They are not included in the original bundle, but are scheduled for the supplemental bundle.
We would like for that to be economically feasible.
Comparing Bounding Fire's little stockpile of maps to MMP's is not fair, because Bounding Fire sells products requiring boards from their own products, which is a situation created by themselves only. MMPs stockpile of official boards are normally required by all other TPP products, including Bounding Fire. I wonder how long Bounding Fire's stockpile would remain in stock if required to supplement all other ASL products?
My point is that if a much smaller company can do it with the resources they have then a company I suspect MMP can. We are not talking about reprinting a game or something with a lot of components we are talking about a map. Something like that could be handled on a color printer that took cardstock. Heck, they could probably automate the entire process from order to shipping. We are not talking about huge numbers or using it to print maps for modules only for one-off orders.
If cost effectiveness is a major concern, they could limit the minimum number purchased to 5 or greater, or with another game purchase, or something similar. I'm fairly certain that after a short period of time they would find which boards are requested more often and adjust production accordingly but as you've pointed out there are other options as well.
I would bet such a printer would be hella-expensive. Maintenance would probably be pretty expensive too. Colors would be difficult to maintain and balance compared to the rest of the maps. The maps you get already also have a top-layer coat which provides a seal which would likely be tough to replicate. I am not saying it wouldn't be possible to have print on demand like this, but it would come with a lot of limitations and the initial cost could be pretty expensive. I wonder how many maps they would have to see to just break even on the initial printer, ink, and cardboard stock? I bet the maps would also have to be cut to size after being printed. I guess they could send them to the consumer and let them do the cutting. That would be a challenge to get a perfectly squared edge. -- jim
Suggestions are just that they are not criticism. Suggestions are offered as a way to spur on the thought processes. In any case, if one can go to an office supply store to get a map printed the equipment can not be too horrendously expensive. Indeed, the availability of good color printers at decent prices is driving many print companies out of business.
Examination of those suggestions, are themselves, not criticisms. They are merely presented to provide a different opinion. Even with copies, it is difficult to match the colors to the copied material, let alone over close to 100 maps, about as many overlays, multiplied thousands of times over. Imagine a bad pixel on the copier and the complaints about streaking on the maps. Indeed, if you're doing it yourself, a good color printer is probably enough. It's the scalability that I want to make sure people don't miss. Bill Cirillo has copied all the maps himself on a copier. I doubt MMP would want to do that THOUSANDS of times. I could be wrong. -- jim
Why would I wait for that?
-- jim
