Hey everyone. The silence as of late must be killing some of you and I wanted to fill everyone in on what’s been happening behind the scenes. I can assure you that whenever things go cold and silent around here it’s because there is a flurry of hardcore development happening.

The WorldWorks Online Store

I can appreciate what must be a frustrating wait for some of you (it is for me as well believe it or not). I was contacted by my store developer today in fact with a brief update. Apparently his “family situation” took a turn for the worse and he hasn’t touched store development for the last two weeks. This is a frustrating setback but sometimes life likes to sprinkle chaos into the cake mix for whatever reason. I have been given assurances that things are resuming this week. My thoughts go out to him and his family. If things remain problematic for him by the 14th I will be jumping to a new developer. I’m really sorry for the delay.

Rezolution

My silence over the past few days is due to some heavy development (and a Feb 11th deadline) on Rezolution. The retail models I’m working on for the set are turning out great and I’m dying to show you guys what I’ve been up to. Unfortunately I can’t reveal certain elements of Rezolution until March.

CityWorks: Urban Mayhem

“CityWorks: Urban Mayhem” is in parallel development with Rezolution and a large part of the first release is already complete. After this Friday 11th I will be bouncing back to full-on development on Urban Mayhem and should have the first release ready for you before months end. That also means that promotional photos will start to leak out of the studio and onto the forum

FirstLight Expansion

From Paul, the “SpaceWorks: First Light” expansion is coming along nicely. He’s added some really cool elements to the set and pushed the oooohhh and aaahhh factor with some groundbreakers No exact release date is set but he seems to be working at a steady pace. Some models are already in Beta so, sooooooon.

The Streets of Himmelveil

Believe it or not there is development happening on the Himmelveil front. We have a new and very capable model designer assigned to the task (more on him soon!). I have seen the floor plans for the first set and I think it will make many of you VERY happy. More information is coming.

Succession

The next installment of the Eye of Cappellasis trilogy “Succession” is in the editing and art-tweaking phase. Rodney and Amanda are just working out the final touches. Should be finished up soon.

The Near Future Roadmap

Once we have these primary releases finished up things will smooth out a bit and releases will tighten up (or at least that’s the plan). There is no end in sight with our new grand approach to model set development. Because releases will be smaller and more focused this affords me (and everyone else) the ability to jump around between all model set genres. I’m dying to get my feet wet in modern but I will jump back into fantasy frequently (oh, do I have some ideas!). This frequent “genre hoping” should create a fruitful environment here at WorldWorks over the next few months.

Anyway…I need to get back to it! Talk to you soon.

Denny

Glad for the progress update Denny, tho I wasn't worried in the least . We have faith in you and WW's, and know that you are doing your very best for us all. Keep up the great work all, we love what you do and your dedication to the us gamers (and hobbyists (I didn't forgetcha, Johnygs )!

I used to work with a small game publisher, I'm well aware of the difference between selling direct and going through a distributor. Most publishers are lucky to get $10 on a $20 cover price book when selling through normal channels, but they can make full cover by selling directly at cons, which to them can be a several hundred percent increase in margin once you count in publishing costs. But then again I'm also well aware that any company has expenses to meet in the short term and waiting isn't always the best alternative.

It looks like I'll be buying a set on Friday through RPGNow to get me started, but I'll still be anxiously awaiting the Online Store.

On a related note, I'll be attending a con in Blacksburg,VA,USA in April () and I was planning on running some games using the WWG products, do you think that you will have promotional materials (flyers, etc.) available by then?

Though RPGNow gives a much better rate than either of their chief competitors.

The Auld Grump

At a guess - time.

As more of Denny's time is eaten up managing World Works less time exists to do other work. Time doing 'freebies' is time not spent doing the work that puts food on the table and paper in the printer. One of the problem with a small business, you can't afford a dedicated managerial position.

The Auld Grump

But freebies = more customers = more food on the table

Hmmm, freebies and sales...

Yes and no, at least in my case - Expeditious Retreat has had freebies for Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe, Magical Society Ecology & Culture, and two books of Monster Geographica, with all of them having useful freebies, and all four being purchased, with great glee.

However, I am remembering this because it is an exception. There was enough to use that was so good I had to find out if the rest of the books were of the same quality. They were. Then again I resist hard sell like anything, but a soft sell gets me every time... (I managed to annoy a Games Workshop rep. once. He insisted that I really wanted a poorly crafted mini because it was a limited edition. I told him, loudly I am afraid, exactly why I didn't want it... Hard sell does not work well on me at all, at all.)

I would and do buy World Works regardless of freebies. That said, I would like to see a huckster's kit*, goodness knows I tout the products often enough.

The Auld Grump

* A promotional kit, not free toys, basically calling cards and labels to put on models.

We have been talking about the necessity of
flyers / brochures / business cards so I thought I might play around.
I know they are not fancy but they tell what/where World Works is.
At least it gives us something to get the word out till Denny can make us some better ones.

http://www.dungeonkeepersdomain.com/Pho ... photo=1394

I hope these meet with your approval Denny. If not feel free to remove my post.

I like it!

Print on cardstock, and Bobs your Auntie! (Hey this is Sydney after all)


Lord Abaddon of Wormwood

Not bad, but I do still keep hoping for something that will appeal to the freebie crowd and for promotional purposes at the same time!

How about a nice little model, with the WWG logo all over it?

How about a stand for the Maiden, with a faux-brass plaque with the WWG on one side, and an empty brass plaque for the in-game name of the ship on the other side?

For that matter, how about a business card that folds out into a little pop-up model?

Heck, how much does the preprinted stuff cost per page? A nice little preprinted 1-page model would make for a great giveaway at cons and stores!