15 replies to this topic

[mercoutlaw]

It's been almost 2 years since we were disbanded. Any news on the new programs? Forgive me for posting here, but the BL forum is locked and not able to add to in any form.

[bluethunder]

I don't know about every one else but I have just been continuing doing my thing unofficially. Here are a couple photos of my recent paint and take demo at WITTCON in Springfield, Ohio from march 24th. I will be at FOPCON this coming April 28th in Huber Heights, Ohio.
http://sphotos.xx.fb...387079681_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak...841006031_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak...674843106_n.jpg
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http://sphotos.xx.fb...574728950_n.jpg

[bluethunder]

Here are some Photo's from the University of Daytons CON last February. I still do 4 cons a year on my own and I am thinking of adding a fifth. I guess I was a BL for so long I just can't quit even though the official program is gone. I continue to use all the stuff I used when I was a BL but I let the con organizers know that I am doing this unofficially at this point.

If at some point in the future Reaper starts up a new program, I would love to be a part of it. Untill then I'll just keep on Keepin' the faith.

http://sphotos.xx.fb...034299105_n.jpg
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http://sphotos.xx.fb...341729907_n.jpg
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[Castlebuilder]

And why aren't you inviting the Mansfield Bears down to these cons? At least I would be happy to make the drive down south to hang out with you guys.

[bluethunder]

_{Simply an oversight my lord... You and your dungeon of doom are now formally invited. I may even have another con for you to invade but it is short notice as they just aproached me on the 24th while at WITTcon. I think it's called DENCON and its just outside of Columbus but I'll have to check the info later today when I get home. It's in Two weeks and they said ther attendance should be about 140 or so.}

Edited by bluethunder, 26 March 2012 - 07:10 AM.

[Reaperbryan]

No updates because at this time I have no news we can share. We continue to work closely with individuals that wish to run events, and determine support on a case-by-case basis.

[Jeneki]

There was an awesome paint n take at MarsCon in Minneapolis MN a few weeks ago. It was one of those "heck yea" moments, I was working with the gaming head to set up demos and events and he asked if I could help him run a Reaper event ... "Heck Yea!"

[bluethunder]

There was an awesome paint n take at MarsCon in Minneapolis MN a few weeks ago. It was one of those "heck yea" moments, I was working with the gaming head to set up demos and events and he asked if I could help him run a Reaper event ... "Heck Yea!"

My attitude exactly. That's a big reason why i continue to do events for people. The people want us to do these kinds of things for them and I love doing it so "Heak Yea!" I'll keep doing it as long as my paints and minis last... it makes me feel good!

[Stubbdog]

Personally, I think the future of the Black Lightning group will be directly tied to whether or not they can fill the opening for a webmaster. This is just me, as I am not a Reaper employee, but the Black Lightning system is based on rewarding people for their efforts and for the new customer return. But, as a long time BL, I agreed 150% on taking it down since there was no real way to track either of those based on what was required under that previous version. It was way too easy for anyone to lie, cheat, and claim anything they wanted to just about and get tons of free stuff for doing so. This is not a finger point so i dont need to see 15 posts rebuttling me on whether or not you cheated.. I am just saying that the prior system in place was too susceptible to it since all it required was for you to do was toss in a name and email address and guess their age. Anyone could make up 100 different yahoos, hotmails, gmails, etc.. and no one would know the difference.

In my opinion, if I were to build a new system it would be something like:

The new system needs to be built around the end customer doing the reporting, not the BL. The BL gives the demo, hosts the PaT, etc... gives the customer the reaper "referral" website address, telling them that if they go to the site and register (and listing the BL as their referrer) then Reaper will SNAILMAIL them a code that can be used online to get free stuff. When they hit the submit button it will populate the database with their info, but it will flag both Reaper and also the BL so that the BL can attest to what they did and add any relevant info to the ticket. Then the BL will submit it and Reaper collects all of the data and then sends out the rewards. But, nothing to either without a mailing address and a way to validate the event.

Could possibly even tie the BL's reward to the customer's reward code so that the BL doesnt get points until the customer redeems their code.

Then there would also be a place in that registration website where that same end customer can login and tell about additional events, demos, etc.. that they participate in, and again can list the BL responsible if they so choose. And again, by including the BL, it gets flagged to require the BL to sign off on it so to speak.

Then the system can be built to include more items from there, more promotions, more in depth areas.. but that would be the basis for me.

Would that system be perfect? No. Could people still cheat? yes. But, this is just the base idea that could be grown upon. it makes it much tougher since it would require mailing addresses, and all rewards would be snail mailed to those addresses. The database would need to include some form of address validation checks and/or duplicate, fraudulent, redundent, escalating, etc... checks.

I could see that system eventually being tied to a system for the gamers whereby they can input battle reports and such and re-introduce the old battle map, but in a more robust way where players games affected the outcomes, the ownersihps, the faction banners flying on the map, etc... win prizes direct from Reaper for the local tourneys, etc.. But, that would be a later add on item, not a startup item...


But, in the end, none of that could happen if they dont have a website and database person to get it created. Kit is awesome, but he has said himself he hasnt had the time to even think about adding that kind of stuff to the current site cause the current site takes so much already as it is....

Thats just my $0.02

[Castlebuilder]

Good ideas Stubbdog. Some of the old, we established BL's would probably have to run some sample events to get an idea what percentage of people who participate would actually respond, but the concept seems reasonable.

[Fruggs]

The only problem with the system Stubbdog mentions is depending on participants for rewards.
How often are we given a survey on a precept to win a giftcard by filling out a survey and who EVER returns those? I know I don't and while I agree the main motivation for BL is growing the hobby and the games, Time is money, and so are paints, primer, figures, brushes etc, and planning to run events.
I don't know that anyone would be able to receive new stuff to run more BL events if they were solely dependent upon those who attend to get resupplied. Also sometimes You plan an event, set up flyers and plan a lesson and then one person shows up. Really sucks to have all the work go for not a whole lot.
Just some thoughts

[bluethunder]

Ok it's looking like the Mrs. Bluethunder will give the ok and I will be adding Dencon as a 5th con this year. it is April 7th Burton Morgan, Building Denison University 100 West College street Granville, Ohio.

www.wix.com/dencon/2012

looking at stubdog's post I thought... what about setting up a laptop at the event and having attendees fill out the form when they sign in at the event. It becomes real time data collection.

Currently, I favor taking pictures of my attendees durring the event. I have actually looked back and seen some people return year after year as well as see male vs. female attendees and relative ages. It is because of the photographic evidence combined with my recolections of the event that I tend to have a lot of figures that appeal to female and younger female painters that are new to the hobby.

[Inarah]

The new system needs to be built around the end customer doing the reporting, not the BL. The BL gives the demo, hosts the PaT, etc... gives the customer the reaper "referral" website address, telling them that if they go to the site and register (and listing the BL as their referrer) then Reaper will SNAILMAIL them a code that can be used online to get free stuff. When they hit the submit button it will populate the database with their info, but it will flag both Reaper and also the BL so that the BL can attest to what they did and add any relevant info to the ticket. Then the BL will submit it and Reaper collects all of the data and then sends out the rewards. But, nothing to either without a mailing address and a way to validate the event.

My experience with other companies systems which were similar was that the "customer" didn't want to participate. Game stores wouldn't fill out paperwork on in-store demos and convention organizers weren't allowed to be sponsors of demos and PnT events. Only the person doing the actual demo and store visits was motivated enough to report in, and once our word was no longer good enough, well there was no reason to put much effort into it.

I still do PnT because I love it, but I don't promote one sponsor above another. I think for a rep program to work there has to be motivation for the sponsor (customer) as well as the reps.

[Spike]

I remember when Steve was BL in our area and there was a system by which games in Reaper-approved stores counted for double points on the battle map, our store, who were in every other way a fine group of people to deal with, could never find the time to fool with those reports. Eventually Reaper opted for an honour-system so that the stores would not have to be hassled.

The battle map was fun too....when it worked. But those of us who remember recall it generally was slow to update and often there were blatant miscalculations, especially when the "support" system was put in place.

Then there was the fan-submitted mini photos and fiction, which could also be used for points on the battle map. I know it had little to do with BL demos, but for the BL reps, being able to sell the games and products based on a realtime interactive competitive community with awards and the chance for others to see your minis and read your battle reports was huge. When that went away, it became much harder to get our demo guests to visit the Reaper web site on their own.

[bluethunder]

I like Spike's insight.