I was thinking about the way companies time a movie's release with a bunch of merchandise based on the IP. They almost always include solely the new content e.g. you didn't see ewok lunch pails released when episode 2 came out.

I applied this tactic to X-Wing and I think there is really only one viable solution if FFG wants to release new product based on the new license. They have to put out a new starter set.

When the movie releases there are going to be a ton of new fans looking to buy all the movie related merchandise. It doesn't seem wise to tell a possible customer, "Sorry but you can't use the toys for this new movie, unless you buy toys based on its 35 year old prequel." (note: this is not meant to insult or demean the original trilogy, I am just writing it from a new fan's perspective)

If it is going to release I can't see it successfully happening with any other strategy. What this would mean:

Well, we have only seen one new ship, the super x-wing, and two old ships, TIEs and the Falcon. If they are going to follow the model that they have in the past they won't have the Falcon in a starter. This only leaves the x-wing and ties. Well that works perfectly, they can just mimic the composition of the first set.

So new players get everything they need to play and it matches what they just saw on the big screen, and with new pilots and upgrades the pack will have value to existing players.

Just my two cents. What do you guys and gals think?

All I see new shipwise is a slightly different looking X-wing.

They have to put out a new starter set.

A new starter for Eps 7 would really be nothing more than slightly different looking X-Wing and 2 of the same Tie Fighters we already have.

This is where Alberto (http://www.albertomelchorruizanton.net/mel_miniatures/) plugs his miniatures

(are you sure you're not working for him) that he sells on Shapeways.

I'll post the photo because he'll probably miss this, and mainly because I like posting photos.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/EFB8KTBWT/x-wing-the-force-awakens-1-270

http://www.shapeways.com/product/GW2LFJLPJ/x-wing-wings-folded-the-force-awakens-1-270

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Even if there aren't, they could introduce something like the Inquisitor's Advanced TIE.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/46MUTN7BZ/inquisitor-s-tie-advanced-1-270

What I think: (note, this will be similar to a reply I already gave in one of the wave speculation threads) The 2 TIEs and X-Wing need to be different than the original Core Set or none of the existing playerbase will feel inclined to grab more copies of ships that they no longer need. The X-Wings need more than just different Pilots, these are X-Wings + 30 more years of technological growth. While they should be different enough to warrant wanting them, they should not overshadow the 3, 4, 5+ X-Wings that a lot of us already own. Give it nifty things (maybe a different Upgrade slot, a different dial, etc) but give it drawbacks too. A higher point cost. The inability to use the Pilots we have for the original X-Wing because it's an X-Wing Advanced.

Same goes for the TIE Fighter. I have 5 TIEs right now. I really don't want any more of them as they are mainly used as filler in my squads. Give it some advancements, don't just give us the same ship that can take the same Upgrades and Pilots for the same points.

TL;DR Don't just give us repaints/new models of the same ships we have, change them up. Surely the technology in Star Wars has advanced at least a little in 30+ years.

All I see new shipwise is a slightly different looking X-wing.

I dunno, they

This is where Alberto (http://www.albertomelchorruizanton.net/mel_miniatures/) plugs his miniatures

(are you sure you're not working for him) that he sells on Shapeways.

I'll post the photo because he'll probably miss this, and mainly because I like posting photos.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/EFB8KTBWT/x-wing-the-force-awakens-1-270

http://www.shapeways.com/product/GW2LFJLPJ/x-wing-wings-folded-the-force-awakens-1-270

Is he using a 3D printer? It looks a little rough, but the 3D image is nice.

It's possible, but I wonder if 'new fans' are the target audience of either the game or, for that matter, the new trilogy. It seems like a TON of blockbuster movies over the past decade have been aimed to appeal to Gen-Xer nostalgia. I don't think that the new movies are really any different in this regard.

It does seem like most X-Wing players are older Gen-Ys, however. These grew up on the video games of the 1990s, between the OT and the PT. Sure, they're catching some younger Gen-Xers (like yours truly), and some of the younger Gen-Yers who came up with the PT (but were told to despise the PT), but the main demographic of appeal comes between those two.

I think FFG will continue to market to that demographic, and there won't be too many 'new fans'. That doesn't mean that they won't refurbish the Core Set, but it won't be a change in target demographic, I think.

Most of my league are in their early 20s, so I don't think that will be a problem.

(of course, i live in a college town, so it may skew some)

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Based on what we've seen so far, no there aren't any new types. That isn't to say there isn't, but it's also unlikely that they'd release something for this game that hasn't been seen already.

Surely the technology in Star Wars has advanced at least a little in 30+ years.

Not much really, the X-Wing we see in the trailers may perform better but it still looks pretty much like the same old X-Wing we've always had.

What I think: (note, this will be similar to a reply I already gave in one of the wave speculation threads) The 2 TIEs and X-Wing need to be different than the original Core Set or none of the existing playerbase will feel inclined to grab more copies of ships that they no longer need. The X-Wings need more than just different Pilots, these are X-Wings + 30 more years of technological growth. While they should be different enough to warrant wanting them, they should not overshadow the 3, 4, 5+ X-Wings that a lot of us already own. Give it nifty things (maybe a different Upgrade slot, a different dial, etc) but give it drawbacks too. A higher point cost. The inability to use the Pilots we have for the original X-Wing because it's an X-Wing Advanced.

Same goes for the TIE Fighter. I have 5 TIEs right now. I really don't want any more of them as they are mainly used as filler in my squads. Give it some advancements, don't just give us the same ship that can take the same Upgrades and Pilots for the same points.

TL;DR Don't just give us repaints/new models of the same ships we have, change them up. Surely the technology in Star Wars has advanced at least a little in 30+ years.

Agreed. I think the x-wings are significantly different enough to warrant something closer to a defender or e-wing in points and stats. I am not sure what to do about the ties though. I worry that making the actual card stats different will lead to confusion because the models don't look significantly different. That said, the ORS already does this so there is precedence.

Possibly release an upgrade card in the set that costs a few points and does something significant to match the new movie. Maybe it is a cheap shield upgrade, or a boost to their turning radius at low speeds (i.e. you can treat you 1 hard turn as a 1 bank of the same direction). Throw a MKII title on it or something.

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Based on what we've seen so far, no there aren't any new types. That isn't to say there isn't, but it's also unlikely that they'd release something for this game that hasn't been seen already.

Surely the technology in Star Wars has advanced at least a little in 30+ years.

Not much really, the X-Wing we see in the trailers may perform better but it still looks pretty much like the same old X-Wing we've always had.

Both of these arguments are based on incorrect assumptions:

(1) they have already shown us everything in the movie.

FFG/LucasFilm collaboration; heard of it? it's called the Raider.

(2) J.J. Abrams can resist making his own personal signature changes.

...not to open up that can of worms, but you have to be a fan of "real Star Trek"

to know what JJ Abrams did to that franchise, and I am fearful as a Star Wars fan.

The new movies will warrant their own game. I doubt they stray from the Civil War era that X-wing takes place in.

2 possibilities:

1) Ep VII ships are added to the game New X-Wing comes with cards and a little buff for X-Wings (both models). I recall reading that one of the game designers mentioned X-wings as getting a little love - I could be wrong though. If Ties haven't changed (based on the preview) this outcome could present itself.

2) X-Wing 2.0. New ships, new starter set. Possibly the same rules / mechanics but new pilot cards and abilities based on the EpVII and onwards. Remember, other spin-off films are planned and EpVIII is scheduled for 2017

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Based on what we've seen so far, no there aren't any new types. That isn't to say there isn't, but it's also unlikely that they'd release something for this game that hasn't been seen already.

Surely the technology in Star Wars has advanced at least a little in 30+ years.

Not much really, the X-Wing we see in the trailers may perform better but it still looks pretty much like the same old X-Wing we've always had.

Both of these arguments are based on incorrect assumptions:

(1) they have already shown us everything in the movie.

FFG/LucasFilm collaboration; heard of it? it's called the Raider.

(2) J.J. Abrams can resist making his own personal signature changes.

...not to open up that can of worms, but you have to be a fan of "real Star Trek"

to know what JJ Abrams did to that franchise, and I am fearful as a Star Wars fan.

Not sure if you're talking about me when you say "Both of these arguments..."

Because your two points are kind of in agreement with my thoughts that there should be differences in the ships.

Also, yes, I know what he did to Star Trek.

Both of these arguments are based on incorrect assumptions:

If you think that, you didn't actually read my post.

I said we've seen nothing new yet. It's highly unlikely they'd spoil a new ship by putting it in a game before the movie comes out. So the only thing we're likely to see is stuff we've seen in trailers.

So far the difference between the old and new X-Wing is fairly small. There is no difference in the Tie Fighters we've seen so far. There just is nothing different enough about what we've seen and are likely to see prior to the movie coming out to warrant a new starter set.

After the movie comes out, then perhaps there may be, but based on what we've seen so far I wouldn't count on it.

Both of these arguments are based on incorrect assumptions:

If you think that, you didn't actually read my post.

I said we've seen nothing new yet. It's highly unlikely they'd spoil a new ship by putting it in a game before the movie comes out. So the only thing we're likely to see is stuff we've seen in trailers.

So far the difference between the old and new X-Wing is fairly small. There is no difference in the Tie Fighters we've seen so far. There just is nothing different enough about what we've seen and are likely to see prior to the movie coming out to warrant a new starter set.

After the movie comes out, then perhaps there may be, but based on what we've seen so far I wouldn't count on it.

Sure, I'm not reading your posts.

Did you read your posts?

you didn't mention the qualifying "after the movie comes out" until this last post.

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Based on what we've seen so far, no there aren't any new types. That isn't to say there isn't, but it's also unlikely that they'd release something for this game that hasn't been seen already.

Surely the technology in Star Wars has advanced at least a little in 30+ years.

Not much really, the X-Wing we see in the trailers may perform better but it still looks pretty much like the same old X-Wing we've always had.

Both of these arguments are based on incorrect assumptions:

(1) they have already shown us everything in the movie.

FFG/LucasFilm collaboration; heard of it? it's called the Raider.

(2) J.J. Abrams can resist making his own personal signature changes.

...not to open up that can of worms, but you have to be a fan of "real Star Trek"

to know what JJ Abrams did to that franchise, and I am fearful as a Star Wars fan.

There is one huge difference though. JJ has stated severely times that he was never a Star Trek fan and really hadn't even watched it until he got his director gig. He is a huge Star Wars fan. That's why there is SW stuff all over his Trek movies. It's not like he's going to make the new SW feel like Trek movies.

2 possibilities:

1) Ep VII ships are added to the game New X-Wing comes with cards and a little buff for X-Wings (both models). I recall reading that one of the game designers mentioned X-wings as getting a little love - I could be wrong though. If Ties haven't changed (based on the preview) this outcome could present itself.

2) X-Wing 2.0. New ships, new starter set. Possibly the same rules / mechanics but new pilot cards and abilities based on the EpVII and onwards. Remember, other spin-off films are planned and EpVIII is scheduled for 2017

I'd put my money on number 1. We may see a SW 2.0 but not within the next 2 or 3 years. By then we will have at least the first 2 movies of the ST.

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Based on what we've seen so far, no there aren't any new types. That isn't to say there isn't, but it's also unlikely that they'd release something for this game that hasn't been seen already.

Surely the technology in Star Wars has advanced at least a little in 30+ years.

Not much really, the X-Wing we see in the trailers may perform better but it still looks pretty much like the same old X-Wing we've always had.

Both of these arguments are based on incorrect assumptions:

(1) they have already shown us everything in the movie.

FFG/LucasFilm collaboration; heard of it? it's called the Raider.

(2) J.J. Abrams can resist making his own personal signature changes.

...not to open up that can of worms, but you have to be a fan of "real Star Trek"

to know what JJ Abrams did to that franchise, and I am fearful as a Star Wars fan.

Not sure if you're talking about me when you say "Both of these arguments..."

Because your two points are kind of in agreement with my thoughts that there should be differences in the ships.

Also, yes, I know what he did to Star Trek.

Not criticizing your statement or my own, but the arguments against both.

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Based on what we've seen so far, no there aren't any new types. That isn't to say there isn't, but it's also unlikely that they'd release something for this game that hasn't been seen already.

Surely the technology in Star Wars has advanced at least a little in 30+ years.

Not much really, the X-Wing we see in the trailers may perform better but it still looks pretty much like the same old X-Wing we've always had.

Both of these arguments are based on incorrect assumptions:

(1) they have already shown us everything in the movie.

FFG/LucasFilm collaboration; heard of it? it's called the Raider.

(2) J.J. Abrams can resist making his own personal signature changes.

...not to open up that can of worms, but you have to be a fan of "real Star Trek"

to know what JJ Abrams did to that franchise, and I am fearful as a Star Wars fan.

There is one huge difference though. JJ has stated severely times that he was never a Star Trek fan and really hadn't even watched it until he got his director gig. He is though a huge Star Wars fan. That's why there is SW stuff all over his Trek movies.

Neither of these facts change his personality or style of movie making.

The only point you make is that he might have deliberately sabotaged Star Trek.

But based on his personality or style of movie making, I'd say he's not going to get with SW either.

In case you hadn't noticed he's already made changes that have pissed people off,

eg. The Crossguard lightsaber. That's just the tip of the iceberg,

brace yourself to see lots more crazy odd/off/annoying changes.

Just pointing out: there was approximately 12 seconds worth of ships in the teaser. Obviously they are going to show the classic stuff to pull on those nostalgia strings. I am almost certain there will be at least 12 more seconds worth of ships in the whole movie. Heck there may even be a few minutes worth.

Also I agree about the 2.0 thing being a bad idea. It seems way to early for that.

My point wasn't that he deliberately sabotaged ST. My point was the fact that he didn't know what ST is/was and what makes it a great bit of sci-fi. He made great action movies out of the 2 ST movies. However, they were as ST as a Family Guy spoof.

There will be lens flare I grant you that.

But from the rumor mill, there seems to be a lot more practical effects being used in this one. I don't think this will be a green screen movie. You could argue that Lucas himself didn't "get" with SW the 2nd time around.

This is where Alberto (http://www.albertomelchorruizanton.net/mel_miniatures/) plugs his miniatures

(are you sure you're not working for him) that he sells on Shapeways.

I'll post the photo because he'll probably miss this, and mainly because I like posting photos.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/EFB8KTBWT/x-wing-the-force-awakens-1-270

http://www.shapeways.com/product/GW2LFJLPJ/x-wing-wings-folded-the-force-awakens-1-270

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Even if there aren't, they could introduce something like the Inquisitor's Advanced TIE.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/46MUTN7BZ/inquisitor-s-tie-advanced-1-270

What's that TIE from? I think that's the best TIE design I've seen that was in the films.

Also, the wings on the new X-Wing: they've halved their surface area - if they're meant to be radiators haven't they just halved their effectiveness? Oh well, Rule of Cool I suppose. I wasn't. Big fan of them in the trailer, but the model looks cool, asides from the 3D printer texture.

This is where Alberto (http://www.albertomelchorruizanton.net/mel_miniatures/) plugs his miniatures

(are you sure you're not working for him) that he sells on Shapeways.

I'll post the photo because he'll probably miss this, and mainly because I like posting photos.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/EFB8KTBWT/x-wing-the-force-awakens-1-270

http://www.shapeways.com/product/GW2LFJLPJ/x-wing-wings-folded-the-force-awakens-1-270

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Even if there aren't, they could introduce something like the Inquisitor's Advanced TIE.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/46MUTN7BZ/inquisitor-s-tie-advanced-1-270

What's that TIE from? I think that's the best TIE design I've seen that was in the films.

Also, the wings on the new X-Wing: they've halved their surface area - if they're meant to be radiators haven't they just halved their effectiveness? Oh well, Rule of Cool I suppose. I wasn't. Big fan of them in the trailer, but the model looks cool, asides from the 3D printer texture.

"if they're meant to be radiators haven't they just halved their effectiveness?" - Thanks for giving me a great example of JJ Abrams fooling around with stuff Star Wars in a way fans would consider mistakes.

The Inquisitor's TIE Advanced Prototype is from the Star Wars Rebels TV series.

This is where Alberto (http://www.albertomelchorruizanton.net/mel_miniatures/) plugs his miniatures

(are you sure you're not working for him) that he sells on Shapeways.

I'll post the photo because he'll probably miss this, and mainly because I like posting photos.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/EFB8KTBWT/x-wing-the-force-awakens-1-270

http://www.shapeways.com/product/GW2LFJLPJ/x-wing-wings-folded-the-force-awakens-1-270

Also, you critics are assuming there won't be any new TIE fighter types in the movie,

or have you seen it already?

Even if there aren't, they could introduce something like the Inquisitor's Advanced TIE.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/46MUTN7BZ/inquisitor-s-tie-advanced-1-270

What's that TIE from? I think that's the best TIE design I've seen that was in the films.

Also, the wings on the new X-Wing: they've halved their surface area - if they're meant to be radiators haven't they just halved their effectiveness? Oh well, Rule of Cool I suppose. I wasn't. Big fan of them in the trailer, but the model looks cool, asides from the 3D printer texture.

"if they're meant to be radiators haven't they just halved their effectiveness?" - Thanks for giving me a great example of JJ Abrams fooling around with stuff Star Wars in a way fans would consider mistakes.

The Inquisitor's TIE Advanced is from the Star Wars Rebels TV series.

JJ Abrams wasn't "fooling around" with the designs of the new X-Wings. He brought them back to a look similar to the Ralph Mcquarrie art for Star Wars. That art was based upon the designs of Joe Johnston, who made drastically different looking X-Wings than Colin Cantwell.

Source: http://www.starwars.com/news/an-annotated-guide-to-the-star-wars-portfolio-by-ralph-mcquarrie

This is all about marketing.

A new Starter set with Ep VII branding on it would be a very smart move.

put those suckers in Target, Wal-mart and B&N a couple of weeks before the movie hits and watch the sales increase.

include a blurb on the back about game stores having the OP program and you funnel people towards the game stores.

and for all those who think this is a bad idea based on X-wing history the new movie is the key difference.