Architects of War/Alien Dungeon closed shop?

[Quendil]

I'm not really surprised that their games where not that successful.  After an initial release and small promotion they seemed to think the games would sell themselves.  They would release new models without rules and instructions.  Ed also took any rules criticism personally and had a blame the gamer attitude to problems.

I will still play All Quiet as I love the concept but I am glad I didn't get involved in their other systems.

[Rhoderic]

Yeah, I kind of had the impression that some resellers were having a difficult time of it shifting the AQMF stock they'd bought in.

[Chuckaroobob]

There is a thread this morning on TMP that they have filed bankruptcy.

[CptJake]

They just sent this out:

Official Announcement

Posted by Alien Dungeon

We regret to announce that effective January 27th, 2016, Robot Peanut Studios, LLC, and its associated brands, Architects of War and Alien Dungeon have permanently closed their doors.

Our sales plummeted precipitously in the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2015 and never recovered across our online retail operations as well as hobby shop and distributor sales. We could not maintain our business under these conditions and despite a continuing series of sales and marketing efforts, we have been forced to file for bankruptcy. The case has been filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania at case number 16-20247. Please contact an attorney if you have any questions.

We set out six years ago to start a company providing exciting and entertaining intellectual property primarily in the analog gaming market. RPS began with miniature games with the intention of expanding to board and digital games. While the All Quiet Kickstarter project brought in significant sales for us, the cost of development, manufacturing, and shipping exceeded the sales numbers and we were relying on sales beyond the Kickstarter in the broader market to carry the costs and expand the game. These sales never materialized in sufficient quantities. It is just that simple - we sold stuff through the Kickstarter that essentially ended up just above cost and then paid for the shipping. All Quiet just didn’t generate enough money for its scale. In addition, our original cost estimates based on quotes and time frame from various vendors Pre-Kickstarter were exceeded, making the business model untenable without retail sales that never materialized.

We are very sorry that it has come to this. Certainly not the outcome we dreamed of when we started the company. To our investors, the Kickstarter supporters and our loyal customers, we’d like to thank you for your support. It has been difficult not communicating during this legal process, but we have had to go through a process and that has been well outside any of our previous experiences.

This will be our last communication. Customer service inquiries will not be answered and there will be no additional communication on Kickstarter. We do not know what the final disposition of All Quiet and or other product brands will be at this time. We have to forfeit our participation in such matters to the court.

Barb and I must move on and find employment and start putting our lives back together. To our friends, investors, vendors, and loyal customers, thank you for helping us try to fulfill our dream and we wish you the best possible future.

Yours Sincerely, Barb and Ernie

[Elbows]

While I used to like ordering some UK stuff from AOW...their entire site seemed dedicated to a few small boutique games/lines that I'd never heard of.  Doesn't seem like the smartest business practice.  Also they sold sans discount which is a tough maneuver when you're an internet business.

[Ray Rivers]

Have received a legal notice from the Western District of Pennsylvania concerning the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the case of Robot Peanut Studios, LLC.

In the document it states:

No property appears to be available to pay creditors.

Court date has been set for appearance of the debtor for questioning by the court: April 15.

[Ray Rivers]

Appears a couple guys have bought all the stuff and are trying to be All Quiet on the Martian Front back on it's feet again with a Company called Ironclad Games.

You can find their new website here.

No doubt some folks are still pretty peeved that they won't ever get their full pledges and I do understand for some folks we are talking a lot of money here.

Nevertheless, I'm really happy these 2 guys have saved the IP and wish them the best of luck on their new venture.

[Quendil]

Yes its great news that the game will continue.  They have made some posts on the fan forum

http://aqmf.freeforums.net