Will the electronic table top affect miniature sales?

[broghammerj]

I am not a huge fan of DND miniatures due to the random packs. I do use minis in my game frequently to represent the players and opponents. Ideally I would have a troll mini to represent the trolls, orc minis for the orcs, etc.

Does the new electronic tabletop decrease you desire for minis? With this new format it would seem based on the video demonstration that I could electronically place whatever mini I wanted on the battleboard.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Two words: Virtual Minis.

 

[TheCrazyMuffinMan]

Two words: Virtual Minis.

See also- Magic the Gathering Online. They'll likely handle it like that.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Two words: Virtual Minis.

Collectible Virtual Minis -- with DRM?

 

[DarkJester]

A virtual online DDM game would actually be right up my alley. I have little desire to play actual D&D online (though I won't rule the possibility out), but I'd have more interest in playing the miniatures game online.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Yup; I was only half-joking about "Virtual Minis".

I don't think physcial DDM sales will be impacted at all, actually; I honestly think many people who buy DDM are "Collectors", as well as "Players."

SO, I can see both options as viable for Wizards. (Of course, I'm no businessman....)

Personally, though?
I don't buy DDM now, and have no plans to buy DDM (either real OR virtual) in the future.

 

[Glyfair]

Why would it?

People that play online don't use miniatures anyway.

People that play on the tabletop won't be using their computer to do combat (with rare exceptions).

The only effect I can see is from people who decide to use the electronic table top to play online more. Maybe one or two will make expensive set ups to use them on the table top.

 

[Xyxox]

I am not a huge fan of DND miniatures due to the random packs. I do use minis in my game frequently to represent the players and opponents. Ideally I would have a troll mini to represent the trolls, orc minis for the orcs, etc.

Does the new electronic tabletop decrease you desire for minis? With this new format it would seem based on the video demonstration that I could electronically place whatever mini I wanted on the battleboard.

I could get past the random "collectible" blind boxes of minis, though I'd grumble about it. What stopped me most of all from purchasing the minis was te fact that they are made in China. I won't support that dictatorial human rights abusing regime with my money.

 

[Kaffis]

No. Physical minis will come with serial numbers printed on the cards. Those numbers may be entered into your computer, which will register them online and unlock the corresponding virtual mini's use on the electronic table top.

Damn, I hope not.

Here's another fun question, though, in a similar vein (well, electronic table top minis related): What are your odds that electronic minis will have a degree of customizeability? Will there be tools released to create/import your own models? Will there be a "virtual mini-painting tool" to allow you to change the appearance? Better yet, might they allow for accessorizing with different weapons and such?

That could actually be moderately exciting.

 

[JRR_Talking]

how about this

i buy the sinister sorceries of the serious serpent module as an electronic jobbie for my DDI programme for $10.00

for 5 dollars more i can also buy an electronic 'mini-pack + dungeon tile' add-on for it. This way i can use my pc at the table top, or online obviously, and can use a nice 3D map-tile with mini's all lovingly rendered, especially the one-off special NPC's in the mod, fully zoom-in-able....??

thoughts

John