for the tiles, but there are at least two people out there who have a combination of funds and desire that made the tiles worth that to them.

I hope the trend carries, because I've decided to auction my set of Tact-Tiles as well. They've been on my shelf for a long time, and I would rather convert them to whatever value the market will give me and use that money to buy new gaming material. This may be a rough economy in the U.S. right now, but gaming options abound with many examples of RPGs, CCGs, collectible mini and board games available.

My list of 'wants" includes: Descent, Memoir '44, the new D&D releases, some C&C stuff, some Reaper minis, and a lot of other gaming stuff.

We'll see how my auction does, and that should give a better idea about the market for Tact-Tiles. If a bunch of the tiles become available, then the price should drop dramatically. I'm hoping for enough to buy some of the gaming stuff on my list, but I'm also happy to be making some space on my shelf.

 

[D'karr]

Thats what it showed you. I got a totally different message from it.

Yeah, me too. More like a P.T. Barnum message.

 

[JVisgaitis]

We've been looking onto this for awhile. I wouldn't be surprised if like 5 different companies came out with a similar product.

 

[Rokes]

Two more auctions, both over $200 with 5+ days remaining.

Tact-Tile eBay Auctions

 

[Rokes]

If you guys got through high school art programs you can make these just fine. Likely in one to two hours, depending on your tools.

Lets see, $360. If you make $20/hour thats 18 hours of work. If that is your take home after your taxes, etc... I don't know many people who make that kind of money, if you guys are them good for you.

If I do a foam board version it will likely cost me $20 to $40 to make them, and I already have the knives, rulers, and markers. It might take me two to 3 hours to draw it all out, laminate it, and cut it.

Plus if I ever need more, or to make replacements, I'll not only know how to do it, but know how to do it even better. So up to 5 hours worth of money and my time, versus $360 worth.

Yep, well worth my time.

6 hours @ $60 an hour. I don't already have the knives, rulers, etc. I have some basic craft skills, but I'm a perfectionist. No way can I see making a product I'd be happy with knowing that an amazing product can be purchased instead. That's 6 hours I could spend preparing my campaign, actually gaming, or sleeping. Never underestimate the value of a good night's rest!

And for reference, I wouldn't pay more than $10 a tile, and $5 or so if they were in production.

 

[SteveC]

It sounds to me like there would be a market for these tiles, and since a number of ENWorlders have ideas about how to make 'em, they should get to it. With Christmas coming up, there's a market: the perfect gift for the gamer on your list!

--Steve

 

[burntgerbil]

I am developing them now !

I am developing and producing my first couple sets (16x) of Dry-erase Tiles for gaming. My sets have smaller tiles - (7x7's) and are made of the same material as dry-erase boards, but they are double sided - Contiguous squares on one side and contiguous hexes on the other ! It was no easy task to figure out the geometry on that one. I will be posting more about them as I pack up the first few sets in the next two weeks. They should be much more affordable than what current prices are for Tact Tiles.

I will also have Condition markers for various conditions available also. My production is automated, but small scale right now, so there is likely to be a waiting list as soon as I can get these things out.


Josh

 

[Aexalon]

My sets have smaller tiles - (7x7's) and are made of the same material as dry-erase boards, but they are double sided - Contiguous squares on one side and contiguous hexes on the other !

Impressive. Most impressive.

It was no easy task to figure out the geometry on that one.

Not that hard, with 4*sqrt(3) being only ~1% smaller than 7, with sqrt(3)/2 (= sin(pi/3)) being the distance between the center lines of off-axis columns. Which points to a 8*7 hex grid, or visually:

using an off-axis compression factor of (7/8)/(sqrt(3)/2) (again, only ~1% from unity). It is possible to offset the hex pattern by a whole row (1/8) in the off-axis direction, and/or half a row (1/14) in the axis direction, and still retain horizontal and vertical symmetry.

The 7*7 layout on the square side was likely dictated by the hex ratio (sqrt(3) is such an irrational number to work with...).

Ok, in retrospect, perhaps it wasn't that easy after all

 

[Daniel D. Fox]

Post links?

How to make your own Tact Tiles « The Game Master Foundation

Personally, I just went out and bought a chalkboard-sized dry erase board (8'x4', about 70 bucks from any Office Depot) and used a permanent marker+yardstick to make 1" inch squares.

/shrugs

If you're looking to compact it down, you can get one of those nice little folding card tables, cut the board in half and screw each top onto a side fairly easily.