wkehrman said:
You're mixing eras with this example. FoW is strictly WWII.
I totally realize I was mixing eras. I was using an example of what types of players in my area have what scales.
As far as other companies' issues go, I fail to see how players would be chased away by scale standardization. I sure don't see GW or Privateer Press' doors closing in the foreseeable future, do you? Don't get me wrong, I've heard complaints ad nauseum about a certain mini company from folks who have left their game system for others, but have yet to hear one single complaint reference the scale used. It has always been due to new items making your older models and books obsolete every few years or so.
(Unfortunately, just like my original Battlefield: Evolution models which match up to no other scale, and are no longer being produced with no new models to use. Food for thought, and I understand not an intended outcome, but still they sit collecting dust on my shelf).
As far as the "Come one, come all, scale doesn't matter" approach, it just smacks too much like a, "My name is whatever you want it to be big boy" sales pitch.
Having a "recommended" scale will never stop folks from using their own if they still want to play the rules, but do not have nor wish to purchase another line of models in the "official" scale.
To summarize, my biggest concern, and point of contention is this....
Anyone viewing an officially sanctioned event where the scales are hodge-podge, would laugh and say "Wow, those models are so disorganized, probably has rules to match."
There is a reason the successful miniature companies, GW (love em or hate em, they move product), Privateer Press, and Battlefront push having painted, "official cast" minis at sponsored events...
It looks good and represents the company well.
Sad fact is this my friends: People are attracted by eye-candy. If the eye-candy is not there, they will not stick around long enough to find out the rules are really a choice-cut steak.
Standardized scale would keep passersby from walking off chuckling at the unorganized confusing mess the game must be. If the models on the table look disorganized, then how can the rules be organized? If the rules are not organized, then how can the Rep be organized? If the Rep is not organized, then the store must not be either. I think I'll take my money elsewhere. Now we have an actual economic and industrial impact. All because a potential new player was turned off before they even gave it a try.
Just a hypothesis based upon several years of working in a field where my ability to read peoples' body-language means the difference between life and death. I've watched too many people stop to look at the cool models and terrain and move on, (usually before I have a chance to explain why), when they see the models do not match each other. 8)
I'm not saying we have to standardize on a single manufacturer, just a scale for cripes sake. We could still allow for variations by putting scale conversion PDFs on here for folks who wish to run events in alternate scales, just make a decision on a standard for "officially sanctioned" events so as not to cause people to avoid even trying the game.
) 
