Ok so we haven't had any real x-wing news all year. The last meaningful news we had was December of 2014, that being the Raider announcement. Now here we are in April. It's been almost 4 months of calm, cool, silent speculation. We're all hoping for something cool to come out of Star Wars Celebration, but what if the wait was for a special reason....

What if Wave 7 is the most significant wave ever? Granted Wave 6 was a huge deal, because it had a whole new faction... but what is Wave 7 is even bigger? What if the lengthy silence was to prepare for some kind of game-changing mouthwatering blockbuster? If wave 7 is just like 3-4 ships and a munitions fix, there's a little part of me that thinks it will feel underwhelmed. Maybe it's because Armada is so amazingly executed (it's amazing TBH), but I'm feeling like X-Wing might be in the early stages of growing cold with me. It was exciting having new stuff announced every few weeks, and now it's been 4 months without any new build ideas, any "The world is ending because of this new upgrade breaks X-Wing" type posts... and while many of you might argue that some of that is good, it's something I've grown fond of.

So this week's speculation from me is: What if they are doing something else wild and unexpected - like wave 6's new faction? What could they do that would be so exciting it would make 4 months of calm, patient waiting, all feel justified?

Some ideas:

• Integrating Smart Devices somehow - like randomly changing objectives for tournament play, or an app for your phone that integrates into the game somehow.
• Atmospheric ships w/ Atmosphering scenarios (Dogfighting in or around places like Bespin).
• Ground Battles?
• Some core-game updates via a new starter box? Maybe updated Damage Deck, or a new movement template like a 6 forward or 4 turn?
• Space Stations! (Ok probably not that exciting, but I love the look of ST Attack Wing's DS9)
• Some new optional dice - the Ultra Red and Ultra Green - Certain new upgrades might allow you to add one Ultra Red or Ultra Green die to your attack or Defense roll, respectively. These ultra dice would have one blank space replaced with a side that has TWO hits, or TWO Evades, respectively.

lets not get ahead of ourselves

if it's a game-changer, it'll be from the ships and upgrades introduced (as per usual)

wave 6 has thus far (and by far) been the biggest release wave to date, and it didn't even get close to any one of the ideas you posted

Sure it did. A new faction was something peopel swore up and down would NEVER. EVER. happen, so I woudl argue that wave 6 surpassed my short list of revolutionary changes.

I mean hey, people say we'll never see a Cloud Car or snowspeeder also, but if they made atmospheric battles then that could happen, which would be almost exactly the same type of thing as them adding a 3rd faction to a strictly 2-faction game.

And I also suggested a new starter box and some new maneuevers - which we kinda got with wave 6. Most Wanted was similar in many ways to a starter box, and Wave 6 gave us the S-Loop - a brand new type of manuever.

Unfortunately FFG are a 'HOTNESS' publisher now and their model looks like to produce a game and release insane amounts of add ons and then semi drop it in place for a product that sits in a slightly different but similar place, this suits reviews tbh as the mechanics are always slightly upgraded. They for the most part don't seem to make the games with longitude anymore that publishers like GW have done in the past. XWMG is a one night stand unfortunately.

Don't get me wrong XWMG isn't 'dead' but we will be getting new waves every year now instead of every week (it felt like)

This may of course have something to do with Disney/EP7 or Rebels

What would be an epic release personally (no pun intended) would be more focus on non unique characters

More ships with weird facings like just backshooters or even 45% instead of 90% not just front 90% and turret with Slave 1

A multipart YT model where you could be Imperial/Scum or rebel with different options for upgrades basically letting you build your own ship in the rules to suit your smuggler/bounty hunter.

Basically less trench runs or reliving scenes from the movies and more about making your own stories.

Lilikin

Unfortunately FFG are a 'HOTNESS' publisher now and their model looks like to produce a game and release insane amounts of add ons and then semi drop it in place for a product that sits in a slightly different but similar place, this suits reviews tbh as the mechanics are always slightly upgraded. They for the most part don't seem to make the games with longitude anymore that publishers like GW have done in the past. XWMG is a one night stand unfortunately.

I don't think you can call a game that's been getting regular updates, and is FFG's top selling product for like 3 years, a one night stand.

I think they wanted to manage the releases of Imperial Assault and Armada and let them have some of the excitement to themselves for a while.

Besides, people complained last year about actually getting a wave being somewhat of a letdown, since the next wave after had already been announced. S&V just came out not too long ago, and most stores are now awash with plenty of stock from the older waves. Let people actually play with and explore the current assortment of ships before you send them off thinking about the next one.

Unfortunately FFG are a 'HOTNESS' publisher now and their model looks like to produce a game and release insane amounts of add ons and then semi drop it in place for a product that sits in a slightly different but similar place, this suits reviews tbh as the mechanics are always slightly upgraded. They for the most part don't seem to make the games with longitude anymore that publishers like GW have done in the past. XWMG is a one night stand unfortunately.

I don't think you can call a game that's been getting regular updates, and is FFG's top selling product for like 3 years, a one night stand.

Your thread so I will go off course to match your point. 'One night stand' is a little Hyperbolic I agree but essentially true, they know people will spend more on a new system than on the current system, Reviewers get to say how good it is etc etc and you spend a great deal of money on other stuff. many Gamers are like adolescent boys a new girl arrives in the class and their eye starts to wonder.

There has been no news in an eternity and we are quickly arriving on the next gencon with last years announcement not that long out, (Was it 8 months(I am in the UK not sure how much we lag you for releases)). Armada is pretty and expensive and for many people what they would have preferred in the first place. they would be stupid not to sell it harder than X Wing.

Wasn't the point of your thread though

Wishlist:

-Unique S&V have a pirate card that let you use any generic ship, adds Illicit and EPT

-Ordinance update

-Competitive scenarios

-Updated MoV rules

-Turret nerf(dead horse, I know)

Atmo-battles would be awesome, as would ground-based objectives.

I think they wanted to manage the releases of Imperial Assault and Armada and let them have some of the excitement to themselves for a while.

Besides, people complained last year about actually getting a wave being somewhat of a letdown, since the next wave after had already been announced. S&V just came out not too long ago, and most stores are now awash with plenty of stock from the older waves. Let people actually play with and explore the current assortment of ships before you send them off thinking about the next one.

This is at the cost of X Wing though surely?

I think they wanted to manage the releases of Imperial Assault and Armada and let them have some of the excitement to themselves for a while.

Besides, people complained last year about actually getting a wave being somewhat of a letdown, since the next wave after had already been announced. S&V just came out not too long ago, and most stores are now awash with plenty of stock from the older waves. Let people actually play with and explore the current assortment of ships before you send them off thinking about the next one.

This is at the cost of X Wing though surely?

Unfortunately FFG are a 'HOTNESS' publisher now and their model looks like to produce a game and release insane amounts of add ons and then semi drop it in place for a product that sits in a slightly different but similar place, this suits reviews tbh as the mechanics are always slightly upgraded. They for the most part don't seem to make the games with longitude anymore that publishers like GW have done in the past. XWMG is a one night stand unfortunately.

I don't think you can call a game that's been getting regular updates, and is FFG's top selling product for like 3 years, a one night stand.

Your thread so I will go off course to match your point. 'One night stand' is a little Hyperbolic I agree but essentially true, they know people will spend more on a new system than on the current system, Reviewers get to say how good it is etc etc and you spend a great deal of money on other stuff. many Gamers are like adolescent boys a new girl arrives in the class and their eye starts to wonder.

There has been no news in an eternity and we are quickly arriving on the next gencon with last years announcement not that long out, (Was it 8 months(I am in the UK not sure how much we lag you for releases)). Armada is pretty and expensive and for many people what they would have preferred in the first place. they would be stupid not to sell it harder than X Wing.

Wasn't the point of your thread though

The point of this thread was speculation as to some kind of Huge Change that might be possible. Your "One-Night-Stand" remark seemed to imply that X-Wing, wasn't going to change - it was one-thing at release and it'll never evolve beyond that. In other words, someone you sleep with, but don't marry. My argument to that point is that it's been around for awhile now, and has already evolved some, and doesn't appear to be a one-night-stand. X-Wing is becomming a long-term relationship, possibly getting a diamond ring soon, so it seems to have staying power, so why wouldn't they be willing to add something new to it?

And yeah, I know the long-time between news / spoilers is probably due to feedback, as well as other new games. Still, I always find it fun to speculate - ESPECIALLY if it's something crazy, like your Ipad now integrates with your map, and it's a moving space station - and when you land on it stuff happens.

Sure it did. A new faction was something peopel swore up and down would NEVER. EVER. happen, so I woudl argue that wave 6 surpassed my short list of revolutionary changes.

I'm getting bored of hearing this argument, because it's not a good one. Yes, the introduction of Scum and Villainy was unexpected, but that doesn't make other unexpected things somehow more likely.

Unfortunately FFG are a 'HOTNESS' publisher now and their model looks like to produce a game and release insane amounts of add ons and then semi drop it in place for a product that sits in a slightly different but similar place, this suits reviews tbh as the mechanics are always slightly upgraded. They for the most part don't seem to make the games with longitude anymore that publishers like GW have done in the past. XWMG is a one night stand unfortunately.

That doesn't describe anything FFG has done with any of their properties. Try again.

Sure it did. A new faction was something peopel swore up and down would NEVER. EVER. happen, so I woudl argue that wave 6 surpassed my short list of revolutionary changes.

I'm getting bored of hearing this argument, because it's not a good one. Yes, the introduction of Scum and Villainy was unexpected, but that doesn't make other unexpected things somehow more likely.

I think It makes major changes less likely, since one just happened.

My prediction is the next wave is a reach back in time to Episodes 1-3, Jedi Starfighters and ARC ships, with Droid fighters and the like.

Sure it did. A new faction was something peopel swore up and down would NEVER. EVER. happen, so I woudl argue that wave 6 surpassed my short list of revolutionary changes.

I'm getting bored of hearing this argument, because it's not a good one. Yes, the introduction of Scum and Villainy was unexpected, but that doesn't make other unexpected things somehow more likely.

Unfortunately FFG are a 'HOTNESS' publisher now and their model looks like to produce a game and release insane amounts of add ons and then semi drop it in place for a product that sits in a slightly different but similar place, this suits reviews tbh as the mechanics are always slightly upgraded. They for the most part don't seem to make the games with longitude anymore that publishers like GW have done in the past. XWMG is a one night stand unfortunately.

That doesn't describe anything FFG has done with any of their properties. Try again.

No your right, like Descent and IA, XWing and Armada,

Frankly the IA rules don't even suit the change in Genre from Runebound to SWU. These are there two biggest sellers as of Gencon XWMG and D2E? they release two copies with some changes at that GenCon.

OP, I was commenting on why I think the game release has been a while, I was genuinely interested in seeing some replies to the thread questions and answered it myself, the fact people are getting so defensive is because people fear I am right. (at a guess, signs of grief and all that, I hope I am wrong)

Please read my on topic comments and comment on them instead of my off remark

I think the close release of Scum & Villainy, Assault, and Armada is the main reason. Let the community digest Scum and be excited about their other new shinies for a bit, then whatever's coming next isn't competing quite as much with other Star Wars games for attention (and money). As for what's coming, who knows? Alex mentioned bombers but that's about it.

If the silence is related to the content, I'd expect it to be related to other Star Wars media releases. Maybe Episode 7 stuff they can't spoil until the movie trailers do, or Rebels ships from the upcoming season. Or a second big wave of Scum to fill out their faction to match the others.

Honestly, I think the main cause for the delay in information is that they decided to not release information immediately after S&V came out. Now they're in that awkward period where it makes the most sense to wait and announce at Celebration (next week?) leaving us in a bit of a news slump, but I don't think it indicates anything especially ground-breaking is in the pipe.

This is at the cost of X Wing though surely?

Letting a steak marinade for a bit isn't the same as forgetting about it...

Yeah, I don't see how it's "costing" X-Wing anything by not bombarding us with news on ships we won't be able to buy for who knows how many months anyway.

I think the close release of Scum & Villainy, Assault, and Armada is the main reason. Let the community digest Scum and be excited about their other new shinies for a bit, then whatever's coming next isn't competing quite as much with other Star Wars games for attention (and money). As for what's coming, who knows? Alex mentioned bombers but that's about it.

If the silence is related to the content, I'd expect it to be related to other Star Wars media releases. Maybe Episode 7 stuff they can't spoil until the movie trailers do, or Rebels ships from the upcoming season. Or a second big wave of Scum to fill out their faction to match the others.

I think this. There are ships or upgrades that are going to have Episode 7 stuff in them, or at the very least stuff after the OT. As tight lipped they are being about anything after Endor, this makes sense given the complete silence on news. I think we will get a flood of news April 16th & 17th. Between that and the new trailer and Battlefront 3, I might die.

Frankly, the idea that X-Wing would be in any form of trouble or at risk of losing support after not having any new product updates in a few months is BEYOND ABSURD. It is their flagship product of their flagship license. We have just been handed a huge new wave to fuss with. There is no need for new releases except for the news junkies who are entitled to express how they are going through preview withdrawal. I totally agree that the "silence" is due to trying to focus upon other SW products, most notably Imperial Assault and Armada which have been two huge new product lines and likely overlap greatly with the XW audience. Fair enough. I have all my Wave 5 and 6 goodness to sort through, plus tournament season, so plenty to do and talk about.

As far as the actual topic here, there are still yet a few new areas for them to explore in the design space and small rule changes can have profound adjustments on the game (see decloak ruling). I actually think that if they make a widespread fix to ordnance that it has the potential to be a game-changer. That is impossible to know until they reveal it, as they have been exceedingly clever in not going with the suggestions brought up in the forums and instead have presented more elegant updates.

Otherwise, I could see them (eventually) digging deeper into Epic and rounding out the corners of the factions with the few missing ship archetypes, missing known pilots/characters, and balancing Scum's numbers against Rebs and Imps. Play-type expansions are not out of the question, but I think they really want to keep it in the dogfighting realm, so I doubt you will see atmospheric fighters/scenarios, as cool as they may be.

Your thread so I will go off course to match your point. 'One night stand' is a little Hyperbolic I agree but essentially true, they know people will spend more on a new system than on the current system, Reviewers get to say how good it is etc etc and you spend a great deal of money on other stuff. many Gamers are like adolescent boys a new girl arrives in the class and their eye starts to wonder.

There has been no news in an eternity and we are quickly arriving on the next gencon with last years announcement not that long out, (Was it 8 months(I am in the UK not sure how much we lag you for releases)). Armada is pretty and expensive and for many people what they would have preferred in the first place. they would be stupid not to sell it harder than X Wing.

Wasn't the point of your thread though

I think my eyes are starting to wonder right now.

We are so getting E7 Goodies...

That is the next news deal.

"What if wave 7 is a complete game-changer?"
Well, crap. I guess that's a bunch of new ships I'll have to buy. And hide from my wife.

The sky falls so often on this forum. We are getting about the same amount of new releases as we have always gotten....4 per year. This year looks like we will get Scum, Raider, Wave 7, and one thing we have no idea about.

So right now we have news about one thing in the pipe to be excited about. Lets all calm down and play with our scum for a while, and if we want to dream about the new advanced, or think about what the new ordinance will look like..we have plenty to keep us thinking.

Honestly, I think FFG understands that Wave 6 was a major shift, and that it will take some time for everyone to adjust to the new reality. I don't see it as evidence that the sky is falling. X-Wing is making FFG money hand over fist, so I don't think it's going away any time soon.