Wizkids out of business

Fat Dragon Games · Post by **Fat Dragon Games** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:45 am

http://www.wizkidsgames.com/wk_article.asp?cid=41914
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cinderblock · Post by **cinderblock** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:47 am

Well that kinda sux. I really like the BSG cardgame.

Go0gleplex · Post by **Go0gleplex** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:56 am

wasn't too much they did that was universally appealing...and given the economy, I'm not really that surprised.
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Egg of Coot · Post by **Egg of Coot** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:32 am

Gad. That doesn't bode well for the gaming industry. I was a bit of a fan of the Mechwarrior: Dark Ages game.

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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:12 am

You know I can't say that it surprises me. My friends and I have always wondered how Wizkids stayed as a viable business given how it has been run over the last few years. Their business practices were anywhere from bizzare to mind numbing.

IMHO, If I had the cash I would buy it over and show them how it should be run.
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Traveller · Post by **Traveller** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 4:04 am

It doesn't surprise me given the parent company's core competencies (sports cards, sports cards, and more sports cards). Hasbro and role playing games, but on a smaller scale.
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 4:41 am

... Um, not sure how I feel about that yet. We'll see whence the information deceminates down to the games I play.

-O
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 4:44 am

Because if it in someway affects my love affair with Classic Battletech, I'm going to bitch something crazy.

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ssfsx17 · Post by **ssfsx17** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:43 am

Hopefully, Catalyst Game Labs can buy up the BattleTech licenses and make some much-needed corrections to the state of affairs in the year 3130.

Zebulon · Post by **Zebulon** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:47 am

Threadjacking but wanted to say it...

Omote, I just downloaded your C&C houserules, and they are a blast!! I plan to use them as they are. That, the Necromancer class and Colin Sez netbook, and I have everything I need to run the C&C games I want. Thanks.
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:07 am

I'm kind of with Omote on this - I'll have to reserve an opinion on it until I see how/if it affects my gaming habits. I don't know if it will, though, but it is still a sad day when another gaming company goes down.

Maliki · Post by **Maliki** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:23 pm

No impact on me, but I guess it is sad when any company shuts down.
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:25 pm

All I gotta say is man, don't let Classic Battletech go down like $#!4 @$$ Duplo Blocks. Catalyst says that they don't expect this news to affect them. I'm not sure how that is possible, but will see.

Zebulon: I'm glad you like them. Enjoy!

-O
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tylermo · Post by **tylermo** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:50 pm

It's sad news in general. They were a pretty big company at one time. I didn't do any of the Clix games(mage knight, Marvel, DC, or Mechwarrior)because I've already got too many hobbies, and a greater love for rpg'ing. Hate to see those properties go away. Was always a treasure trove of rpg mini goodness. Now, even the cheapest figs will be a mint on Ebay. But, I digress. Even though I haven't played Classic Battletech in many, many moons, I thought about returning to the fold. I was only a casual player in the 2nd edition days. That would be horrible loss to the gaming world, however. Is Shadowrun safe enough? Despite some flaws, I always liked 2nd edition best. Either way, that would be another property I'd be concerned about. Is that still Fan Pro, or is it also Catalyst. Can't remember, and I've got the damned 4th edition book. Fingers crossed for all remaining companies. WOTC, and WHitewolf are probably safest of all, but there are other second and third tier companies such as Pinnacle Entertainment(Savage Worlds and Deadlands), Troll Lord Games, Hero Games(HERO System), Steve Jackson, etc. Scary times. I suspect some of the 2nd tier(not an insult, considering I play many of them over the big boys) will continue on, if not all of them. This shouldn't be too much of a shocker. Afterall, Wizkids and Pinnacle teamed up to do a wonderful Pirates of the Spanish Main rpg(for Savage Worlds). The hardcover, and pdf were released. Other products were going to be released, but that dissolved. Oh well. Farewell Wizkids. Hopefully good business sense will keep my "near and dear" companies on track(particularly Pinnacle Entertainment and Troll Lord Games).

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:18 pm

Well Wizkids had no good business sense to talk about. My friends and I were predicting a downfall since two years ago.

Not building on core competencies.

Spreading out too thin.

Not gametesting their games.

Messing up something good. (LE's in tournaments)

Not building that cash cow and focusing too much on potential stars that people could see would fail. (Dont know how most of that stuff got created. I guess when you have money you can do anything.)
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:19 pm

Don't get me wrong. I thought Wizkids were brillant when they first came out. Then their business sense fizzled...
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:59 pm

That's a shame.

I loved their Horror Clix figures (not that I played) and collected some of them. I've also got some castle pieces that were pretty well done and some other minis ~ maybe even some dragons.
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:21 pm

I got tons of the Aliens figs from the AvP line. They are so cool! The Horror line of figs was the best IMO as well.

-O
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