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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Glyfair" data-source="post: 1460509" data-attributes="member: 53">Not necessarily.  However, it does mean more miniatures sitting on the shelf, not moving (unless WotC magically manages to create exactly what there is demand for).  Miniatures that don't sell fast cost money, whether it be space used up in a retail store or space in a warehouse for what's not ordered yet. Even if you only do a variation on "print on demand," storing the molds cost money.With the collectible aspect, the primary market doesn't have this problem.  If you want the "normal" figures (which should, ideally, be the commons), you'll have to get the more exotic figures (which should, again ideally, be the uncommons and rares).  The secondary market will have this problem, but WotC isn't going to be overly concerned about this market.Now there are many disadvantages to the consumer for the collectible aspect, which has been amply covered here.  However, there are advantages, too (which have been touched on).  The primary advantage is that a more low demand miniatures can be made.  Someone criticised this by bring up examples like Mind Flayers.  This isn't really what I mean by low demand miniatures.  Mind Flayers are a D&D staple.  Rare monsters would be monsters most players wouldn't ever use in their campaigns (the Krenshar from Chainmail might be an example).  Exotic player characters would be, too.  Everyone has human fighter miniatures.  What about the Thri-Kreen sorcerer?  WotC could do one and not have to worry about the fact that almost no one would buy one by choice.True, many of these rare figures might easily be made by modifying other more common miniatures.  However, the collectible miniatures aren't really directed at the type of customer who customizes his own miniatures.  They are directed at the more common player who uses his miniatures unpainted, or with a half-finished paint job.</blockquote>

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