'Digital Player Kits' for old and out-of-print games!

[@CptEggman]

Interesting topic. I live by a simple principle when it comes to this kind of thing: I don't steal what I could legally buy. But if you make it impossible for me to buy it, I will find a way to consume it anyway. This was how I consumed most media before the age of streaming. You make it impossible for me to watch a US TV show in its original english? I'll pirate it. Don't have the money to buy a video game I want? Save money, then buy it legally. I can live with that ethically. Some out of print wargames are so hopelessly unavailable that playing the Vassal module can hardly be called pirating. Providing a "Digital Player Kit" would indeed be an interesting solution and middle ground!

[@helenaconstantine]

The publishers of OCS make the Vassal modules and rules pdfs of Case Blue and the other OCS games and freely available on-line. How cold there be any moral qualm about using what they give you?

[@WiseGuyHistory]

It used to be the case that you were only 'meant' to play a game on Vassal if at least one player owned it. I did a search and can't find a reference to that anymore, but it's stuck with me over the years. Perhaps publishers have relaxed those ideas?

[@RvTWargames]

I buy physical games because that's what most of our game production companies sell. But if the game production company offers no way to monetise their backlog but provides the rules and Vassal modules, I have no qualms in playing them (except in practice I don't). If they offered a digital player kit for sale, I would be happy to pay to help keep them in business producing new games. It would be like publishers offering hardbacks (mounted map boards), paperbacks, and kindle editions of their books. They seem to have decided that: (a) offering de facto free digital player kits (rules and vassal) helps attract players to new games (b) most gamers want to own a physical copy of a game so the archive is interesting but will only have a tiny number of players (c) the loss of revenue from not charging for their archival games is too small to worry about (d) reprinting physical updated games from their back catalogue generates more revenue than trying to charge for digital copies (e) the effort in sending out $10 - $40 kits is probably very similar to designing, proofing, printing, assembling and posting a $100 - $300 game, but with a tiny margin, so just not profitable enough (f) they are fundamentally paper and cardboard manufacturers and don't want or have the skills to become a digital one

[@Hillbilly001]

If it's oop and very expensive, there shouldn't be a problem with playing it on Vassel. Cheers from Tennessee

[@forzamark]

If its out of print and hard to get then im very happy to play without the game. Put it in print and id buy it.

[@rollobaker2031]

Nathan excellent review of a complex issue---to me hard to believe with demand for MMP product they do not do reprints--they could do P500 offers then there would not be the current debate---thanx

[@christophersmith3301]

I like your suggestion. I'm lucky to enough to have Case Blue but many won't ever have the opportunity either to own or to play it, which is a shame. Digital copies would create that opportunity and, just as importantly, create a way of expanding our hobby.

[@markh63]

Great idea. Lock and load publishing sells companion books for lock and load tactical. You use it with Vassel or tabletop simulatorits a spiral bound is kind of like a digital license. Good idea I like having the charts and rulebook in my hand and I roll my own dice. I don’t think I’d wanna pay more than $20 on a game that’s more than 20 years old.

[@66morningview]

I have always wondered about the impact of free digital editions. For instance I can play and obtain all the material online for many GMT games through vassal or rally the troops. Does this help or hinder sales of the physical game? If the company are willing to do this, I assume it must help them, but views differ. GMT being one end of the spectrum, see OSG for the other. Is there a world in which a physical edition of a game comes with a QR code to download an online module. Then once the game is OOP it can be sold for a small price as a digital edition? Certainly food for thought. 🤔

[@HissyCat]

What a great idea, I happen to own Case Blue and would have no problem if MMP sold a Digital Player Kit for Case Blue. (I have no plans to sell my copy, so not worried if a DPK affected the market price.)

[@casca6664]

You do so much for this hobby thank you so much.

[@WiseGuyHistory]

My pleasure!

[@Bahrainmark]

For OCS CB and GBII your will need the german and soviet reinforcement books. Vassal without them is impossible. where are you, I am in Brisbane..can get it to you

[@WiseGuyHistory]

Thank you! I'm probably a looooong way off yet. My aim is to slowly dip my toes back in and see how i go...

[@phillippaul614]

It’s an interesting topic you are addressing and one which the music industry had to deal with. I suspect platforms like Vassal and Rally the Troops actually drive more physical game purchases than if those platforms were unavailable, despite the fact that there are probably a number of players who don’t ever buy the game. The question is though, would they even buy the game if Vassal was unavailable? Ethically, and it’s the way I operate, I agree that you shouldn’t play on Vassal unless you own a copy. However, like you, I would feel comfortable playing OOP games that are not available at a reasonable price. I like your suggestion for a digital kit and I would definitely take advantage of this if it were offered.

[@WiseGuyHistory]

Yeah I think you're raising an important point here. If they only focus on older OOP games, let's say 10+ years old, then they avoid any impact on current sales.

[@arnaldosantos70]

cheers guy, i dont know , IF the next step is the company start charge every game on vasal ?

[@WiseGuyHistory]

Yeah that wouldn't be good...

[@dougposkitt1690]

10-15 years ago, I played a number of games I owned physical copies of on Vassal. That let me play with friends all over the world. A digital pack would be great. But you would need the written instructions for the game (i.e. the manual(s)).

[@przemekbozek]

I'd second this, I'm not that keen on OCS/Case Blue having played BCS, but would love to get the Digital Kits for some out of print games. Roads to Gettysburg II (MMP) would be a first one on my list, not that keen to pay £300 before the taxes and shipping...

[@MrElliptific]

if it is OOP and crazy expensive... don't ask, don't tell.

[@ExLibrisbyMikeBooklover]

It's a very good idea! I generally agree with the other guys, if you make it impossible for people to buy (for a fair price) then I am totally OK with playing without a physical copy.

[@SaulKopfenjager]

Good idea, tactile cards yes please!