Reply To: Open gaming mini license

[onlyonepinman 18062xp 1]

@blinky465 3D printers aren’t really replacing regular off the shelf miniatures, not on any noticeable scale. I have a 3D printer and I consider it to be an option at my disposal for obtaining a miniature but it isn’t my first choice. It’s very useful and it’s amazing for getting one off items for RPGs or occasional character models for armies when that specific thing that I am looking for just isn’t available as a metal, plastic or resin miniature. But it still isn’t the primary means by which I obtain miniatures because of the additional time and effort required. The original question in the original post was are companies like GW still relevant given the availability of home 3D printing and the answer is yes and we are a very long way off 3D printing posing any kind of threat to that.

@maledrakh wargaming isn’t in the “enthusiast” category in the same way as home 3D printing. Whilst it is true that there are wargaming enthusiasts, it is easily accessible to anyone who wants to give it a go. Foe example, much like airfix kits, anyone can crack open a box of GW space marines and assemble them with relatively little thought or effort.  There are some ranges that may be considered a little more advanced, especially some resin and metal kits. But even those are really just slightly advanced versions of plastic kits that simply require a little extra skill and experience.  3D printing is a whole new skill – when people say it’s a hobby in itself, they say that because of the amount of extra knowledge, learning, time and effort required to obtain the 3D printed miniatures or models in the first place and of course maintain the actual printers. For most people, it’s currently way too much effort and hassle to bother and understandably so.  I can go online and order some models or even an entire army in a few clicks and then just go about my life whether working or relaxing or whatever, and in a few days my army will arrive. If I wanted to 3D print those models it takes several hours of effort for each batch which would normally consist of maybe 6 or 7 miniatures – printing them takes up my time in a way that purchasing doesn’t. That’s why 3D printing is limited to a few enthusiasts, people who actually interested in the process of printing miniatures. Most people would rather spend their time doing something else.