Wow... I saw just a few (two maybe?) of the original images that were posted awhile ago but these just really blew my mind. This is so much more fantastic than what I imagined.

Still, as gorgeous as it is and as cool as it would be to own this, I knew when I looked at the first two shots in the second post that I couldn't buy it. I just had one of those "adult" moments where I immediately knew that I couldn't justify the purchase. Besides already owning a coliseum, I'm running out of storage room in my dedicated game room, I already have a huge shelf full of DF stuff that I'm trying to get the most use out of, and my wife would really, really have a problem with such an extravagant purchase.

I fully support Stefan, Jeff, and the great folks at Dwarven Forge but this would kill me. ;-}~

Stefan;

That is so beautiful, man. And it continues the attentin to detail I've always found in DF products - stuff like the steps cut into the seating levels, the chipped-out section of adobe in the arena pit, etc.
BUT (yeah, you knew one of those was coming, didn't you?) - is there ANY way you can modularize this enough that parts can be used for other structures besides an arena? Idea being that whereas, VERY FEW of us can justify such a HUGE single-use piece, almost ALL of us can justify (read: alibi-excuse it to our spouses!) a multiple-purpose set or sets that will fill several functions in our gaming world(s). The arena that becomes the Temple of Set-Thoth that becomes an ancient ruin on planet Yavin's fourth moon that becomes. . . Y'know what I mean?
Even I, who can pretty well buy any damn gaming toy I want, can't alibi the arena to Sandy. BUT, I can alibi a set that does ALL the above - in fact, SHE might go buy it before I get a chance to!
In short, I love the artistic value but can't justify it on a single-service basis. Modularize it and make it multi-purpose, and I can get away with it, no questions asked.

See ya!

Jim

This is Great... I see only one problem with it... BIGGER!!! LOL... Maybe a section could be bought to fit in the corners themselves to make it longer that way or on each side of the existing flat sections... While your planning out for years to come though....Ehhh A Tower Set would be nice. Maybe the same style as the new Not So Mystery set..!!! Big curved walls though.

Just out of curiosity, how much would this thing have retailed for if it would have seen the light of day? Is the idea for the new version dead in the water?

You know, as awesome as this is -- and it looks outrageously cool -- I think I'd have to pass. Even if it were offered for $200, which would be an insane bargain. I'd still have to pass.

The problem is that this set goes against the general appeal of DF: modularity. I originally was drawn to DF because I loved terrain, but I could not justify buying large, fixed structures. Partly because accumulating such things poses real storage challenges, and partly because eventually I know I'd just get used to them, and they wouldn't seem as cool in 5 years as they did at first.

A modular system like DF solves both problems -- it takes up less space, because it can be broken down, and used to create many different layouts which all collapse into the same basic pile (instead of taking up the space that all those layouts would require individually). And it never gets old, because it can always be used to make something new.

The arena, as outstanding as it is, would be no different, to me, than any number of other phenomenal structures I'd love to own: Temple of Archaic Evil, Fortress of Prince Aryl, decaying Wharf of St. Ghile, etc. These could all be outstanding structures, but I can't store them now any more than I could in 2001.

So I'd have to pass. If DF could somehow provide a more modular set that could create an arena as well as other stuff, I'd consider it.

Talking about the multiple uses for an arena -- as gladitorial arena, marketplace, slave auction site, etc. -- doesn't solve the problem. Multiple uses for a single structure is still ultimately not the same thing as multiple structures.

Sigh.

Doesn't mean I won't drool over these photos, though....

Whoah, I wasn't aware of this arena project until now. Very cool.

Well, let's look at a few types of arena (not all of them historical).

There is, of course, the Colliseum, the huge round arena with the field lower than (and hallways behind) the seats, and basement rooms for athletes/gladiators and animals and prisoners, and a canopy system around the inner top rim.

There is the "country" arena, which has seating starting at the level of the field, and no areas behind or below, just a big pile of stones forming a ring that is stepped on the inside. A passage or two provide access to the inside.

There is the "long" arena, classically used for chariot races, but might also be used for two large forces to meet in battle.

There is the amphitheater, which was not only a place for entertainment, but also a place to hold official town gatherings. It's a half-arena, possibly with a wall sealing off the "backstage" area.

An arena set (or line) would have to allow these configurations to be modular/versatile.

The arena (especially a fairly small round one) is also a classic configuration for early universities. Professors (especially science and medical fields) would lecture and demonstrate in the center, and students would watch from above.

To echo the themes of many respondents on this thread:

I love it as a piece of art but I wouldn't buy it as it can only really ever be used for one thing i.e. one scene /encounter in an adventure. No matter how good it looks I don't think you'll sell a lot unless it is compatible and modular with a pre existing range.

Dave

Ditto.

WA3 & WA4 WAY before the arena please!

I'd buy these.

I'd love modular arena parts, but I think I'd prefer them with a 4"x4" footprint than the 6" long passage. More modular that way. Actually, both would be killer.

For example...