I think GMTs long game is a diverse portfolio of games. I didn’t think there is anything nefarious afoot to slowly replace their wargame brand. Ultimately, GMT needs revenue to stay in business. It’s why their popular titles are generally always available. Games like Twilight Struggle, C&C, Combat Commander, and the COIN series.
Only GMT really knows the demographic information of sales but only from direct sales. How many people who bought a popular game also bought a more niche game? I suspect a few have and fewer have become repeat customers. I think forums, especially wargame forums, are misleading about sales. A small percentage buy “everything” but when you read some forums you’d think everybody is buying a lot of games. I simply do not believe that to be true.
I do think people are loyal to a brand and game series. 18XX players are rabid like ASL players about the series. Personally, I support two game companies regularly. GMT and MMP. I like some Compass Games designs but frankly I think they are ten steps behind GMT in production value for the prices they demand. Also I generally really dislike their color palette. Hideous, frankly.
As for as Napoleonics, the biggest issue is not tactical games. It’s all there is really. But try and find an operational or strategic game of the era. It gets considerably more difficult. In the end, Napoleon means nothing to the overwhelming majority of people. I disagree but I think that’s he case. Honestly, I just want Napoleons Triumph reprinted, however, the designer has publicly said she doesn’t want to.
