The_Real_Chris wrote:
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Plus, there's a decent chance that the Armies Book might get a print run.
Is there really that much demand for it? I have to be honest and say thats not something I would be interested in unlike the fun supplements that are produced.
The initial design goal of the NetEA Army Book(s?) was simply to provide an easily accessed repository of finished and actively developed lists for both players and tournament organizers; to showcase the activity of NetEA and indicated that EPIC:A wasn't dead.
It wasn't meant to be a flashy "supplement", but was to have a secondary role in *inspiring* new supplements; page after page of just unit stats doesn't seem too appealing to me as something people would want to spend money on, I'd rather see cool stories and detailed, focused works put out that way rather than just lists.
As well, there have been failures in the Army Champion system, with disappearances and neglect at the top of various army "chains of command", myself included; everything being purely volunteer can be a major stumbling block. One of the reasons the "Markconz's Codex" worked so well is that it was a dictatorship, a benevolent one, but still just a single person putting together everything they thought was cool and putting it out there; the NetEA isn't formed that way, as I've mentioned in a previous thread:
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lists are added to the NetEA documents when the creators of said lists ask to be included, and those listed are then vetted by the Army Champion and, often, the NetERC. We don't just take people's lists and say, "Now you're part of the the NetEA!", since we don't know if they want to be part of the project or not. While the NetEA is a very freeform, open organization, there is still some control and oversight by the various head Champions and the NetERC; not everyone necessarily wants to be part of that, and we certainly aren't going to force them.
Now, what's a list developer supposed to do if that Army Champion is non-existant or incommunicado... well, that's something we're wrestling with and people with thoughts and ideas about that should email the NetERC or start a new thread.
Just to be clear, the NetEA Army Book will never be "The Official Book of Epic Armies"; any tournament organizer, group, or whatever will always be able to but the kibosh on armies they don't like or don't want to allow in play... and we certainly won't be getting any kind of GW Stamp of Approval. The best we can hope for is "The Big Book of Epic Armies that are Reasonably Fun to Play With and Against".
So, what now? Playtest armies that you think are cool and/or need work, speak to the Army Champions about your suggestions and concerns, yell at the NetERC for taking so long, and be ready to volunteer to help.
We're all volunteers here, but we're also all passionate about this great game. I appreciate all the efforts people have put into this game and I understand the frustration, and I'm sorry I've been a contributor to that frustration, when things don't progress as one wants or hopes; we, the NetERC, are working on getting all the gears turning and the balls rolling again and ask for patience, and help as we need it!, and thank you for your efforts.
Much, much more to come.
