First impressions vs sustainability. Are looks more important than rules?

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So I was watching YouTube (as you do during your break) and took a look at Zorpazorps current video on MESBG. In that video he pointed out how very happy he is because of new plastic minis for said game.

Fair enough.

But then he went on to say that a game needs fresh minis to be sustainable and be long lived. Quote:

New players join the community, drawn in by their love of LotR, take one look at the 20 year old sculpts […] and we never see them again

That’s at the 2:55 mark of the video (Link at the end)

Now that made me think. Are new, shiny minis really necessary to keep a game running for years and years? Let’s have a look at three examples I have some experience with or insight on.

Battletech – has been running for decades, rules basically unchanged and new minis are really only popping out since CGL did a visual refresh right at the time when the turn based video game was released. Before that everybody had the same metal minis.

Battle for Middle Earth SG – As far as I know rules have been the same (more or less) since day 1 and minis are all made by GW. There are 3rd party minis that are way older but in general official LotR minis are GW. Everything else is legally distinct different stuff.

Blood Bowl – again, rules (more or less) unchanged for the last 20+ years BUT you get minis everywhere and from multiple makers and sculptors. Resin, Siocast, metal, PVC and 3D printing. Fill your boots!

This comes to me as a 2:1 in favour of “rules/systems make a game” vs “new minis keep it alive!”

But then there is W’hamster 40, changing rules every other year (feels like it) but also pumps out new minis all the time. And is the market leader.

So are minis keeping the game alive?

My conclusion: Rules/systems keep a game running. Minis keep an IP alive. So in theory a good set of rules with a constant flow of minis should be a money printing machine. And I think (to a degree) Blood Bowl does that. Only that all the cash doesn’t flow into GW pockets but is spread between them and all 3rd party miniature makers.

Your opinion?

The video:

• This topic was modified 2 hours, 10 minutes ago by  sundancer. Reason: Forgot the video link

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