Since our post on Wednesday (see D&D Miniatures becoming less random in 2009), word has come down from Dungeons & Dragons Senior Brand Manager Scott Rouse at Wizards of the Coast clarifying the company’s plans for D&D Miniatures. Citing “sharp increases […] in manufacturing costs over the last 12 months” and a steady decline in skirmish players, Rouse confirmed that “November’s release of Demonweb will be the last new set that includes skirmish statistics. […] At this point, we can no longer justify the design, development, and production resources required to support the skirmish game.” This move will make WotC’s D&D Miniatures releases purely accessories for the roleplaying game – which is apparently what most D&D gamers were using them for anyway.
According to Rouse, the official sanctioning of D&D Miniatures skirmish events will cease right after D&D Experience in February ’09.
In defense of the planned price increase for the new sets ($14.99) and simultaneous figures-per-box reduction (from 8 down to 5 for the D&D Monsters sets), Rouse promised “a 50% increase in paint steps per figure, which makes even the common and uncommon figures in the set look better, adding more vibrancy and detail.” He also promised Huge figures in a set scheduled for Summer 2009, “including a Hive Mother Beholder and some Dragons.” The Huge figures will be visible in the boxes.
Players concerned that the D&D Heroes miniatures sets – the ones with the character figures – would randomize the class power cards were assured the cards would match the figures in each box.
Rouse ended his quick FAQ by acknowledging the frustration D&D Miniatures skirmish gamers might feel: “We know that this is a bittersweet announcement and for many of you it downright stinks. All of us at Wizards are thankful for the great years of D&D Miniatures play that we’ve had and we are excited about the possibility the future offers.”
I wonder what this means (if anything) for the Star Wars Miniatures game… Surely they’re experiencing the same cost challenges for the production of those as they are with the D&D ones.
Along with the fact that they pay a license for Star Wars minis…
A lot of people get the SW minis for collection purposes, so I imagine their sales are better.
In otherwords it makes no sense to support *two* tactical miniatures games and since 4ed is newer the old one’s got to go.
Exactly. 4e is just minis rules with a handwave of roleplay, anyway. Keeping the minis game going would be redundant.
I think what would be really nice is if they axed the whole random portion of the packaging since it is no longer being marketed as a collectible game and as an accessory. Or at least create non-random sets for themed adventures (i.e. kobold dungeon, orc encampment, dragon’s lair, etc.).
I was hoping they’d release adventure packs to match the adventures they’re putting out. I’d be willing to pay for a kit that comes with the adventure and all the minis you’d need for it. Would cut down on having to use replacement minis. “Don’t worry, it’s not really a bugbear, it’s just a kobald.”