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Introduction
Warcraft Miniatures will serve as both game pieces and collectibles, as each one "will be mounted on a uniquely engineered removable base". Each miniature will reportedly be a highly detailed 3-D rendering of characters in the game, including not only each race and class, but bigwigs like Thrall and, evidently, Leeroy Jenkins, who has already appeared in the Trading Card Game.
Your minis will face their opponents in head-on battles as well as raid and dungeon scenarios, which can include player co-operation, much like in-game.
In addition to being able to play as Horde or Alliance, each player will have the opportunity to play using Monster factions. Currently, it is expected that we will be able to purchase a two-player Starter Set, a random Deluxe Starter Set, as well as booster packs. Should you choose, there will reportedly be a giant-size Onyxia Raid Set that will not only allow play against Ony, but allow you to control her yourself.
I expect after this core set is release additional raid and game expansions will follow.
Game Play
The game is reportedly going to incorporate many of the features of the online game, including your own Action Bar that you will be able to customize with abilities from online gameplay.
Serving as the debut for UDE in the world of collectible miniatures, the World of Warcraft Miniatures Game will incorporate "some of the industry's most talented sculptors from all over the world". Curious? The list of first class artisans includes Jacques-Alexandre Gillois (France), Juan Navarro Perez (Spain), Stefan B. Niehues (Germany), and Steve Saunders (USA).
According to Mike McVey, a 20-year-veteran in painting miniatures, the quality of these figurines are "unprecedented in the collectible miniatures category".
Says Product Manager and Lead Game Designer Justin Gary, "We worked closely with Blizzard to ensure that the miniatures met a high standard of quality and that the gameplay was true to the online experience".
Tournament Play
In addition to the new game, a "robust Organized Play structure" is set to be launched, including in-store tournaments, tournament events at the Darkmoon Faire, as well as larger-scale National and World Championship tournaments.
Release Date
While we know that the game will launch in fall of 2008, think october.
What we know so far
WORLD OF WARCRAFT MINIATURES: “CORE SET” BOOSTER
Code: UPRWWMB ( UPR62879 )
Category: Miniatures Game
Vendor: Upper Deck
Configuration: 16 boosters per case ( 2 inner-cases of 8 boosters each ) / 3 minis accessories per booster
SRP = $14.99 per booster
Booster Configuration:
Contents:
- * 3 randomized miniatures – (from the same faction)
- * 3 character cards (1 for each miniature)
- * 6 ability cards (2 for each miniature)
- * 1 UDE Points Card
- * Some will contain a randomly inserted Loot Card
- * 8 Boosters per inner shipper
- * 2 inner shippers per case
Key Selling Points (Starter SKU):
* Everything two players need to learn and play the game in each Fixed Starter (2 Alliance characters, two Horde characters, UBases, dice, game map). Extra Ubases encourage booster purchases.
* Clear Display shows off the high quality of the figures and will attract consumers to the brand.
* Exclusive Content- Contains 4 exclusive premium miniatures not found anywhere else.
WORLD OF WARCRAFT MINIATURES: “CORE SET” STARTER
Code: UPRWWMS ( UPR62870 )
Configuration: 8 starters per case ( 2 inner-cases of 4 starters each ) / 4 minis accessories per starter
SRP = $24.99 per starter
Starter Configuration:
Contents:
- * 4 exclusive fixed miniatures – (two Horde; two Alliance)
- * 4 character cards (1 for each miniature) & 8 ability cards (2 for each miniature)
- * 6 custom dice (three Horde; three Alliance) with unique crit icon.
- * 6 miniature UBases
- * 1 double-sided game map
- * 1 Quick Start Rulebook
- * 1 Set 1 Checklist
- * 4 units per inner shipper
- * 2 inner shippers per outer shipper
Key Selling Points (Deluxe Starter SKU):
* Double Epics: 1/8 deluxe starters will have two epics – 1 in each faction.
* 2 Fully playable factions in each Deluxe Starter (6 figures included, 3 each from the Alliance, Horde, or Monster factions)
* All components drive repeat purchase: This starter will contain one of three deluxe game boards, two out of the three types of dice, two out of three UBase designs and six randomized miniatures.
* Loot Cards: This product will contain randomly inserted samples of the popular Loot cards from the WoW TCG.
WORLD OF WARCRAFT MINIATURES: “CORE SET” DELUXE STARTER
Code: UPRWWMDLXS ( UPR62873 )
Configuration: 3 deluxe starters per case / 6 minis accessories per deluxe starter
SRP = $39.99 per deluxe starter
Deluxe Starter Configuration:
Contents:
- * 6 randomized miniatures – (three from one faction; three from another faction)
- * 6 character cards (1 for each miniature)
- * 12 ability cards (2 for each miniature)
- * 6 custom dice with unique crit icon. (two of three varieties)
- * 6 miniature UBases (two of three varieties)
- * 1 Deluxe Game Board (one of three varieties)
- * 1 Rulebook
- * 1 Scenario Book
- * 2 UDE Points Cards
- * 1 Loot Card (exact insert rate to be confirmed)
- * 1 Set 1 Checklist
- * 1 Customizable Terrain/Token Sheet (one of three varieties to match game board)
- * 3 starters per case
RELEASES: Q3/??/08 ( FALL ‘08 ) - ORDERS DUE: 03/05/08
Product Description and Content:
Hold the Power of Azeroth in the Palm of your Hand! Let the heroes of Warcraft enter your world as Upper Deck Entertainment Introduces…WoW Miniatures Game Arrows fly through the air, axes crush the unwary, and spells illuminate the landscape. From the forests of Ashenvale to the rolling dunes of Tanaris – Horde, Alliance & Monsters battle for domination! Victory is huge in this miniature world. The battle is here. Cut your opponent down to size!
Core Set is the inaugural set in the WoW® Miniatures Game, a premium collectible miniatures game based upon the award-winning massively multiplayer online role playing game, WoW.
Key Selling Points (Brand):
* The WoW brand is one of the strongest hobby brands ever with over 10 million monthly subscribers worldwide.
* Our Premium quality figures will continue Upper Deck’s tradition of category defining excellence utilizing more dynamic sculpts, more detailed paints, and a larger scale than other miniatures games.
* Our innovative detachable UBase1 allows figures to serve as both a gorgeous collectible and a functional gamepiece.
* We provide an exciting and open-ended gameplay experience with the Base102 game engine leveraging Upper Deck’s expertise with trading card game designs by combining miniatures and cards.
Key Selling Points (Booster SKU):
* Epic Characters: 1/8 boosters will have an epic!
* Set size, quality level and variety will drive repeat purchase: Collectors and MMO players who wish to find someone similar to their character will drive repeat purchases
* Loot Cards: This product will contain randomly inserted samples of the popular Loot cards from the WoW TCG.
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