Alliance Aloud is your guide to the inside scoop to the largest hobby games distributor in the U.S. Here you will find insider information on exciting new products, exclusive promotions and messages from our ever growing list of manufacturers. Check back often to see amazing new products to expand your shelves. For more news like us on Facebook.com/AllianceGameDistributors and follow us on Twitter.com/AllianceGames
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Happy Marvel Dice Masters: Avengers vs X-Men Release Day from WizKids!
I want to talk to you about the shortages of product at launch. Before I get to that, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for all your support. Whether you are a retailer or a consumer, I realize you have many choices when it comes to games. So I appreciate you choosing the WizKids Dice Masters product.
Many of you don’t know this, but Dice Masters is near and dear to my heart. When Mike Elliott approached me with a prototype at Gen Con 2010, a prototype that eventually became Quarriors, we spent a few minutes having a ‘what if’ moment, daring to dream of a collectible version of the prototype game in his hands.
Fast forward almost 4 years… It’s been a labor of love and we’re happy to finally share Dice Masters with you, our distributors, retailers, and consumers. We hope you enjoy playing it as much as we have enjoyed working on it for the last 8 months.
So why are we here?
Since the GAMA Trade Show (GTS), where we passed out hundreds copies of the games, the demand for the product has skyrocketed. What was once a comfortable inventory position has turned into a rather conspicuous shortage; specifically, a shortage of the MDM Starters. The Booster product is widely available at our distributors and we still have some inventory as well.
Fortunately, we already issued 2 reprints, the first of which we placed a few weeks before GTS, with the second placed a week after GTS, based on all the positive feedback we received after demos at GTS games night. These reprints were ordered to supplement our inventory position, so that we could carry through the summer and to the next release of MDM X-Men in September.
Unfortunately, we could have used each and every one of those reprint units today. Moreover, one of the big issues with making games that contain a lot of plastic parts is that the production times are lengthy and the product can never be ready soon enough, even for a company that makes millions of little plastic superheroes a month. Additionally, once all the product is manufactured, it has to make a journey from China to the distributor and then on to the retailer; a journey which takes almost 7 weeks barring weather or customs issues.
What does this mean to you the retailer and you the customer?
Well, there is whole bunch of product (1st reprint) that is being produced and loaded on to a ship as I write this email. That ship was going to set sail for the US in two weeks.
In an effort to get some more product here in a hurry, we are going to Air Freight the tail end of the 1st reprint that is slated to be finished the 1st week in May. Air freighting isn’t quite as fast as FedEx, but it should get the product here significantly faster than ocean bound vessels. Additionally, it allows the ship that is partially loaded to set sail this weekend instead of waiting for the entire reprint run to finish.
In reality, the 1st reprint, both the product coming over via air freight and the ocean bound product, will probably sellout while it’s in transit. We’re going to work with the distributors to keep things as fair as possible. There will be shortage situations we cannot avoid and I would like to apologize in advance.
The second reprint is sizable and ‘should’ get us ahead of the demand curve. I use the work ‘should’ cautiously as we’re not sure where the top is in terms of demand. To give you some perspective, 45 days ago, this release looked to be a third of the size of a HeroClix release (in raw units/unit volume). As of launch day, the unit volume (starters and boosters) looks to be almost three times the size of a HeroClix release. That’s great news for the game, but its tough considering we calibrated unit volumes to a HeroClix set, a number that seemed insurmountable when we set the print run in December 2013.
And finally…
I’ve also been made aware of some rumors that are floating around industry forums and I wanted to address them with full transparency. I have included my email and mobile number for those you that may have additional questions.
Rumor #1: Mass Market accounts had no release dates for the product. Answer: Of the mass accounts that took the product (Primarily Target and Hastings), they ALL were given release dates to the public and in some cases asked to not forward product to their retail outlets before that date. Any mass retailer that had online retail operations was told to not ship online orders until 4/23 to make sure that no product arrived in a consumer’s hands before the release date. To be sure, we treat release date violations the same across channels. There is an escalating set of actions we take in response to these violations, ultimately leading to account suspension. We’re not shy about using all available options to prevent intentional release date violations.
Rumor #2: The mass market accounts were given their full orders, while hobby stores were allocated. Answer: Nothing can be further from the truth. We allocated the mass accounts first and disproportionally harder than any hobby distributor. By example, Target and Hastings were allocated down 1 to 2 starters per store. So some stores may have a larger supply while other stores will have no inventory whatsoever.
Rumor #3: The reprint is destined for mass accounts and hobby stores will be left without product. Answer: Of the tens of thousands of units in reprint, not one of the units has been slated for a mass account. In fact, the entire 1st reprint (both the air and ocean freighted games) are destined for hobby game retailers around the world.
The next reprint slated for June/July will likely follow in similar fashion with all (or the vast majority of) the product being slotted for hobby stores.
Rumor #4: Big Lots broke the release date and sold product on 4/22. Answer: We have no record of selling to Big Lots. Moreover, when we called the 6 stores that allegedly broke the release date AND asked the buyer at Big Lots how they got the product and why they broke the release date, Big Lots responded quickly and unequivocally, to confirm they have no record of any Dice Masters product in their system.
And now what…
In addition to the steps above, we are going to delay the release of Avengers vs. X-Men Storyline OP kits for Dice Masters Month One to coincide with next wave of product’s arrival. (Formal announcement of this delay is coming) While that may not cover all possible customers, we also do want to get players in store to begin playing the game in a community setting. We may re-release the first OP or otherwise make the content available at a later date, in case a large portion of customers missed out.
I realize that being allocated as deeply as you have been is cause for concern. However, that is no reason to represent suppositions as facts. We will be vigilant about correcting false information when necessary. If you have any questions, please contact me at justinz@necaonline.com, or call me on my mobile at 425-246-2809.
In closing, I am glad we’re talking about problems caused by overwhelming success. While the issues are real and frustrating, they are signs of a great success and I am glad we are talking about shortages rather than surpluses of product on your shelves.
Sincerely,
Justin Ziran
President, WizKids Games
Thursday, April 17, 2014
The Origins Awards Nominations
Best Roleplaying Game 13th Age – Pelgrane Press FATE Core System – Evil Hat Productions, LLC Mummy: the Curse – White Wolf Game Studio Numenera - Monte Cook Games Shadowrun: Core Rulebook – Catalyst Game Labs Best Roleplaying Supplement DC Adventures Universe – Green Ronin Publishing Heart of the Wild – Cubicle 7 Entertainment Transhuman – Posthuman Studios Night’s Watch – Green Ronin Publishing Eternal Lies – Pelgrane Press Best Board Game Trains – Alderac Entertainment Group Time n Space – Stronghold Games Space Cadet: Dice Duel – Stronghold Games Krosmaster Arena – Japanime Games City of Iron – Red Raven Games Best Collectible Card Game Pokemon Black & White Legendary Treasures – The Pokemon Company, Intl. Pokemon Red Genesect Collection – The Pokemon Company, Intl. Yu-Gi-Oh! Battle Pack 2 – Konami Digital Entertainment Yu-Gi-Oh! Super Starter V for Victory – Konami Digital Entertainment Yu-Gi-Oh! Legendary Collection 4: Joey’s World – Konami Digital Entertainment Best Traditional Card Game Love Letter– Alderac Entertainment Group DC Comics Deck-Building Game – Cryptozoic Entertainment Boss Monster - Brotherwise Games Clubs – North Star Games Marvel Legendary: Dark City - Upper Deck Best Children’s, Family, Party Game Walk the Plank – Mayday Games Three Little Pigs – Iello My Happy Farm – 5th St. Games ROFL – Cryptozoic Entertainment Choose One! – Looney Labs Best Game Accessory Krosmaster: Fire & Ice – Japanime Games Shadowrun GM Screen – Catalyst Game Labs Fate Dice – Evil Hat Productions, LLC Space Gaming Mat – HC+D Supplies Pathfinder Battles: Skull and Shackles – WizKids Games Best Miniature Figure Rules Marvel HeroClix: Avengers Vs X-men Starters – WizKids Games Battletech Alpha Strike – Catalyst Game Labs Judge Dredd – Warlord Games Best Historical Miniature Figure/Line Fife & Drum: Revolutionary War - Fife & Drum Highlander Force – North Star Military Figures Fate of a Nation: Arab Israeli Wars – Battlefront Miniatures Red Army: 28mm Russian Infantry – Wargames Factory Devil Dogs and Dragons – Empress Miniatures Best Historical Board Game SOS Titanic – Ludonaute Navajo Wars – GMT, designed by: Joel Toppen Freedom: The Underground Railroad – Academy Games 1775: Rebellion – Academy Games Francis Drake – Eagle Games Best Historical Miniature Rules Supplements SAGA: Varjazi & Basileus – Gripping Beast Flames of War: Fate of a Nation – Battlefront Miniatures Force on Force: Classified – Osprey Publishing Best Historical Miniature Rules Fields of Fire 2nd Edition – Proving Ground Games Fire and Sword – Wargamer Chain of Command –Too Fat Ladies Best Miniature Figure Line Malifaux: The Guild’s Judgement– Wyrd Miniatures HeroClix: Wolverine and the X-men – WizKids Games MERCs Mini’s (Shock Trooper, Spy, Eagle, Beacher) – MegaCon Games Best Game Related Publication Khan of Mars – Evil Hat Books Fire for Effect – Catalyst Game Labs ICv2 - Editor: Milton Griepp Dork Tower – Editor: John Kovalic TableTop – Wil Wheaton, Felicia Day |
Thursday, April 10, 2014
International TableTop Day!
Check out these photos from our retailers: everyone loved International TableTop Day!
Hometown Games
Lawrence, KS
Lawrence, KS
Space Cadets Collection Collection
Oak Ridge North, Texas
Oak Ridge North, Texas
Space Cadets Collection Collection
Oak Ridge North, Texas
Oak Ridge North, Texas
Halflings Hideaway
Gilmer, Texas
Gilmer, Texas
Halflings Hideaway
Gilmer, Texas
Gilmer, Texas
The Pirate's Cove
Sanford, NC
Sanford, NC
The Pirate's Cove
Sanford, NC
Sanford, NC
Wild West Comics and Games - Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Wild West Comics and Games - Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Wild West Comics and Games - Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Wild West Comics and Games - Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Blue Highway Games
Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Blue Highway Games
Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
The Gamer's Armory
Cary, North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina
The Gamer's Armory
Cary, North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina
Petrie's Family Games
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Petrie's Family Games
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
That's Entertainment
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Rusty Scabbard
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Mythic Games
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California
Mythic Games
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California
Games Unlimited
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Games Unlimited
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Outlaw Moon Games & Toys
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Outlaw Moon Games & Toys
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Victory Comics
Falls Church, Virginia
Falls Church, Virginia
Victory Comics
Falls Church, Virginia
Falls Church, Virginia
Game Master Games
Hicksville, New York
Hicksville, New York
Game Master Games
Hicksville, New York
Hicksville, New York
Raygun Lounge
Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Raygun Lounge
Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Russian Hill Bookstore
San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
Russian Hill Bookstore
San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
Boxes and Bears
Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes, Washington
Brap's Magic
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Brap's Magic
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Dragon's Lair Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Dragon's Lair Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
8th Dimension Comics and Games
Houston Texas
Houston Texas
8th Dimension Comics and Games
Houston Texas
Houston Texas
Thursday, April 3, 2014
International TableTop Day is this Weekend!
This TableTop Day, we at Alliance want to make sure you're staying involved!
If you haven't registered your TableTop Day event, make sure you do so! Head to www.TableTopDay.com to register an event, look up other events in your local area, or download logos, banners, and cutouts.Make sure you're photographing your event!
If you take photos of your event, make sure to share them with us! We'll share your photos on this very blog (there will be a post next week about all the festivities of TableTop Day), and on our Facebook page in an International TableTop Day album. Even more importantly, TableTop Day will be featured as a category for one of our golden meeples in our 2014 Best of the Game Trade Awards!Use the hashtag #TableTopDay
It will help you connect with other gamers who are celebrating TableTop Day by telling the world what you are playing. Share your posts- TableTop Day is the best day to brag about what games and swag you've won! Your post could be shared by Geek and Sundry or by TableTop!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)