Why is PDX slow in using new Flames and Team-Yankee books and releases

[barca]

Some of you may have noticed a significant time lag between when Battlefront releases new stuff and when the Portland-Area/Oregon City/Lacey, WA Flames-of-War and Team Yankee groups start using new stuff from Battlefront.

Well, there are good reasons, and they have nothing to do with being cheap nor lazy.

1. Our local game stores sometimes experience delays in receiving new product from BF.

2. The order volume is small locally, due to a small customer base here. The store might run out of product, unless you special order very early.

3. Even though a book may be officially released in early February (e.g., "Avanti!"), it takes a while for the products for that book to be released and shipped.

• For example, in the Avanti! FoW release schedule, the last items in the release are shipped in late March. Accounting for a later arrival in Lacey, WA or Portland, OR or Oregon City, and then allowing time for painting and assembly, an army list that uses  the 90mm Anti-Tank Battery might not hit the table until some time in April, or even later.

4. Digesting a new book takes time - to put together an army list, and then a shopping list.

5. Assembly and painting takes time.

 

So what does this mean for the eager Oregon/Washington gamer who wants to get rolling with the newest stuff ASAP?

• The local guys will probably have core armies from a new book 6-8 weeks after it has been officially released. It might be another month or two before ALL the units in that army are table-ready
  • So that is about the time when you will see the shiny stuff that is covered in the books (i.e., "codexes" for some of you) will actually appear on our tabletops and in local FoW / TY events.
• In some cases, we do have painted models and figures ready before a new book arrives.
  • In that case, we can put on a demo event for the new book and its contents about week or two after the book arrives at Guardian Games or Oregon City Geeks and Games or Gabi's Olympic Cards & Comics.

Locally, it is unlikely that Oregon/Washington gamers will get advanced copies or samples, unlike some venues on the US East coast or online groups in the UK.

 

Don't be discouraged, tho.

We all like new, shiny and challenging book and toys.

We will adopt and use them.

Just be patient, persistent, and don't be shy about speaking your mind.