MMP and 25+ years of stewardship of ASL

[Pitman]

Hi, folks. I've posted a new essay to the Desperation Morale blog at https://www.desperationmorale.com/2024/10/12/mmp-and-the-stewardship-of-asl-a-25-year-perspective/. It examines the past 25 years (and change) of MMP's stewardship of ASL, detailing some of its history and evaluating that stewardship. Some here might be interested in reading it. If you do read it, please be sure to leave a comment below the essay to give your opinions (on MMP's stewardship, on my description or conclusions, or anything else).

 

[Vic Provost]

Nice article Mark and a good synopsis of their efforts in keeping ASL alive for 25+ years. Hoping for MMP to be around in another 25, Vic.

 

[David Goldman]

I hope I'm around and still playing ASL for another 25 years. Hey ASL at 100, that's not a bad goal! So far, so good...

 

[von Marwitz]

25 years already! Man, time passes quickly...

von Marwitz

 

[Pitman]

I hope I'm around and still playing ASL for another 25 years. Hey ASL at 100, that's not a bad goal! So far, so good...

Well, a girl can dream, anyway.

 

[von Marwitz]

Hi, folks. I've posted a new essay to the Desperation Morale blog at https://www.desperationmorale.com/2024/10/12/mmp-and-the-stewardship-of-asl-a-25-year-perspective/. It examines the past 25 years (and change) of MMP's stewardship of ASL, detailing some of its history and evaluating that stewardship. Some here might be interested in reading it. If you do read it, please be sure to leave a comment below the essay to give your opinions (on MMP's stewardship, on my description or conclusions, or anything else).

Excellent essay, Mark!

Definitively worth a read for everyone.

von Marwitz

 

[Ric of The LBC]

Hi, folks. I've posted a new essay to the Desperation Morale blog at https://www.desperationmorale.com/2024/10/12/mmp-and-the-stewardship-of-asl-a-25-year-perspective/. It examines the past 25 years (and change) of MMP's stewardship of ASL, detailing some of its history and evaluating that stewardship. Some here might be interested in reading it. If you do read it, please be sure to leave a comment below the essay to give your opinions (on MMP's stewardship, on my description or conclusions, or anything else).

Well done Mark. As a relative newbie this summarized the various posts, articles and rants I've seen over the years and gives a perspective on why we should be thankful for MMP's stewardship. Are we living in Peak ASL? Maybe.

 

[Robin Reeve]

Good historical review, Mark!
MMP did an excellent job indeed.
As for the fact that our communuty is ageing, well, carpe diem would be the way to go.

 

[dlazov]

Excellent essay Mark!

Never realized this:

"Moreover, though Avalon Hill published ASL, from 1996 to 1998 ASL products were actually created and developed for Avalon Hill by MMP as an external design and development team (MMP began in 1994 as producers of a third-party ASL magazine, Backblast!, then were brought aboard by Avalon Hill a couple of years later to handle the ASL line)."

Loved this part:

"The ASL community today is thriving—though, of course, much of that also has to do with third party publishers, as well as the many people within the ASL community who contribute in so many ways."

To me the ASL community is what keeps ASL alive and kicking.

Good or bad.

 

[kcole4001]

I hope I'm around and still playing ASL for another 25 years. Hey ASL at 100, that's not a bad goal! So far, so good...

Eyesight decline becomes an obstacle (and taking nap breaks?).
VASL on a big screen sounds inevitable.
It's hard (for me, anyway) to give up using the counters and maps, though.

 

[sswann]

Mark
Well said!

 

[DVexile]

Echoing what someone else also said…

As a relative newbie this is a nice concise summary of all the history I’ve gleaned stumbling on various old forum and blog posts. Great to have in one place with all the context.

When I got involved in early 2022 it quickly became apparent that I was picking up the hobby at just about the perfect time. The most critical (to me) core reprints were recently released and available. There was pretty much more than I could ever hope to play ready to purchase. I did wonder about future long black outs though…

Well, happily it seems my worries were largely unfounded as I now understand (I think) that MMP has been playing a long game getting all the core modules modernized and fit for “easy” reprints. Armies of Oblivion is probably going to be the proof of that with the reprint pre-order showing up right as MMP stock disappeared and even while some retailers had some left. I thought I heard some parts already in production at this point as well.

Doomed Battalions of course being the last play of that long game and now happily sitting on my shelf.

And a lot to look forward to as well (come on SASL!).

Anyway, an enjoyable read. Thanks Mark!

(and of course, thanks MMP!)

 

[JRKrejsa]

I would mostly agree with what Mark had to say. All in all they have done a very good job.
My one disagreement with MMP is over the starter kits. Not a bad idea for a one or two item run, but it has grown into a parallel game system. I especially dislike having to buy each new SK product with boards to keep up with having all the official boards. Especially now that SK boards are used in many 3rd party products, and some full ASL ones from MMP.
But, like Mark, I’m glad MMP took over the system.

 

[Robin Reeve]

My one disagreement with MMP is over the starter kits. Not a bad idea for a one or two item run, but it has grown into a parallel game system.

I think that MMP didn't anticipate that many customers would stick to the streamline SK system.
So they adapted and developed that line.
I have ordered some of the SK system mapboards independently from the modules.
What is the most annoying is that designers of full ASL scenarios decided to use SK boards: it is not as if we were missing boards published in the full ASL system...

 

[Gordon]

What is the most annoying is that designers of full ASL scenarios decided to use SK boards: it is not as if we were missing boards published in the full ASL system...

This. ⬆

If they're going to be separate, keep them separate. The only reason I have ANY SK boards is because they came in the board bundle. If I hadn't needed the board bundle I'd prefer not to have/need them.

 

[Turuk]

What is the most annoying is that designers of full ASL scenarios decided to use SK boards: it is not as if we were missing boards published in the full ASL system...

While not a backwards compatibility issue (sideways compatibility?), it is one challenge in that you need to buy a different "version" in order to have components to play your version. I know it is only a couple dozen scenarios and counting so far, but in a hobby of completionists, that adds up quickly.

A minor quibble given the excellent case for MMP's stewardship and development of a low-cost entry point to ASL, but relevant given the nature of their customer base.

 

[Old Noob]

As I posted once before, always take the opportunity to get ASLSK mapboards.
As once in a while those boards get used in full-blown ASL scenarios.

 

[pensatl1962]

I think the larger issue is: do scenarios really need to have a starter kit board? With over 100 official ASL boards, do you mean to tell me that the tactical situation can only be depicted by using a SK board?

 

[Pitman]

I think the larger issue is: do scenarios really need to have a starter kit board? With over 100 official ASL boards, do you mean to tell me that the tactical situation can only be depicted by using a SK board?

I think you underestimate the extent to which designers get tired of boards.

 

[GeorgeBates]

What's missing from the Starter Kits is a module that bridges the SK system over to the full rules set by filling in the major missing pieces.