Use it or lose it. Heresy's future...

[Captain_Jack]

Now this is certainly news that makes one furrow their brow in concern.  I haven't posted anything here in a while as I don't spend nearly as much time as I used to on the interwebs  but I do make a point of checking in now and then.  When I first joined the FoD it was not so much about the products as it was about the calibre of the work being done here and the community in general.  As a hobbyist, I don't so much as buy minis for how they are but more to how I may modify them to suit my own disparate image and sense of aesthetics, hence why I will gravitate to plastics for the ease of which I may butcher (and I do mean butcher, down to cutting textures off and applying them elsewhere and rectifying the posture of GW Orks.  As I am currently watching a show on Gorillas, it becomes clear that Brian Nelson used Gorillas as a key reference source when developing the Ork sprue.) and the variety of components.  The (comparatively) few metal models in my collection though occupy their own tier of hierarchy as strong pieces in their own right.  I suppose this is why I use those brilliant heresy ghouls as my scale comparison pieces when I take photos of my own sculpts (usually with a GW fig as well to communicate its scale with the industry giant).

Now I make no pretenses about buying the models, but I do delight in studying them as I am not so much a purchaser of miniatures, more of a sculptor in training, I keep coming back here as my first stop for seeing new and epic wining greens (I think I just said everything in the above paragraph in a different way there).  Personally when it comes to miniatures, I don't have any interest in 15mm but I will agree that a more focussed approach to existing lines is the best approach.  I feel that all of the "not versions" of certain characters, while fun, are actually a hindrance but this thought more comes from hindsight as I am guilty of "not versioning" concepts myself.  Sometimes they are just too niche.  Their value could probably be justified as a limited edition release (thus justifying a higher price tag if the editions are numbered and editioned). I certainly appreciate that they are fun to make and there can be some excitement around their niche references but I don't really see this excitement extending past the FoD itself and maybe frothers (though I could just be hitting the wrong circles of the interwebbery).

Frankly I'd offer my services to sculpt for Andy for free but I do do feel I have been too much of a flake in the past for him to consider it and I certainly wouldn't blame him.
 

EDIT: you know what, that's a load of toss.  I could just as easily have summed that up to say  do less "not versions" of things and do more Andy things.  That's a much simpler sentence but probably makes as much sense. :p

[TheGremlin]

I would questionng doing a spider, when both GW and Otherworld already do giant spiders, and it appears to have limited appeal - aside from the cool factor, not many will need it, let alone mpre than one. Also, it's another 'big' project which lots of posters have already questioned. However, you sounded pretty stoked about scultping it, and omo, that is the surest way to success. If you are doing stuff you hate, not only is it almost not worth doing, but is more likely to end in failure.

[Vermis]

I would questionng doing a spider, when both GW and Otherworld already do giant spiders

But the one Andy would sculpt wouldn't look like a limp, rubber, halloween toy.

I would not allow it.



(Also, T-Tauri: are they the negigible minority keeping Khurasan, GZG etc. in business?)

[t-tauri]

(Also, T-Tauri: are they the negigible minority keeping Khurasan, GZG etc. in business?)

As opposed to those keeping GW, Privateer, Mantic, Perry and pretty much every other company with more than three employees in business? Yes they are very much a negligible minority.

People saying they'll buy your 15mm ranges is a long way from those people putting up the money. All I'm saying is Andy knows what sells best. He needs to look at those ranges and work on spinning off from them. "Not" Bloodbowl keeps a few manufacturers going. I'd wager that some "not" Necromunda ranges usable for post Apocalypse would go down well.

[supervike]

So, if I'm buying my Heresy miniatures from online retailers, is that helping or no?

[Bungle]

So, if I'm buying my Heresy miniatures from online retailers, is that helping or no?

I'd say yes, better than you not buying them or buying something else.

But Andy gets the retailers cut too if you buy direct from him, so its better for his pocket.

[Gibius]

Some "Not-Necromunda and Mordheim" would probably turn things around for Heresy. The number of people I know who LOVE these specialist games but can't get hold of models they need for it is immense. There are podcasts going on about these games and saying how great they are but the footnote is always "but getting the models is a pain". Would be much better if they were saying "go to Heresy miniatures for some great alternatives for this" etc...

[Vermis]

As opposed to those keeping GW, Privateer, Mantic, Perry and pretty much every other company with more than three employees in business?

As in, 'the ones not buying enough 28mm from Heresy to keep one unpaid employee on'?

People saying they'll buy your 15mm ranges is a long way from those people putting up the money. All I'm saying is Andy knows what sells best.

He also knows about people saying they'll buy his 28mm ranges.

Just to clarify, I'm not saying 15mm will absolutely be a glorious revival for Heresy.  Speaking for myself it's an idle suggestion from one casual hobbyist (who's seen little bits and pieces of a trend).  I'm not kidding myself there.  The thing that's rubbing me up the wrong way is that you are.

[Avicenna]

This 28mm vs 15mm argument will go round and round in circles because we are all missing one massive point - if Heresy produce more miniatures they will sell more miniatures. The dragon has been an enormous resource sink and now that is pretty much over Monsier Foster can turn his attention to something else and we'll hopefully see more Heresy Minis in the near future!

[Big Boris]

Hopefully so, if  I ever FINISH THIS SHOPPING CART INSTALL.

[Enazel]

O dear Andy, fighting webcode I take it.

[Daemonslave]

Made my contribution - just bought the Ghoul Horde. Hope it helps 

[Big Boris]

So, what do all you whingey buggers think about the new shopping cart so far? Needs a lot of work yet to make it look smarter, but that's all bells and whistles (ones I need to carefully study to work out how to ring and blow) as the main thing is the pics of minis and ability to pay for them.

(I know there's a lot of generic sentences where I haven't updated the text from the initial install and the warning about the database thingy...)

http://www.heresyminiatures.com/shop

It's taken me all bleedin' week so far, 7am to 11.30pm.

[leadhead]

I think it'll work out great.  Can't wait to get my next order in (but I'll have to as I'm flat broke).

[Big Boris]

Made my contribution - just bought the Ghoul Horde. Hope it helps 

It does! Thanks!

[Big Boris]

So, if I'm buying my Heresy miniatures from online retailers, is that helping or no?

We do much better with direct sales. We only have three retailers, one of whom only orders from us when people order from him, so it's quicker to order direct from us!

[ink the troll]

if only i had known the zombies would be added this fast!

shop's looking good - i also like the little things like 'the best kept secret in the miniatures industry'

[Big Boris]

To be fair, though, the zombies aren't quite available yet - got a lot of casting, cleaning up of masters and production mould-making to do over the next two weeks!

[Orc Man]

Lookin' good, Andy! I like it, and I hope this helps the business a lot.

EDIT: Oh. My. God.

You have Korg on here! Expect another order from me very soon!

[leadhead]

Made my contribution - just bought the Ghoul Horde. Hope it helps 

It does! Thanks!

Makes me feel gooder about buying the dark brethren full coven deal then.  Too bad for me that I'm ludicrously impatient.  *sits on hands and bites lip*

[joshuaslater]

Andy, is there any way to get more Cultists in the Heresy range?

I would like some with sword/flail and shield, and maybe some with crossbows.  A character or two wouldn't hurt either.

I will order some gobbos when I've some cash.   

Peace out, homie.

[leadhead]

Flails would be cool.

[beefcake]

not-mordheim stuff. I would snap that up in an instant.

[tumblebomb]

As to the new store: much better it seems.
 As to the rest of the issues being discussed:   Seriously I'd hate Heresy not to be around. I am a fan, one who despite loving the models has an ever growing list to buy and may only just be getting to the point where I can afford to. I certainly have purchased things in the past. Probably the same for a lot of folk,  and I don't think we cause an issue by excitedly window shopping and drooling.

It seems all business is hard work, for some it goes smoother than others (them the breaks) but it takes major cohones to go as far as Andy has, I'd have chickened out way early.  DON'T anyone here pretend they can do it better, pass judgement, or act like they know it all. As someone who has rarely had things just dropped on my plate I know what its like to work hard for little return, as many here also do I'm sure, so utmost respect to the man. You can't fault it.   With my health I couldn't even comtemplate the workload.

It seems the issue often with some companies they make the highest quality products and suffer but companies with inferior standards and service are laughing all the way to the bank. Whether they are cheaper or more expensive it seems not to matter. I can't say I understand why or can offer any business advice just that I hope things pick up and settle down a bit, any wips I've seen are as great as ever.   All the best.

[Daemonslave]

Hi, although a newbie here on the forums, I have lurked for a while and I'm also a long time buyer of some of Andy's stuff (I'm the proud owner of a Heresy Mark 1 Netherlord - still haven't painted him yet though). Anyway, you mentioned earlier about possibly handing over casting duties to Troll Forged. Can I just say I think that would be a great idea.

Trollforged's range is mostly made up of sculptors still learning their trade, and does show a bit in some of the models produced by them, so having someone with your skill and already substantial range would be good for them as well as yourself. It would allow you to cast your larger creatures for cheap (especially if Ed's new resin/plastic mix proves effective - it's already super cheap and has better results than another companies resin/plastic attempt).

The main issues that I see are that he is across the pond, so shipping things back and for to be casted might be more expensive, and how Ed does the royalty scheme (You'd probably not get as much money as you are now, but you wouldn't have to pay moulding and metal costs either). Plus you'd have to think about distribution - would you let Trollforged sell your range or just cast your stuff and then send it to you in bulk for you to sell here.

Either way, I think it's a viable solution to your problems (anyway, just a suggestion).