At the pace its moving at, even though we know a good deal of the releases, it isn't like they are dropping tons each year. What have we had released so far this year ? Imp Aces, and Wave 4 ? With a probable Reb Aces coming out, and hopefully wave 5 before the end of this year. I'm skeptical of Most wanted and Wave 6 by the end of this year. Keeping up isn't too hard for the models, getting the games in can be more troublesome depending on how busy the schedule you have personally is.

However it isn't as if its difficult to set up, its a dream in comparison to warhammer for instance for set up and deployment.

At the pace its moving at, even though we know a good deal of the releases, it isn't like they are dropping tons each year. What have we had released so far this year ? Imp Aces, and Wave 4 ? With a probable Reb Aces coming out, and hopefully wave 5 before the end of this year. I'm skeptical of Most wanted and Wave 6 by the end of this year. Keeping up isn't too hard for the models, getting the games in can be more troublesome depending on how busy the schedule you have personally is.

However it isn't as if its difficult to set up, its a dream in comparison to warhammer for instance for set up and deployment.

Sure. But is this supposed to be compared to Warhammer? Yes it's easier, more fun, and cheaper than Games Workshop, but what isn't?

You have a good point that there hasn't actually been the overwhelming amount of new content this year that it sometimes feels like due to the preview system, but if we have to compare X-Wing to Warhammer we've already lost.

I don't think the game balance is in a good enough place (pre reb aces, wave 5) to end the game and have it survive. Once we see the third faction I think the game will level out and bein a good place for a longer span if they decide to slow releases.

At the pace its moving at, even though we know a good deal of the releases, it isn't like they are dropping tons each year. What have we had released so far this year ? Imp Aces, and Wave 4 ? With a probable Reb Aces coming out, and hopefully wave 5 before the end of this year. I'm skeptical of Most wanted and Wave 6 by the end of this year.

Technically, within a calendar year of today we could include Wave 3, which release Sept. 12th of 2013. So, if we wanna go by the full year, that's 2 waves, Imperial aces, and within a couple weeks rebel aces. And two huge ships.

I would expect that given what they've announced we will likely get Wave 5 and potentially Most wanted before the end of the calendar year, which would then make it 2 waves, 2 huge ships, 2 aces packs, and the start of Wave 6. There of course is the potential for all of wave 6 to hit, but that's unlikely.

Jacob

I'm not really comparing, I'm just saying, it simply feels like we're being flooded with releases, but it really only feels that way. I know I felt it, I was like " Oh my god !! " seeing so much new stuff drop, but then it seemed the pace of releases would be the typical slow crawl we've seen, so then I calmed. The fact is, this isn't warhammer, where they are dropping half a grand in releases each week now, they may be releasing more info, but as of right now its still coming out the same pace it has been, maybe just a touch faster then a year ago but only a touch.

Edit, I'm speaking just from January on, I did miss the huge ships for the Rebs however, I didn't even think of them as I don't really play the Rebs. So if your a rebel player, or all faction player, I can see it feeling like a big year. All I picked up this year, was the Imp Aces and the Wave 4.

I'm sure we'll get wave 5 before the end of the year, but I'm still skeptical we'll get Most wanted by the end, or that we'll see wave 6.

Just seems like a lot they are putting out, and taking into account model shortages could also slow things down if they try and get re prints in there as well.

I'd keep playing it whilst I could find regular opponents.

I would slow down playing a ton. I love new stuff, and going long periods without it makes me start to look to other games.

I will play from now on. This is my favorite tabletop game ever.

I'm afraid I will be hooked on Star Wars until they take me to the crematorium.

You have very good points, thank you.

This is a really interesting development. I agree, obviously, but am curious to see what FFG does about it. I would guess that they would stop making new product soon and move their resources to something else, except that they obviously never did that with AGoT and other LCG's.

I hope that X-Wing doesn't turn into AGoT though. That was a great game that just became way too bloated for its own good. The artificial nature of tourney legal/not legal doesn't help things either. That would be one route for X-Wing, but a terrible one.

FFG uses a 'Living Game' model; of course there is nothing wrong with that. But as with some games ( and TV shows), if you don't know when to end them you could ruin them instead of making it better.

Logically and business practice makes it very difficult for a for profit company to look at a revenue stream and deliberately switch to something else. No matter how good the product. I've seen FFG take an existing game and break it up it to several expansions. It works, it's good for the company, keeps the excitement level high and good for tournaments (as has been said). But is it good for the game?

There are many examples that something new can hurt an already good game. The rule book is 27 pages long, including fluff, and the FAQ is 12 pages long (if you take out new rules). How long does it take to setup and begin a casual game where you have to design squads from scratch? Longer than the game? There are games that I've stopped play solely because of expansions hurting (IMO) the game experience.

So I guess we agree on most points. Just my 2 cents.

Frankly I'd rather have three to four well balanced releases a year than have the gw weekly releases that push stuff out asap without proper play testing.

And I'd never want to see a wizkidz style release system.

Ditto

Four ships and a 'box set' every season is plenty for me, TBH... they have already done every ship i have any real interest in.

I'm interested in rebel aces for the repaints and pilots, the decimator becuase its cool looking.

I *might* buy into S&V but i think the wife will get those off her own bat.

I'm buying the new stuff, but finding myself winding down a bit in terms of enthusiasm. This might be because of the delay in releases of Wave 4.5 and 5. Would I quit the game, no, but I might not play at my FLGS every week as I do now. Maybe I would just turn to Armada for my mini fix.

I dont know how STAW players manage with the way wizkidz pump out new ships every month it does not seem the kind of game where you can afford to fall behind.

You have very good points, thank you.

This is a really interesting development. I agree, obviously, but am curious to see what FFG does about it. I would guess that they would stop making new product soon and move their resources to something else, except that they obviously never did that with AGoT and other LCG's.

I hope that X-Wing doesn't turn into AGoT though. That was a great game that just became way too bloated for its own good. The artificial nature of tourney legal/not legal doesn't help things either. That would be one route for X-Wing, but a terrible one.

FFG uses a 'Living Game' model; of course there is nothing wrong with that. But as with some games ( and TV shows), if you don't know when to end them you could ruin them instead of making it better.

Logically and business practice makes it very difficult for a for profit company to look at a revenue stream and deliberately switch to something else. No matter how good the product. I've seen FFG take an existing game and break it up it to several expansions. It works, it's good for the company, keeps the excitement level high and good for tournaments (as has been said). But is it good for the game?

There are many examples that something new can hurt an already good game. The rule book is 27 pages long, including fluff, and the FAQ is 12 pages long (if you take out new rules). How long does it take to setup and begin a casual game where you have to design squads from scratch? Longer than the game? There are games that I've stopped play solely because of expansions hurting (IMO) the game experience.

So I guess we agree on most points. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for sharing them! You are absolutely right that the "Living Game" model is good for the game and the company. Keeping us excited about new products and the tournement scene healthy is very important for obvious reasons, but I wonder if there are ways to do this that don't include new waves.

Huge ships are a great example of this kind of thing. They aren't part of a main wave and don't need to be bought, but they add a lot of variety to the game. You could easily split the cost of one as a gaming group and use it to run particular scenarios or a store event. A store could buy one and use its components as a sort of OP kit. This would keep players buying into events and supporting both FFG and their local stores without adding too many complications/waves/FAQs.

I think BaronFel hit the nail on the head when he classified the different gamers. I don't have a stable of "at home" players to play casual games with. I'm a "go to the store and/or play in tournaments" player. I think the store and/or tournaments would die off if new products weren't introduced. It wouldn't have to be new ships, but something to refresh the current meta. Otherwise it would get stale and die off.

If you are a "at home" player, you don't need to buy anything new. Just keep playing with what ya got.

I will say that I quit playing for a year as my local scene dried up. It kicked back up at my local store and I've gotten into the game again. What's been really nice for some stuff is how the meta has changed. The reduction in the number of Tie Fighter Swarms means that Y-wings are a lot more viable now. They were dying way too fast to be of any use, but they have lately been rocking it. With that said, though, something has to be done to stop the Phantom Menance...

If the boats from china sank and FFG was bought out by Hasbro and closed down forever, X-Wing would remain the best miniatures game out there, and my favorite for a VERY long time. So the only answer is no.

Aren't ICT Y-Wing's part of the Phantom solution? And the hypermobile YT-2400?

I hear you in general, but I don't get the huge fear of Phantoms. They are nasty good, but many counters exist. Frankly, I think the game is almost perfectly balanced right now.

Swarm > Elite > Falcon > Phantom > Swarm with variations thrown in.

I'm quite happy with what I own. I want a few big imperial ships and I have hit everything I want for the game.

That said, as long as they keep releasing good looking stuff, I will buy it.

I've never been sick of star wars after 30 years....I wouldn't see myself getting sick of the game. I'm also in the boat of players who simply don't have time to play often and have no interest in competing in anything beyond a store tourney.

I could see the lack of major events hurting the player base....guess I'll be sharking around ebay for your collections!

To be honest, while I understand a competitive community is good for sales, this game is better suited for campaigns and it will be a relief for the "gotta prep for regionals/imdaar/whatever!" mentality to receed so I can organize more long term play.

I'd say that unless they came out with a video game flight sim with half as much attention to the Legends expanded universe (stats, pilots, and ships), I'd keep playing if what we have now is the end.

Aren't ICT Y-Wing's part of the Phantom solution? And the hypermobile YT-2400?

I hear you in general, but I don't get the huge fear of Phantoms. They are nasty good, but many counters exist. Frankly, I think the game is almost perfectly balanced right now.

Swarm > Elite > Falcon > Phantom > Swarm with variations thrown in.

I don't want to HAVE to take a YT to stop the Phantom. I'm working on some other tricks with what I have. It's not unstoppable, but I hate to build a list JUST for them.

Seeing as I have a loooooong history as a gamer (35 years +) and have been through many a different game system I can unequivocally answer "No, I would not stop playing." I still have games - some that are 35+ years old (and some show it) - that I play. D&D (1st Edition), SIlent Death, and Renegade Legion to name a few. Some of the games I have are totally OOP and/or unsupported with new releases. That's fine, because once I find a game that I like I stay with it and keep playing. I DO like to see new things come out for a game and do feel a bit let down when it's no longer supported. But that doesn't stop me from continuing to play it long after it's shelf life has expired.

Nope, I wouldn't stop playing. The rules of the game, it's depth in combination with it's accoutrement and model quality make it a masterpiece of game experience in my opinion.

(As a casual gamer and slow buyer I also wouldn't stop buying stuff for it as long as the OT ships would get restocked.)