"Age of Valor Update - Feedback Requested‏ " Topic

For those who are unaware, AOV is an expansion module for Age of Eagles, the official Napoleonic variant of Rich Hasenauer's (my business partner) Fire & Fury. The module covers, in individual chapters @ with unique charts and tables, the following European conflicts from 1848 thru 1914 to include a. Hungarian Revolution, b. Carlist Wars, c. Schleswig Holstein Wars, d. all the Wars for Italian Independence, e. 1859 Franco-Austrian War, f. 1866 Seven Weeks War, g. 1870 Franco-Prussian War Imperial, h. 1871 Franco-Prussian War Republican, i. Russo-Turkish War, j. Russo-Japanese War, j. Balkan Wars and k. Guns of August 1914.

The original concept was the book would primarily be a digital pub and sell for around $ 12.00. The idea was that the price would be so cheap many would by it even if there was only one period of interest. Then they could simply print off the pages they need. The low price might also discourage folks from illegally copying the material.

However, I am falling behind on getting this done as the research requirements for some of these conflicts area real bear. Soooooooo, I am thinking of a new business model as follows:

1. Each module chapter is $ 4.00 per file, full color. In general a chapter, such as the Balkan Wars, is going to run around 25 pages +. It will include any special rules, new charts, complete unit and leader data tables

AND

allow the person access to all the public domain research material (such as the complete Austrian official history of WWI to include all maps, have it in English too) I used to put these little tomes out, all hosted on the AOE server for free download.

2. After you buy three module chapters ($ 12.00 total), the rest are all free.

3. Obviously if there are revisions or corrections, every customer gets a new file.

4. YES, there will be a print version for the ENTIRE book, but that will be published and sold exclusively thru dealer/distributors like On Military Matters and a few others.

5. The Balkan Wars chapter will be the test drive, downloadable for free from AOE. I figure this will give folks a taste of what the rest of the chapters are like without killing a lot of revenue because very few are gonna play this period (though damn if Eureka and Irregular don't make 15 mm figures for it).

Right now, the chapters that are VERY close on being ready to go are the 1859 Franco-Austrian War, 1866 Seven Weeks War, both Franco Prussian War chapters, Russo-Japanese War and Balkan Wars. I just need to deconflict the formats to make sure they look the same across all chapters.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Warmest regards,

/// BILL ///

Wilbur E Gray
Colonel, US Army (Ret)
AOE, PSS, HMGS WFG+

ageofeagles.com

Sounds remarkably reasonable – and this isn't even really my period.

However, now that I have your attention … I was wondering if you've thought of a v2 of the original AoE using some of the changes in the (upcoming) v2 of the brigade F&F rules? ;)

Cheers,

Christopher

I think it sounds grand as one will be able to buy a print version. Looking forward to seeing the Balkan War test drive as well.

And just to make sure, everyone knows these will be digital files for you to download and print, correct?

A full color print book for all of them will be pricey.

Warmest regards,

/// BILL ///

Wilbur E Gray
Colonel, US Army (Ret)
AOE, PSS, HMGS WFG+

ageofeagles.com

Colonel Bill

That sounds good to me, particularly if it helps you release the initial chapters quicker. I will certainly buy at least three chapters digitally and the hard copy book, as there are probably good reasons to buy both.

Good luck with this.

Regards

Yeah, if they have good info in them ala the 1866 and 1870 rule books I'm in for at least 3.

BTW, the Crimean War chapter is ready to go as well.

Warmest regards,

/// BILL ///

Wilbur E Gray
Colonel, US Army (Ret)
AOE, PSS, HMGS WFG+

ageofeagles.com

Dear Colonel Bill,
First: I am very glad to see more postings by you and I do hope this means those health problems in the past have been defeated !
Concerning the Age of Valor rules: I want everything. And it is beyond me why anyone would only buy a portion for US$4.00 when he can get everything for US$12.00 ! I would also love to have the hardcopy book, but I have noticed US Mail costs risen to such ridiculous heights that I have stopped buying from US sellers. If I remember correctly, your earlier hardcovers (Age of Eagles rules and scenarios and Age of Glory rules)were printed in (and perhaps sent from ?)China. Perhaps here is a possibility for your business ? I recently bought a cover for my wife's smartphone for US$ 6.50 INCLUDING p & p ! See Alibaba.
Be assured that I really love your work and I (or better: WE !) are looking forward to it !
Regards, Luc.

Concerning the Age of Valor rules: I want everything.

and I want it NOW!

Take my money!

I like the module approach, will probably get them all

I am interested in all of it, especially the 1914 WWI files. I will also be interested in buying a hard copy of all of it at some point.

Bill, two more thumbs up for your idea!

Col Bill … yes very good idea. People can then mix and match of but the whole lot. I will. Also I like printed stuff so will buy a book (UK if possible). This will make for useful resource material as I have been playing these periods, albeit with other rule sets.

I'll buy them but I do like the option that there will be a full printed version in the future.

Hi

Went to ageofeagles.com but couldn't find where to download the trial Balkan Wars chapter. Has it been released yet?

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

I think that the popularity of Bruce Weigle's series of 19thC rules (1870, 8166, and 1859) bodes well for the concept of a series of hardcopy modules.

Definitely on board with this, Col.