Tactical Command
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Keeping Epic Alive
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=27937		 Page 1 of 5
Author:  Xenocidal Maniac [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 5:30 am ]
Post subject:  Keeping Epic Alive
Guys, the sad realization dawned on me the other day. One day, Epic will die. As an unsupported "dead" game, it's inevitable. Many of us die-hards even here on Tac Com are getting older, having kids, finding new distractions, etc. It makes intuitive sense that one day the rate of replacement will not keep up with the rate of attrition.

Indeed, didn't I read recently that there hasn't been a new approved list in something like two years? Even now we are beginning to show signs that the game is moribund.

I wanted to brain storm here and try to think of ways that we can delay that sad day for as long as possible. For my part, locally, I am constantly trying to recruit new players, giving demo games, hosting events, putting Epic players in the area in touch with each other, etc. With my efforts, I figure I can keep a local scene vibrant for at least a while.

But what about globally? What about areas that don't have someone like me to proselytize and convert? What are some ways that we can get the word out that the game is not dead? I remember someone here wrote an article about Epic on 3++ a few months ago. That was great. I occasionally go on major forums such as Dakka Dakka and Warseer and publicize Tac Com and my Epic Blog. But what are some other things we can do to get the word out that not only is the game not dead, but it is actively being developed, and great proxies are available for those who search?

I'd be happy to write articles, batreps, whatever for any major 40k web site out there. Does anyone have any other ideas? We need new blood not only playing the game, but contributing to this forum!
Author:  madd0ct0r [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
incoming the webzine was what let me find out about netea stuff
Author:  GlynG [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
I wrote up a longer post but annoyingly lost it in a browser crash. Will post again short hand as am busy.

Epic is both dead and alive and has been for a long time. I'm continually expanding and gradually painting my collection and don't ever intend to stop. Some people e.g. Aaron are teaching their children to play too.

So long as there are wargamers, particularly those invested in the 40k universe, there is potential epic converts. I suggest playing in clubs at least some of the time to potentially pull players in. Also build a collection of multiple beautifully painted armies to inspire people. It's great that there's an expanding range of epic proxies e.g. the popular Troublemaker Games crowdfunders, people are clearly still interested, I just think interest is more fragmented these days, like a Hydra sprouting multiple new heads after GW's epic got cut. I'd be gutted if new models ever stopped being made, but realistically at my pace I have decades of existing models to paint.

There's a LOT less playtesting than when EpicA was new but it's still happening at a slow pace. It's not been two years since the last list was approved - the tyranid Onachus list only got approved in February and the Titan Legion list is very close to being now. It does rather surprise me how long it's taking to get lists approved though. It shouldn't be particularly hard for anyone to play 6 games with their friends and to take the time to write up and post battle reports of them. All an army champion has to do then is to persuade two other groups around the world to do the same and a list can be approved. Playtesting pacts could help? e.g. you agree to post up 6 Black Templars playtests this year if I agree to do the same for the Blood Angels.
Author:  Luke [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Paint bigass beautiful epic armies and disseminate photo's of same on sites where misguided 40k fans hang out. :spin
Author:  Parintachin [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Luke wrote:
Paint bigass beautiful epic armies and disseminate photo's of same on sites where misguided 40k fans hang out. :spin

This! And submit them to pages like Bell of Last Souls for their battlepic of the day thing.
Author:  kyussinchains [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Luke wrote:
Paint bigass beautiful epic armies and disseminate photo's of same on sites where misguided 40k fans hang out. :spin


Nailed it *high five*
Author:  Ginger [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Agreed, together with posts of where the E:A events are to be found.
Author:  johnboyire [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
as a newish player, maybe getting back to the roots of epic, the 30k era!? marine v marine its a hot topic and the books deal with massive armies what about a focus on adapting net epic armageddon to the 30k era, would not be too much of a stretch, add some primarchs rules in there and some early tank units. there are people spending a fortune on forgeworld for 30k items who can buy entire epic armies for less money.

ive seen a few videos with 40k apocalypse games and i am sorry but it just does not look right having oversized paper mache titans. these are the people who need epic in their lives. how its meant to be played.

finally more mainstream demonstrations would help, running demo games at cons with flyers to tac command and details for proxy manufacturers. also getting involved in competitions at gaming tourneys, 2-3 gaming tables might be small scale but if you get 2-3 recruits on the day as a result it would be worth it.

epic is never going to be huge but theres potential to play to epics strenghts.
Author:  mordoten [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Well, one part of the problem could be attributed to the ERC doesn't seem to push things so much. We have a few active playtesters and armychamps that are working with their lists, but it seems that rheres no centralized work for the game as a whole.
I posted a theead here in the forum section where i guess the ERC takes questions. In that thread I offered up my services as an AC/SubAC. I got no reply what so ever.

This game will not live without an active group overlooking the whole game! The very active AC:s are great, but their work is with that one list.

Maybe it's time for some change in either the structure of the group that supports the game, or with who is in that group.

But of course there will be much opposition against change because that would force alot of people that "are happy with the things that are" to care/change/rethink stuff.
Author:  johnboyire [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
should have mentioned the problem of multiple rulesets, when i first started here i was really confused about the rulesets it took a while for me to get my head around it and find one ruleset i liked, it might be off putting for new /newish returning players coupled with them trying to get into an oop game system/system.

fans of the various rulesets seem to be diehard fans and thats part of the problem, the community here shares the love of terrain, models, painting but not rulesets.

even if their was an agreed upon ruleset for competitions or a straight forward beginner quick start ruleset that all sections of players agreed upon to direct new players to it might help. however new players are a valuable resource not to be shared with competing rulesets...
Author:  mordoten [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Well, if you look at the ratio for players playing either E:a och NetEpic it's probably 90/10. Almost all the organized gaming like tournaments are E:a too.
Author:  Legion 4 [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Well with all we do here including NetEpic rules, etc. will certainly keep it alive plus some of the other things suggested here would help ... But since I'm old and jaded ^-^ ... do we really care if only guys here and some other sites plays Epic or uses Epics models for other games systems ? It's not a race or election to see who is playing Epic, what version, or other games they might use Epic models for, yes ? :-\ Something my Mom and Granma used to say ... "do what works for you "... So who cares who is playing what, etc. ... ^-^ Maybe that's just me ... but again ... I'm old ... :whistle
Author:  mordoten [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 3:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Well, you need new blood to keep something alive. And if we want new cool models and terrain produced there has to be players around to use them.
The more people playing the game, the more stuff gets produced for it (including new armylists, tournaments, scenarios).
Author:  Legion 4 [ Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Keeping Epic Alive
Not neccesarily ... but you'll always get some new blood. Especially with all the other 6mm models coming out from sources other than GW and eBay ... Of course us old school types who started Epic in '90 or so ... will be Zombies or support in "spirit" ...
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