Reply To: Open gaming mini license

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the music industry has barely acknowledged the existance of digital options.
I’d even argue that without Apple getting very lucky with their initial deal we wouldn’t have Spotify et al.

It’s taken roughly 20 years for them to get this far.

With 3D printing we’re at the beginning of that voyage.

We’re at the start of the Napster-era with geeks using new tech to enjoy their hobby.

I wouldn’t be surprised if GW (or someone equally big) bought Heroforge (and then ruined it by not understanding what people wanted out of that service).

Part of the problem for GW is that the assembly of minis is as much part of their hobby idea as the priming and painting is.
I suspect that the primary reason for their ‘easy build’ line is one of cost (less need to worry about build options if there’s only one way to assemble) and not an attempt to snag a newbie. The latter may have simply been a bonus.

There’s a reason why Forgeworld still exists.
3D printing could be a 3d division for GW depending on how fast it gains critical mass or it could become a thing for Forgeworld.

I think what we really need is for the equivalent of Apple iTunes / Tesla / Google to light the fuse.
Until such a thing happens I doubt 3D printing will be any different from all those other things that have enabled the cottage industry within this hobby to stay in business. It’s not yet ready for the average consumer and no one prints enough to warrant the investment compared to just buying the stuff in a (web)shop.