MAS Print Edition Formatting

[Tyrel Lohr]

After receiving some valid criticisms on this and the previous MAS release, we are looking at ways we can address these issues.

That being said, I would like to know how most people use their printed MAS books? Do you use them mostly for reference (rules and planes), or do you cut the planes out of the binding and use them rather than printing new ones out via PDF?

For future releases (or possibly even print runs) of MAS products, I would like to get an idea of how the books are being used, and what the primary issues have been.

Up to this point we have not done any color printing, nor have we included printed counters due to the added expense. We are not setup to offer color laminated cards, and the cost of doing such a solution would easily increase the cost of each book by $5-10. A cheaper alternative that we could do would be to print color counters and accessory panels on 110 pound card stock and include those with each book. That would increase the cost of a book by about $0.15 per page, and would leave lamination/mounting up to the buyer.

Another option would be to sell color, laminated plane panels as a separate product. Because these would be printed and assembled by hand, they would not be as nice as the type of cards you find in something like ADB's Federation Commander game. They would be functional, however. The cost per plane card (half page, front and back) would likely be close to $0.70 each, if not a bit higher.

As for the books themselves, a color printing would be great, but is likely too expensive for a non-compendium version of the rules. After Charlie Lewis completes the three planned World War II MAS supplements, I will look into seeing how much a "boxed set" of this type would cost.

Speaking of boxed sets, that is the other possibility for the MAS games going forward. The cost of each physical supplement release would be higher, but we could then include laminated plane cards, counters (probably one side laminated, the other mounted to a thin adhesive floor tile), and a rule book in a single package. The cost to do so would be higher and would likely require a minimum preorder limit to be doable, but it is something we could look into doing if there is sufficient interest.

I am just fishing for ideas of what the MAS players (or potential MAS players) are looking for in the print edition of the game.

Thanks!
-Tyrel

[MarkG88]

Tyrel,

I use MAS rulebook for reference. I've not cut out planes I am planning on doing a heavy stock color printing akin to what you're considering offering in the future, that gets my vote for long term printing purposes. I'll always keep the book intact but that's just me, I never highlighted text books in college either lol.


So keeping book interior B&W and offering heavy stock color printouts as seperate item seems valid to keep costs down but still allowing some "chrome" for those wanting it.


-Mark

[Tyrel Lohr]

Mark,

In a perfect world, a Federation Commander-esque rulebook + laminated sheets probably would be the way to go, but I think having all of the planes in the book is still good for reference. If we could remove the planes from book itself, we could probably reduce the book costs by about 50% or more (depending on volume purchases). For straight costs, that would probably be the equivalent of 20 double-sided laminted plane panels. Unfortunately, that means the hard copy cost of a MAS book would ratchet up to $29.95 or more (probably quite a bit more, because I don't think we could profitably produce the laminated sheets at that price).

If we were to produce laminated sheets, I think offering them in "faction packs" would be the best way from a logistics standpoint -- though it would prevent someone from just quickly buying plane panels for just the planes they want.

-Tyrel

[MarkG88]

Yeah that's true on just buying the plane sheets *smacks head* And the profit margin is definitely a factor I realize that. The format as is works rather well for me though, so far. I'll know more if I get to play it with my gamer buddies in Indiana this weekend.

[echoco]

I use the rule books for reference as well, I used to print and cut out planes and ordnance, but these days its just easier to rite them down on a piece of paper.

[Charles Lewis]

I suspect that different people use the materials in different ways. The issue of Victory Track that I did as a preview of MTO and that followed the exploits of my Italian MAS was the entirety of my record for their campaigns. It really doesn't take a whole lot to track.

Of course, someone going all out with displays, and tracks, and counters and minis is perfectly free to. And I'd love to see a picture!

[mwaschak]

Of course, someone going all out with displays, and tracks, and counters and minis is perfectly free to. And I'd love to see a picture!

I ended up making seperate prints myself, then used some home improvement supplies to make them in to nice heavy pieces. It was cheap and easy, but there was some work involved to cut the pieces right. I would like to include some real minis at one point, but one thing at a time.

Anyway that is how I use them.

-Jay

[mwaschak]

After talking with a few more MAS players on BG I found that including cardstock prints as an option from the store may be a good idea. What do you think?

-Jay

[Charles Lewis]

If we can do it in such a way that we don't have to heavily invest in cardstock inventory, I think it's worth pursuing.