[UA] Release schedule stuff

[Chris Milne]

Liam Routt wrote:

> This is the sort of game that lasts. It is the sort of game where 
every
> book is of interest to every purchaser who enjoys the basic game. 
It is
> the sort of game that supports gamers, not company profits, or game 
lines.
>
> Its a way to be remembered, not make money.

I generally agree with Liam's opinion on this. Yet it would be nice 
if UA could demonstrate that profitability and "artistic 
memorability" (or whatever it is that UA has) are not mutually 
exclusive states.

As for the "2 books, or 4?" question, I would tend to prefer 2 larger 
books, provided that there is the material to fill them. I'm unsure 
whether filling shelf-space with more but smaller products is the way 
forward - several stores I've been to don't stock UA on a regular 
basis, and producing more books isn't going to make them change that 
policy. They're generally small, and devote what space they have to 
lines with a rapid turnover - principally WW, AD&D and GURPS. In 
fact, many of the staff in these places haven't even heard of Atlas 
Games, though that may be because I speak to the Space Marine 
obsessives with the glazed look in their eyes that are habitually 
used to provide structural support to the cash register in these 
shops.

Most of the roleplayers that I meet spend a ludicrous proportion of 
their low income on WW products and have little idea that there is an 
industry beyond the WoD and AD&D universes. On the occasions that I 
have the patience to sit down and talk to them about products such as 
UA and OtE, they show interest, usually to the extent of asking 
whether I'll run a game for them. I wish I had the time to do so. I 
don't think many of them are inspired to such a degree that they feel 
the need to go out and buy the game, but some of them might do, and 
then maybe they'll go run a game for their friends. So, maybe the 
solution is to increase the visibility of UA and at the same time 
convince them that it's a game worth buying. I feel that there is a 
large group of roleplayers out there who don't go to conventions, so 
running more games there isn't going to break into that group. I've 
no idea how effective internet advertising is, but it doesn't seem to 
have worked so far...


Just my ill-informed opinion   :)



Chris Milne

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