Greg Smith said:
So figures that measure 28mm are not "true 28mm"?
Surely it is the makers of the other figures who are being disingenuous?
Maybe they should be called 2.8cm? Or 0.028m? Even 0.000028km?
Which figures were you expecting them to be compatible with?
I AM glad that you asked...
In the immortal words of Captain, Road Prison 36, from Cool Hand Luke;
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
My first day as a communications major in college, I learned that; Communication is a process by which ideas are expressed using
shared and common understanding.
If you tell me that you will give me a Q-tip - I expect a small plastic or wooden stick with a cotton swab on each end - it does not need to be the "Q-tip" brand. As long is it meets our shared understanding of what a Q-tip is, we have communicated effectively.
You are absolutely correct that other mini manufacturers are being, in a sense, disingenuous when they call man sized figures that are 30, 32, & even 38mm tall - 28m figures.
This has its roots in the dim distant past (or at least the early 1980s), when one manufacturer decided to increase the size of his 25mm minis so they would look more impressive than his competitor's offerings. This lead to an arms race of sorts commonly referred to "Scale Creep".
Eventually the commonly used name for these beefed up minis became 28s - then over time that became the officially used term by manufacturers, this did not however, end the practice of one upmanship and scale creep.
In fact, few of todays miniatures are actually the size reported to be. 28mm from most manufactures are tipping 32mm, 20mm minis are closing on 25mm, 18mm figs are routinely called 15mm - even 6mm is often 8mm. And their porportions have changed to make them look more "heroic"
Scale Creep is so pervasive that at this point we expect it. Our common and shared understanding is that minis of a certain "scale" will be a certain size - even though they actually haven't been limited to that height for years.
This can be likened to a similar phenomenon in Women's clothing. Have your size 12 girlfriend try to fit into a vintage size 12 dress made in the 1960's and see what happens :wink:
A "cup" is technically 8 ounces - when is the last time you were served 8 ounces of coffee / soda / or even orange juice - samey same.
What we expect something to be, is not necessarily what it used to be ,or what the strict definition is. Compare today's medium fries w/ an order of 1975 medium fries.
Back to the topic @ hand;
When Mongoose announced a 28mm game - my expectation - as well as most of us, was for figures that would look reasonably comparable to - dare I say - GW figs - or reaper figs - or prepainted D&D or "clicky based" figs.
We all know those figs haven't been 28m for years - but we have a common perception and expectation.
When Mongoose revealed their figures - while 28mm tall - they are not 28mm "big' for lack of a better term.
While the merits of the minis can be debated, you only get one chance to make a first impression. PERIOD!
When that first impression does not meet your expectation, human nature provides that we generally have a negative reaction.
What should the have been called? 1/64th scale would not have lead to the expectation that they would fit in w/ other 28mms - splitting hairs - maybe - but logic dictates that 28mm mongoose figures would be relatively compatible with other 28mm figures (SST figs are).
It is an admitedly silly quirk of human nature that what we consider to be 28mm figs aren't 28mm - but in this case - gamers and the industry won't be changing - therefore Mongoose Muhammed will have to go to the mountain, it ain't coming to him.
As for what I expected them to be compatible with? The Devil Dog Designs range - the TAG range - the combat zone range - Foundry moderns - copplestone castings - em4 - not to mention my Miasto Hummvs - my 1/48 & 1/50th scale tanks, trucks and scenery - I can go on but you get the point.
I have a bunch of modern stuff - I was hoping to be able to not have to start from scratch - I do plan to buy B Evo - not just recycle my old minis with new rules - I will be much more willing to hop in deeper if the time effort and money already spent can be smoothly incorporated into Mongoose's offering.
It looks like it can not - bummer - I'm still in though.
My larger concern at this point, while they have me, barely, the other more causal gamer who sees this game and feels it is not only another period but effectively another scale - will pass.
I fear that modern/near future skirmish gaming is not a huge draw in its own right and that Mongoose's miscalculations will effectively limit the popularity of B Evo to the point that it will be prematurely canceled - this would be the bigger disappointment and serves no one.
Mr Smith, I appreciate your questions and hope I explained things well enough to give you a crystal clear understanding of my position.
