A good synopsis, just a few comments/additions:
> At 05:35 AM 5/1/99 GMT, Allen wrote:
[snip]
> The product control issue was a RAFM problem. Some of the small bits
It wasn't just small bits; sometimes it was an arm, say... okay, that's not
that large, but it is reasonably obvious.
> I know the
The other problem with RAFM: too small a production facility to produce enough
minis for all their lines, but not enough capital to improve the facility!
Rather a tough bind....
> Now, RAFM thoroughly admits that it made mistakes (kind of hard not
Though they were also quite willing to replace any damaged/missing bits,
and I had very good experiences in this; others apparently didn't.
> However, what DP9 didn't say (when it went around blaming RAFM for the
Obviously, DP9 has since changed *that* tune. (Though that's actually the
first I've heard of the above. Heh. Learn something new every day. ^_^
)
[delayed release due to artwork]
> RAFM points to one of the figures (I don't know which)
The Mammoth and Assault Mammoth striders.
> that was eagerly
I don't think it was as early as '96, but you could get 'em early... I ordered
one direct from RAFM well before they were officially released.
[snip]
> The reason for the new scale, from what I hear, is that the Internet
I
> suspect this was too narrow a demographic: rabid players who had a
Not true -- or, at least, not the way you make it sound. (A lot of us
aren't *that* rabid, for one. ^_- ) DP9 *did* ask the mailing list what
scale they wanted gears in, well before they canned RAFM's license. The
overwhelming response was for 1/300 gears for microarmor games. The
second place response was for RAFM's scale. Anything else was a lot further
back. Yes, the request for microarmor scale was a response from people who had
a
lot of the old scale -- but the scale DP9 ended up with is too darn
close. Personally, I have yet to buy any of the DP9 scale Gears, and very much
doubt I ever will. Of course, I do have a lot of RAFM gears to assemble...
though not enough Southern gears, unfortunately. I've also not played in a
while, though I've got enough unpainted metal around that the gears don't add
too much to the total. (Anyone want to sell some Southies?)
DP9's stated reason for going with the smaller scale is to seperate the
figs from RAFM's -- and from RAFM's poor QC issues. Unfortunately, for
those people who were just getting into the game, RAFM had a handle on the QC
issues, so they were left with only hearing rumors. Heck, I didn't get into
the game until late '97, and RAFM had most of the QC problems dealt with! But
I guess DP9 thought the bad rep was there to stay (or something) and so wanted
the scale change for a visual reinforcement of that. Personally, I disagree,
though not as vocally as some others on the HGML.
[snip]
> In the end, I think the two companies had a falling out and instead of
> From what I've seen, they're a lot like GW: very good detail, rather
actually, a lot like other small companies' games. <shrug>
'Till later,
> At 08:34 AM 5/1/99 -0400, you wrote:
[snip]
> Though they were also quite willing to replace any damaged/missing
Yes, RAFM's response to replacement parts requests was - irregular. I
for one had no problems getting parts. In fact, more than once RAFM sent me
back an entire new blister to replace a miscast without charge.
[snip]
> The reason for the new scale, from what I hear, is that the Internet
I
> suspect this was too narrow a demographic: rabid players who had a
The
> overwhelming response was for 1/300 gears for microarmor games. The
Microarmor was the definite and overwhelming response <g>. Most every who was
calling for microarmor also assumed that it would be new product *in addition*
to the RAFM scale.
> Yes, the request for microarmor scale was a response from people who
Not right now.:)
> DP9's stated reason for going with the smaller scale is to seperate the
Guilty as charged.
> [snip]
Here in Seattle, there are two stores who carry the figs as well as the books.
NEITHER store has sold any of the new DP9 minis to speak of, and
neither store plans on ordering or carrying more of the new line -
outside of what they already have on the shelf.
Fantastic Games, Lynnwood
2 boxes Northern GP Squadron - none sold
Actually, 1 box was sold and then *returned* when the buyer found out it
wasn't the same scale as the RAFM figs.
2 boxes Southern GP Squadron - 1 box sold at cost
1 box Northern Mammoth Strider - box sold at cost
1 box Northern Assault Mammoth Strider - none sold
Fantastic Games is the primary historical minis shop in the Seattle area.
They also have a large Full Thrust / Dirtside group that meets there on
Sundays, so you would think that there could be *some* demand of the HG line.
However, none of the SF players are even remotely interested in HG
any more - mostly because of what went on with the minis.
Games & Gizmos, Redmond
3 boxes Northern GP Squadron - 1 box sold
3 boxes Southern GP Squadron - none sold
G&G is where my group plays Heavy Gear - using RAFM minis. There are
about 8 of us who play at various times. G&G is primarily a Games Workshop
outlet. Although they carry quite a selection of non-miniatures games,
90% of their minis are GW stuff. They have no plans on carrying the new DP9
minis line, and only have a few boxes of the new stuff because they were
ordered by mistake.
I've heard similar stories from others on the West Coast.
Hi !!!
In einer eMail vom 01.05.99 14:41:09 (MEZ) - Mitteleurop. Sommerzeit
schreibt
Just a quick note. I kno this is a board for discussion, but it was never my
intent to start a forumn for slamming DP9 and RAFM. All I was trying to do was
locate some minis, and not HG ones. I am lookin for Jovian Chronicles minis.
Thanks, Eli
> From: KueckH@aol.com
> Eli Arndt wrote:
Any Jovian Chronicles figures are under the same legal restrictions as the
Heavy Gear figures from RAFM. They got pulled along for the ride and that is
the reason that the HG figures issue is relevant in your search for JC
figures.
On Sat, 01 May 1999 08:34:15 -0400, Aaron Teske <ateske@HICom.net>
wrote:
> It wasn't just small bits; sometimes it was an arm, say... okay, that's
True. I only bought the boxed sets. I had them sitting for a year then started
putting them together when I heard that the whole line was going to be killed.
> The other problem with RAFM: too small a production facility to produce
I know they moved a couple of years ago. I think their new facility is bigger.
> Obviously, DP9 has since changed *that* tune. (Though that's actually
^_^ )
That was straight from RAFM. They warned them about the complexity and were
pushed anyway. In my business, if someone explains the risk and you blow it
off, YOU have taken responsibility for it.
What bugs me is that DP9 started to point fingers at RAFM and yell "their
fault!" Okay, most of it was with regard to production problems... however, it
was a JOINT line. You get together to correct the problem and do "damage
control". If they had done that, everything would have worked out fine in the
end.
> I don't think it was as early as '96, but you could get 'em early... I
Okay, it would have been GenCon 97 when they were available...
> Not true -- or, at least, not the way you make it sound. (A lot of us
Now this is the funny part. You say, "Not true." I believe you. I wasn't on
the list. I got THAT impression from an e-mail I received from DP9 when
I complained on Usenet about the scale change.
They told ME that the majority of the players wanted a 1/144 scale game.
I
didn't realize that the majority wanted Microarmour (1/285 to 1/300).
Hell, I would have bought the new figures if it was in Microarmour. I wish I
still had that e-mail message from DP9. They really did make it sound as
though they were just abiding by the wishes of the fan base. I didn't realize
it was a decision to distance themselves from the RAFM figures.
By the way, during this process of changing scales, RAFM was still not
informed that they would NOT get the new license...
> Do the figs sell? In some places. Especially Canada,
I laughed at this! Maybe they sell them at Silver Snail (doubtful) or
Sci-Fi
World (maybe) but they aren't selling in the other game stores in Toronto!
There are probably pockets of HG fans who like them and buy them. They aren't
around here, though...