Overstuffed market?

[Sean Clark]

I dont see it as overstuffed. Market forces will dictate what survives and what doesn't but I love the choice we have theses days.

The vast majority of rules in my cupboard have never been played but bought on a whim, read and put away.

My all time favourite set are over 20 years old (original Fire and Fury). I have played and enjoyed the Black Powder and Bolt Action. I have also played rules by Featherstone and Wesencraft.

I had a discussion with a mate at WMMS yesterday who says his club are searching for a set of Ancients they like. Th problem is they have played just about every set of Ancients rules you could name. Not sure if he has tried Neil Thomas' rules yet so may suggest those.

So for me, the more the better. Whether there are many original ideas in any of these new sets is another question.

Sean

[Hertsblue]

I dont see it as overstuffed. Market forces will dictate what survives and what doesn't but I love the choice we have theses days.

......

So for me, the more the better. Whether there are many original ideas in any of these new sets is another question.

Sean

Hear, hear! If the market is overstuffed, so what? What's the solution? Censorship? Issue of licenses to produce? Mass book-burning? That's absurd.

As Sean says, the market will take care of the situation eventually. In the meantime, browse what's available and if it takes your fancy - buy it. Otherwise put it back on the shelf.

As far as peer-pressure to continually switch goes, our group has a tacit agreement that only one member will buy a set of new rules so that they can be evaluated on the table. We're going through the process with Hail Caesar and Blitzkreig Commander at the moment. Only when and if they obtain general approval will anyone else chip in. And we're not shy of rejigging them if we think something's amiss.

As for a lack of new ideas - you could always try contributing your own. To mis-quote Shaw - those who can, do; those who cannot, buy.   

[General Greenman]

Whilst browsing other rule mechanisms I have frequently utilised a long period of research and developed my own alongside a friend whom also reads extensively .
At present I am looking at other sets as I am developing an alternative 19th Cen setting and as I want to work on a grand skirmish level of small squads I am looking to develop a system that allows single and group fire. I am also looking to.develop a solo system as I frequently play solo .
The free Wargames site is a valuable resource and also prevents the large companies always gaining money.which as the entries indicate results in shelves bursting with unused volumes.

[Orosay]

Not sure there are too many, but boy they are expensive! What I REALLY notice is a conspicuous lack of rules articles in the wargames mags - in the past I got rules by Andy Callan and Richard Brooks amongst others, that I still use, and barely a month would go by that there wouldn't be a rules article that gave some fresh ideas. Now - not sure where these have gone? (free wargames rules on-line perhaps - but I don't really have the enthusiasm to trawl through pages of dross to find something worthwhile). Does everyone who might once have contributed via a magazine article now aspire to publishing their set at 30 quid a go and retiring on their earnings?
Maybe I'm just old!

[richinq]

like others have said market forces will sort it out.  I use some expensive rules and some cheap one also use some of free wargames website.

I like the idea of Osprey bringing out cheaper rules though I have a complete set of the Force on Force and Bolt Action rules.

After many years of wargaming I starting to stick to rules for the periods I game.  Thats the plan guess i will find out when then next set of rules come out.

I just enjoy collecting rules and shiney figures. 

[Derek H]

I like the idea of Osprey bringing out cheaper rules though I have a complete set of the Force on Force and Bolt Action rules.

Neither of those sets of rules are what I would call cheap, almost £100 for Bolt Action, more for Force on Force..    

[Hertsblue]

Neither of those sets of rules are what I would call cheap, almost £100 for Bolt Action, more for Force on Force..    

Far canal! For that sort of money I'd want the complete rifle! 

[richinq]

The cheap one I have is A world Aflame.

[Luddite]

The cheap one I have is A world Aflame.

Which is a pretty poor ruleset.

Dux Bellorum and In Her Majesties Name are far better i would suggest.

[Steve J]

DB and IHMN are both very good and damned good value at between £7-£8 on Amazon including delivery.

[DanJ]

There seems to be a current trend for figure manufacturers to produce big sets of rules then the figures to play them, basically following the GW business model,  Warlord is the most obvious example but there are many others.  The trend seems to have taken off when Warhammer historical was finnaly killed off, we've had a number of sets of rules aimed at filling the WHA niche, 28mm figures with relatively small numbers of figs and units, interestingly several of them seem to have been penned by ex WHH staff members.

[ianjgow]

Try Repique Rules for any number of completely original ideas, particularly Die Fighting, 2nd edition coming out soon which is a video rules set, walking through the rules in handy 2 minute segments showing you exactly how to play them - downloadable accessories & everything you'll need at a cost less than printed rule sets. This is being produced by Bob Jones who is a professional in both media & war-games rules. If you want something different & a great game, check them out. I don't work for Bob, I just LOVE his rules.

i

[Luddite]

There seems to be a current trend for figure manufacturers to produce big sets of rules then the figures to play them, basically following the GW business model,

But that's not the GW business model anymore.

In fact Games Workshop don't produce games at all.

They produce collectible figurines apparently.

Something they forgot to tell their game-playing customer base...

[Leon026]

What are people's stance towards home-made (complete) rules?

Are people willing to share their rules for free, and are people in general willing to test them?

I'm primarily asking this because while some of the rules I do appreciate like Lasalle, I wouldn't mind seeing more home-made ones to see if they're any more interesting. I think Elan is the other one I keep on me as I find it quite detailed.

[Hertsblue]

Yes and yes. Try here.

http://rulesdepot.net/index.html