Archive for the ‘News’ Category

One of the most frustrating kick-starters I have been involved with was Futuristic Metal Coins or Victory Tokens by Minion games.Β One phrase sums it all up, “Short changed”. And I mean this quite literally as I was missing quite a few coins that I ordered. I also had previously KS a game of Hegemonic and this project had the same types of issues. To cut a long story short, I got most of what I ordered. The most frustrating thing is that the products are of a very high standard. Top notch in fact. The game of Hegemonic is great with awesome components and great game play. The coins are also very cool and I can’t wait to use them in the odd Sci Fi board game to bling it up.

So to the coins. Heavier than I thought, made out of some sort of metal not aluminium. Β The colurs are etched on and won’t come off. They are all differently shaped and have different fronts and backs as shown. I really like the more coloured coins such as 20, 25, 50, 100 and 200. The 250,500,1000 and 5000 are a bit shiny for me but still nice.

and in summary πŸ˜‰

NZ Retailers need a reality check

Posted: 19 April 2013 in News
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Here is yet another example of typical pricing in NZ compared to an online retailer. I’m getting bored with this topic as I have made my point. Time to actually blog about some gaming I think πŸ™‚

From the www.bookdepository.com

If any NZ retailer can match this then email me and I will order today and support your LGS. Currently the closest price to this is $NZD21.95*2 + $5 postage = $48.90 , thats a difference of $15.61.

They forecast the NZD to USD exchange rate to reach 0.90 sometime this year. I guess we will see a reduction in pricing to match πŸ˜‰

 

NZ retailers are very expensive – part 2

Posted: 19 April 2013 in News
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I got a comment from a NZ Retailer re my blog post Β nz-retailers-are-very-expensive

One last example ,the Fantasy flight living card game Netrunner expansion are $29.99(on sale $24.99) Β retail in NZ compared to USD $14.95 (on sale USD$9.99 ) fromΒ CoolStuff..comΒ so if you got 3 Β plus postage would come to about NZD $50 compared to $90 + $4 postage is $94.

These are real numbers from an actual order I placed but I will use another example from a NZ RetailerΒ http://pukekogames.co.nzΒ which appears to have adjusted his prices since my last visit, which is an encouraging sign.

Android Netrunner: Trace Amount Data PackΒ $21.95 NZD

So 3 would cost $66 + postage of $5 would come to $71. Thats still a diference of $21. If its not the NZ Retailer applying hefty mark ups it must be the Fantasy Flight Distributor pricing. Remember that I have purchase from a Retailer in the USA so he is applying his mark up as well.

How can this be encouraging and supporting the gaming community in NZ? My son will not play this game Β as “the cards cost too much”.

Oh well. Time will tell to see if the local retailers can compete but all I ask is to see some signs of fair pricing and to give the NZ gaming community a fair go.

I have pledged for a few KS projects and I have mostly got some pretty good deals. The only problem I have is the Β waiting time for the KS projects to deliver. I think that you have to Β be very cautious when pledging due to the delays and then losing interest in the project. You are not buying a ready made game so I expect some delays but the point is beware of getting caught up in the crowd funding mania. Some KS projects appear to have already been made and KS is just a selling mechanism e.g. Zombicide and other CMON KS projects.

1: Ogre DE – Pledged for game on 12th May 2012. Fantastic project but it is still undelivered due to a variety of delays. This is a special project and I can live with the delays.

2: Dreadball – I pledged for a Striker and got the wave 1 delivery , a little but delayed and after it had been released to the retail store. Bad move #1 from Mantic. The models were very average and after a few games it hasn’t been used for months. The second wave delivery is due soon, I have no idea and Mantic communication is sporadic – Bad move #2 from Mantic. I couldnt really care much about the wave 2 as the game is very average as well and it might be on my selling list. Not sure yet until I see the rest of the models. I wish I hadn’t backed this but its too late now!

3: Coloured baggies – A very cool KS project – Communcation has been first rate and delivery scheduled has not changed. Excellent and KS was a great way to promote this project. No regrets.

4: Hegemonic – I am a sucker for cool board games and this one looks the part. Communication has been excellent and delivery is on schedule. This wouldn’t of happened without KS so I don’t have any issues and have in fact purchased some other minion games (See blog entry in PnP games).

5: Futuristic Metal Coins – to be used with any of my board games, this was a well run KS Project. Communcation has been excellent and schedule is on time. Would not have happened without crowd funding so it was a valid KS project. Cant wait πŸ™‚

6: Wild West Exodus- Has the potential to be a very good KS project. Plagued with poor communication and changing conditions. Slippage has already occurred and I don’t have my hope up for the delivery to be on time due to the potential delays in the Chinese factories and the complexity of the project re the number of models that need to be made. Still it is worth the risk and I hope I will still be interested when it arrives. Hopeful.

7: Empire of the dead – Only a minimal pledge to get the rule book, nicely run KS Project. Didnt really like the models but the theme was fantastic and the starter rules looked very good. Could have been done without KS and in fact you can get rules already, just not in PDF format. Looking forward to reading rules.

8: Battle for Stalingrad – Still early days but this looks like a fun card game. There is a PnP options which will be the likely level for me. Hasn’t been funded yet but PnP is minimal $ anyway.

9: Eminent Domain Expansion – Still early but only a short KS Project. Looks very good. Shame there is no PnP option. Not sure yet as I need to acquire Eminent Domain and give it a test. Postage is a lot so might have to U Shop this one!

9: Eden – Rulebook project vis IndieGoGo – this was well run and the delivery schedule was relatively short. Book arrived on time (within days) and was what I expected. No issues.

My take on KS projects – Be careful, dont pledge just before without thinking about what you are getting into and hope you don’t lose interest while you wait.

I suppose there is always Trade Me πŸ˜‰

More WWX KS artwork

Posted: 27 February 2013 in News, Uncategorized
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just a reblog but nice anyway. See WWX KS Project

Futuristic Metal coins KS

Posted: 24 February 2013 in News
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I just backed this KS . The coins are great and I will be using them for any of my board games that use coins. I hope they reach the 500 and 1000 coins.

See http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/miniongames/futuristic-metal-coins-or-victory-tokens

WWX – art work is impressive

Posted: 16 February 2013 in News
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I like the art work but the wheels remind me of a kids toy. But then again I suppose there are only so many ways to make a wheel!

Check it out at Β WWX

Feeling ripped off

Posted: 19 January 2013 in News, Uncategorized
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I recently ordered some Reaper MS paints and I am getting them at a good price by importing directly into New Zealand. Even with the international postage they are considerably cheaper than buying them locally, about 25% cheaper. So this is a good situation πŸ™‚

But buying Citadel washes if a different story. Washes ( I think they call them shades, I cant keep up with name changes) are $7 NZD from a NZ store. But from a US store they $3.70 USD that is $4.40 NZD but of course you have to add in postage BUT due to GW global sales rules you cannot actually purchase them ‘directly’ from NZ. So to cut a long story short, If I could order the Citadel paints from a US store and pay for postage and get them into NZ for about $5.20 a bottle. That is a saving of 25%. We are getting ripped off , this is a bad situation 😦

Another example is the Chaos Codex , can be purchased for about USD 40 plus theoretical postage of 18 to NZ comes to about NZD $68 after converting. It costs NZD $98 so thats a whopping NZD $30 more . We are getting ripped off, this is a very bad situation 😦 😦

My rant is almost over, Fortress America a FF board game sells for #149.99 NZD and can be imported directy into NZ for $96.13. Just another example of feeling ripped off.

That it for today….My painting organizer just got delivered , now thats a good situation πŸ˜‰

Eden IndeiGoGo confirmation received

Posted: 11 December 2012 in News

 

“Hello and thank you for your contribution to our Indigogo campaign!

Thank you to confirm the following information about your products, name and delivery address:

Your perk :

Explorator

If you plan to purchase other items on Taban Miniatures this month and want us to gather your products in a single parcel, let us know

Yours,

Β  Benoit Lopez”

 I just confirmed so hopefully will have before 2013. :-)

 

I have not been able to do any painting for a few weeks as I have had a change of location. Well I have had to change from my downstairs room to a smaller one upstairs and that meant moving my painting table etc. I have setup a new one with better natural light but I don’t have all my stuff within reach anymore. Its only a temporary situation but still I have not even filled my water pot! I have my slaanesh on the table ready to go. I need to finish my noise marines and then get stuck into the cultist. I need to get my 1750 point army up and running so I can have some games.

Its a temporary siutation but I had to relocate my ‘sound system’ as well. Its a bit of overkill for the dynamics of the new room. My Naim CD5i and Naim Nait 5i wired with kimber Kable 4TC to a pair of Impulse H6’s. Music is one of my necessities and if you are an audiophile then you know what I mean. You will also note its the worst setup possible with the main kit between the speakers! Well not quite the worst but the speakers are crowding the back wall and lack of any sound damping may be an issue. We will see (hear) I suppose.