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Post by Chronos on Feb 16, 2016 13:41:26 GMT
Does anyone remember the War of the Worlds computer game from the 90's? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Wayne's_The_War_of_the_Worlds_%281998_video_game%29 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Wayne's_The_War_of_the_Worlds_%281999_video_game%29 I had no idea there were 2 versions. I seem to remember lines of pylons with lots of cables to snare and entangle tripods?
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Post by loyalist on Feb 16, 2016 14:22:49 GMT
I played it many, many times but don't recall any cables. It was a largely resource-based game, interspersed with combat. Lots of fun but the fellow I borrowed it from retrieved it a few years ago.
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Post by madmorgan on Feb 16, 2016 15:42:48 GMT
And can we ever hope to see a new, updated WotW computer game?? I mean the state of graphics and different formats available (1st person shooter as a mobile arty piece, etc. or tactical/strategic version like 'Shogun Total War' for example). Actually, the company picking up ADs license could spend off to someone like Lock N Load publications could really do a nice job on these. Thoughts on this??
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Post by madmorgan on Feb 16, 2016 20:04:30 GMT
That was a hopeful thought only. Sorry. And with the background material and stats worked out for the main part of the game, you could foresee a computer company picking it up as is. Just a thought, my friend.
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Post by madmorgan on Feb 17, 2016 12:57:57 GMT
Very good points indeed. 1. But I think our being here on the forum shows at least a small audience for the game despite the KS fubar. 2. Other companies seem to be doing non-licensed stuff, so I'd think the game still would generate sales. 3. Not so sure as to how much that all comes to, but I'm sure the rights, molds, etc. are more pennies on the dollar atm - the property debts might be another matter however. So, you're most likely very correct on your analysis of the situation. Especially on point 3. It stills leads me to think that a computer game design of the original AQ rules isn't out of the questions - the licensing won't be as extreme a fee as its not in any format similiar to the physical components of the game. As far as the miniatures, molds, etc. I'm sure a major firm such as Old Glory might have an interest in picking those up as they were the company doing the figures for AD and might even have some of the old molds as well. I hate to say it, but, I suspect that Old Glory might have been the first company to fail in AD with regards to the resin production side of things. Maybe. But, having seen the amount of resin figures they product (and intend to near future with the reintroduction of their coastal batteries this summer), I think it was more probable that they couldn't come to a price agreement. The reason I mention Old Glory so much is that they probably have the molds for the metal figures - an incentive to get the game back up. Okay, I'm mad remember - just want 'our' game to succeed and thrive is all. Peace.
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Post by boxholder on Feb 17, 2016 14:19:39 GMT
If I am not mistaken, the bankruptcy ends the outstanding debt issue. They "cut up the corpse" and parse it out to creditors and that's all they get. End of story. So, whatever entity ends up the the IP rights can license, sell, or dispose of as it wishes.
I don't know what arrangements were made for the molds (who paid initially, who holds them, terms of payment, exclusivity, etc), but they are not likely to have been destroyed, just held pending disposition. Contacting the eventual holders might revive production because the cost of the molds is sunk already. All they need to do to restart is melt, pour, and package.
As for the "lacking sales" issue, here is where AD really dropped the ball. There is a HUGE market (relatively) in the "steampunk" genre, the Victorian Sci-Fi adventure arena (Wells, Verne, Doyle). Put "steampunk" into GOOGLE and follow up some of the links. People into this hobby spend large amounts of money on costumes, conventions, adventures and such. There is a whole market segment for steampunk themed books inside the sci-fi genre. AQoMF would probably be a hit with this crowd, especially with the younger set and those who could not afford the full steampunk regalia. The $100 price point would be a bargain for stuff in this field. (Again, follow GOOGLE links for steampunk accessories and prices. Prepare to see some prices that will make your eyes water!) Plus, many of these people make or assemble parts of their costumes and equipment, so building models would be no deterrent. Even selling assembled, painted tripods as desk ornaments or decorator items might be possible. A few trips to the steampunk conventions (yes -- they have them) might have gotten (or still get) good returns on the cost and gotten AQoMF out into a whole new population.
The 1,000 or so gamers that ante'd up on KS are probably not the total market for the franchise. They are likely to be the tip of the iceberg. Look at the lively secondary market on eBay. Plus, many potential purchasers outside the game community don't know or care about KS, so they aren' poisoned.
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Post by loyalist on Feb 17, 2016 16:00:11 GMT
Whoever ends up with the moulds should be able to make a profit selling at least some of the models, perhaps in limited releases. No doubt they could sell hundreds of tripod models that were produced in relatively small quantities like the Scientist, Royal Scientist and especially the Harvester which never made it to retail. I'd buy 2 of those plus the Scientists.
Of the five people l know locally who play AQotMF only one was a KS supporter, the rest bought starter sets from on-line retail stores and all remain enthusiastic about the game.
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Post by charleybourne on Feb 17, 2016 16:11:16 GMT
I certainly fall into that category.
I stumbled on AQ by mistake. Very interested in WW1, looked into Wells and now love his work.
I'm sure I'm not the only one.
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Post by madmorgan on Feb 17, 2016 19:41:19 GMT
I was fortunate to get a single Harvester just before AD folded. I never got a Royal Scientist, which really irked me that they made them 'retail' store only. I found AQ during a Historicon 2013 convention. That and Paper Terrain. With so many other games there, I was captivated by the whole thing - and nailed with the setup Scott had with the tripod assault and all those lighted tripods and fires. Really nice.
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Post by boxholder on Feb 17, 2016 20:15:23 GMT
As I said in the posting in the AD Legal... section, I stumbled onto AQoMF at a game and comic store and was captivated by the concept.
As was checking out, the clerk flipped the box over and read the whole background on the back. Then said "I gotta get one of these. I didn't know we even had it." AD's promotion was so lacking that even the store employees did not know about it. How could anyone beyond the immediate game community be expected to know? Too bad for the clerk, I was buying the only copy in the store.
If you look at the brief bios on Mssrs Baker, Cavitorre, and Priestley, you will note that they were all heavily into the creative end of things. It appears that none were much into the business side: planning, production, placement and promotion. They clearly did well on the creative side and the products were and are first rate. The correctly identified producers that generally delivered good products. Where they fell short was in promotion (advertising and awareness)of the line.
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Post by madmorgan on Feb 17, 2016 20:29:05 GMT
Well, boxholder, as both Cavitorre and Priestly were & are major movers in Games Workshop, there seemed to me a conflict of interest in getting the AD folks doing well. I note that Cavitorre was instrumental in getting Ernie and company off on the Morlock track - this at a time when the foundation of the KS was starting to crumble. And theres no sweat off either of those folks back, they're safely dug in at GW and doing well. And the up and coming star of an American based game is gone - no longer at threat to their USA & British markets. Well played.
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Post by Quendil on Feb 17, 2016 21:07:39 GMT
Neither of them work for GW and haven't done for a long while, I believe they both left before the AQMF kick starter
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Post by Quendil on Feb 17, 2016 21:08:52 GMT
Rick left in November 2010
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Post by Quendil on Feb 17, 2016 21:11:08 GMT
And Alessio left in the same year as well
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Post by paulnippress on Feb 17, 2016 23:45:53 GMT
Getting back to the original question, yes I do remember the PC game. In fact I still have it and play every so often. Brilliant fun and very much a part of my WotW addiction!
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