"Rules That Peaked in 2010?" Topic

Which rulesets reached their peak of popularity in 2010, and have now begun the slow (or not so slow…) slide to 'nobody plays that anymore'?

Isn't it too early to tell? I mean, anything that peaked last year might just be hitting a lull before getting even bigger this year.

GW/Warhammer Historical pretty much slammed the door on Warhammer Ancient Battles with the incompetemtly produced WAB 2.0 and the decision to switch to direct sales only.

So not a slow slide, but a swift "swoosh" off the cliff. The only thing left is the screaming, until WAB hits bottom.

Allen

ditto WAB

WAB

WAB jumped the shark for sure. Hard to call this year a "peak".

How on earth would we know any of this… other than just the anecdotal: "At my club we played a lot of "The Glory of Glory" last year, but not so much now" ?

Too early to tell.

Well, in my experience so far, every ruleset ever written, with the exception of MERCS, has so far failed to be as popular this year as it was last year. Mind you, my gaming so far this year has consisted of one game of MERCS.

Critter Commandos.

FOG

"Critter Commandos"

Oh-kay! Maybe 'cause there's been no new critters in ages?

If CC was going into 2011 1/1000th as popular as WH40K, I'd be happy.

Flames of War.

I say this even though I'm getting into it. No bile, just cold analysis.

Consider:

Normandy Sexy Tigers = done.

Blitzkrieg Pz IIIs = anticlimactic.

Pacific War = not going to happen, on account of too much jungle (= not enough sexy tanks, not that there are any around); and besides no one wants to play the Japanese.

What is there left to do?

Normandy 2.0, which will sell one third of 1.0.

Normandy Weird, ditto.

FoW WWI and Interwar, ditto.

I'd do Japanese.

That makes one.

FoG

Good argument, Pierce.

Allen

Jumped the Crocodile, as I've mentioned elsewhere.

Allen

I know FOW is on the downward spiral 'cause I just bought my rules last month.

Rob

I think Tractics is just about to get it's second wind. What it really needs is a marketing svengali. There was a chap who popped up on here last year who seemed to have the werewithall, Greg someone. Pits? Potts? Anyway he seemed like a real go getter, just the sort you need to set a fire under the market.

Like others, I believe WAB has now outlived its usefulness.

Lasalle

Uncharted seas

I'd agree with FoG, FoW, and WAB. I'd add Warmachine and D&D 4E.

Of course one could make the peaked argument with just about any set of rules more than a year old, the way many gamers are with rules, myself included.

FoG hasn't peaked as FoGR will draw folks to both periods.

FoW hasn't peaked yet either as early war is still bringing interest and they keep releasing more Late War. The "codex" mania is quite frustrating to me though. I don't agree about the Pacific War being tankless either, more rare for the Japanese but people seem to forget that U.S. Army units were present in the Pacific too. Also, don't forget about China, the Philipines, Burma, etc. Lots of possibilities come to mind. There are plenty of players that would play Japanese; I would. Look how many play Axis now.

Can't speak to WAB but they do have a history of messing up perfectly fine rules or releasing the next "codex" that renders the latest army "the best"; at least on the 40K and the fantasy side.

Until the economy improves, I wouldn't say anything has peaked yet.

Until the economy improves everything has peaked.

Fer Sure, Dude!

Gracias,

Glenn

I'd agree with FoG, FoW, and WAB. I'd add Warmachine and D&D 4E.

D&D4e is a clear leader for the "Peaked in 2010" award, given the rather lackluster set of products announced for 2011. 5e here we come!

Warmachine had a hot year in 2010, but "peaked" means "all down hill from here" which I don't think is going to be the case with them.

FoG is a good bet, but FoW peaked in 2009, and WAB's peak was around 2006-7.

Uncharted Seas may have peaked last year, but we just got a new rulebook, so it may have more life in it than you suspect. I suspect Firestorm Armada DID peak in 2010, however, and 2011 will be the year for Dystopian Wars.

Other candidates include Infinity and Malifaux, though I think Infinity peaked in 2009 and Malifaux's peak year is going to be 2011, on the basis that the small skirmish games have a 2-4 year cycle before being replaced in the queue by new shiny.

AT-43 peaked in 2008, and the collection of games under the name "Confrontation" peaked in 2005-6.

D&D 4th ed.

Uncharted Seas is another good one…