Good questions, guys. I look forward to straight answers.

Ah..I'll take this one...
You see, it's already pretty apparent that Wizkids is, for whatever reason, unable to support its product properly overseas, with a couple of exceptions. This means that if the latest expansion takes 6 months to get where you are, there are two possibilities:

1)You get to keep the oldest expansion for that much longer or

2)You ignore this whole thing and play whatever you like...

Therefore, I'm personally unconcerned by all these changes since I pretty much know they probably won't affect my gaming experience (I haven't played for a prize in more than a month).
I do have to admit that having a company go back on one of its main marketing promises doesn't make me very happy either...Warflail's comment about gamers and (perceived?) betrayals is oh so true...

Please ignore...

where is the chat going to be held?

~MP

This gaining new players must be a US thing. We have lost 75% of our players and venues in our area since August last year.

Where are these new players coming from that are going to replace my (and many other people's) 1 case + boosters per expansion habit? Not in the UK, that's for sure. Man, we've put up with GW for 20-odd years we're hardly likely to welcome a new contender to the British throne of most avaricious gaming company are we?

Trevor - While I agree that there will always be "some" people that are "just joining the game". I disagree in that there will be enough to dig Wizkids out of whatever hole they might find themselves in.

Scenario example - I live in the capital of Michigan where we have about 7 to 10 venues, that support this game. There is a major collage in this town with plenty of potential prospects to play the game. Problem there is that the people who push the stores around here to get the product are the core group of players that are going to feel alienated by this.

Therefor that group of players ask the store to get the next big gaming thing and the store does. Now the store spends money on that instead of wizkids product. Word of mouth spreads by people such as store employees that people are now playing new games and others follow suit. The hardcore group of gamers now then run sponsered events for there next passion. The people that come in off the street watch and become involved and from that become hooked on the next big thing.

I visit about 6 or so of the said venus, and I see this happen at pretty much every one. Heck I could probably list all the people in this town that have influence on what everyone will play next. So while I'm not taking sides, and am content to sit right here on this fence and eat popcorn, I do see the dark cloud coming. And the reason that it doesn't bother me is because the people I play with in my area are going to play how they want, regardless of what wizkids says, of that I'm pretty confidant.

I have already seen the first few waves of people around here get turned off from wizkids product, and have not seen people come to replace them as of yet. So I'm not sure where this happens at. I consider this place "everywhere USA", meaning that what happens here is a pretty good assumption of what happens in other citys like mine. Just ask the magic players who refuse to get suckered into there dilema, they all play with there old decks and don't bother anymore.

Regardless of the outcome, I'm ready to stay or go. It really makes no difference anymore to me, as I'm tired of all the controversy that follows this game. As I love the game and the pieces I have. I would be just as content to play with what I have and play in peace, than to have false promises come down from the company spend my money on to support.

Sorry about the novel. Sometimes I just like to hear the sound of my fingers typing. click click .... click click...weeeeeeeeee....

Here's mine:

Hello sir, I am very concerned over the recent tournament changes. I thank you for giving us a time to voice our opinions and get straight answers.

1) Just exactly how much money did it take you for you to forfeit your mortal soul?

2) Does this new found money keep your black heart warm at night?

3) Does 100% negative response increase sales?

I am wondering why several people are scared to ask these questions? I thought the idea behind this chat session was to answer OUR questions? Something else I think is being left out here is a classic tennant of sales:

THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

You want to sell stuff (wizkids desire), you need to satisfy your customers. It is BLATANLY OBVIOUS to me and should be to almost everyone here, that there are a LOT of dissatisfied customers right now. If I were a manager at that company I would be furious with that many upset customers.

Someone else also asked the question: Where is Wizkids getting this information about new players feeling like they cannot compete? I second that...have these people contacted them? Are there thousands of kids out there sending email or snail mail to Wizkids every day asking this question? I haven't seen that concern on this or any other forum. Are there venues complaining that they have a lot of people coming in that wont buy into MW because of this? What that leads me to is to mention the general poor level of communication between wizkids and its customers. How can they possibly come up with that information?

Also, I would ask that if there are people out there that DO like this idea, tell me why? What on earth is so great about it?

Hey Dradog/Stormfox/Kelly-Any chance we can get a list like Maruaders fully responded to at the begining of the chat?
Perhaps a Q by Q answer?
It would prevent the readers from having to try to count which question we are on in a free for all environment, limit the amount of abusive spam which would set in (hopefully), allow the follow up Qs to address or ask for specific clarifactions were neccesary,
And the PR flak would have warning ahead of time of whats coming :)
Though of course a smart PR flak would already be noting those questions and preparing answers to them

Heres my proposed question:

Why do you feel it is better for the gaming community to make what they have spent hundreds on completely worthless?

There's a difference between a pointed question and a leading question, and several of those questions have a big ol' leash on 'em.

That said, I think Kevin is being kind to say you won't like the answers you get. I think you're not going to get most of the questions on your list answered.

Having worked a number of service-related jobs I stand by the old adage, "The customer is always an idiot."

That includes myself.

Awful, awful news.

Just miserable. I have spent over $4,000.00 in MW (much to my wife's dismay) and now my cherished collection and favored units are in a precarious situation.

I agree with the posted questions and the amicable way the questions have been posed. However, by nature I am a little more vicious.

Here is the way I see it.

Ignore the rules? Have the local battlemasters let people use whatever? Give in to the B.S. from Wizkids, who are goose-stepping in unision with the likes of WOTC and that crowd? So let me get this straight Wizkids; I shell out lots of bucks and you now are changing the game so that it is more favorable to newcomers? I have to lose or retire units because it's not fair? Life is not fair. I have a good job and have spent lots of hard earned money every week on your products. We MW players play hard, spend time designing armies and when all else fails pay and trade for units we want/need. Not anymore.

So here is my solution...

Mr. Weisman,


What is your address? Corporate designation obviously. I will ship my collection C.O.D. for your enjoyment. I have wanted an excuse to start playing WarMachine and Star Wars Galaxies for some time now. Privateer Press will not pull this stunt, they have no reason to. My wife will be so happy with the extra money, as Wizkids will not have it anymore.

Oh, and just one more thing. Your company is not judgement proof. I am a commecial lines adjuster, I deal in liability and negligence. Rememeber, when Dragons Gate came out for the retailers and then you announce 2.0, obviously splintering the demand or desire for Dragons Gate? Guess what, the distributors and local gamestores may have a cause of action against you for deceptive trade. I deal with DTPA, and I think the local gamestore owners have a solid arguement.
Even if you don't take us seriously, a JP or county judge may, as a citizen I can file Pro Se, and cost you money to defend it or pay the claim for nuisance value. My cost $263.00. What is your cost if every disgruntled gamer and gamestore does this? Even if it's on JP court. I will let you and your counsel do the math.


See you in my ball court.


Matt



"There that feels better",

"moderated chat"
Direct from "WIZTOPS" web page
"
This is a closed/moderated chat. This means that if you type text into the input bar and submit it, you will receive an error and no one will see your text. If you wish to ask a question during the chat, however, type the following into the input area:
/msg JasonM MESSAGE

MESSAGE is your question. Only JasonM will be accepting questions. Because of the number of questions and of time constraints, questions will be screened based on quality, appropriateness, and commonality. We will also be limiting the questions to one per person initially.

Please note: As with all technology, some things can go wrong. While we hope for a smooth and comfortable chat, technical issues may arise. We will deal with them as we are able during the chat. We apologize in advance for any problems that may occur.

A transcript of this chat will be available after the chat is complete.

The chat will begin around 4:00 PM PST on Thursday, February 19, 2004.
"


Basicly if they dont like your question for what ever reason it will not be asked.

I for one beleive in asking WK in a polite yet persistent manner..using the least amount of syllables per word.

Cheers!

TrevortheOkay your wrong this type action push people away... they are going to lose more than what gain b/c of this action so .. if Wizkids goes on with this ... they might kill themselves with this idea