New D&D Mini Fails and then...

[frankthedm]

What I really want to see though is a D&D toyline. I suspect that wotc avoided doing a toyline so it would not compete with D&D minis, but once the minis angle is out of the way...

 

[doctorhook]

Actually, a plastic + decal token (akin to a poker-chip) would be dirt cheap to make, and allow for tiny-gargantuan sizes, plenty of artwork, and could be made by the dozens for pennies on the dollar.

I almost wish WotC would do this. I don't want to seem like I'm taking a shot at Claudio/Fiery Dragon, but there's something to be said for official artwork that I just prefer.

(Dr Hook can't afford the plasticrack he's addicted to.)

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Er, that's not exactly true.

Hasbro is NOT breathing/overlooking WOTC's shoulders. Contray to popular belief I've seen expressed on these boards, Hasbro is pretty well known for taking a hands off approach to its subordinates (in a way they have to. Hasbro has so many more subrodinate companies compared to say #1 Mattel).

Basically, Hasbro sets a goal and doesn't really care how it is accomplished by said subordinate (and this comes from a former shareholder who has had the opportunity to actually go to a shareholder's meeting back pre WOTC acquiral)

So you are saying that WotC sets the target profit number. Either way there is a profit number that needs to be met. Its not a matter of making or losing money but meeting a target profit amount set by someone. If WotC sets the number so be it, but WotC will be working under some sort of target number set by Hasbro. If WotC doesn't meet the target number then they will cancel whatever is dragging the overall number down whether it is making a profit or not.

 

[frankthedm]

Er, that's not exactly true.

Hasbro is NOT breathing/overlooking WOTC's shoulders. Contray to popular belief I've seen expressed on these boards, Hasbro is pretty well known for taking a hands off approach to its subordinates (in a way they have to. Hasbro has so many more subrodinate companies compared to say #1 Mattel).

Basically, Hasbro sets a goal and doesn't really care how it is accomplished by said subordinate (and this comes from a former shareholder who has had the opportunity to actually go to a shareholder's meeting back pre WOTC acquiral)

Ok, so Hasbro does not go about throttling WotC while bellowing "Profits or Pinkslips!". They don't have to. When it is your own job on the line and you've seen the layoff paterns that coincide with underperforming product lines, that is more than loud enough. Whether the job cuts are done by Hasbro or Wotc HR, the pressure to perform XXXX well is there.

 

[AllisterH]

Ok, so Hasbro does not go about throttling WotC while bellowing "Profits or Pinkslips!". They don't have to. When it is your own job on the line and you've seen the layoff paterns that coincide with underperforming product lines, that is more than loud enough. Whether the job cuts are done by Hasbro or Wotc HR, the pressure to perform XXXX well is there.

Yes but this is true from a small independent company like Paizo to a subordinate of a major company like WOTC.

All companies have to perform even if they aren't publicly traded (especially when it is your own money...Why do you think all those game stores are closing?)

 

[frankthedm]

Yes but this is true from a small independent company like Paizo to a subordinate of a major company like WOTC.

But the smaller independent company decides what level of profit it needs. A great example Piazo was seemingly happy with Dragon magazine and Dungeon magazine's print profits. Wotc was not. Wotc first licensed it out first to Piazo, then when Wotc go it back they took it off the shelves.

 

[Felon]

Ok, so Hasbro does not go about throttling WotC while bellowing "Profits or Pinkslips!". They don't have to. When it is your own job on the line and you've seen the layoff paterns that coincide with underperforming product lines, that is more than loud enough. Whether the job cuts are done by Hasbro or Wotc HR, the pressure to perform XXXX well is there.

Yes but this is true from a small independent company like Paizo to a subordinate of a major company like WOTC.

The real ugly business of it is that in the case of a big company like Hasbro, you can be working for a profitable subsidiary and still wind up getting the sack. Cuts come down across-the-board, with every department having to shrink their budgets, even the ones pulling their weight.

 

[jodyjohnson]

My guess is they sit on it a while to let the mini-buyer market recharge and wait for the right combination of economic realities reform to make it profitable again.

1. New reliable cheap labor market.
2. Viable transportation costs.
3. Near saturation of their core market abates.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

A great example Piazo was seemingly happy with Dragon magazine and Dungeon magazine's print profits. Wotc was not. Wotc first licensed it out first to Piazo, then when WotC go it back they took it off the shelves.

We can't be sure that the magazines' profit was the reason WotC discontinued them in print. It could just as easily be that WotC recognized that exclusive availability would be a big DDI draw (which is was, as it turns out). Or, of course, it could be a combination.

Regarding pieces like the Solamith and Shardsoul Slayer, while I can sympathize with the "WTF?" point of view, I personally look for ways to use them, especially if I like the sculpt (as I do with the Shardsoul Slayer). I'm quite willing to simply invent stats to match whatever the mini evokes for me. Even the infamous Wrackspawn made pretty serviceable stand-ins for the flayed undead creature that starts with "Qu."

Anyway, I'm firmly in the camp of "randomness for more variety is good."

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

I wouldn't mind if the variety lacked a bit. I've not been overwhelmed by Solamiths, Shardsoul Slayers, and "latest weird monster with no traction".

But that's just me.

I wasnt even talking about those guys. I mean second stringers, like oozes, cockatrice, basilisk, roper, shambling mound etc. Stuff that (for me at least) isnt an obscure oddball, but wouldnt sell well enough as a single carded fig to justify producing. Look at Reaper's metal line. Its mostly PC's, fodder races and the very rare monster. To me, the variety there is incredibly dull compared to what's offered by WOTC.