HBG - Axis & Allies Parts/Accessories and Custom Piece Sets Store!

Guys,

––I DON’T speak for anyone but myself,….but judging from the posts it seems there are several asumptions that can be made here. It seems:

1.) We are very interested in buying most, if not all, of these new HBG sets.
2.) Although we may have favorites, we’ll be happy with whichever sets are produced first.
3.) We will continue to be loyal and completely satisfied customers of this Great company, HBG, and happily support it’s decisions.

––Of the six gamers that posted their favorites for the first five sets to be made it seems a some trends are apperaring. Obviously these results don’t include any BGG, phone order, or as yet unposted favorites. Here are the totals SO FAR;

Island Warfare…… 5 votes   Favorite
Battle for the Atlantic…… 5 votes   Favorite
D-Day…… 5 votes   Favorite  
Operation Sea Lion…… 2 votes
Africa at War…… 2 votes
Diplomacy…… 1 vote
France…… 2 votes
Berlin…… 1 vote
Axis Secret Weapons…… 3 votes   Favorite
Allied Secret Weapons…… 3 votes   Favorite
China…… 1 vote

––Like i said before,….I will be happy with whatever order these sets are produced,…as long as they all are produced.

“Tall Paul”

Yep, I can report that Island Warfare is a surprising stand out so far. I think there is good odds we’ll be looking at this one first.

@knp7765:

Any word on the Amerika Kickstarter project?

Since we got so close last time, Coach and I are really crossing T’s and dotting I’s to make sure this campaign is solid. Map and charts have been done for a while now. Rules are basically done and laid out until we go to final production. These are going to be made available for free this time around. We’re finishing up a few graphics for the KS page to make sure there is no confusing items this time and then we’ll be ready to go. Don’t worry, we will tell our faithful followers here first so you get it in at the beginning. Thank you all for your continued interest in the game. It’s been tons of fun showing it off at 'Cons and getting feedback and comments. Having about 50 people play it at GenCon was really cool!

Here are my five I picked if you want to add them to your vote count.

Battle of Britain
D-Day
Africa
Island Warfare
Battle of Berlin

Thanks,

John

OK,

@Tall:

––Of the SEVEN gamers that posted their favorites for the first five sets to be made it seems a some trends are apperaring. Obviously these results don’t include any BGG, phone order, or as yet unposted favorites. Here are the totals SO FAR;

Island Warfare…… 6 votes              Favorite
Battle for the Atlantic…… 5 votes              Favorite
D-Day…… 6 votes              Favorite  
Operation Sea Lion…… 2 votes
Africa at War…… 3 votes    tied for 4th/5th
Diplomacy…… 1 vote
France…… 2 votes
Berlin…… 2 votes
Axis Secret Weapons…… 3 votes   tied for 4th/5th
Allied Secret Weapons…… 3 votes   tied for 4th/5th
China…… 1 vote
Battle of Britain…… 1 vote

––Like i said before,….I will be happy with whatever order these sets are produced,…as long as they all are produced.

“Tall Paul”

After the first week, these are ranked on the website. Top to bottom, left to right.
http://www.historicalboardgaming.com/HBG-Global-War-Exp-Sets_c_449.html

@coachofmany:

After the first week, these are ranked on the website. Top to bottom, left to right.

Interesting that the Battle of Britain came in last place right after Zombie Apocalypse.  The RAF’s honoured dead must be spinning in their graves (pun fully intended).

@coachofmany:

After the first week, these are ranked on the website. Top to bottom, left to right.
http://www.historicalboardgaming.com/HBG-Global-War-Exp-Sets_c_449.html

Great! Makes it very easy to check on occasionally.

“Tall Paul”

@Variable:

@knp7765:

Any word on the Amerika Kickstarter project?

Since we got so close last time, Coach and I are really crossing T’s and dotting I’s to make sure this campaign is solid. Map and charts have been done for a while now. Rules are basically done and laid out until we go to final production. These are going to be made available for free this time around. We’re finishing up a few graphics for the KS page to make sure there is no confusing items this time and then we’ll be ready to go. Don’t worry, we will tell our faithful followers here first so you get it in at the beginning. Thank you all for your continued interest in the game. It’s been tons of fun showing it off at 'Cons and getting feedback and comments. Having about 50 people play it at GenCon was really cool!

Just my opinion, I know you guys aren’t able to have all the new sculpts produced at once. However it might be nice if you guys had a full demo kit for Kick Starter using 3d printed sculpts. It really gives the investors a better idea of what the finished project will look like.

I would buy this game for the sculpts alone. I think Amerika is a great idea.

@toblerone77:

@Variable:

@knp7765:

Any word on the Amerika Kickstarter project?

Since we got so close last time, Coach and I are really crossing T’s and dotting I’s to make sure this campaign is solid. Map and charts have been done for a while now. Rules are basically done and laid out until we go to final production. These are going to be made available for free this time around. We’re finishing up a few graphics for the KS page to make sure there is no confusing items this time and then we’ll be ready to go. Don’t worry, we will tell our faithful followers here first so you get it in at the beginning. Thank you all for your continued interest in the game. It’s been tons of fun showing it off at 'Cons and getting feedback and comments. Having about 50 people play it at GenCon was really cool!

Just my opinion, I know you guys aren’t able to have all the new sculpts produced at once. However it might be nice if you guys had a full demo kit for Kick Starter using 3d printed sculpts. It really gives the investors a better idea of what the finished project will look like.

I would buy this game for the sculpts alone. I think Amerika is a great idea.

We have considered this but there are two problems. 3D printing will print out exactly how the 3D model is made but 3D printing is not great at the scale of our pieces so you will not get a true representation of the pieces. We plan on displaying the models so that they rotate in an animated gif format to better give you a better idea of the model.

@coachofmany:

@toblerone77:

@Variable:

@knp7765:

Any word on the Amerika Kickstarter project?

Since we got so close last time, Coach and I are really crossing T’s and dotting I’s to make sure this campaign is solid. Map and charts have been done for a while now. Rules are basically done and laid out until we go to final production. These are going to be made available for free this time around. We’re finishing up a few graphics for the KS page to make sure there is no confusing items this time and then we’ll be ready to go. Don’t worry, we will tell our faithful followers here first so you get it in at the beginning. Thank you all for your continued interest in the game. It’s been tons of fun showing it off at 'Cons and getting feedback and comments. Having about 50 people play it at GenCon was really cool!

Just my opinion, I know you guys aren’t able to have all the new sculpts produced at once. However it might be nice if you guys had a full demo kit for Kick Starter using 3d printed sculpts. It really gives the investors a better idea of what the finished project will look like.

I would buy this game for the sculpts alone. I think Amerika is a great idea.

We have considered this but there are two problems. 3D printing will print out exactly how the 3D model is made but 3D printing is not great at the scale of our pieces so you will not get a true representation of the pieces. We plan on displaying the models so that they rotate in an animated gif format to better give you a better idea of the model.

Okay Coach so if I’m understanding you correctly you use the 3D modeling to help design machine the mold plates rather than a 3D print as guide for the mold maker?

I don’t want you to divulge any business secrets but I’m interested in the process all together.

I still think if you did a slightly larger 3d print of the design/line-up for display in your KS video and said: "Hey this is our model design that will be scaled down to this size (presenting an in production sculpt comparison) it might help just a little.

Just IMO, The 3D CGI looks great and as a customer who knows the product I and others are an easier sell. To the new player that isn’t familiar with your product line or A&A or games like it they may not understand how nice this game really is without the “see/touch” factor.

You guys rock!

Another idea just occurred to me regarding Amerika and the plastic miniatures. If I am understanding toblerone77 correctly, he is supposing that if you actually had the plastic battle pieces on hand, that the game itself might be a more sellable product.
Of course, you guys can’t afford to put out the expense of getting the plastic battle pieces until the game is actually funded. As I recall, a MINIMUM order of plastic miniatures like these would be at least 1000 sets to make it worthwhile for the factory to make them. And there is the cost of the molds themselves to add into this expense. And if the game funding was not successful, then HBG is sitting there with this HUGE expense laid out and no game sales to recoup their loss.

So, one idea would be to go ahead with the plastic battle pieces as their own product. You could even take pre-orders for sets to ease the cost on your end. You know a lot of people will be wanting these pieces and a lot will be wanting extras for their own games even after Amerika comes out. You would still have plenty of sets to fill the actual games and when you present your game for funding, you already have the actual playing pieces on hand to show. Also, with the battle pieces made beforehand, the actual rest of the game would be a little cheaper for you to complete.

I don’t know if I’m missing anything here. I’ve never tried to market a game like this. Just wanted to throw it out there.

I for one would buy the pieces for the game before the game is released.

@knp7765:

Another idea just occurred to me regarding Amerika and the plastic miniatures. If I am understanding toblerone77 correctly, he is supposing that if you actually had the plastic battle pieces on hand, that the game itself might be a more sellable product.
Of course, you guys can’t afford to put out the expense of getting the plastic battle pieces until the game is actually funded. As I recall, a MINIMUM order of plastic miniatures like these would be at least 1000 sets to make it worthwhile for the factory to make them. And there is the cost of the molds themselves to add into this expense. And if the game funding was not successful, then HBG is sitting there with this HUGE expense laid out and no game sales to recoup their loss.

So, one idea would be to go ahead with the plastic battle pieces as their own product. You could even take pre-orders for sets to ease the cost on your end. You know a lot of people will be wanting these pieces and a lot will be wanting extras for their own games even after Amerika comes out. You would still have plenty of sets to fill the actual games and when you present your game for funding, you already have the actual playing pieces on hand to show. Also, with the battle pieces made beforehand, the actual rest of the game would be a little cheaper for you to complete.

I don’t know if I’m missing anything here. I’ve never tried to market a game like this. Just wanted to throw it out there.

Your numbers are way low, HBG puts out $10,000 for one mold with sculpting and Production. With 3 molds it goes to $30,000. We do not make money to pay for our items on pre-orders, it does help us get started but not until we have sold quite a number of sets do we actually break even. I appreciate all the enthusiasm for the game, I hope we can raise the money on KS in a few days.

Great news everybody! We’ve got the Japanese Supplement Set INDIVIDUALS up for sale. Just go here:
http://www.historicalboardgaming.com/Japan_c_439.html

Also, check out the SALE section for Black Friday weekend:
http://www.historicalboardgaming.com/Sale-Sale-Sale-_c_151.html

Also, a link to our AMERIKA Kickstarter:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/859357440/amerika-board-game-reboot-ww2-alternate-history

Are you guys thinking of making an Invasion of Japan game? If you are I would prefer it be along the lines of What if Truman decided not to use the nuke and sent in the ground troops.

@Yavid:

Are you guys thinking of making an Invasion of Japan game? If you are I would prefer it be along the lines of What if Truman decided not to use the nuke and sent in the ground troops.

I would love that! A map would be nice even.

I thought about doing a game like that on a Shogun board

Something else that might be an interesting idea. A lot of guys are interested in Cold War variants of Axis & Allies. Has anyone ever read the book or seen the movie “Fatherland”? It takes place in 1964 and tells of an alternate history where the Normandy invasion failed allowing Hitler to cement his hold on Western Europe. Germany was then able to reverse the situation on the Eastern Front, beating the Russians back and fighting a sort of guerilla war for 20 years. It doesn’t really give any explanation as to what happened on the Italian Front so I guess you are simply supposed to suspend disbelief there.
The rest of the war in the Pacific went pretty much like the real history: A-bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki forcing the Japanese to surrender to the US. All of Europe becomes “Germania”. Germany has also developed the atom bomb. In fact, I think they threatened to A-bomb London which caused the British to surrender to Germany (not 100% sure on that). Now the two superpowers are the US and Germany and the Cold War is between them instead of US and USSR.
Suppose there could be a Cold War variant of Axis & Allies but between Germany and the US? Perhaps Germany could still be involved in action in the East as they try to subdue the Russians and that would be a steady drain on their resources. Perhaps there could still be a British Commonwealth that didn’t go along with surrendering to the Nazis just because London did. India would probably be it’s own country; would it be pro USA or Germany? What might be the state of the Middle East and Africa? Germany may control all of Europe, but by 1944 they were pushed out of Africa by the Allies. Yet with London surrendering, might Germany get some of Africa back?

These are some cool ideas! I did consider the Operation Olympic idea before, but just haven’t had time for an undertaking like that yet. The alternate history Cold War scenario sounds very interesting to me. Too many ideas, too little time!  :-D