Take a back seat

By Crusaderlord, in Descent: Journeys in the Dark

I wonder with the release of Imperial Assault whether Descent releases will now take a back seat or even dry up in 2015.

Whilst i generally hope not - there is arguably more than enough available within the box sets, monster and hero packs and the new campaign and co-op print releases for most people.

I havent bought them all yet myself even though this is my number one game (i have core set, labyrinth, trollfens, nerekhall, forgotten souls, and 2 lieutenant packs bolgoreth and the spider to make the end boss for the expansions more exciting). My core set and trollfens sets are painted but there is lot still to work through in this regard.

I do keep looking forward to the new stuff coming so it will be sad if the releases stop - i do plan to get the new campaign book and natures ire when both are available together.

I would love to see a box expansion making a more formal co-op campaign and automated overlord mechanic - but they may consider they already have done this now.

Half the fun of collecting and playing this game is not knowing whats coming next - it will be sad when not much is the answer ...

It is possible that FFG feels the same way (in terms of there being plenty out there already). Perhaps this is seen with their intent to release Heirs of Blood, which is a book providing additional content (with no new heroes, monsters, board pieces, etc.).

It does provide FFG with a way of keeping the game relevant and current, without the expense and time of generating a whole expansion.

Having said that, creating what I will call fluff content (vs hard piece content) could very well take more effort and time. I wouldn't know, as I lack even a smidgen of creative thinking/genes in my body. :P

With the hero and monster packs announced, D2E has roughly the same number of heroes and monsters that D1E had when it finished. Could that indicate a stopping point? Perhaps. However, (while I'm not a financial person) I don't see any indication that the interest in D2E is significantly decreasing (in fact, I think there have been more "I just got this game" threads than usual lately,) though this forum is probably not an accurate reflection of the market. In any case, my point is that if people will keep buying D2E content to the point that it's still worth it to FFG to commit the resources for making content, I bet there will be more to come.

Any2cards- definitely true that making just a campaign takes less time than making a campaign as well as new monsters, heroes, and/or lieutenants, shop cards, OL cards, etc.

I don't see any indication that the interest in D2E is significantly decreasing (in fact, I think there have been more "I just got this game" threads than usual lately,) though this forum is probably not an accurate reflection of the market.

IIRC, there was a fair amount of that going on with D1E too, right up to the end. This is not meant as any kind of dire prediction, mind you, just an observation. Going by the numbers, D2E still has a couple of years to go before it reaches the same age as D1E was when it went OOP.

Of course, the release of a new game using the same basic engine is certainly proof that FFG is experimenting with tweaks and improvements. However, I'd say the imminence of D2E's demise would hinge more on how badly it needs a reboot than what else they might be doing with the engine. For all the expansion-whoring FFG is known for, I've never known them to release a new edition of something "just because." They only do it when they have substantial improvements to make.

I'll be the first to admit D2E is not perfect, but it's also not crumbling under its own weight the way D1E was near the end. D2E is holding well as it expands, so the "need" for a new edition is still pretty far off, I'd say.

Any2cards- definitely true that making just a campaign takes less time than making a campaign as well as new monsters, heroes, and/or lieutenants, shop cards, OL cards, etc.

Technically, it's true that "making only a new campaign" < "making a new campaign + other stuff." However, it's also true that making a new campaign (inventing and balancing new quests, specifically) is by far the most time-consuming aspect of game design for a scenario-based game like Descent.

Considering that Heirs to the Blood is 32 encounters (compared to 20-something in most big box expansions,) I'd say they're probably breaking even in terms of man-hours spent on the project. However, the division of labour would be more on play testers and less on art/miniature design departments.

As I see it, it's also up to us the players to keep the game alive. Not only having people play the game, but also make our own quests in the Vault and thus increase the replaybility of the game. FFG just needs to provide us with heroes and monsters, which we already have plenty of, and sometimes a class or two. New tiles can be cool too, but they can be self designed also. It could be an idea for FFG to release tiles expansions ready to use in custom quests and future campaign books.

As I see it, it's also up to us the players to keep the game alive. Not only having people play the game, but also make our own quests in the Vault and thus increase the replaybility of the game.

Great idea in theory, horrible execution in reality.

For example, I have a vested interest in this game ... I own all of D1e and D2e. We play both constantly. We all support it.

***** I don't have a creative gene in my body *****

You definitely do NOT want me creating quests in the vault. :P :D :lol:

I would if I had the time. I love doing these things, and I have a few cool ideas that I wish to implement. Let's make this a resolution for this year! (expect delivery on the 31th December :) )

Edited by Indalecio

I would if I had the time. I love doing these things, and I have a few cool ideas that I wish to implement. Let's make this a resolution for this year! (expect delivery on the 31th December :) )

While it is implied, you did not specifically state that it would be released THIS YEAR. Always giving yourself an out ... :P

You must play OL. :D