Please say you'll be able to buy it at Gencon!

[Podlet]

Reading the posted articles about A&A Miniatures, I'm getting the idea that it won't be sold at Gencon, but will only be on display there. Say it's not so! I remember a few years ago when AH had "Battle Cry" only as a mock-up at one of the Milwaukee Gencons. The game looked so cool, and you couldn't buy it! My friends and I still talk bitterly about this. Gencon isn't the Toy Fair in New York where manufacturers go for previews, but is a place where many gamers go to buy new releases. Please remember that we want to go home with suitcases full of games after a convention, not press our noses up against the glass and long for something we cannot have.
So, in short, will we be able to buy A&A Miniatures at Gencon or not? :confused:

[Moderator Sinister]

It's really of matter of the time table. Companies don't plan releases around Gen Con (but I'm sure they do keep in mind gencon and if the release falls near it). I playtested some 15 games there last year and none of them were ready for purchase. Yes I was upset, but in a couple of cases, the games I did buy significantly improved with last minute tweaks. I'm glad they weren't ready or rushed just to get into the hands of a relatively small amount of fans.

I'd love for it to be ready by the con but we'll have to see.

[Kaufschtick]

The heck with being able to get it at Gen Con, how about cranking it up fellas' and getting it out by ORIGINS! :D

[TrimChris]

All that matters is availability for BoardGameGeek.com Con!

[Podlet]

If a better game can result from more time given to the designers and producers, I can live with that. Ever since MageKnight came out with its pre-painted, playable right-out-of-the-box game and figures, my friends and I have been wanting a WWII game like it. I'm sure A&A Miniatures won't be the game I would have designed, but I didn't design it. It'll probably be quite decent, will grow with player experiences through revisions, and we'll be glad to have it.
Also, thanks to the moderators for answering the questions posted here. It's a nice touch, and it gives you the feel that your comments are read and taken seriously.

[vogless]

Yes, THANK YOU to the moderators. Your replies have been helpful, if not always what we want to hear :).

[Caractacus]

Blimey! Podlet says it all with grace and charity! I agree wholeheartedly.

[Der Panzinator]

So what is the verdict on whether A&AM will be available for purchase at GenCon or not??? :confused:


Just got off the phone with a friend of mine and I think we might have talked ourselves into trying to go this year! :eek:
I think it might be a deciding factor if we can pick up some packs of mini's though...
Or maybe not... I have never been to GenCon and so I'm just looking for a good excuse. :D

[Moderator Sinister]

I'll be at gencon look me up!!

There's no official word on the if minis will be available. I'll try to get some definite answers in the next couple of weeks.

[TrimChris]

The website is advertising Sept 16.

[WotC_LindaC]

Attendees of GENCON this August will have a special advance buying opportunity for Axis & Allies Miniatures at the Wizards of the Coast booth. The national on-sale date for Axis & Allies Miniatures is currently September 16. The first expansion is scheduled to hit store shelves on December 7, with additional expansions planned throughout 2006

[Moderator Sinister]

Attendees of GENCON this August will have a special advance buying opportunity for Axis & Allies Miniatures at the Wizards of the Coast booth. The national on-sale date for Axis & Allies Miniatures is currently September 16. The first expansion is scheduled to hit store shelves on December 7, with additional expansions planned throughout 2006


WOOOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!! JUST FOR GENCON FANATICS LIKE ME!!!!!!!

[TomJag3]

Great, I'll get to pick some up.

By the way, FlatCon convention in central Illinois will be held Sept 23-25. It would be a great time to hold a demo for A&A minis. We usually have around 400 attendees.

In the past, we've hosted Games Workshops' LOTR stuff, like their Mines of Moria setup. There's an annual 40K tourney that draws over 75 players.

[SeattleGamer]

The first expansion is scheduled to hit store shelves on December 7, with additional expansions planned throughout 2006

What a curious date for the first expansion.

Come on, you can tell me. I won't tell anyone. Is the first expansion going to be the first time the Japanese appear? Or are they already part of the starter set with the other five nations (Britain, Germany, Italy, Russia, USA)?

[Der Panzinator]

All I can say is that it will be a day that will live in infamy. :cool:

[Redleg]

Does anybody have experience with the way WoTC handles presells at cons?

A buddy and I are thinking about making our first trip to Gencon in Aug. The wives would probably prefer we attend on the weekend as opposed to Thursday.

Any chance WoTC will be sold out by then of AA? Or do they do a ration?

[Der Panzinator]

I'm thinking of making my first trip to GenCon too and was also wondering how the pre-sell will work. If anyone can give some more definative word on what will be available and how much one can purchase that would be great to know.

[Podlet]

To Linda Cox: Many thanks for answering our board-posted question! It's nice to know the Wizards/Avalon Hill directors, as well as moderators, read these queries.
To Der Panzinator: From my experience buying Wizkids' "Battletech" miniatures (which came similarly starter/booster packaged) at other Gencons, I'd guess that you'd have to stand in a rather long line to have a chance to buy a starter and two boosters. Don't schedule any 10AM events on Thursday (or whatever day the game first goes on sale, as it may be later), because that's when the exhibit hall opens. You'll want to head right for the Avalon Hill booth and get in line. When you make your purchase, your convention badge will have a hole punched in it, so you can't buy more than your share. All this may be different with Avalon Hill at this Gencon, so don't take this as absolute truth, just as a possiblity based on past experience. I gladly defer in specifics to whatever the AH people may write here later. :cool:

[Redleg]

Podlet...thanks for the transcript.

This makes me less likely to attend Gencon. My concern is that I'll drive the 3 hours to Indy and spend 23 bucks for admission...only to not be able to purchase the game because it isn't going on sale until later in the convention.

I do hope that the AH people she alludes to will post their plans.

[Der Panzinator]

I was trying to figure out how they could "ration" the sales of the game so punching your ticket makes perfect sense.
I'm not sure if and when I will make it to GenCon so it would be good to know exactly what to expect. On starter and two boosters would be perfect as far as I'm concerned. Plus I'll be with a friend or two so we should be able to play some decent games.

Any additional info or confirmation from WoTC would be greatly appreciated.

[Redleg]

WK did something like this a year or 2 back at Wizard World Chicago for buying Pirates of the Spanish Main.

It was a good system.

Let's just make certain AAM is available on day one for purchase!