Make some new ranges! (1 Viewer)

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Aleš

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I see a lot of diferent companys (KC, Britains, First Legion) have kind of the same ranges (ww1,ww2, american civil war, napoleon, zulu war,....) but there are so many diferent ranges no one cover it yet:

-MONGOLS (12-15 century) Genghis khan, Ogedai Khan, Kublai khan, Karakorum,.....mongols have the biggest land empire, there were several batles, interesting figures such as archers, mounted figures,....fall of the Samarkand, China Invasion, Japan Invasion,.....

-OTOMAN EMPIRE also very interesting period of history, a lot of battles, also sea battles, very popular tv serie about SULEIMAN SULTAN,.....

-VIKINGS

-ISONZO (this was the biggest mountain battle in WW1 of all times, a lot of battles, between Austrian Empire and Italy and later also Germany,....) so why always only Germany and French or Germany and England in WW1, why not some other soldiers who also fought in WW1 (like Italians, Austrian Empire have a huge diferent soldiers nations such as Slovenia, Croatia, Hungaria, Austria,Chezc Republic,Bosnia,Serbia....who all fought for Austria Empire)


Give us something new instead of the same ranges that everyone else keep making it.

It will atract new buyers, new collectors,.....not everyone is interesting in American Revolution, American Civil war,....
 
Aleš said:
I see a lot of diferent companys (KC, Britains, First Legion) have kind of the same ranges (ww1,ww2, american civil war, napoleon, zulu war,....) but there are so many diferent ranges no one cover it yet:

-MONGOLS (12-15 century) Genghis khan, Ogedai Khan, Kublai khan, Karakorum,.....mongols have the biggest land empire, there were several batles, interesting figures such as archers, mounted figures,....fall of the Samarkand, China Invasion, Japan Invasion,.....

-OTOMAN EMPIRE also very interesting period of history, a lot of battles, also sea battles, very popular tv serie about SULEIMAN SULTAN,.....

-VIKINGS

-ISONZO (this was the biggest mountain battle in WW1 of all times, a lot of battles, between Austrian Empire and Italy and later also Germany,....) so why always only Germany and French or Germany and England in WW1, why not some other soldiers who also fought in WW1 (like Italians, Austrian Empire have a huge diferent soldiers nations such as Slovenia, Croatia, Hungaria, Austria,Chezc Republic,Bosnia,Serbia....who all fought for Austria Empire)


Give us something new instead of the same ranges that everyone else keep making it.

It will atract new buyers, new collectors,.....not everyone is interesting in American Revolution, American Civil war,....
Click to expand...

Ales,

For a series to be done a manufacturer has to be confident of some interest and the potential for sales. The hard part for manufacturers is coming up with new subjects.

An important point is knowledge of the subject. Another is the fact buyers will collect subjects they are familiar with (ie. Americans for ACW and British and French for Naps etc.).

I agree the Mongols are interesting and a few figures might work. Not sure their is enough interest to sustain a series. Everybody has heard of the Mongols but need an enemy. Perhaps one for K&C to consider if a few would work with their Imperial Chinese.

Britains have announced they will be doing Vikings. The TV series will help.

Whilst I have heard of the Ottoman Empire simply not a period or subject that is well known enough in the countries that would have the most collectors/dealers. Again who is the enemy ? Funnily enough have just watched a documentary on the subject but main problem is that the collector base already has a huge selection of good subjects already, many of which involve figures from their own country. How many Turkish collectors are there and is there even a Turkish TS dealer ?

As for Isonzo your post is first time I have ever heard of this battle. Will have a look to learn more about it.

Not trying to be negative but commercial reasons come into why three of your subjects might not work enough for a manufacturer to consider.

Brett
 
I agree with you, and I could add Pirates, mexican revolution, conquistadores, Boxers and so on....
But the toysoldier market is made for the americans, australians, british, and in general the anglo-saxon culture( the biggest TS buyers), and they want ranges where their people fought.
For example, a huge WW1 middle east range was made by KC because the australian market buys tons of it even if the "Beersheba" battle is known only by australians!
Ww1 is released in TS on the french and middle east fronts because over there fought americans, english and australians. But nothing on the italian or russian front (Poland, Czech, Romania)...
Also, you have to add that the TS companies don' t want to take commercial risks so they keep on making more or less the same ranges or anyway ranges related to the anglo saxon culture.
I think that the european continental collectors are more open to times and battles also out of their direct historical heritage ( speaking of big numbers of course).
 
Last edited:
Aleš said:
I see a lot of diferent companys (KC, Britains, First Legion) have kind of the same ranges (ww1,ww2, american civil war, napoleon, zulu war,....) but there are so many diferent ranges no one cover it yet:

-MONGOLS (12-15 century) Genghis khan, Ogedai Khan, Kublai khan, Karakorum,.....mongols have the biggest land empire, there were several batles, interesting figures such as archers, mounted figures,....fall of the Samarkand, China Invasion, Japan Invasion,.....

-OTOMAN EMPIRE also very interesting period of history, a lot of battles, also sea battles, very popular tv serie about SULEIMAN SULTAN,.....

-VIKINGS

-ISONZO (this was the biggest mountain battle in WW1 of all times, a lot of battles, between Austrian Empire and Italy and later also Germany,....) so why always only Germany and French or Germany and England in WW1, why not some other soldiers who also fought in WW1 (like Italians, Austrian Empire have a huge diferent soldiers nations such as Slovenia, Croatia, Hungaria, Austria,Chezc Republic,Bosnia,Serbia....who all fought for Austria Empire)


Give us something new instead of the same ranges that everyone else keep making it.

It will atract new buyers, new collectors,.....not everyone is interesting in American Revolution, American Civil war,....
Click to expand...


Hi Ales,

I agree fully! As a NEW manufacturer I have tried to do just that but, for some reason, many collectors are ignoring the "brave new ground" for the run of the mill. Whilst that is the case all of us manufacturers will simply have no choice but to invest our money into lines that sell, it is that or die really.

If you have not seen our efforts yet, please visit http://www.empiremm.co.uk We are the ONLY company to produce matte figures PURELY for the English Civil War in our range and the ONLY company to concentrate on ONE year of a 9 year struggle. We also have a number of Belgians from the Great War, yes, it is more WW1 but VERY different from the run of the mill. We are also the ONLY manufacturer to offer the correct machine gun for a 1914 BEF Tommy, the Maxim.

We have a new range to announce on Sept 12th and this will be followed around one week later with more news and plans for more new ranges in 2016.

Keep an eye on what we do and, if you have ideas, let me know at malcolm@empiremm.co.uk I founded the company to be for the collectors from a collector!

Hope this meets you well :salute::
 
Collecting for over 50 years and attending dozens of shows and auctions you see that the comments below are very true. Certain wars sell and others just attract the few eclectic collectors. Andy of K&C would always tell me that "Waterloo sells" and other Napoleonic battles have marginal interest. FL has ventured into some non-traditional periods such as the Renaissance, Borodino and Vietnam and JJD tried the Spanish Civil War and the War of 1812. I don't think these were big sellers.
I think the solution is to do "short runs" or limited editions of certain conflicts and test the waters. JJD is doing The Wars of the Roses and he will expand the series if it proves popular. I have no idea if these limited releases are economically feasible but they would seem to be a lower risk strategy for gauging the market.
I asked K&C if they would consider producing some adversaries for their Imperial Chinese....Mongols, Vietnamese and various tribes from the North. These are colorful troops and might attract more Asian customers.
I think FL would do a great job on Conquistadores and Aztecs (Incas as well) for their Renaissance period.....very colorful with unique costumes and weapons. Ottoman Turks can also be used with FL Landsknechts who fought them at the first siege of Vienna.
My hats off to the makers who "step out of the box" and try some new periods. I for one always welcome a unique series, style or subject matter. We see more non-battle ranges such as camp scenes, hospitals/treating wounded, supply and transportation, maintenance and construction, etc....I think these are welcome by many collectors.
Based on my many years of collecting I can say that this is a great time for the hobby and I've never seen so many choices and wonderful quality.
 
Maybe you should look at some of the smaller makers (not everything is made in China ! :) ). For instance Morgan Miniatures already makes Conquistadors and Aztecs.

Martin
 
Oh as I've just been reminded (senior moment :) ) we've just started with the Boxer Rebellion at Heritage. That involved a multi-national force.

Martin
 
Martin Tabony said:
Maybe you should look at some of the smaller makers (not everything is made in China ! :) ). For instance Morgan Miniatures already makes Conquistadors and Aztecs.

Martin
Click to expand...

I have about 50+ of the Morgan Miniatures Aztecs and Conquistadores.......I enjoy them but poses are limited and they are rather pricey here in the USA.
I think that FL could do a great job on this series!
 
As a humble suggestion in the case of the Otomans...they had an elite force the Janizars which in limited edition could be possible commercial success...As a possible enemy the defenders of Malta command by La Valleta.
 
Maccoy said:
As a humble suggestion in the case of the Otomans...they had an elite force the Janizars which in limited edition could be possible commercial success...As a possible enemy the defenders of Malta command by La Valleta.
Click to expand...

Tradition made a small set of Janissaries many years ago, they are still available from them but they have never sold very well. Trooper
 
Maccoy said:
As a humble suggestion in the case of the Otomans...they had an elite force the Janizars which in limited edition could be possible commercial success...As a possible enemy the defenders of Malta command by La Valleta.
Click to expand...

I think there is a ground swell of support for Ottomans (although mostly as the "bad" guys) as I have heard more and more collectors talking about both the Seige of Vienna and the Seige of Malta. I would love either one.

Right now I am reading about the Seige of Malta which would be my choice.

Look at that... and American whose collecting profile has relatively little to do with America... will wonders never cease!
 
I can't really afford it now but I wanted a 14th-15th Balkan Conquest range.Vlad Tepes and his Wallachians against the Ottoman Turks would be great.
Mark
 
bradleyl30 said:
I think there is a ground swell of support for Ottomans (although mostly as the "bad" guys) as I have heard more and more collectors talking about both the Seige of Vienna and the Seige of Malta. I would love either one.

Right now I am reading about the Seige of Malta which would be my choice.

Look at that... and American whose collecting profile has relatively little to do with America... will wonders never cease!
Click to expand...

Have you come across any mention of Alfonso Tabony. It was due to his actions at the siege of Malta that the Pope gave us an augmentation to our family arms. ( A red sleeved arm holding a heart)

Martin
 
marco55 said:
I can't really afford it now but I wanted a 14th-15th Balkan Conquest range.Vlad Tepes and his Wallachians against the Ottoman Turks would be great.
Mark
Click to expand...

Talking of Vlad Tepes, strange that no TS company ever made some fantasy themes, like the vampires, or some gothic fantasy themes.KC makes fictional themes like Dickens or king Arthur though.
I am very happy I found some highly detailed fantasy figures {sm3}




WIN_20140916_141928.JPGWIN_20140916_141445.JPGWIN_20140727_140125 (2).JPGWIN_20140828_133708.JPGWIN_20140828_133847.JPG
 
What 2 collectors may have an interest in gets over ruled by the other 98 who could care less. Companies can not afford to make products that very few will buy.
Vikings may be interesting but, Ghouls and mythical creatures to me have no place in the Metal / Painted Hobby.....IMO of course !
 
Martin Tabony said:
Have you come across any mention of Alfonso Tabony. It was due to his actions at the siege of Malta that the Pope gave us an augmentation to our family arms. ( A red sleeved arm holding a heart)

Martin
Click to expand...

Not yet, but I will keep an eye out. St. Elmo's has not fallen yet! I will by morning, though!
 
Martin Tabony said:
Have you come across any mention of Alfonso Tabony. It was due to his actions at the siege of Malta that the Pope gave us an augmentation to our family arms. ( A red sleeved arm holding a heart)

Martin
Click to expand...

I have not come across this name yet. Is there a link to his place in the story?
 
bradleyl30 said:
I have not come across this name yet. Is there a link to his place in the story?
Click to expand...

Not that I know of. We are trying to find out what he did to earn the honours. We even have a record of Queen Elizabeth I ordering the Arch Bishop of Canterbury to sing cantata in the name of Tabony!

Martin
 
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