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Dan Verssen -> RE: DVG News - 11-11-09 (12/12/2009 6:41:51 PM)
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A word about pre-orders…
The pre-order system is a vital part of a strategy game company’s business model. Without pre-orders, most companies would be hard-pressed to bring a game to market. For small companies like DVG, it would be worse than hard-pressed, it would be impossible.
We recently ended the pre-order cycle for Frontline and Phantom Leader. We then charged the credit card pre-orders from the past 9 months.
We usually have 10% of the charges declined. We then contact the customers and ask them to re-pre-order with revised credit card information. Roughly, half do, and the other half don’t.
I must admit, I was worried when we charged the cards this time. Let’s face it, the economy has been bad for all of us, plus its holiday time when money is even tighter. I was fully expecting to see one declined charge after another.
I want to thank all of you who pre-ordered, because I got an early Christmas present this year. Against all anticipation, the number of declined cards were down, and the number of people who then re-pre-ordered was up. When the dust cleared, all (ALL!) the Phantom pre-orders were successful, and only three (3!) of the Frontline pre-orders failed.
Thank you all for a very Merry Christmas!
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Wow, a new cycle of games is starting!
In this cycle we’re moving forward with Down In Flames – Guns Blazing (WWII), Down In Flames – Locked-On (Jets), and Modern Land Battles (well, er… modern).
New Guns Blazing Slideshow!
http://www.dvg.com/.sc/ms/dd/ee/29/Down%20In%20Flames%20-%20Guns%20Blazing
New Locked-On Slideshow!
http://www.dvg.com/.sc/ms/dd/ee/31/Down%20In%20Flames%20-%20Locked-On
Modern Land Battles Rules – Early Draft!
http://images.dvg.com/www.dvg.com/mlbrules.pdf
Looking forward, we’re going to be announcing 3 new games for pre-order in the coming weeks…
Field Commander Napoleon
The 3rd installment in our Field Commander series, and a huge game. It will have 6 mounted maps and span Napoleon’s entire career.
Here’s the game box, courtesy of Wan…
http://www.dvg.com/.sc/ms/ch/news
Hornet Leader – Carrier Air Operations
One of the most demanded games to get into print is the Hornet Leader II series. This game will include the material from Hornet Leader II, Carrier Air Group, Cold War, Marine Air, plus new material.
It will be a huge box with over 300 cards.
Wan has been kind enough to create an ad to get the ball rolling…
http://www.dvg.com/.sc/ms/ch/news
Vendetta
Our first venture into the Euro/Mass Market!
A “Family” card game. It's a card game for 2 to 6 players. Each player plays a mob boss trying to take over the top spot in New York City. The game is designed to be a low complexity family game and takes about 45-60 minutes to play. The tone is very light and very socially interactive.
The goal is to take control of different places and people in the "Neighborhood". As you do so, you gain reputation. The first player to reach the reputation goal wins.
Here's the cool part of the game...
The cornerstone to the game is the "Vendetta" mechanic. If I take control of the local Delicatessen, I get some Reputation points. If you then come and Whack (destroy) the Deli, you take the Reputation points I gained from controlling Deli.
But wait!
There's more!
When you Whack my Deli, you must give me some of your Vendetta counters. The specific number is noted on the Deli card. If I attack you in the future, I can spend your Vendetta counters to pump up my attack against your places and people.
So, the more you Whack a player, the more bonuses they have in the future to Whack you back.
This does 2 cool things.
First, you get the whole "Grudge" or "Now it's personal" aspect of mob warfare.
Second, even if a player gets Whacked hard, he still has the resources to make a comeback. Which means until a player wins, everyone has a shot at winning.
The design came together very fast, and the artist, Jerry, is doing a great job of capturing the light feel we're going for.
Here’s the current box cover…
http://www.dvg.com/.sc/ms/ch/news
www.dvg.com
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