Gobbo said:

Both DT & DW?

Only one at a time. I am currently on the DW team.

I don't get why people are so hyped up on support for unofficial stuff. I can understand that you want more & different minis, but why should FFG support something they're not, um, supporting?

Sorry for the snark, if you view it so, but I come to DW from DT, & I just want whatever FFG is producing for the game. I'm not some big WW2-head--I like DT & DW, and I'm not going to be converting tanks or whatever for the game. What's in the game is in the game, no?

I guess I just don't get mini wargaming culture.

There can be lots of different reasons.

Some people want to add something of their own to the game to make it more 'theirs.'

Some people like the concept, but want it expanded to include other ideas that FFG hasn't had the time to add, even if they want to.

Some people know that FFG would have a harder time expanding into the established WW2 model market, but would like the units that would logically still be around and having to face the DUST units. FFG may add historical vehicles, but I would expect them to come as unit cards rather than as models.

Some people like the core game engine, but want to explore more what ifs from before or after the game setting. Walkers made their first appearance at Stalingrad, but there were years of war before that, and years between Stalingrad and the current setting.

There can be lots of reasons people are interested in adding unofficial stuff. I threw out just a few I could see quickly.

Most popular games come with variety, because variety adds more to keep interest. Whether that is through scenarios, random set up, special rules, new units, or whatever, gamers enjoy variety. Some people will be quite happy with the variety included with DUST, but others will want more. Few people like to wait for something they want.

I agree 100% and buying cards with stats would be fine and if FF did not want to produce the models it would be nice for them to link up with other sites were those who wanted could find other models and include them in their armies. Like dust studio does with links to other well established model companies, but would those models even if the right scale be official ?

And it is nonsense to think that a card for every military device and weapon will be made. As some have already done making cards on a DIY basis is the way to go in my opinion.

And when FF does come out with aircraft and tanks don`t be surprised if they look nothing like what any of us think they should look like it is their game to make and ours to buy.

Only time will tell and most of this is speculation and the wait and see attitude just makes me anxious. I can`t wait for the core rules for warfare and for Christmas when i pray the book comes out ( fingers crossed )

feildmarshallolberhus said:

The problem with the home-made stuff is that it doesn't transport well. As long as it is thee and me playing against each other, then whatever we are happy with in house rules is cool. It is when we try to go elsewhere, especially for a tournament, that problems start showing up.

Officially sanctioned, but non-tournament legal, cards for additional units would not be a terrible thing.

Most games will not be official tournament games, so individual play groups could decide what to allow or not allow.

Having the actual development team give point values that fit their design concept would be a nice aid for those who aren't quite as adept at figuring valid point values. I'd prefer it as a side job, instead of a main effort, because I'd like to see more walkers, flying units, Soviets, etc.., but I'd pick up the cards for historical/unimportant DUST units just for the variety.

They could also run up cards for DUST models that may not be planned to be added to the game, like the recovery Walker or landing craft, so players could buy the DUST models that look nice with rules for friendly games using them. Both of those units work more as scenario specific additions, but they do belong to the DUST universe, so it would be nice to have something reasonable to use them with. The landing craft rules could even be added to the Operation Cyclone scenario using them without changing the scenario, as the Axis isn't likely to want to come within range of the .50 cal mounts anyway.

They could run up the cards as pdf's, and only invest time into them. Players could purchase and print the cards, FFG would be able to sell a product without printing costs, and they could never have an impact on official tournaments. Cards could have an additional logo noting they are not tournament legal units. Something like, 'Friendly Fire Unit: Not for Tournament Play.' Not being available as standard DUST cards, they would also be more readily identifiable as non-tournament legal.

First, I'm new to the Dust forum so forgive me if I restate something that has already been said. Second, I fully agree with the points Gimp has made on how to deal with the support of "unofficial" DT/DW vehicles/units. As someone else pointed out if its an 'local' game then feel free to use the "unofficial" game piece(s) but if its an official FFG event, don't us it.

Let's be honest with ourselves about a few things: 1) Its simply a game that we're supposed to have fun with. 2) Once you buy it, its your game and as long as everyone agrees who is playing, you can do what you want with it.....again, just have fun. 3) Remember, this is "alternate history" and the vehicles, weapons and units are the product of a great imagination so if you are playing in a local game you are in control of that alternate history. 4) FFG has produced DT/DW in cooperation with a host of talented people and we're all here because we obviously like it. That said, in the end its their product line/story line so we have to live with their decisions. As an analogy, you can play poker by any rules you want at home or with your friends, but when playing a poker game in a casino in Las Vegas, you play by THEIR rules, like it or not.

All that said, I'll go back to my earlier comments and reiterate that Gimp has some nice ideas. No matter what, I hope you all have fun playing the game.