| Henrix | 25 Feb 2011 2:03 a.m. PST |
Hope this works out well! Best of luck! (It doesn't really sound like my kettle of fish, though.) |
| Agent 13 | 25 Feb 2011 5:57 a.m. PST |
Good luck. Not interested however. Not into all this 'design by committee' idea either. All that gets one is a platypus. |
| Cpt Arexu | 25 Feb 2011 7:30 a.m. PST |
Don't be dissing the playtpus, boyo… |
| GoneNow | 25 Feb 2011 9:34 a.m. PST |
Perry the Platypus? Will he have the hat? |
| KenofYork | 25 Feb 2011 6:35 p.m. PST |
Not just saying this because I am working on the same thing from a different angle-but how can a company have money to start from scratch with US production but did not have money to purchase Chinese made goods?
It would seem to be easier to invest the money to correct whatever issues were going on with the first venture.
This reminds me of the relatives I have who declare bankruptcy one week and show up in a new Corvette the next.
I am confused a bit, but good luck guys. I like your stuff and wish I could afford the software you are using. |
| New Sock Puppet for Tony | 25 Feb 2011 8:04 p.m. PST |
Hi Ken- WF was doing quite well sales-wise per set over the last several months before "The Incident" – our issue was that we didn't have reliable manufacturing even though the manufacturer was a majority owner in the company! When delay after delay happened, and we called them on it, they responded by kicking out all the people that were actually making things happen and going back on their word. Those who were privy to the sales #s – and even many who weren't but understood what the company was doing – were quick to approach us to help get started up again – more so when I found a reliable, US-based manufacturer who's work just blows away what we've seen before. Re: SensAble Freeform – do you know that there are financing programs? It's still not cheap – but the equivalent of buying a nice car and having a monthly car payment. It's a great software system. Thanks again,
Tony |
Lee Brilleaux  | 25 Feb 2011 8:11 p.m. PST |
Tony gets there before me --- quick deletion of most of what I had to say. |
| Lee Brilleaux | 25 Feb 2011 8:14 p.m. PST |
Ken, that wasn't the problem. Tony's given you the crux of it. We are starting up again with a very lean operation and capital from a few friends and well-wishers who supported us as the details of what we've come to term 'The Incident' became clear. None of us are being paid right now (indeed, we weren't being paid in the past months!) so we are spending very carefully and trusting that our new products will attract customers. We have a lot of people on our side but, of course, success depends on having a quality product. We think our new 'plastics guys' can do that -- and do so in a way that proves that you don't have to go to the far east to get things done on a limited budget. |
| elcid1099 | 25 Feb 2011 10:04 p.m. PST |
Good on you guys. Thats what I love about America and Americans. Taken to the edge of ruin in a major crisis, but just pick up and start again from scratch. Brilliant. (disclaimer – this is not an exclusively American trait, but in my experience it's more common over there where there really isn't much of a personal safety net) Anyhoo, wish you both all the very best and I am sure that what you have learned first time around puts you in very good stead this time. |
| Lee Brilleaux | 26 Feb 2011 4:59 a.m. PST |
Well, I'm not an American, but thanks! My colleagues are proper Yankee can-doers, though. When you've made model soldiers, it's hard to consider a career selling tires, or toilet paper or plastic cups :) |
| New Sock Puppet for Tony | 26 Feb 2011 4:59 a.m. PST |
Hi elcid – thanks – but just to point out that Howard was born and raised in Birmingham! He is married to a Southern Belle though – so that must rub off! ;-) |
| New Sock Puppet for Tony | 26 Feb 2011 5:00 a.m. PST |
Funny – Howard and I must have the same web-surfing habits. OR – perhaps Howard is actually one of my sock puppets! |
| Lee Brilleaux | 26 Feb 2011 5:07 a.m. PST |
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| elcid1099 | 26 Feb 2011 6:18 a.m. PST |
A magic partnering of yank and brommy. All the best lads. |
| ordinarybass | 26 Feb 2011 8:55 a.m. PST |
Well, this looks like good news all around. I liked the discussion sparked by L&U, but it created so much dissention and so many complaints (6mm robots…) that I'm not really sorry to see it gone. Good Luck guys. |
| New Sock Puppet for Tony | 26 Feb 2011 4:28 p.m. PST |
The L&U is a great concept – thanks to Nic at Eureka! – the problems start when you can't keep up with demand. We may well go down that road again – but only after making sure we can match production with the enthusiasm. That said – one thing that will not go away is the openness we foster and the inclusion of the wargaming community with what we do. We will always post designs in the forum for feedback and welcome every bit of it. Thanks again,
Tony |
 Parzival  | 26 Feb 2011 8:16 p.m. PST |
To Tony & Howard: I will watch the progress of your new venture with eager applause. For now, alas, I have decided to set aside 28mm (which I know to be your preference) for my current addiction, 10mm. But if or when you do decide to break into other scales and products (such as, oh, cheap fleet-scale spaceships) I shall beat a path to your door, cash in hand. In the meantime, I hope the 28mm addicts of TMP do the same. You guys deserve success. To everyone else: Along with mweaver, I can confirm that if you send these guys money, you do get really great stuff (figs or books) sent to your door! |
| Adam from Lancashire | 27 Feb 2011 5:46 a.m. PST |
Have you thought about making a set in the traditional 3-up method? In other words, pick a set that would likely be quite popular with a market gap (like a combined Hastati/Principes set, Macedonian phalanx or Landsknechts – which would appeal to the WFB crowd as well), and getting an experienced sculptor to produce physical models and then reduce them in size using the services of someone like Renedra? It seems to work well for others who've done it that way and if you take it steady it might provide a firm foundation to build upon. I'm thinking along the lines of Victrix who started off in this way, took their time and seem to be doing alright now. From what I gather on these board and others, there are a lot of people who prefer this style to the digital sculpts, yet I haven't seen anybody saying that they wish that Warlord/Victrix/etc. would go the digital route. I realise I might be coming off like a bit of a naysayer, so I just want to add that I hope this venture turns out well for you. Aiming for the 40k crowd does seem to be a good move. Good luck |
| New Sock Puppet for Tony | 27 Feb 2011 8:15 a.m. PST |
Hi Adam – thanks so much for the feedback. The 3-up/pantography process is tried and true and gets great results as evidenced by Perry, Warlord, etc. The digitial method can get as good results – but a key component is the engineering and actual tooling phase. Previously, we were seeing major degradations in the part quality from the digital sculpt to the final plastic. As each set was getting better – we thought it had to do with the learning curve to do the all-digital route but we now know better. Knock on wood – but I think you will see some very highly detailed pieces coming through our new manufacturing partner here in Massachusetts! And then we can one day get back to doing the historical sets at the quality level we always expected to see! Thanks again,
Tony |
| The Auld Grump | 08 Mar 2011 5:54 a.m. PST |
I was more than a trifle offended when I read of the takeover – I DID get my Shock Troopers, and am quite happy with them, but will have nothing to do with the new management of WF. It's a dang shame, since I would have continued purchasing the grim gritty greatcoats. I wish you folks at Defiance the best of luck, frankly, you are going to need it, and as much more luck as other folk can send your way. I hope that your Germans aren't too far over the horizon. The Auld Grump |
| Lee Brilleaux | 08 Mar 2011 2:27 p.m. PST |
Terrement, you have been fooled by my simple trick of putting "Mexican" in front of "Jack Squint", which (cunningly, I feel) is not my actual name. In reality, most of my relatives talk like Ozzy Osbourne, although marginally more compos mentis. I affect a heavy Guadalajara accent when needed, although I fear it convinces few. |
| royalempire613 | 09 Mar 2011 3:22 a.m. PST |
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| HeadClot | 21 Mar 2011 11:40 a.m. PST |
I have one thing to say about this… WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Welcome back Tony and Howard! Missed you so much! |
| Farstar | 21 Mar 2011 1:05 p.m. PST |
I affect a heavy Guadalajara accent when needed, although I fear it convinces few. More Tequila? |
| Warbeads | 23 Mar 2011 4:51 p.m. PST |
When you get to doing historical figures in the scale/eras I will end up with I will consider buying from you. Just because I stifle one of you doesn't mean I would not buy good figures (scale and era dependent of course) from any/all of you. Despite my personal differences I believe you to be honorable men and wish you success in your business. Especially since you seem to have been had because you seemed to assume "others" were also honorable. Betrayal sucks. Gracias, Glenn |
| BlackWidowPilot | 27 Mar 2011 8:31 a.m. PST |
"Good luck. Not interested however. Not into all this 'design by committee' idea either. All that gets one is a platypus."
Excuse me, and just what is wrong with Platypi?
Don't make me use my toe spurs on you, mister!
Leland R. Erickson
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| Valator | 02 Apr 2011 8:15 p.m. PST |
Now that Howard is back at work designing brave new worlds for his good buddy, what is that status on Clash of Iron? |
| Griefbringer | 03 Apr 2011 6:47 a.m. PST |
I would presume that the priority level of Clash of Iron has gone a bit down, since Howard is no longer working for a company producing a line of ancient miniatures. |
| Valator | 03 Apr 2011 1:37 p.m. PST |
Thanks. Your uncanny intuition blows me away. Can I subscribe to your Twitter feed? |
