Collectible Mini Game crash

[Fifth Element]

I haven't been keeping up with this at all. How is there a random distribution for DM's?

IIRC, only one of the minis in each monster pack will be visible. So it's semi-random. The PC packs will be completely visible.

 

[Wombat]

I'm using minis for my D&D campaigns but I couldn't care less about skirmish games.

DDM is going full RPG.

That or D&D is going full mini-game

 

[justanobody]

A question then: Do you think the higher quality in minis should increase the price AND lower the number of minis even when you consider WotC is no longer developing rules for the skirmish game, or should something even out there in the costs?

 

[Brown Jenkin]

We use minis, but have always used Reaper metals with diy paint jobs. The loss of plastic (or not) has no effect on me.

 

[Fifth Element]

A question then: Do you think the higher quality in minis should increase the price AND lower the number of minis even when you consider WotC is no longer developing rules for the skirmish game, or should something even out there in the costs?

Merric's Law really has to do with physical production costs, not development costs (such as rules).

So yes, from an economic perspective, the changes should increase the per-mini price, since WotC's per-mini cost will increase. If you want non-random distribution, you have to pay for it. Check the prices of Reaper's non-random prepainted plastics and they're in line with what WotC will be charging.

 

[Mark]

So with the top two CMGs this fall closing down shop what does that mean for the others?

Little to nothing.

How will this affect roleplaying games that rely heavily on minis?

It does not.

Does it even affect your roleplaying that minis are going away fast?

They aren't.

Specifically to D&D, how will this affect 4th edition if there are no minis to use in the mini designed system should the new minis half-CMG model should not work?

The GSL situation affects 4E more than this does.

Do you even care about minis when you play an RPG?

Yes.

 

[Asmor]

Worth noting that in one of their podcasts, they gave the justification for randomized DM minis.

Specifically, it's a retail thing. If they're not randomized, then certain packs will be more popular than others, will be bought out more quickly, and leave their less-popular brethren languishing on store shelves. The stores, then, see all these products still taking up room on their shelves and won't see any reason to order new stuff.

Not sure how exactly that same argument doesn't also apply to the PC minis, but there you go.

 

[Umbran]

The only "official" minis I use were bought back in the 1980s. I use dice, old minis, counters, and frequently candy (the players get to eat the corpses of their defeated enemies!), to represent stuff on the map when I need it.

 

[Fifth Element]

Not sure how exactly that same argument doesn't also apply to the PC minis, but there you go.

The same argument does apply. That's why the price per mini for the PC packs is significantly higher than with the randomized boosters.

 

[Thanee]

I always pondered getting DDM to use for D&D, but never actually did so, since there are so many weird minis in the sets (ok, there are enough singles retailers out there... but then again, some of the rarer minis are nice as well, and those are pretty expensive for that purpse only). If they now make them more useful for RPG by putting out MM minis (as it seems) with the more common ones also being common and the weirder ones being rare, I will most likely get them.

Also, just because it is the 2nd best selling niche game, doesn't mean it is selling well (or well enough for a big company).

Bye
Thanee