Is This The End?

[WW2BUFF]

My local game store is blowing out Axis and Allies boosters at $9.99. I inquired as to why they were doing this and was informed by the manager of the following:

He believed that Reserves is the last set to be produced for this game. He didn't want to get stuck with a ton of product in his store so he was selling them at this price.

What does everyone think? Does this guy have some inside information and is this the very last set ever for this game???

Lets hear from every gamer on this site as to their opinion. Afterall, we have had zero information regarding any new boosters coming out except for a new line under War at Sea.

The manager said he knew how the game company works on the way previous games were handeled and in his opinion, this is definately the last set.

The reason I am so nervous is I live here in Washington State where Wizards originates, and this game store has been around for years and knows the industry.

Sincerely,
Panic Stricken.

[Photoner Hawkwind]

Since there is a lot of units that people still want to buy, I'm sure there will be several more sets. Just that they will probably be alternated with War at sea sets. That's my guess and hope.

[Tyree67]

Here we go again?? this same rumor that goes around about every 2-3 months just check the threads.

[ArmyVet]

In my opinion if I was the owner/producer of this game I would say NO WAY! There are just too many pieces that could be made for this game to just end it now. Like another poster said, they could easily make a whole lot more sets from what people are asking for.

I would have to say that your game shop owner made a big mistake and I would be buying them up if I were you. ;)

[Rick]

It's not how many pieces COULD be made that determine whether or not a game is produced. It's how many units can be sold and at what profit margin. If WotC gets what it deems a fair return on its investment, it will no doubt keep selling the product line If however, sales decline and the demand for the product falls off, then it faces a choice of either upgrading the product line - freshening it up - or end the run and begin something new.

I for one view the introduction of War at Sea as at least a very clear signal that future AAM will come out much more slowly - one a year, maybe two.

To be blunt it's up to us - the experienced gamers, grognards, the hard core - to introduce new people and ensure that when they play that they enjoy themselves in the play. As we do that, they will want to buy, the store owners see more traffic asking about the game, web sites like this get more hits and new hits. All this helps the game to grow and strengthen.

[Cruizin2000]

No, it's not the end. Trust me. ;) It sounds more like the store owner is getting nervous. Look at how fast Hasbrotoyshop.com sold out of the Twin Packs. Don't worry, we'll be fine for a while with A&A minis.

C2000

[Muenchausen]

The last time this rumor reared it's ugly head one of the mods or a staff member posted that there were two more sets scheduled for release in 2007 and they will be alternated between WAS. I think the store owner is a little premature in his assumption.

[mdescalzo]

Rehash of old rumor. WotC types have said repeatedly there are two more AAM sets coming AFTER Reserves. These are in addition to the two (at least) WaS sets.

[Autarch]

Well, I recall a statement that the second WaS set was dependant upon success of the first. However, WotC serves a greater master and their whims and profit/loss paranoia can result in anything happening.

[Domhnall101]

Wotc appears to be at least alternating with other products. We won't see any more minis untill after the war at sea game is lanched in March. Talking to the local stores and a locally based web seller the the 3rd and 4th sets didn't shift that well compared to the first and second. This would indicate to me (if this holds up nationally) that Wotc are wisely waiting on set 5. Going by the shipping cases the first 3 sets were made at the same time with the next two mad later. If Wotc ran the manufacturing in sets of 3 then it is liokely there is at least one more set. It is possible that the WAS is that third set but differing set numbers as well as a few other things could make that a difficult manufacturing issue.
My own gut feeling is that Wotc is waiting on set 5 sales before running any more. That gives them 3-5 months to ship to market with war at sea standing as an interupt in march. Assuming they have already done much of the back end development. My pocket could do with the rest anyway....

[mdescalzo]

Unless WaS complete bombs, I have a hard to not seeing the second WaS shipping. Even if the first set doesn't do well, an expansion might still breathe life into it.

[Bobsalt]

The last time this rumor reared it's ugly head one of the mods or a staff member posted that there were two more sets scheduled for release in 2007 and they will be alternated between WAS. I think the store owner is a little premature in his assumption.
I recall this as well. WotC places production orders for several sets at once – the more that they order up front, the cheaper the total cost is for having molds produced, resin ordered, etc. I think someone from staff said something to the effect that Sets 6 & 7 were ordered at the same time that Set 5 was. I’m not sure if my recollection is exactly accurate, but it was something along those lines. Alternating these with WaS releases would mean that there will be new sets through the end of 2007.

That store owner was definitely wrong in his assumption. On the other hand, if it sells in his store like it does here then clearing it out wouldn’t be a bad idea. Several places here dropped it because it flat-out was not selling. At one store the only boosters they ever sold were the ones that I bought.

It's not how many pieces COULD be made that determine whether or not a game is produced. It's how many units can be sold and at what profit margin. If WotC gets what it deems a fair return on its investment, it will no doubt keep selling the product line If however, sales decline and the demand for the product falls off, then it faces a choice of either upgrading the product line - freshening it up - or end the run and begin something new.
That’s a great point. To us they’re our toys…er…excuse, me, I meant “military miniatures”…but to WotC they’re strictly units of profit. So long as they’re able to sell enough units to meet whatever their threshold is for minimum acceptable profit, the game will continue. I was very pessimistic about the future of A&AM after the very poor quality of the stuff in Set V. I got some rares off of eBay for some of the Reserves units, though, and it looks like they have made some improvements here.

I for one view the introduction of War at Sea as at least a very clear signal that future AAM will come out much more slowly - one a year, maybe two.
I agree, and I think this is a good thing. Stretching out the releases will increase the overall shelf life of the game.

To be blunt it's up to us - the experienced gamers, grognards, the hard core - to introduce new people and ensure that when they play that they enjoy themselves in the play. As we do that, they will want to buy, the store owners see more traffic asking about the game, web sites like this get more hits and new hits. All this helps the game to grow and strengthen.
That would have been so much easier if WotC hadn’t run off so many of the grognard types. I’ve tried at the last 4 or 5 game club meetings here to get guys to try it without a single taker. The gamers here simply are not interested in A&AM. And it’s difficult to get store owners interested in letting you play a game in-store that they no longer carry. I can tell you from many years of experience in rackjobbing - once a product loses their spot on the retail plan-a-gram, it’s gone for good. Stores simply don’t bring back a product that’s already failed – there’re just too many other products out there competing for that space.

Unless WaS complete bombs, I have a hard to not seeing the second WaS shipping. Even if the first set doesn't do well, an expansion might still breathe life into it.
I’m not sure which way I think about this. Part of me thinks that there will definitely be two sets for WaS no matter what happens in order for the game to have a fair shake. On the other hand, if a second (or more) set for WaS depends on sales of the first one there might be a problem. A lot of the people who would have been prime customers for WaS are the same people that WotC drove off from A&AM with the kiddie elements and poor miniature quality. Others have said they’re interested but will take a “wait and see” attitude. Personally, I don’t care how good it looks initially; I plan to wait until at least a couple of sets are out before buying. I remember how good the first set of A&AM was and how quickly things went downhill after that.

I wouldn’t be too worried about a “one-and-done” with WaS though. I have no way to know this, of course, but I’m guessing a second set for it is already somewhere in the pipeline. Due to the production lead times needed, they need to have something already in process so that if WaS is a big hit when it comes out they’ll have something already on the way in order to capitalize while the game is hot. I think being able to strike while the iron is hot if it is a hit will outweigh any “wait-and-see” mindset because if it is a big hit and they have to wait a year to follow up with the next release a lot of guys might lose interest by the time the next release hits the shelf.

[Colonel_Panic]

That would have been so much easier if WotC hadn’t run off so many of the grognard types. I’ve tried at the last 4 or 5 game club meetings here to get guys to try it without a single taker.

I've succeeded in getting a handfull of old wargame buffs to try A&AM and play it, but that of cause is not the WotC A&AM The Gathering, but more historical scenariolike gaming with several maps, prebuilt companies etc, and they all just love it. Some of them, just like me, has teen or preteen kids at home, and A&AM is a great way to get kids from the computergames and to real gaming.

[Cruizin2000]

I've succeeded in getting a handfull of old wargame buffs to try A&AM and play it, but that of cause is not the WotC A&AM The Gathering, but more historical scenariolike gaming with several maps, prebuilt companies etc, and they all just love it. Some of them, just like me, has teen or preteen kids at home, and A&AM is a great way to get kids from the computergames and to real gaming.

Scenario/map packs is where it's at. Other than Kaufschtick and TA, most people I play with are really into the scenarios because they do not have to think about each and every piece and what they can and cannot do. My wife is a big scenario fan. She will build her own Heroscape army though. Kids are best with scenario based games as well as they have short attention spans. We've been posting things like this for the last year and 3 months and no scenario books. Oh well, their loss...

C2000

[TheJudge]

Just to put a different spin on this topic, $9.99 is not much of a blow out sale. It's certainly less than the $15 msrp but since you can get cases for $110-$120 almost any time you want them, that equates to a regular price on the internet.

However, you don't need to wait for them to be shipped so I suggest buying some and not worrying about it. They have an over stock of set 1 and set 2 because they re-printed those sets and they are giving good deals on them so enjoy it while it lasts and pray we aren't paying $19.99 this time next year.

[Y2UAsk]

Your game store manager was lying to you in order to prevent hysteria. In fact, it's not the end of AAM but the end of the world. This information was handed out only to a few key people to prevent panic. But I think you, and the world, have a right to know that all life on planet Earth is about to be extinguished by invaders from space. Organize, people! We mustn't go down without a fight!

Steve

[Cruizin2000]

Your game store manager was lying to you in order to prevent hysteria. In fact, it's not the end of AAM but the end of the world. This information was handed out only to a few key people to prevent panic. But I think you, and the world, have a right to know that all life on planet Earth is about to be extinguished by invaders from space. Organize, people! We mustn't go down without a fight!

Steve

Steve, I think that the '70s are catching back up with you. ;)

C2000

[Predator666]

Your game store manager was lying to you in order to prevent hysteria. In fact, it's not the end of AAM but the end of the world. This information was handed out only to a few key people to prevent panic. But I think you, and the world, have a right to know that all life on planet Earth is about to be extinguished by invaders from space. Organize, people! We mustn't go down without a fight!

Steve


LOL!!!

The real question is...Why would they tell a game store manager?

[Bobsalt]

Your game store manager was lying to you in order to prevent hysteria. In fact, it's not the end of AAM but the end of the world. This information was handed out only to a few key people to prevent panic. But I think you, and the world, have a right to know that all life on planet Earth is about to be extinguished by invaders from space. Organize, people! We mustn't go down without a fight!

Steve
Hmm...

Sounds like a good premise for a game design...

[Cruizin2000]

Hmm...

Sounds like a good premise for a game design...

Didn't they do that last year when they mixed A&AM with D&DM?

C2000

[Muenchausen]

Well, I recall a statement that the second WaS set was dependant upon success of the first. However, WotC serves a greater master and their whims and profit/loss paranoia can result in anything happening.
The statement was any further releases for WAS will be dependant on the success of the first two sets. There are two WAS sets planned at this time.

[Sharpe]

Your game store manager was lying to you in order to prevent hysteria. In fact, it's not the end of AAM but the end of the world. This information was handed out only to a few key people to prevent panic. But I think you, and the world, have a right to know that all life on planet Earth is about to be extinguished by invaders from space. Organize, people! We mustn't go down without a fight!

Steve

1. Which terrain types allow me a cover roll against attacks from outer space?

2. Can I use CA against a spaceship in my hex?

3. Will there be errata before the attack begins? Which thread will it be posted on?

4. Do alien assault ships have facing? Even after they land?

5. Are non-sentient alien life-forms considered obstacles and does the AVRE's SA apply to them?

Thanks for your consideration.

[Cruizin2000]

1. Which terrain types allow me a cover roll against attacks from outer space?

2. Can I use CA against a spaceship in my hex?

3. Will there be errata before the attack begins? Which thread will it be posted on?

4. Do alien assault ships have facing? Even after they land?

5. Are non-sentient alien life-forms considered obstacles and does the AVRE's SA apply to them?

Thanks for your consideration.

Shouldn't this go in the Q&A section?

C2000

[cannonfodder]

I guess the theory is that if someone says "The sky is falling." every 60 days then eventually someone will be right. There's nothing we can do if they choose to end the game. There's nothing we can do if they don't choose to end the game.
My advice is to keep playing, keep buying what you can/want/choose to, and keep enjoying the game as long as it goes on.
Also, there's no reason to stop playing the game just because they may not be adding any more units. That's a weirdness with collectible games that I've never understood. Just because there's no more new cards coming out doesn't mean we need to throw out our collections and start another one with whatever comes down the pipe next.
I, for one, will not be falling for what I see as a slimy attempt to pressure you into buying boosters.
Remember, when a salesman is telling you the sky is falling what he's really saying is "I want to move some of this product." Sales people get paid to sell stuff. It's what I do so I know whereof I speak. It's even more obvious that a guy who owns a small game shop will say anything to boost his sales. Unfortunately there are guys out there who will say anything to sell a booster. It's tacky and tasteless but it's true.
Get your info from the source. If WoTC says 2 sets a year for next year then take it at face value until someone proves otherwise. Rumours are just that, rumours.

[Yuki Sanada]

Considering there isn't any more maps coming out I can believe that.

They cranked out sets too fast and really unless your single and wealthy who could keep up anyways IMP.

Quality has dropped as well. I have one tank with a flimsy gun that looks like it melted from firing too much lol!

If they developed more maps to play I might care if it all ends. Either way I;m stuck with too many minis and no terrain for them to battle on.

[Photoner Hawkwind]

1. Which terrain types allow me a cover roll against attacks from outer space?

2. Can I use CA against a spaceship in my hex?

3. Will there be errata before the attack begins? Which thread will it be posted on?

4. Do alien assault ships have facing? Even after they land?

5. Are non-sentient alien life-forms considered obstacles and does the AVRE's SA apply to them?

Thanks for your consideration.

I think the answers are in the Star Wars Starship Battles rules set. ;)

[Qmark]

They cranked out sets too fast and really unless your single and wealthy who could keep up anyways IMP. Comparatively speaking, not even close.

AAM has squirted out five sets in total over about a year. Out of these five sets, we have a total of 228 unique units. Over the same year or so, another Wizards product, Magic the Gathering squirted out four sets, with a grand total of 922 unique cards (plus in the current tournement envionment, there's still the current Base Set [+350 cards] and the start of the last 'block' [+306 cards]).

Also consider that the usual AAM army consists of about 5-15 units (100pt), with maybe three or four rares total. In contrast, Magic decks are sixty cards minimum, and a competitive deck has somewhere around sixteen to twenty-four rares. The most I've seen any AAM unit sell for is about 25 bucks, while most MTG rares that are competitive-good range from $5-20. Simple math shows that 3 rares at a top end of $25 still works out to less than sixteen rares at a low end of $5.

[TheCygnysGuardian]

1. Which terrain types allow me a cover roll against attacks from outer space?
Any hex within five hexes of an Electromagnetic Shield Station.
2. Can I use CA against a spaceship in my hex?

Only if the attacking unit has the Anti-Starship SA, or if the ship has landed.
3. Will there be errata before the attack begins? Which thread will it be posted on?.
The errata should be up a week ahead of time. It will be on the Operation:Earth thread.

4. Do alien assault ships have facing? Even after they land?
Not until they land. Once they land, they do have facing.

5. Are non-sentient alien life-forms considered obstacles and does the AVRE's SA apply to them?
Yes.

Thanks for your consideration.
Don't mention it. :D

[Mons]

Any hex within five hexes of an Electromagnetic Shield Station.

Superior Fortresses also provide cover, and remember units in Deep Earth Shelters are untargetable by all units except those with the Core Piercing advantage.

[Qmark]

THE Mons?
(note my utter lack of attention since forever)

[Autarch]

The statement was any further releases for WAS will be dependant on the success of the first two sets. There are two WAS sets planned at this time.

That's good to know, I must have misunderstood the statement. Even if cancelled after the second set, 128 ships/planes are better than 64. Plus it's better from a marketing point of view: more people are likely to buy into the first set if they know it's not a limited run.

[Sharpe]

Superior Fortresses also provide cover, and remember units in Deep Earth Shelters are untargetable by all units except those with the Core Piercing advantage.

But everybody knows that SUPERIOR FORTRESSES is broken.

[Autarch]

But everybody knows that SUPERIOR FORTRESSES is broken.

Not to mention that the aliens didn't develop core piercing technology until AFTER the war was over. It's cool for what if scenarios, though. Usually we just house rule it away for pre-lunar destruction games.

No matter what anyone else says, may favorite unit is still the Mars Division Elite Armo Diver. Low EMC rating aside, transatmospheric fighters rock!

[Kaufschtick]

Your game store manager was lying to you in order to prevent hysteria. In fact, it's not the end of AAM but the end of the world. This information was handed out only to a few key people to prevent panic. But I think you, and the world, have a right to know that all life on planet Earth is about to be extinguished by invaders from space. Organize, people! We mustn't go down without a fight!

Steve

I don't think of these "invaders from space" as being all that bad. On the contrary, I look at them as being potential new opponents in AAM. :rolleyes:

[Lotus]

I don't think of these "invaders from space" as being all that bad. On the contrary, I look at them as being potential new opponents in AAM. :rolleyes:
Opponents? Hah!

They're on my side.

Better be nice to me. They have ray guns. :p

[Joisey]

AAM will never die as long as WotC are willing to come out with a Set with a REAL spitfire in it.....;)

[Moderator Sinister]

nope it's all dead..just heard about the nexus ops ccg


































LOL!!!!!!

[Kaufschtick]

Opponents? Hah!

They're on my side.

Better be nice to me. They have ray guns. :p

They have Special Ability: Ray Guns!?! Any unit attacked by this unit should be placed in a microwave for two to three minutes at full power to simulate the effect of being melted by a ray gun. :D

No fair! And I suppose they're a 5/5 defense to boot! Talk about your power creep...

[dacramps]

Now we are safe as long as they only roll 1,2,or 3.s and if we carried this over to dnd what is the thaco of aliens, hmmm interesting and funny. Keep up the good work Steve

[Richter von Manthofen]

I think that Set V sales will be down - at last for me I have allth rare I want and a few more...

Waiting eagerly for WAS....

[DooMNaToR]

Little question about those aliens, does they look like spider of starship troopers or like the Protoss or the Zergs from Blizzards RTS Starcraft?? ... btw I hate the zergs cuz they stole us Kerrigan ... oh it could be worser than I thought, even at this moment, the google (googimage of this morning is weird and scary ... it says "Happy Birthday, Edvard Munch!" ( where does he come from?;) )when you pass your mouse over it and this could be one of them on that pictures.