LCP's Elst module

[Neal]

Lone Canuck Publishing is working on an Elst module for full ASL. Maybe because it seems MMP won't republish Decision at Elst?

Anyway here's what the map looks like, compared to the MMP version. The LCP map seems to show more east of the village and emphasizes orchards over grain. There's very little grain on LCP's map.


LCP Elst

lcp-elst.jpg (315.76 KiB) Viewed 3704 times

MMP Elst

Elst Campaign Map.jpg (517.39 KiB) Viewed 3704 times

[madorosh]

Lone Canuck Publishing is working on an Elst module for full ASL. Maybe because it seems MMP won't republish Decision at Elst?

For the life of me I couldn't figure out why LCP was doing this, but that just might be the reason (and not a bad one at that).

[Neal]

That's the only explanation I can come up with. Might be a smart one. LCPs modules are always well priced, and used DAE are going for $100+ on Ebay. Some SK players may just get this and use SK rules with it. If LCP was even smarter they would include some sort of official rules adjustments for SK play.

[xenovin]

In my experience, MMP published what is submitted to them. If nobody has submitted an ASL version (fully playtested prior to submission of course), they don't have it to offer. They probably get hundreds of requests a year to publish such and such, but it is really up to that motivated individual (or group) to design and build that scenario, action pack, HASL, etc. and submit. That's how the magic happens.

It will be interesting to see if you can retro fit the LCP scenarios/CG onto the SK Else map.

[marchanna]

If LCP is going to churn Elst because there is demand for it, I'm interested as I don't play SK, but I hope he will include enough counters to play it for real, or will it be manufactured as VASL ready but unplayable in real life due to counter limitations? I don't like that publication tactic.

I had that problem with one of his HASL modules which had great potential -- Hell's Highway -- didn't seem to have enough British AFVs to play it. And if one reason his stuff is reasonably priced is that it doesn't have enough or any counters with it to play it, that's not a good reason for the pricing!

Also I hope he doesn't hack the scenarios with using many HS and HMGs all over the place as he is wont to do. These make his small scenarios with high SW content very dicey -- for example HH2, many of the Wacht Am Rein scenarios, etc.

[xenovin]

LCP definitely has their own style with their HASLs and agree a bit too SW and vehicle heavy for me but at least they playtest it! I don't have any problems with their scenario packs.

[Neal]

LCP definitely has their own style with their HASLs and agree a bit too SW and vehicle heavy for me but at least they playtest it! I don't have any problems with their scenario packs.

LCP has a tremendous bang for the buck. Most of George's historical modules are ~$30, give you 5-8 scenarios, sometimes a couple tactical missions, a large map, and maybe a small sheet of counters. That's ASL value right there, when most modules are $100-$200+ anymore.

[marchanna]

LCP definitely has their own style with their HASLs and agree a bit too SW and vehicle heavy for me but at least they playtest it! I don't have any problems with their scenario packs.

LCP has a tremendous bang for the buck. Most of George's historical modules are ~$30, give you 5-8 scenarios, sometimes a couple tactical missions, a large map, and maybe a small sheet of counters. That's ASL value right there, when most modules are $100-$200+ anymore.

Isn't being able to play it an important factor in the real value of a module? I'm not talking about VASL play here and I'm not talking about his scenarios with 5 MMC on each side. Those aren't good value to me. Some of the stuff is definitely okay. Some is outstanding -- like the [edit] Ozerekya Breakout HASL. But truth be told, I haven't tried to play that one with real counters -- only on VASL, So it it really a good value? I don't know, I should check it out to see if it is really gameable. I have my doubts, considering the OB necessary, but I could be wrong. I will check and report back my findings. I'll make a video of that, and if you want, you can allow me to link it here.

Also, when this next HASL module comes out, I'm gonna get it and analyse if it can really be played with the normal counters on hand (as published by OTHER manufacturers, btw). He won't include all the counters needed to play. Keep that in mind when factoring his values -- his pricing is coat-tailing on other people's stuff that people have to have paid for elsewhere!

Other modules cost 100-200 dollars because, in some cases, they come with the stuff that's needed to play it and/or has been provided before by that publisher. Consider that MMP has to pay licensing fees to Hasbro and Kellen doesn't pay those. None of the 3PPs do, which is why some people with stronger principles simply won't buy 3PP ASL stuff, because they are all in violation of intellectual property laws.

Don't get me wrong, I like to get my hands on all the ASL stuff I can get and I like low prices like anyone does, but let's shine the light on some real aspects of what's going on with these 3rd party publishers while MMP carries the load with the core module production and licensing fees.

[xenovin]

The copyright war happened a long time ago so we don’t need to get into that but all the 3PPs are really just gaming groups putting out projects that they like and see them (well most of them) as complimentary to the hobby and not parasitic to MMP. They all make the wheel go round and make things available on a variety of subjects that may never otherwise get published. MMP is still the flagship and everyone else follows. As for numbers of counters, most HASLs require more counters than what is in a single BV box. But places like LC know many hard core players have two or more copies anyway so does not pass along the cost of “duplicate” counters so the consumer. That’s how they role. You can buy HASLs from other 3PP for $100-150 if you need/want more counters or buy extra nationality sets from Broken Ground Design, or double modules from MMP. Lots of options out there and LC provides some low cost options. Although they are now printing there own variety counters so module costs are creeping up like other companies.

[marchanna]

The copyright war happened a long time ago so we don’t need to get into that but all the 3PPs are really just gaming groups putting out projects that they like and see them (well most of them) as complimentary to the hobby and not parasitic to MMP. They all make the wheel go round and make things available on a variety of subjects that may never otherwise get published. MMP is still the flagship and everyone else follows. As for numbers of counters, most HASLs require more counters than what is in a single BV box. But places like LC know many hard core players have two or more copies anyway so does not pass along the cost of “duplicate” counters so the consumer. That’s how they role. You can buy HASLs from other 3PP for $100-150 if you need/want more counters or buy extra nationality sets from Broken Ground Design, or double modules from MMP. Lots of options out there and LC provides some low cost options. Although they are now printing there own variety counters so module costs are creeping up like other companies.

This is a reasonable analysis but I would say the only reason they are not parasitic to MMP is due to MMP's lack of responsiveness and timeliness. If they were more proactive over there, they wouldn't leave goods on the table but instead would dominate the marketplace for the stuff by snapping it up and publishing it.

By the way, the only reason the copyright battle is 'over' is because Hasbro doesn't want to prosecute. The 3PP would lose -- it's just that Hasbro doesn't want to sink the money into it. If ever a 3PP started making real money, you can bet the long knives would come out in the meantime, LCP can charge low prices for their stuff, why not? It's not as if I'm not buying