Comments on: WotC has a mini problem

By: Tokens versus minis - Paths of Adventure - Exploring RPGs through play and design

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:04:57 +0000

[...] of miniatures, and had a new “vision” for their D&D minis, prompted me to share my strategy were I product manager. In the spirit of full disclosure, however, I have to admit that I’m planning to move from [...]

By: Kameron

Kameron — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:21:56 +0000

Yeah, my biggest concern is lack of representation. Your idea of using armor to cover multiple options is a nice solution (from an economic/production standpoint) that I hadn’t considered, Philo.

By: Philo Pharynx

Philo Pharynx — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:08:01 +0000

I agree with Chris that every combination of race/class/gender would be difficult to do from a corporate standpoint (and harder to do well). But I understand how hard it is when you have a race that doesn’t have a lot of representation. There’s plenty of humans and elves. A goodly number of dwarves, as long as you like heavy armor. But a variety of tieflings? Dragonborn? Goliaths? Medium-sized minotaurs? And don’t get me started on genasi. There are five different types of them. Ten if you count the corrupted elements from dragon magazine. Combine that with two genders and several classes and it gets to be an unmanageable problem.

I’d limit it by armor. After all, a figure in scale mail might be a fighter or it might be a paladin, or a cleric with armor proficency. A figure in leather could be a thief or a warlock. Obviously they use different weapons, but that’s easier for me to get over.

I would settle for one member of each unusual race of each gender in light armor and one in heavy armor. With some armor designs, gender is irrelevant.

By: Chris Tregenza

Chris Tregenza — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:48:43 +0000

I agree. The minis are good but they seem to package them and market them in an annoying way. Why not allow DMs to buy the creatures they want?

Instead, Wizards force customer to buy unwanted minis in-order to get the ones we need. WotC seem to be hanging on to the idea of a “collectible” game where part of the fun is buying random stuff you don’t want.

On the heroes side. Producing all the different varieties you want is expensive. From design to manufacture to stock levels to shipping, adding items to your product lines is an expensive business when not many people want “Female / Gnome / Clerics” or other uncommon varieties.

Character figures is difficult for mini makers because you can never have the right figure. Every potential customer has a different idea what their character looks like. This is why our heroes range (please excuse the plug – http://6d6fireball.com/rpg-miniatures/heroes-or-villains/ ) is based on characters for our games. This way, at least we get the perfect figure even if no one else does.
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