Full Circle, But Not As Appealing

I remember in the early to mid 1980s when TSR was starting to expand the envelope with regards to the D&D I.P and brand, that they released a range of solid vinyl figures (as well as action figures) which were pretty good, but much larger than the usual figures we used.

They were roundly derided as 'toys', but I have to say that I was impressed when I saw the range in Games Of Liverpool and I couldn't really understand what the issue was. After all, generally a dungeon battle was  not a massive affair  and the appeal of large, neat renditions of the party and their foes was apparent to me, at least.

But, they sank without a trace...

Now, we flash forward 35 years or so, and we are seeing similar products in 30mm scale, which frankly can't hold a torch (or dark lantern for those of the Thief class) to the larger ancestors and which frankly look like something from a Christmas cracker, punted out at a premium price.

How fickle we were, but how readily we accept inferior pap in this age of convenience and instant gratification. £85 for a dozen man sized figures and a dragon, which I'd have been ashamed to have painting as an 8-year old. As with so many things, we have come full circle, but with less soul and inferior aesthetic values.

I am sorely tempted to get out there and track down those old 'toys' and use them, if only for the deviltry of watching the faces of my fellow players...

TTFN