A Tale of Three Sets of Sales Figures for the Year 2000
According to a spokesperson from Avalon Hill/Hasbro, Axis and Allies:Europe went to a second printing in late July, as it the initial print run had sold out and orders were still coming in. Battle Cry was also reported as selling well. This all sounds good until it was revealed that Pokemon Monopoly sold four times as many copes as sales for these two and Diplomacy, Acquire and Stratego Legends combined.
Dean Essig of The Gamers had this to say:-
"Doncon netted sales of $4573. Certainly less than out $9,600 showing at Origins this year, but nothing at all to sneeze at. Especially as it was our first appearance at the show.
Also, I got back to find that Sara had worked up the figures for sales in the month of July. I about fell out of my chair....
Sicily has already sold _more_ copies than Drive on Paris has in the four months it has been out! We sold almost as many units in July as we did in the fire sales of late 1997-early 1998.
And get this: raw revenue for the month of July 2000 was the greatest we have ever had. One other time (the release of DAK and Crusader) did I have to draw a line _above_ the graph on the wall and post a note where the value might be up near the ceiling)...not only did I get to do that again, but the number was actually higher.
We sold over $135k in July. (We might just get out of debt....)".
While Gene Billingsley reported some good sale figures for GMT:-
"Last year, we did about $8,500 in sales at Origins, which was the best we'd done at a convention since the Baltimore Origins of 1991 (Hornet Leader/Alexander released there). Then at WBC last year, we did around $9,000 in sales, which shocked us but DEFINITELY pointed us back to WBC this year. Last year, we did not have a booth at Gencon, although we did have demo areas.
This year, Origins sales were right around $8,000. WBC was about $11,000, our best show EVER in terms of dollar sales. And Gencon, where as a wargame company we'd never thought we had much reason to be before, brought in about $8,500 in sales - MANY from Galaxy and Battle Line, but also a good number of wargame sales. So obviously, this was the best summer of shows that we've had financially in the history of the company.
Taken by themselves, these numbers aren't ALL that big percentage increases from last summer (Gencon aside), but the factor that really encourages me is that during that same year period, participation in the P500 program has increased by well over 1,000 customers. So even though a lot of folks who previously WOULD have bought from us at a show this year bought games through P500 instead, the show numbers still increased on the whole."
Seems as though the mass market for even simple 'serious' games like the new Avalon Hill line is still some way off. However small companies like The Gamers and GMT, once they find their niche, can start to build up a sales base by combining tried and tested techniques like convention attendance and direct mail marketing with novel ideas exploiting e-commerce on the Internet, like the P500 scheme. But relying on the Internet for customer contact can be problematic, as Gene says on the Consimworld discussion board for wargaming:-
"The danger there is in ever taking that for granted, of assuming that all of our customers have that inside knowledge and/or that they will automatically accept mistakes with less complaint (that can only lead to gradually being lulled into lower standards on our part, so I try to stay very aware of that danger and avoid it). That HAS recently happened to me, though, when I found myself starting to answer a guy's question at Origins with a "As I explained on Consimworld..." Bad move, bad assumption, and bad customer relations, all in one introductory clause. It was obvious from the look on his face that he had no idea what I was talking about, and that he was a bit peeved (as he had every right to be) at my assumption and attempt to "shortcut" the answer. Not something I want to repeat, to be sure.
To give some real customer data figures from our side, the split on our active customer database is 53% online, 47% not online (at least not that we know of) and rising. We're adding around 100-120 new buying customers per month (a few more recently with Galaxy and Battle Line entering our product mix) and 95+% of those are online guys. So I think over time the online-supported customer will be in the vast majority. It's our hope that between our website and a strong presence here on Consimworld, we'll be able to "reach" these online guys with better and better game support that will hopefully (and frankly) tend to predispose them to be interested in any new products we have based on their past good experience not only with our games but also with our online presence and support."
1898 is the latest installment from Avalanche in its Great War at Sea series.
It covers naval engagements from the Spanish-American War, but since there were
not many of these, there are a host of hypothetical engagements. The game has
two mounted mapsheets, one being the tactical map for resolving battles, while
the other is an operational map of Cuba, Haiti/Dominican Republic, and Puerto
Rico (part of Florida). There are also two campaign games, one for the Carribean,
and one for
the whole war (which uses the operational map with the game, as well as maps
from the earlier games Great War at Sea and Plan Orange).
Also new from Avalanche is SOPAC, the first game in a new series, Second World War at Sea. The title refers to the SOuthern PACific theater, where the battles in the game are fought (mostly in and around the Solomons/Port Moresby). The basic system from the Great War at Sea series is used. The Operational sequence is similar, with the addition of Air rules. All operational naval movement is plotted. The sequence of play is weather, air patrol, order writing, air search, air strike orders, naval movement, submarine attack, surface combat, air strike, air readiness, and finally special operations (consisting of bombardment, repairs, loading/unloading cargo and troops, refueling, etc.). Naval combat is fairly simple, using roll-to-hit to get results. The game has two mounted boards (1 operational and 1 tactical), 2 1/2 counter sheets, 10 battle scenarios and 10 operational scenarios, and various charts and logs. The designer is Joe Keller.
Avalanche are at:- http://www.net-gate.com/~gamesusa/
From Clash of Arms comes The Devils to Pay, a game module for Summer Storm.
Summer Storm is a monster game on Gettysburg and The Devils to Pay offers an
alternative view on the events leading up to the battle. Rather than stumbling
into each other as they did, the fictional Battle of Yellow Breeches Creek
occurs when Meade is presented with a grand opportunity to crush Lee (rather
than defending) and allows Lee to counter-attack with forethought. The Devils to
Pay is much quicker to play than Summer Storm but equally exciting. You need
Summer Storm to play The Devils to Pay. The latest installment in the La
Bataille series, La Bataille d'Orthez is also reportedly out.
For more information see:- http://www.clashofarms.com
Another block game from Columbia is Wizard Kings. As a wizard king you command the usual motley assortment of orcs, elves etc in your army and can build fortifications and call on spells. The game has four geomorphic maps and 56 army units. These latter need labels attaching. Looks like a simple, quick-playing game. Columbia Games have issued expansion sets for its Wizard Kings game. These are for undead, dwarven, amazon, barbarian, ferkin and chaos armies and 4 new maps.
For more details see:- http://www.wizardkings.com
No new games but a 90 page guide to their popular Totaller Krieg! It includes lot of new counters, variants, game extras, articles on the game and more.
See:- http://www.decisiongames.com
The Gamers have released A Frozen Hell on the Battle of Tolvajärvi, 1939, during the Russo-Finnish War, the latest in their Tactical Combat Series of games. The battles between small numbers of crack Finnish troops and the Red Army masses take place in and around frozen lakes, making the map terrain unique for this series. The game comes with two maps, around 800 counters and is a limited edition, with only 2,000 copies available.
The Gamers are at:- http://www.tgamers.com
Continuing their foray into the 'German' gaming area GMT have released Ivanhoe. Essentially an expansion and reworking of Knizia's earlier game Attacke, Ivanhoe is a card game in which players (from 2 to 5) compete in jousting tournaments. First player to win four different tournaments wins the game.
Also from GMT is Caratacus , the latest in their Great Battles of History series. A module for the earlier game Caesar: The Conquest of Gaul (which you need to be able to play Caratacus) Caratacus covers two battles in Britain, Medway in AD 43 and Wales in AD 51. The battles feature crack legionaries against the Britons under wily Caratacus.
Out early in 2001 were the revised and simplified rules for the Great Battles of History series called, appropriately, Simple Great Battles of History and the latest in their East Front series, Army Group: North.
GMT are at:- http://www.gmtgames.com
MMP has republished Randy Heller's Bitter Woods, on the Battle of the Bulge. This was one of the last games published by the old Avalon Hill before Hasbro bought them. MMP has acquired the rights to a slew of Avalon Hill's wargames and Bitter Woods is the first to be re-released. Bitter Woods is an excellent game, with rules for mechanized exploitation movement, bridge demolition and construction, the Kampfgruppe Peiper breakout, Skorzeny infiltration, hidden fuel dumps and more. This edition differs from the Avalon Hill edition in that errata have been incorporated into the rules, and there is an all new optional air interdiction rule and a new countersheet. Owners of the Avalon Hill edition can order an upgrade package, which includes just the new countersheet and second edition rules.
Just out from MMP is the second edition of the wargamer's bible, the rules for Advanced Squad Leader. No details available at the time of writing.
MMP are at:- http://www.multi-man.com/
Signs of life had been spotted at Pacific Rim Publishing, a company whose snail-like production pace is legendary. Surprisingly, actual copies of new games for sale have appeared.
One is Vimy Ridge 1917 on the World War One battle which saw Canadian divisions in action. Units are battalions and companies, hexes are 250 yards across and each turn represents 30 minutes. Units may be in one of three statuses: exposed, entrenched or underground. Entrenched units are invulnerable to infantry fire so attacking units must leave their trenches and become exposed to cross no man's land and survive any defensive fire to assault the enemy in melee combat. The rolling barrage preceding the attack is represented in the game system by barrage lines printed on the map. Anything in the current barrage area or tries to cross the current barrage line gets blasted! The game also includes two tank companies (mobile, armoured machine gun companies that get stuck in the mud) and two land mines. Designer is Kerry Anderson. Vimy Ridge 1917 is in the Pacific Rim's Just Plain Wargame series, which means it is a professionally produced game (die cut counters, map and rules) that comes in a plain white envelope.
Also reported shipping is The Fuller Offensive 1919 (a variant for Black Day for the German Army). No reports yet of any sightings.
Their web site is at:- http://www.justplain.com
Warfrog essentially publishes games designed by Martin Wallace (e.g. 1630 Something). Empires of the Ancient World is his latest design and it is interesting to note that it was produced in Germany, has English and German rules and has a bag full of wooden counters recognisable from a host of 'German' games. As a game set in the Mediterranean world between 200BC and 200AD it differs from the usual 'conquer the empire' fare in that trade can be as advantageous as combat. Combat is handled by a novel card based system. This looks to be a winner: the only drawback is some rule glitches.
Warfrog have a new web site at:- http://www.warfrog.co.uk
Warhorse Simulations are a tiny company best known to date for their free ACTS system, which allows for card play in play-by-email (PBEM) games. It supports the play of Paths of Glory, Republic of Rome, We the People, For the People, Successors and more. There is a vibrant community of games going on using ACTS.
For more information on ACTS see:- http://www.warhorsesim.com/acts/index.asp
Apart from generously donating computer resources and expertise to the online gaming community, the company also produces games. Just out is Empire, a game of diplomacy and warfare for 2-4 players struggling for control of fifteen provinces in a fictional ancient empire. Rules cover political influence in the provinces, neutral provinces and alliances and warfare (all with minimal record keeping). Six scenarios are included all with variable set ups to maximise replay value.
Warhorse Simulations are at:- http://www.warhorsesim.com/
Vae Victis issue #34 is now available, featuring two games, Tobruk 1941-42 and a mini-game called Suffren in India 1782-83. The latter had some production slip-ups and relevant errata can be found at:-
http://grognard.com/titles.html#v33
Vae Victis issue #35 contains Marengo 1800, the latest Napoloeonic battle to be covered in its Jours de Gloire series. Finally Vae Victis issue #36 contains De Bull Run a Appomatox an interesting looking strategic study of the American Civil War.
Vae Victis has a web site at:- http://www.vaevictis.com
Strategy and Tactics issue #202 contains Taipei: China invades on a hypothetical invasion of Taiwan by the People's Republic of China. Strategy and Tactics issue #203 contains the game Xenophon: March of the Ten Thousand on the Persian civil war of ancient times. This is based on the game system used in the earlier Charlemagne and has been well received.
Decision Games have made a bold decision to re-orientate their gaming review magazine, Moves, away from its traditional wargaming coverage and onto 'German' and family games. While it seems a logical move for them (they already have a wargaming review magazine, the venerable Fire and Movement and coverage/support of Strategy and Tactics games will be handled in that publication) they have no pedigree with what is a different gaming audience. See above for Decision Games web site.
Out from Markham Designs is Salamis on the Greek/Persian naval battle. This is a monster game, easily the largest DTP so far. It has individual ships for the whole battle (some 2,300 counters) and 28 maps, which come out at about 8 by 4 feet.! Rob Markham estimates it to take about 9 hours to play, faster if played by teams on each side. Victory is determined when one side's fleets have all broken. This involves a dice roll for each fleet each turn matched to how many triremes they have lost. It is now too late to get a copy as Rob has sold all his print run (50 copies). It took so much effort to make that he has no intention of making any more.
Just out from Markham Designs is Chippawa, a battalion level simulation of the battle from the War of 1812. It includes a half-sized map, two sheets of cards, rulesbook, special rules, 178 counters (die cut), and various charts. It uses the La Independcia system (used by Vimeiro et al) and features upgraded graphics for counters and map.
And finally DTP publisher Microgame Co-Op has changed its name to Microgame Design Group. Why? Apparently in Canada where it is based, there are rules about what sort of organizations can use Co-Op in a name. To avoid problems a name change seemed the easiest solution.
The renamed Microgame Design Group has recently announced two games. Algeria covers the vicious struggle for independence between the FLN Arab nationalist guerrillas and the French government from 1954 to 1962 in Algeria. The small map is an abstracted representation of Algeria, divided into areas. Its 280 units represent FLN fronts and cadres, Algerian paramilitary units, and French regular and elite units. The game system is a descendant of that used in the earlier Shining Path by designer Brain Train.
Vallée de la mort is on the epic siege of the fortress complex at Dien Bien Phu, with French forces trapped by Viet-Minh forces laying siege. The small map represents the French foritified zone around Dien Bien Phu and the surrounding valley and the 280 units represent company and battlion sized units of the French and the Viet Minh. designer is Paul Rohrbaugh
Microgame Design Group are at:- http://members.home.net/co-op/
Another DTP game is Sand in the Whirlwind from Khyber Pass Games. It covers the Anglo Senussi campaign of 1916 in which the Libyan Senussis, with weapons and leaders supplied by the Turks, attacked into Egypt, with the aim of diverting the British from campaigning in Palestine. An interesting situation!
Khyber Pass Games are at:- http://usuarios.iponet.es/gehiegi/kpg
Two notable free games have appeared. Battle Platform Antilles is about an assault on a defended platform by a fleet of ships. It is a solitaire game as rules drive the actions of the battle platform. The idea is to destroy the battle platform with minimal losses.
The game can be downloaded from:- http://www.battleplay.com/subpages/antilles.html
Operation: Veritable is a two-player game on the battle for the Reichswald forest, fought during February, 1945. This looks to be a neat introductory game as it is short and sharp. It was designed by Paul Rohrbaugh (already mentioned above as designer of Vallée de la mort).
It can be downloaded from:- http://members.home.net/co-op/ov/index.htm