Comments on: Ask TGN: Has AT-43 succeeded? http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993 Daily news, reviews and information for tabletop gamers of all interests. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:47:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: goose http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-21869 goose Thu, 08 May 2008 15:31:12 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-21869 AT-43 in the UK has been slow to progress. I liked it a lot when it first came out but the constant rules "clarification" on the official forums that left rule book completely wrong etc and the manipulation of rules errors by Senior Rackham staff via the forum left the active players a bit lost here in the UK and elsewhere. The game balance was becoming evident in our group to be heavily weighted one way and then FFG arrived and all Sentinel work stopped over night. All support for the UK. Infact it took several weeks for FFG to acknowledge the UK existed as a market on their website or in their schemes. The USA predomination and French Predomination were clear to see. BUT of the actual rule set, its fun to play, when not constantly being re-edited by R staff on the forums. The pricings are too high however. Individual figures for £10 is just not a seller. Rackham has been under financial protention in france for some while and near to going bankrupt. If the game is a major success, then I would be surprised at this state of affairs, unless it was a case of serious miss-management at head office. Has it been a success. NO, not in the UK. It is played, it is fun, but it has yet to be properly promoted, properly supported and FFG are yet to pull their fingers out and sort this out. If that remains the way it is. I personally can see it dying a death. I have already started to spot collections appearing on ebay, as people move onto other things. So..for me, its a "Not Yet" answer. I hope this will change. Despite how negative my views of some aspects. It is actually fun and novel system that is quick to play and has a lot of scope if it ever gets the support it needs from FFG. AT-43 in the UK has been slow to progress. I liked it a lot when it first came out but the constant rules “clarification” on the official forums that left rule book completely wrong etc and the manipulation of rules errors by Senior Rackham staff via the forum left the active players a bit lost here in the UK and elsewhere.

The game balance was becoming evident in our group to be heavily weighted one way and then FFG arrived and all Sentinel work stopped over night. All support for the UK. Infact it took several weeks for FFG to acknowledge the UK existed as a market on their website or in their schemes. The USA predomination and French Predomination were clear to see. BUT of the actual rule set, its fun to play, when not constantly being re-edited by R staff on the forums.

The pricings are too high however. Individual figures for £10 is just not a seller. Rackham has been under financial protention in france for some while and near to going bankrupt. If the game is a major success, then I would be surprised at this state of affairs, unless it was a case of serious miss-management at head office.

Has it been a success. NO, not in the UK. It is played, it is fun, but it has yet to be properly promoted, properly supported and FFG are yet to pull their fingers out and sort this out. If that remains the way it is. I personally can see it dying a death. I have already started to spot collections appearing on ebay, as people move onto other things.

So..for me, its a “Not Yet” answer. I hope this will change. Despite how negative my views of some aspects. It is actually fun and novel system that is quick to play and has a lot of scope if it ever gets the support it needs from FFG.

]]> By: Jon F http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20904 Jon F Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:21:48 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20904 I'm starting to wonder if AT-43 has become more of a home game than a club game. I know there are players in my city, because I've talked to a retailer who's sold them their armies, but they're not coming to the local wargame club. Maybe that's because you don't need a club-sized table to play AT-43. Maybe it's because the terrain's already provided. Maybe it's because I smell. I’m starting to wonder if AT-43 has become more of a home game than a club game. I know there are players in my city, because I’ve talked to a retailer who’s sold them their armies, but they’re not coming to the local wargame club.

Maybe that’s because you don’t need a club-sized table to play AT-43. Maybe it’s because the terrain’s already provided. Maybe it’s because I smell.

]]> By: Ady http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20902 Ady Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:33:17 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20902 Like a few others, I work in a LGS in the UK and for us, AT-43 has been a huge success. Boxes are flying off the shelves and the enthusiasm of the game convinced me to pick up a few UNA pieces myself and I have to say, it was great fun when I played through the scenarios last week. We've started having games in the store most Saturdays now and (as you'd expect) that in itself is generating more interest in the game. At-43 new releases are guaranteed sales for us at the moment and folk just can't wait for us to get the releases in. Like a few others, I work in a LGS in the UK and for us, AT-43 has been a huge success. Boxes are flying off the shelves and the enthusiasm of the game convinced me to pick up a few UNA pieces myself and I have to say, it was great fun when I played through the scenarios last week.
We’ve started having games in the store most Saturdays now and (as you’d expect) that in itself is generating more interest in the game.
At-43 new releases are guaranteed sales for us at the moment and folk just can’t wait for us to get the releases in.

]]> By: Jeff Cope http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20873 Jeff Cope Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:23:31 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20873 I'm a retailer, and AT-43 is a huge success for us. We've got a dedicated core of 6-8 players (of which I am one), with another 5 or so casual players. We've been playing every Thursday evening, and have started up playing on Tuesday nights as well ('though Tuesdays alternate with the new Confrontation). So, for us, it is definitely a success. It was definitely a slow burn for us. I pushed the game. Ran demos. But it really took off when the Karmans were first released last Dec. Jeff Alley Cat Games & Comics Dublin, OH I’m a retailer, and AT-43 is a huge success for us.

We’ve got a dedicated core of 6-8 players (of which I am one), with another 5 or so casual players.

We’ve been playing every Thursday evening, and have started up playing on Tuesday nights as well (’though Tuesdays alternate with the new Confrontation).

So, for us, it is definitely a success.

It was definitely a slow burn for us. I pushed the game. Ran demos. But it really took off when the Karmans were first released last Dec.

Jeff
Alley Cat Games & Comics
Dublin, OH

]]> By: shoggothic http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20870 shoggothic Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:54:29 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20870 In my opinion, I feel AT-43 has and will continue to succeed as a war game. The overall idea is pretty original, with some great fluff/meta-plot involving around the 4 armies and their respective units. The rules aren't too cumbersome and are generally easy for new players to learn. The fact that the miniatures are pre-paints, and good ones at that, really helps players jump into the game immediately without a lot of pre-game miniature prep. And even if the pre-painted miniatures do not meet a player’s expectations, they can easily be retouched or improved upon as the player sees fit. Further, the miniatures serve a secondary use as excellent generic sci-fi or Weird War II miniatures for any war gamers that also play role playing games. I am REALLY looking forward to the new uber-large units, namely the King Mammoth, Baal Golgoth, and Fire Crawler, as these vehicle-sized units are sorely needed to round out the army lists. This brings me to the only fault with the game; the immediate need for more units! While I understand some R&D goes into the creation of new units and miniatures, primary consideration should be on the new and unreleased units first, with alternative paint scheme units being secondary. Otherwise, I feel AT-43 is a great war game that expertly fills a niche by providing much needed competition in the realm of sci-fi war gaming. In my opinion, I feel AT-43 has and will continue to succeed as a war game. The overall idea is pretty original, with some great fluff/meta-plot involving around the 4 armies and their respective units. The rules aren’t too cumbersome and are generally easy for new players to learn.

The fact that the miniatures are pre-paints, and good ones at that, really helps players jump into the game immediately without a lot of pre-game miniature prep. And even if the pre-painted miniatures do not meet a player’s expectations, they can easily be retouched or improved upon as the player sees fit. Further, the miniatures serve a secondary use as excellent generic sci-fi or Weird War II miniatures for any war gamers that also play role playing games.

I am REALLY looking forward to the new uber-large units, namely the King Mammoth, Baal Golgoth, and Fire Crawler, as these vehicle-sized units are sorely needed to round out the army lists. This brings me to the only fault with the game; the immediate need for more units! While I understand some R&D goes into the creation of new units and miniatures, primary consideration should be on the new and unreleased units first, with alternative paint scheme units being secondary. Otherwise, I feel AT-43 is a great war game that expertly fills a niche by providing much needed competition in the realm of sci-fi war gaming.

]]> By: JAV01 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20860 JAV01 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:06:02 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20860 Eagle and Empire in Northern VA runs AT-43 every Friday night. The shop is located near Fort Belvoir in Springfield. There are roughly four to six people who come in regularly and play on Fridays. Eagle and Empire in Northern VA runs AT-43 every Friday night. The shop is located near Fort Belvoir in Springfield. There are roughly four to six people who come in regularly and play on Fridays.

]]> By: evernevermore (John) http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20842 evernevermore (John) Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:27:10 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20842 Of my two main FLGS only one has AT-43 units (not the big boxes) in stock reliably. However there also only seems to be a feel people who play, and they tend to snatch up all the releases at the other store. I think AT-43 is at the point, in my area, where it can either break through and get a foothold in the area or wither away. Rackham has never done to well sales wise around me due to the cost - and I think thats AT-43s problem too. That said I want a pewter Deathdealer tac arms mini - hopefully Rackham will still follow through with thier metal minis for AT-43 idea Of my two main FLGS only one has AT-43 units (not the big boxes) in stock reliably. However there also only seems to be a feel people who play, and they tend to snatch up all the releases at the other store.

I think AT-43 is at the point, in my area, where it can either break through and get a foothold in the area or wither away. Rackham has never done to well sales wise around me due to the cost - and I think thats AT-43s problem too.

That said I want a pewter Deathdealer tac arms mini - hopefully Rackham will still follow through with thier metal minis for AT-43 idea

]]> By: gavroche http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20839 gavroche Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:38:41 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20839 No idea, and not sure I really care. I bought some miniatures & probably will do so again in the future, but the whole marketing approach jars with my personal idea of miniature gaming as a hobby and Rackham has failed to win me over. Possibly the relatively high price also plays its part. Not for me, I'm a rich middle-aged hobby bore, but I've heard grumblings from other people. No idea, and not sure I really care. I bought some miniatures & probably will do so again in the future, but the whole marketing approach jars with my personal idea of miniature gaming as a hobby and Rackham has failed to win me over. Possibly the relatively high price also plays its part. Not for me, I’m a rich middle-aged hobby bore, but I’ve heard grumblings from other people.

]]> By: Quirkworthy http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20838 Quirkworthy Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:48:30 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20838 I go to the same club as Rich_B and can second his views. Our club bought the starter box when it came out, and even with zero cost to play it AT-43 has not seen a lot of table time. I'd guess a third or fewer of the club's members have bothered to play it. Like I said, that's when it's free... I go to the same club as Rich_B and can second his views. Our club bought the starter box when it came out, and even with zero cost to play it AT-43 has not seen a lot of table time. I’d guess a third or fewer of the club’s members have bothered to play it. Like I said, that’s when it’s free…

]]> By: Maudlin http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20837 Maudlin Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:44:48 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20837 I was interested in the game from the start, but as several people have already mentioned, it is a non-starter in Europe due to the cost. I can get a Wraith Golgoth from The Warstore for 32$, this costs 40€ or 64$ over here. We're used to paying 30% to 50% more, but 100% is excessive. I was interested in the game from the start, but as several people have already mentioned, it is a non-starter in Europe due to the cost. I can get a Wraith Golgoth from The Warstore for 32$, this costs 40€ or 64$ over here. We’re used to paying 30% to 50% more, but 100% is excessive.

]]> By: Blackhawk http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20836 Blackhawk Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:43:57 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20836 As The Watchman wrote already... here in Germany it has a hard standing. I don't know any player and our LGS hasn't any AT-43 products. Imho it's a game which no one likes to play over here. The latest contestants in the tabletop market, Hell Dorado and Alkemy, had a waaay better start off. For some numbers: http://www.tabletoptournaments.net/eu/t3_games.php?gid=36 Only 3% of our users from Germany, Austria, the Switzerland, Belgium and France(!) play AT-43. Alkemy is at 5% and HD at 9%. With these games coming both from Rackhams home country At-43 has a hard standing there if you look on the french values only: 7% AT-43 vs 13% Alkemy vs 23% HD. Even if these are only some numbers based on a couple of users... it shows nicely the current spreading of the games. I think the overall tendence is that people in Europe prefer fantasy games to scifi games. As The Watchman wrote already… here in Germany it has a hard standing. I don’t know any player and our LGS hasn’t any AT-43 products. Imho it’s a game which no one likes to play over here. The latest contestants in the tabletop market, Hell Dorado and Alkemy, had a waaay better start off.

For some numbers:
http://www.tabletoptournaments.net/eu/t3_games.php?gid=36

Only 3% of our users from Germany, Austria, the Switzerland, Belgium and France(!) play AT-43. Alkemy is at 5% and HD at 9%. With these games coming both from Rackhams home country At-43 has a hard standing there if you look on the french values only: 7% AT-43 vs 13% Alkemy vs 23% HD.

Even if these are only some numbers based on a couple of users… it shows nicely the current spreading of the games.

I think the overall tendence is that people in Europe prefer fantasy games to scifi games.

]]> By: Rich_B http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20835 Rich_B Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:31:46 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20835 The Op Damocles box was fun but no-one has picked up anything else around here in the UK due to cost, lack of quality control, lack of opponents and perceived superiority of alternative systems. Newer releases show a marked improvement in paint quality but the Frostbite thing is a worry. They should have got more armies established before pumping out new paintjobs for existing models... I can kind of understand it though, if you need to generate a good revenue stream from one game (C:AoR is even more of a non-starter around here) with limited capital its probably cheaper to pump out new paint jobs/use different colour plastic than to fund new moulds. Its the old Transformers thing - make more cash from the same moulds by taking Optimus Prime, painting him white and calling him Ultra Magnus... The Op Damocles box was fun but no-one has picked up anything else around here in the UK due to cost, lack of quality control, lack of opponents and perceived superiority of alternative systems.

Newer releases show a marked improvement in paint quality but the Frostbite thing is a worry. They should have got more armies established before pumping out new paintjobs for existing models… I can kind of understand it though, if you need to generate a good revenue stream from one game (C:AoR is even more of a non-starter around here) with limited capital its probably cheaper to pump out new paint jobs/use different colour plastic than to fund new moulds.

Its the old Transformers thing - make more cash from the same moulds by taking Optimus Prime, painting him white and calling him Ultra Magnus…

]]> By: corwin http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20834 corwin Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:11:39 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20834 In Italy the AT-43 community it is growing every day. To be the best sci-fi 3D game must be cheaper then right now and with more armies. I hope to receive good answers from JB about these two points. The game is very good and well balanced, very tactical but easy in the same time. In one word it is GREAT! In Italy the AT-43 community it is growing every day. To be the best sci-fi 3D game must be cheaper then right now and with more armies.
I hope to receive good answers from JB about these two points.
The game is very good and well balanced, very tactical but easy in the same time. In one word it is GREAT!

]]> By: capitanmanu http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20832 capitanmanu Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:02:23 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20832 In Spain we are few people but we met in an efficient forum. I believe that i is not had successful since the miniatures are very expensive in Europe. In the USA they are cheap in comparison. In Spain we are few people but we met in an efficient forum.

I believe that i is not had successful since the miniatures are very expensive in Europe.
In the USA they are cheap in comparison.

]]> By: The Watchman http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993/comment-page-1#comment-20831 The Watchman Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:01:23 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/04/21/13993#comment-20831 Without an national distributor, a demo team and a rather hefty price (in Euro) AT-43 has only managed to gather a very small following in Germany. If this changes anytime in the near future I don't know, but with the current situation the game will simply dissappear as people shift to games and miniatures more easily available and affordable. Without an national distributor, a demo team and a rather hefty price (in Euro) AT-43 has only managed to gather a very small following in Germany.

If this changes anytime in the near future I don’t know, but with the current situation the game will simply dissappear as people shift to games and miniatures more easily available and affordable.

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