BV reprint news

[sgtono]

unmounted boards

Keith D.,

Would the unmounted mapsheets as they exist today still be available and kept in stock if the Columbia boards are made?

Keith

 

[Brian W]

If the Columbia style boards cost only $1.50 instead of $12 (per Brian's comment about 8 for the price of 1)

Cost and price are two differnt things. While the columbia style boards may be 1/8 the cost of the mounted mapboards I do not know the cost of the mounted mapboards, except that it is lower than $12--assuming that MMP is selling at above cost. So, the cost is probably a bit lower than 1.50 a map. Very important too (I would guess) is that storing unmounted mapboards takes up a fraction of the space that mounted mapboards take. And warehousing costs for products that will spend years in the warehouse are a big deal.

 

[Brian W]

Aside from the Columbia-style mounted boards, I would certainly think that unmounted boards will always be available

I have not seen this mentioned by anyone at MMP; I think it is a good bet that MMP is not going to produce and carry two kinds of unmounted mapboards.

 

[Chas Argent]

Are not the Columbia-style boards just a regular paper map glued to something different than the standard ASL boards? Or are they printed directly on the mounting? That could be the case, I suppose.

 

[kdalton]

The Columbia boards are printed directly on the cardstock. No mounting. They're coated paper as well, from what I understand, making them more durable.

Current paper maps: I can't answer whether we'd keep the current paper unmounted maps in stock. Good question though. I'll put it forward. We may not have thought that far, quite frankly. I know we're not going to make a final decision until we see how the CG-style mapboards are received in the ASL Starter Kit.

Keith

 

[Gunner]

Which AH standards would you like for me to adhere to, Scott? The ones that made sure my die cut counters in WOA were cut so poorly I had to go in with and recut several to 1/2 " size? Or the ones that published the crappy 95 annual? How about the ones that they used when they rushed Doomed Battalions out in a quick effort to make a buck with minimal proofreading, etc.? Or the standards that gave us the purple SS counters in KGP II?

You seem to have a selective memory about AH "standards."


He shoots! He scores! 8)

 

[Reepicheep]

If the Columbia style boards cost only $1.50 instead of $12 (per Brian's comment about 8 for the price of 1)

Cost and price are two differnt things. While the columbia style boards may be 1/8 the cost of the mounted mapboards I do not know the cost of the mounted mapboards, except that it is lower than $12--assuming that MMP is selling at above cost. So, the cost is probably a bit lower than 1.50 a map. Very important too (I would guess) is that storing unmounted mapboards takes up a fraction of the space that mounted mapboards take. And warehousing costs for products that will spend years in the warehouse are a big deal.

I used the wrong word. Sorry for the confusion. I meant to say, in a round about way, if the markup for Columbia style is going to be the same as the markup on the cost of the mounted boards, the equivalent price would be $1.50 per Columbia style board. I hope that's clearer now.

 

[kdalton]

Or to give a different scenario off the top of my head, imagine Beyond Valor with 8 boards instead of 4, including hard to find boards like 42-43. Imagine the next printing for BV or Paratrooper actually including board 1, which is needed for some of their scenarios but you can't get until you buy FKAC right now.

Driving down the costs gives us a chance to add value to each product.

Like I said, this is hypothetical. We have some positive reports from people who own Columbia Games stuff now, but we want to use the ASLSK as a market test before we commit to this.

 

[Reepicheep]

If MMP were going to go the Columbia Games style in the future, would Board 52 from the last official module (Haaka Palle) still be produced as a mounted board so that it's possible to obtain a complete set of mounted boards?

 

[kdalton]

Board 52 has already been produced. It's sitting in the warehouse waiting for us to finish development of HP, so yes, it would be current style.

BTW, how many frickin' posts does it take to get to 9-1 in this forum?

 

[Reepicheep]

Board 52 has already been produced. It's sitting in the warehouse waiting for us to finish development of HP, so yes, it would be current style.

Good.

BTW, how many frickin' posts does it take to get to 9-1 in this forum?

My guess is 100, since Chas is 9-1 and he has 142. Keep answering all the questions we have Keith, and it won't be long before you're there too! :wink:

 

[pryoung]

Board 52 has already been produced. It's sitting in the warehouse waiting for us to finish development of HP, so yes, it would be current style.

Good.

BTW, how many frickin' posts does it take to get to 9-1 in this forum?

My guess is 100, since Chas is 9-1 and he has 142. Keep answering all the questions we have Keith, and it won't be long before you're there too! :wink:

It is 100 (actually 101), just having been there recently. I was wondering myself for a while. Damn, promotions are hard to come by.

Pete, playtesting "Lapdogs of War"

 

[Capt Carruthers]

Pete wrote...It is 100 (actually 101), just having been there recently.

jeez, do you people ever get out? :wink:

 

[Guest]

I have all mounted boards, I even mounted unmounted boards. If going to the new boards will ensure that the core mods are in stock I am all for it.

Question: The new boards, will they come in two pieces (2 8x11 pieces) or will the map be one piece? If one piece is there a way to fold it in the middle?

If its one piece then how are you going to ship it? MMP will not be able to fold it in the middle, right? and they won't be able to roll the map like they do with unmounted maps

 

[Guest]

I do not know what CG maps look like, but if the new maps came in two pieces.......

imagine the possibilities

First storage would be easy

Second, you might be able to put two maps together to make one new map

 

[kdalton]

From what I understand, the maps will be 8"X22". BTW, according to the chatter from some CG owners, you can still laminate them.

 

[Fred Ingram]

I would welcome the appearance of all 50 boards in the new format (and I would immediately buy a full set). The "Columbia" style boards are just fine by me. They are stiff, sturdy, and do not flop around like the normal paper maps you get forom other game companies. The current mounted boards were nice in thier day, but once they outgrew thier economics, it is a simple decision that they need to be changed (especially when the ratio of cost is 8 to 1)

 

[Anonymous]

Beyond Valor

Attempting to keep costs down is a worthy goal, but it may prove to be impossible. If people are willing to pay $120.00 for DAK or Guderian's Blitzkreig II, or $112.00 for Armies of Oblivion, they will probably be willing to pay $120.00 for Beyond Valor. If I did not have this core module and wanted to get into ASL, I would certainly be willing to pay top dollar for it. The starter kit and introductory ASL should wet newbies' appetites for more, and I suspect that Beyond Valor, however expensive, will sell quite well. In fact, I will probably buy a new copy. Why don't you put Beyond Valor on the P# list?

 

[FrankH.]

Re: Beyond Valor

Attempting to keep costs down is a worthy goal, but it may prove to be impossible. If people are willing to pay $120.00 for DAK or Guderian's Blitzkreig II, or $112.00 for Armies of Oblivion, they will probably be willing to pay $120.00 for Beyond Valor. If I did not have this core module and wanted to get into ASL, I would certainly be willing to pay top dollar for it. The starter kit and introductory ASL should wet newbies' appetites for more, and I suspect that Beyond Valor, however expensive, will sell quite well. In fact, I will probably buy a new copy. Why don't you put Beyond Valor on the P# list?

I tend to agree.

If I remember correctly, Beyond Valor retailed for $35 when it came out in 1984 or 1985. The rule book (without chapter E and with a good number fewer pages due to reduced font size and fewer rules in chapter B) was $30.

Well 20 years later inflation has had its impact. Probably that covers half the price increase, bring an inflation-adjusted Beyond Valor to $70 or so and the ASL rulebook to $60 or so.

Perhaps the rest of the expected price increase is due to lower production volumes, royalty fees, and the cost of better product support in a smaller market.

How many copies of BV would get sold if the price were $120 retail?

Not sure but I would like to know.

My guess is that things like enhanced artwork (e. g. holograms), detailed examples of play (provided in handouts, glossy store posters, or outside the product box), and the like would help. Maybe a review or two from a noted military historian. Yes, I am getting a bit creative here!

Also, maybe a dozen or more newer scenarios added to the existing set using only boards 20 to 23.

Frank

 

[kdalton]

Well, you may be right, but we don't think $80 for a rulebook and $120 for the first modules is an enticing entry price. That's $200 upfront - lots of dough when you don't even know if you're going to like the game much after you get done with the starter kit.

I mean, come on, the ASLRBv2 has been on preorder for almost a year now and has under 500 preorders, and that's counting game stores.