Rumors go that Lego releases their episode VII boxes in September 4 (http://jedinews.co.uk/news/news.aspx?newsID=20100). This includes the new X-wing and the Millenium falcon with the new dish. If Lego merchandise is released prior to the movie release, what's stopping FFG from doing something similar? In fact, I expect that they are already working on the Episode VII wave. Will it be Wave 7? Fits thematically.

Babs out!

If there are going to be new ships they will be at Gen-con in August. I got 3 each of the Decimator and YT-2400 at Gen-con a good 3 months or so before they were officially released. This has been the trend the last two years.

And as a result of those GenCon releases when these things finally come out half a year later nobody cares any more.

Releasing at GenCon should be releasing at GenCon. Prereleases should be a week at most before actual release.

wish they released at multiple cons.. I would totally travel to Orlando!!! But Indy?? whats in Indy??? lol

It's 2 hours from my house, Indy is perfect.

I think we may see Rebels Cartoon stuff first... dunno, but it is fun to ponder about it all.

Episode 7 for Wave 7?

don't they still have lots of EU to siphon through first?

pretty sure that's what their license was for episodes 4-6 and the EU. Unless they have got new licensing for the new movies, i would expect more EU before expecting a wave of the new stuff

If there are going to be new ships they will be at Gen-con in August. I got 3 each of the Decimator and YT-2400 at Gen-con a good 3 months or so before they were officially released. This has been the trend the last two years.

If they are allowed to do Episode VII stuff, they won't be able to release it early. Because by doing Episode VII stuff, they will fall under LFL's grand marketing plan. So, it will release along with all other Episode VII stuff. The question is, is FFG high enough up on the licensing chain to be allowed to have early spoilers? With JJ Abrams involved, I don't think so.

don't they still have lots of EU to siphon through first?

pretty sure that's what their license was for episodes 4-6 and the EU. Unless they have got new licensing for the new movies, i would expect more EU before expecting a wave of the new stuff

Their license is all inclusive. Just because they don't make PT stuff, doesn't mean they can't. They were rather excited for Rebels.

I don't expect to see episode VII ships till 2016 at the earliest.

While it is possible that fantasy flight designers have access to info in terms of the capabilities of the new ships, I don't think it likely.

Also, with scum and villiany and the raider coming, they probably have the next few waves in designing stages. It would behoove them to focus on padding out the new faction, including an epic ship.

Lego and action figures are also mass market. Our game is very niche. You have to be a star wars fan and a tabletop gamer. Lego and other toys don't have to worry so much about the capabilities, or more simplistically, the stats of the ships. All that must be done is make the ship visually identical and say: lasers go here. No worry about agility, attack dice, hull values and how to represent more advanced ships with ones that are from 30 years prior. Action figures and toys are easier to design in many regards. While I stated above that the desingers could have inside information, I don't think it is very likely, and even if they did, the game won't be out before the movie.

Finally, episode VII offers the best way to offer a new updated ruleset via a new core box or major update expansion. If this box has conversions for older ships (decreased stats possibly) without invalidating them them excellent. A new core box could introduce new ideas such as ordnance fixes, and other such things without invalidating the old cards - the old game would still be viable. Of course a new core set would be seen as making the old obsolete, so I don't see that. A rules update/ expansion is more likely. Add in a new die type for ordnance (and rules for converting) could be done this way. Most players would buy a new 'core set' for a chance to fly Poe Dameron in his

x2-wing. A new Millenium Falcon variant with the rectangular sensor dish, and whever is doing koiogran turns in the atmosphere.

I'm with Samo, for the most part. I dont see ep 7 until 16, maybe 17.. as reference, have we seen any Rebels ships yet, nope.. I think waves 6 & 7 are already done and just waiting for the production line. From what we have seen of FFGs history, the Raider has been in process almost a year, and I'm sure most waves are 6 months on schedule, or maybe 8 months..

As for a new box set, I just don't see it, but stranger things have happened.

I believe ffg had made a statement back around gencon saying they have the next two years or so already being worked on. I doubt they had access to episode 7 details back then

Which is great, because by that time there will be lots more content they can use from.

Movies/books/comics/TV series

I wouldn't hold my breath on episode 7 ships for this year.

Honestly I think once the whole trilogy is done, then we'll see new ships possibly from the movies, so another 3-4 years

Having played Star Wars Miniatures during the time that the prequels were coming out I find it very hard to imagine that there won't be Episode VII ships around the same time as the movie comes out. That is the way these things have always been done. We even had The Force Unleashed set come out at prior to the game because of a set back in the game. It will be interesting to see though, if this game isn't tied into the marketing frenzy that is to come then that would tell me that Disney has no long term plans for this game.

Well.. for one... they don't know if it will be a flop or a hit.. yes I know ... Star Wars... but.. aside from the cool stuff we've seen.. it could blow monkey chunks and flop... how much do we wanna see ships from a flop movie.. maybe the ships suck and no one wants them.. the company is out money if they make ships that won't sell.. and someone already said that FFG mentioned that they have the next 2 years planned out.. I will bet against ep 7 ships.. at least before the movie comes out.. maybe after, if they do at all.

I think it's safe to say that it won't be a financial flop, but of course it may be a critical failure. But even in that case we might still be interested in the space ships. This game already has ships that many players don't recognize from sources far more obscure than the next Star Wars movie will be. I think it's a good bet that we'll see some Episode VII stuff finding its way into this game, and I wouldn't be surprised if a licensee such as FFG is already in the loop about some of it. But the way movies are made, entire sequences can get chopped in editing, and it's possible that some fully-designed ships won't appear on screen. So far there are only a couple of ships we're sure to see.

Having played Star Wars Miniatures during the time that the prequels were coming out I find it very hard to imagine that there won't be Episode VII ships around the same time as the movie comes out. That is the way these things have always been done. We even had The Force Unleashed set come out at prior to the game because of a set back in the game. It will be interesting to see though, if this game isn't tied into the marketing frenzy that is to come then that would tell me that Disney has no long term plans for this game.

How Many waves did we get last year?

In order for there to be Episode 7 ships to arrive this year they would have to been in development long before the movies hits theaters.

I doubt they had access to whatever information.

It's one thing to release toys for kids to play with alongside the movie release, but to have access to the ships, details on what each do. Calculate their hull attack values I doubt that.

This game also doesn't sell like the toys you see at Walmart.

I can't remember how it was worded, but i think I it was that interview from the devs back during gencon that said something along the lines of they had enough content in the works until 2016 or something like that.

I doubt they had access to the story boards or concept designs back then to even grasp what ships and characters are in the new movies

I don't think Lucas/Disney tells FFG which ships they will/should use in upcoming waves.

I think this thinking is kind of backwards. I understand why people are thinking this way, but I don't think FFG and Lucas/Disney are as closely coordinated as would be required for new minis to come out based on the new movies this soon. Here's the way I think it happens:

FFG game designer 1: You know what would be an awesome ship to add to the game?

FFG game designer 2: [names a ship that's not in the game]

FFG game designer 1: Dude! I was just thinking that!!

FFG game designer 2: Yeah, I think it might fit [role that's not really yet in the game]

FFG game designer 3: Hey! Did I overhear you guys talking about [ship]? That's one of my favorites, I can't believe it's not in the game yet!

And then at some point down the line they talk to Lucas/Disney about being able to use the ship. Then they start designing it physically, and clearing their notion of the design with Lucas/Disney.

That's how I think it happens, anyway. I think the ship choices are based around what the designers think are awesome, and not the marketing needs of Lucas/Disney. I think Lucas/Disney are just happy to have a reliable cash stream that keeps people excited about Star Wars generally, instead of any release specifically. Given that the audience for the X-Wing minis games tend to be a older than the audience for Rebels, it's a way to reach out to an audience that would otherwise be burned out on the franchise.

Keep in mind that people in their teens pretty much grew up with the Clone Wars era, and actually kind of love the prequels. This way, Lucas/Disney get to have all sides of the bet covered.

I think we are grossly overestimating FFG's licencing agreement/priority. Disney/Lucasfilm would be concerned about the agreements which will rake in a tonne of coin: Lego, Hasbro, multinational food and clothing companies, etc. FFG would be so far down the list that I'd be surprised if they even got a consideration prior to Ep VII release. I'm doubtful that FFG has any additional information on the EpVII ships. Add to this design, production and shipping times and we have quite a wait on our hands.

As a few posters mentioned, I'd expect a new core set and expansions to be released for EpVII, VIII and IX. I don't think it will be compatible with the current game. We essentially have the same ships (that we know of). Falcon, what's changed? The radar dish!? Upgraded X-wing. How can they possibly release an X-Wing 2.0 and not make it more superior than the original?

Additionally, S&V has just been released and will no doubt require expansions and adjustments, Armada and Imperial Assault have just been released and will also need some attention.

At best, I would argue that FFG have their 2 year production plan and in late 2016 they have 'Release of EpVII game - details to be decided at later date'.

LFL has forced licensors in the past to make products for their multi-media marketing. They forced Episode I content into the old Decipher card game (which still released after the film). Pretty certain LFL made WOTC make the ROTS and TFU expansions for the minis game, as well as the TFU source book.

The question is, does FFG's timetable allow them to make a product that will hit the intended release date of Episode VII stuff? And do they rate high enough to get into JJ's mystery box, who is being more lenient than with his own movies, but he still is probably pretty controlling of information.

I am not getting my hopes up. I'm sure FFG would love to get in on it, but it is entirely up to LFL.

How can they possibly release an X-Wing 2.0 and not make it more superior than the original?

Honestly I have been expecting exisitng ship 2.0 releases, but I try to buy only one of each product.

LFL has forced licensors in the past to make products for their multi-media marketing. They forced Episode I content into the old Decipher card game (which still released after the film). Pretty certain LFL made WOTC make the ROTS and TFU expansions for the minis game, as well as the TFU source book.

The question is, does FFG's timetable allow them to make a product that will hit the intended release date of Episode VII stuff? And do they rate high enough to get into JJ's mystery box, who is being more lenient than with his own movies, but he still is probably pretty controlling of information.

I am not getting my hopes up. I'm sure FFG would love to get in on it, but it is entirely up to LFL.

JJ really doesn't have any control over what information gets out, though, he's just the director, and only for one film.

I would bet against seeing any new trilogy ships in Xwing. Rebels could fit the time line, but not episode 7. I think it is far more likely Episodes 7-9 will spawn new games.

I think the Imperial Raider would be the ship ready around GenCon time.

Indeed. More importantly, the Raider is new - which means they definitely don't have any restrictions around the scope of their license as they've sat down with LFL and cooked up something never seen before at all.

Will be intrigued to see if it every pops up in Rebels or the films...

LFL has forced licensors in the past to make products for their multi-media marketing. They forced Episode I content into the old Decipher card game (which still released after the film). Pretty certain LFL made WOTC make the ROTS and TFU expansions for the minis game, as well as the TFU source book.

The question is, does FFG's timetable allow them to make a product that will hit the intended release date of Episode VII stuff? And do they rate high enough to get into JJ's mystery box, who is being more lenient than with his own movies, but he still is probably pretty controlling of information.

I am not getting my hopes up. I'm sure FFG would love to get in on it, but it is entirely up to LFL.

JJ really doesn't have any control over what information gets out, though, he's just the director, and only for one film.

Have you followed any of his movies before? JJ is a bit of a control freak. He wouldn't have taken the job without a lot of his normal control. Now, he acknowledges that he had to make compromises with LFL and Disney for this movie, because it is essentially a $4 billion bet by Disney, and that Star Wars needs to be marketed different than his normal movies.

It is possible, but I fear if it happened, it would've forced a rushed schedule with incomplete info (which is kind of what happened with Decipher).