Greetings my friends.

I really hope that this topic won't be considered spaming or anything like that, but if it will - my true apologies to you all. I am one of the staff of a Polish games magazine called "Rebel Times". It is a free internet magazine in which we review card, board and other types of games (except computer and console games!). Recently we have also published a review of the Core Set for A Game of Thrones. It got "good marks" if you may call it that, and some really good feedback from Polish players. Also AGOT is becoming really popular in my country, in which Magic is considered more and more as a really weak fantasy spoof. Poles love AGOT of its atmosphere, it's easy-to-learn rules, and of course - the basis of George R. R. Martin it is based on.

And now its time to pop the question:

Is it possible to get a short interview with Mr. French, Lang of Petersen for Rebel Times? This interview would be translated into Polish and put in one of the issues (probably next month). We would love to ask some questions to the people who created this great game, and the Polish players would be very greatful for such an article in our magazine. We already are trying to get an interview with Tomasz Jedruszek (author of the greatest, in my opinion, graphics for AGOT) and Michal Oracz (a Polish game designer).

To conclude - I really hope that you won't consider this a waste of time and space on the Forum, but if you will - I am really sorry for taking your time.

Best wishes - Arkady Saulski

You can download Rebel Times from here:

www.rebel.pl/

First Spain now Polan?! Great news that it's doing good overseas!

You guys have any English translation of your 'zines?

Well not yet, Rebel Times is not even one year old. However we are working on a translation (actually - I'm working on it, as I am responsible for all translations in the staff). So if anyone is interested I'll keep you posted. And thanks for the feedback! It really means much to us!

I say sure go right ahead and interview them! except my permission means jack.

I think you need to get more in direct contact with FFG, have your tried e-mailing them or calling them?

Also, i think Nate should make a new card and call it "Mr. French, Lang of Petersen"

Now that last sentence was nitpicking, ok? My mistake:)

Anyway - does anyone know how can one contact any of these guys? Some E - mail or something? Please - this really means much to us.

Thanks for the feedback... except for you Lars!

Nate gave out his email address in the most recent State of the Game article he posted: www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp

Could you please ask those guys if it is true that they prepare to re-release Warhammer Warcry but as LCG?

THANK YOU!! Very much!

If you ever pass to The East be sure to visit Danzig and Gdinam (that is Gdansk and Gdynia), for some ale, and a game of AGOT!

Arkady Saulski said:

heh no prob. yeah i was pointing out i typo, but i still think that is a funny card name

I have just sent the questions for the interview to Mr. French - he was very happy with the news of the success of A Game of Thrones LCG in Poland and promissed to send his answers as soon as possible. A warm "Thank you!" to everyone who helped me with the contanct to Mr. French, or was giving any positive feedback to the whole "interview idea"! You are great!

If you ever visit Poland give me a call - I'll show you around and give you a place to sleep!

Once again - thank you!

Arkady Saulski

Arkady Saulski said:

You've learned a very important lesson already...never pay any attention to Lars.

Give us a holler when you got the English Translation down pat.

And keep fanning the AGoT LCG flames and let it burn strong in Poland!

Thomas Snow said:

yes, especially in melee games

Greetings my friends!

Some time has passed, since my last visit here, and I thing that some of you would like to see a little update on the whole interview case. Here it is:

The interview is done, Mr. French was very helpful and my small conversation with him was a really great experience. I'm sure that not only polish fans of A Game of Thrones will find it interesting, and that means - yes - there will be an english version. Actually I would love to give you some more information about the upcoming, May issue of Rebel Times, but I won't and I can't. There are two reasons: I hate spoilers, and giving you anything more than the message that the interview will be published would be a spoiler. Secondly - we are working on this issue very hard, and I am one of those men, who believe in the truth, that actions speak louder than words - Why talk a hell lot about what, will happen rather than just work on making it happen.

So - keep that in mind and heart, wish us luck - we still have plenty of work to do, but it is something we hope will amaze you, and show the dedication of us - Polish fans to the whole boardgame, cardgame world.

Arkady Saulski.

looking forward to it.

Wish you guys the best!

Waiting with great anticipation: me want to read the interview! In English!!

The countdown has started - the new issue of Rebel Times will be published in six days!

Keep a lookout for the ravens...

Would you mind if I translate the interview into Spanish? (If you put it in English, because I can´t speak Polish...xD)

"Would you mind if I translate the interview into Spanish?"

Off course not! Keep a lookout here on the 20-th of May, when it shall be officialy published. And stay in touch!

The interview with Nate has been published in Polish. I have read it and would like to share some of the stuff from it with you. But I hope there will be an English translation posted so you can read it yourself soon.

First of all, Nate has been asked about the difference between CCG and LCG. Nate sees the major difference in distribution system and the Core Set boxes as a starting point. Nate says that they took that step, the format change, in order to save good card games FFG produces. He also confirmed that besides AGOT and COC, he is involved in a new (Living) card game project (no more details about it).

Nate has been asked also about the ways they design whole Chapter Packs and a single card. He said that it depends, that it is a team work and different approaches work at a time. They do try to reflect the source material, the book saga, when designing cards. Mostly their approach is to look for a certain synergy among cards, look at a card in a context of the game mechanics and a theme they work on. They also tend to make single, independent cards with some interesting abilities. He thinks there are players that like both kinds of cards and he sees the two approaches as supporting each other.

Nate confirmed, the AGOT team is working on Martell's expansion "KINGS OF THE SUN".

My favourite question, that was bothering me after the last spolier of the Shadows mechanic, was about expanding AGOT's mechanics, and new additions with every last Chapter Pack (epic battles, winter/summer; Shadows), if Nate sees that as a step towards making the game too difficult or overwhelming. Nate answered that sometimes players expect some new stuff, and sometimes players want a stabilization in the game; the point is to find a balance. As long as new game elements do not mean "use or lose" for players, the pleasure of gaming should be fine. And this is the crucial element of the LIVING card game format, that the game is treated as a "living" and changing being.

Moreover, Nate talked about his preferences regarding cards art. He likes it more realisitc, rooted in the source material. Because it was an interview for Polish gaming magazine, Nate said a few kind words about the Polish AGOT artist, Tomasz Jedruszek.

In the end, the interviewer asked Nate about his favourite part of the Song of Ice and Fire series. Nate answered starting, "watch out, here comes a spoiler" and talked about how he likes the part when Catelyn kidnapped Tyrion to Eyrie, how cunning and smart Tyrion managed to free himself and met the Clansmen... Nate added that he loves A Song of Ice and Fire because it is not a typical " black'n'white" or "good and bad" fantasy series. He likes how ambiguous its characters are, and that's why his most favourite are Lannisters.

I hope the English translation will be posted on here soon so everybody can read the interview him/herself. And hope my subjective summary of the interview is close to what Nate and the interviewer meant.

Well met my friends!

The newest issue of Rebel Times is here!! Although it's still the polish edition, the english version will be out in about a few hours, so stay tuned!

If you want to take a quick look at the polish version, you may download it from this website:

http://www.rebel.pl/x.php/193/Rebel-Times.html

Arkady Saulski said:

I recommend all of you to check the Polish version of the magazine because there is a nice picture of Nate, for those who do not know how he looks like (I didn't, but now I know and like his French look ;-) and a nice big poster of Nate being kissed by Adam Lambert (just kidding!).

Waiting the English version... xD

Well are having a small delay, but the English version will be out today.

As for the Spanish translation - Masi - please contact me privately on this address:

[email protected]

Stay tuned for the English Edition, soon!

My dear friends!

I am glad to inform that Mr. Nate French has received the English version of Rebel Times yesterday, and so you will be able to read it sometime soon, maybe even today. The whole issue is in English, so one can not only enjoy the interview, but also a review of Android and some other articles.

Again I would like to thank you for all the positive feedback I got from people on this forum, and for your help - I couldn't have done it without you - with best wishes - Arkady Saulski.