very nice!

when I finalize my Shadowrun/ Modern campaign, I will more than loekly delve back into some fantasy. Boy o' do I have quite a selection to go there with.

And the best thing!!! a Certain *lack* of tires to build!!

Congratulations on the release. It does look great, and I will add it to my wishlist.

I looked around the site and although the partnership is mentioned, the ordering page should also provide links... and I'm going to guess that more money would be generated for Eric by selling through WWG, so that should be the preferred/primary method of purchasing.

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

This is the page that should mention WWG:


Cheers,
Arabin

After picking up the set last night I must say the item that strikes me first were the instructions. These look and flow better then either WWG or Mel Ebbles. I think a hybrid version of this method would be grand, a mix of 80% computer graphic steps with crisp, clear and clean photos of key point/steps.

I feel that it is not WWG photo skill in the instructions that let the side down but Acrobat itself. The program loves to dumb down photos blurring them just so.

Would I be right in assuming that if WWG went with graphics and photos mixed into the instructions the whole process would be so much less painful?

As a general comment on the photos for the promo's, their fine and dandy. They will never win awards but then again they are not art pieces.

I also though/think that Eric is still using renders in some of the shots - am I wrong?

The Paper Craft videos that you linked us to, Eric, rock! Thank you. Again this is a different method and technolgy to the ones done by Denny years ago, Which did help me hugly. These just keep adding.



Lord Abaddon of Wormwood

In general, I really like the WWG promo shots. They really do show the potential of the sets, and the shots that show all the components can be very compelling in the larger sets.

However, while I do agree with the comments above about the awesome job that is done by the designer building and rebuilding the pieces, I do think that the warpage shown in a lot of the promo shots actually deters a lot of people who have not yet converted to cardstock terrain. I love reading the comments over on TMP when new WWG products are announced, but they are often mixed. The Watch Tower seems to have received all glowing comments... perhaps partially due to the promo shots that show no warpage.

I'm not sure what the answer is. I don't like to see a set delayed while promo materials are prepared (like the movie) but do see the value in quality promo shots to gain new converts.

Arabin

Eric's instructions are really fantastic. I love the presentation. We were playing with the idea for a similar concept but it really came down to which working mode saved us time while relating important information. These look beautiful however and even if they are roughly the same amount of work to create it might be a better direction to go for future sets.

Although some criticisms about our previous work may sting a little, having Eric's unique ideas here will really help us get some honest feedback about our products overall. I'm glad this day has come and I look forward to meeting the challenge of creating a product/business that meets all of your expectations

Interestingly enough, I actually like the fact that WWG photos sometimes show slightly warped models. This stuff is cardstock after all. If it wasn't warped a little here and there I would suspect computer-generated photos, or models built using foamcore or some other perfectly flat material.

I want to see a realistic depiction of the models after a normal gamer puts them together. If the instructions flow along and you read them and it seems the model should take 15-20 minutes, then I wanna see a model that the builder spent maybe 20 minutes on (knowing a poccy was going to be taken). If they spend 2 hours on precision building the thing, and I don't, and time after time my builds don't look ANYTHING like the photos, then my impression of the product is going to plummet.

This isn't a science, it's an art. I understand that any company wants to show a perfect, pristine product in their ads. But would it be realistic to advertise the Etch-A-Sketch showing a perfect Mona Lisa? I saw a photo once and it was amazing what you "could" do with it, but it's not something the everyday user of it can do.

Anyway, just wanted to make note that I've never had any issues with any of the WWG photos. They have all done a great job in my mind of showing what the kits can look like with a little effort (and not a masters degree in cardstock assembly)

As with all things, YMMV!

Steve

I agree with SeattleGamer. I like to see the photo's of the build as it goes together and what it is going to look like when I've put it together and not a designer who's spent 4 or 5 hours getting the perfect look.

I haven't really had a proper look at the watch tower yet but I will later on when I build it.

Mr Blackhmmer

The one thing I didn't mention before is that Denny's instructions have greater detail - ie showing reverse folds and the different score and cut lines. Like I said before a hybrid of all would be great. It would be great too if all three companies could run with the same terminology and symbol keys.


Denny all criticisms strings a little but it's the pain that makes one strive to avoid the sting next time. Build on the knowledge gained, and know all is good.


Lord Abaddon of Wormwood

Good points were raised... although the warpage surely does scare off some converts, it doesn't ever stop me from buying the sets... and I do agree that seeing what I could accomplish is a key thing. I look at some of the other paper model sites (like the yamaha motorbike) and I know that is not something I would have the patience to produce. It looks amazing, but it's too daunting for me. I'm not sure what the ideal promo would be, but I am happy with the current way of doing it. The only thing I'd like to change (personally) is that the sets should be released before the movie is done, then advertised to other sites after the movie is done. That way, us addicts can get the sets faster, but the promo materials are still in place for newcomers or infrequent visitors.

@ Lord Abbadon: For the Watch Tower in a modern setting, I have been wanting to do a clock tower for a while now. Combining this with a few others sets could make the outside look great. The only problem is that you wouldn't have all the cogs and bells for the inside.

Another point is that technically, it's okay to have a castle in a modern setting... so all sets can be used for modern... but it would be a little confusing as you expect fantasy when you see a model castle.

Arabin

I have started work on this baby and enjoying it..... but (there is always a but) my one wish is this:

The tower once assembled is great but what it needs or at least could do with is a base of foamcore. A nice tile with the footprint of the tower mounted upon foamcore would be great and ensure a longer lifespan.


Lord Abaddon of Wormwood

Ditto on Lord Abbadon's request - base tile would be very useful. Merci beaucoup!