OtO

[Arlecchino]

The new year is come, any news about OtO reprint? I'll like also a light reprint without counter if they're not essential to play!

 

[Paul M. Weir]

The counters are fairly essential to play. They are one of the stronger selling points of the module along with the associated chapter H notes. You get various engineer (mine clearing, FT) tanks plus umteen varieties of the IL-2 and lend lease tanks and trucks in Soviet brown.

 

[galahad]

I have a set (with punched counters) that I boought on Ebay last spring for about $80. I would buy another set so that I could properly protect the counters. I really think another printrun would sell out. Theonly questionwould be the speed of sales. My estimation would be half as fast as the original print run. the preorder process mith be the solution...

 

[custardpie]

I have a set (with punched counters) that I boought on Ebay last spring for about $80. I would buy another set so that I could properly protect the counters. I really think another printrun would sell out. Theonly questionwould be the speed of sales. My estimation would be half as fast as the original print run. the preorder process mith be the solution...

Then you got a very good deal, well done. With the ability to play on VASL I think that effects the amount of copies that would be sold of a re-print as so many will have the scenario's scanned and just play them. I have had the pack for five plus years and still not played it (put punched the counters last year). I hope to get some play from it this year but I can say the same about lots of packs.

 

[burniefox]

Then you got a very good deal, well done. With the ability to play on VASL I think that effects the amount of copies that would be sold of a re-print as so many will have the scenario's scanned and just play them. I have had the pack for five plus years and still not played it (put punched the counters last year). I hope to get some play from it this year but I can say the same about lots of packs.

If you got one for $80 then you got a fantastic deal. I saw one sell on eBay over the weekend for $235...

Fantastic product, BTW.

B-

 

[micky]

indeed.. fantastic product... I paid the going rate for it privately and was worth every cent. Much like B&J.. in that even with what they charged for B&J... you felt you were getting a bargain. I do think the key is the common denominator between the two products. Can't wait to see what he does next.

 

[Kevin Kenneally]

The key to this entire HASL module was the counters. The map and many scenarios were great. The Historical booklet Chas researched and added was quite detailed.

 

[burniefox]

Does HoB still...I dunno...exist? I would love to see a reprint; I think the products word of mouth would make it a hot seller. Hell, I might pick up another copy! I'm in the middle of the CG right now, and love it.

B-

 

[micky]

I suppose it does.. but wouldn't be surprised if a reprint just wouldn't be in the financial cards for the company. It isn't like HoB takes in cash from other product lines or is swimming in it in the first place.. the time and effort (and expense) to republish OtO to maybe only break even with limited sales might be better(for HoB of couse) invested in a new product which would appeal to everyone.. the old and the new players.

 

[burniefox]

I suppose it does.. but wouldn't be surprised if a reprint just wouldn't be in the financial cards for the company. It isn't like HoB takes in cash from other product lines or is swimming in it in the first place.. the time and effort (and expense) to republish OtO to maybe only break even with limited sales might be better(for HoB of couse) invested in a new product which would appeal to everyone.. the old and the new players.

I agree: I can't imagine it's financially feasible for HoB to reprint OtO. I would love to see it, but I'd be very surprised to see it happen.

B-

 

[custardpie]

I agree: I can't imagine it's financially feasible for HoB to reprint OtO. I would love to see it, but I'd be very surprised to see it happen.

B-

HOB does still exist, Long March was only released last year. But given that Chas Smith did a lot of the stuff for it maybe a joint venture from the pair of them? The real question is how many copies would sell given the number of players who already own it.

Cheers
Ian

 

[micky]

so would I Burnie.. which is why I bit the bullet and begged for someone to sell me an unused/unwanted copy.. though it was not cheap, it was worth every single damn penny hahha. I became Chas Smith's secret internet love interest with that product which only became more passionate with B&J haha. Anyhow I find it very interesting that even though they fetch top dollar.. you simply don't see many copies going on the market, not recently at least. I've only seen 1 in the last couple of months, .. and that thing when for ABtF kind of money. I know I'd have to be on the street before I'd think of selling it. I guess I probably am not the only one to feel that way. Because if one wants a quick 2 or 3 Franklins then put it on the open market, and they don't seem to be going there unlike other products. Probably seen 10 ABtF on the market but only 1 OtO.

I guess it will be one of those things that if one really wants.. you won't have a choice but to pay the big bucks.. which is a shame. It really is a stellar product. I had read a lot about it when I got back into ASL and it surely did not disappoint in spite of everything written about how it was (at the time..B&J??) probably the best TPP product put out..

 

[custardpie]

A good way to get BFP scenario's free is to playtest for them!!! Been doing it for over 6 months now and some of the scenario's have been a total blast. I get a real mix regards stage of development but it helps if you have FTF opposition. Not once have I wished I had not played it.

ian

 

[Whizbang1963]

A good way to get BFP scenario's free is to playtest for them!!! Been doing it for over 6 months now and some of the scenario's have been a total blast. I get a real mix regards stage of development but it helps if you have FTF opposition. Not once have I wished I had not played it.

ian

Ian is right on here. We're always looking for folks who are willing to playtest. You may only get one or two to play or you might get asked to do several. All depends on how involved you want to be...
Send Chas, Rick, Bruce, Sam, Sarge, or I a note if you're interested!

 

[custardpie]

Ian is right on here. We're always looking for folks who are willing to playtest. You may only get one or two to play or you might get asked to do several. All depends on how involved you want to be...
Send Chas, Rick, Bruce, Sam, Sarge, or I a note if you're interested!

Don't beleive them, once they have your address..............

I never feel pressure from the guys to do stuff. I told them how much time I can give and they work to that. Even though Real Life slows down that commitment. Not mentioned before was the intresting development that you see, though it is rare to be asked to keep working on the same scenario. Lots of different stuff and the buzz of seeing in print something you play tested was a real buzz.

 

[micky]

that sounds like a lot of fun Ian, something I'll definitely have to look into. Playing is fun enough.. but helping out I suspect would be even more fun.

 

[rreinesch]

that sounds like a lot of fun Ian, something I'll definitely have to look into. Playing is fun enough.. but helping out I suspect would be even more fun.

I've always found the angst some folks feel about playtesting to be an interesting attitude. Someone very wise once told me playtesting ASL is still PLAYING ASL. And in the end, isn't that all we're just trying to do anyway?

Rick

 

[Spencer Armstrong]

I've always found the angst some folks feel about playtesting to be an interesting attitude. Someone very wise once told me playtesting ASL is still PLAYING ASL. And in the end, isn't that all we're just trying to do anyway?

Rick

As a newly minted playtester, I find it stressful because in a regular game, my mistakes are my mistakes, I'm an idiot, I lose, on we go. In a playtest game, they can defeat the entire purpose. I find it more stressful due to (my perceived) need to play as well as possible. Still, beats doing most other things!

S

 

[Jazz]

As a newly minted playtester, I find it stressful because in a regular game, my mistakes are my mistakes, I'm an idiot, I lose, on we go. In a playtest game, they can defeat the entire purpose. I find it more stressful due to (my perceived) need to play as well as possible. Still, beats doing most other things!

S

You need to be Zen about it.

One of the valuable pieces of information that a designer is interested in is just how "fault tolerant" a scenario and it's VCs are. It is important to know just how many different strategies/approaches will work how well to win a scenario, and conversely, how many possible strategies/approaches to a scenario are the kiss of death as far as the VC are concerned.

Making the wrong choices in these larger areas, as well as dumb-a$$ mistakes in the minutia of play mechanics, is what mere mortals do, and playtesting is all about accumulating data as to how the design interacts with mere mortals.

 

[Spencer Armstrong]

You need to be Zen about it.

One of the valuable pieces of information that a designer is interested in is just how "fault tolerant" a scenario and it's VCs are. It is important to know just how many different strategies/approaches will work how well to win a scenario, and conversely, how many possible strategies/approaches to a scenario are the kiss of death as far as the VC are concerned.

Making the wrong choices in these larger areas, as well as dumb-a$$ mistakes in the minutia of play mechanics, is what mere mortals do, and playtesting is all about accumulating data as to how the design interacts with mere mortals.

I don't do zen. I do agonized navel-gazing.

But you make excellent points, as usual. And I am definitely still sorting out the whole playtest thing.

S