Does anyone know if the core set is still generally available in stores or from distributors. I notice it is out of print at FFG and listed for a reprint but no date or even a month is given for the reprint.

I've just put in an order for a Core Set a few days ago. I figure stock was still good in this neck of the woods.

Does anyone know if FFG uses its reprints to make corrections like erratas? Lannisport Brothel needs the Unique icon e.g.

I asked that question...this is the answer I got:

On Sep 30, 2009, at 3:59 PM, <[email protected]> <[email protected]> wrote:Message from:

E-mail:
[email protected]

Message:
I was wondering if there were any changes planned for the A Game of Thrones LCG Core Set, Call of Cthulhu LCG Core Set, and A Game of Thrones the Boardgame reprints? If so, what kind of changes (errata fixes, new features, etc) can we expect on the reprints? Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Steve
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Steve,

Any changes, errata, etc. can be found in the most recent version of that game's FAQ document, found on the game's Support page:

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=10&esem=4
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=11&esem=4
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=46&esem=4

At present, we do not know what changes will be made to future print runs. Information, if any is available, will be added to updated FAQ documents.

Thank you,

Jaffer Batica
Filling in for Thaadd Powell

So they do not know if they will fix mistakes in the Core Sets? That's sad.

Seeing as they didn't even fix mistakes/errata on reprints from the CCG days to the LCG Cthulhu set, I wouldn't be holding my breath anything to change with the reprint of the AGoT core set.

Not to criticize FFG's excellence or anything, but since they are also liable to make human mistakes...it may be better to get the original print rather than the reprint:

I've heard of some accounts where the reprints came out wrong when compared to the originals (A Game of Thrones BG and expansion, Runebound expansion, etc)

The first print run of CoC LCG wasn't a reprint per say, but it had a rather distinguished unique character switch factions from CCG to LCG!

My advice is to grab the first print before it completely runs out or at the very least wait until the coast is clear before buying a reprint.

That email is simply quoting the company line It is more or less the response you could expect from any company on any product which has not been through the design departmentshands. Christian will have the first and last word on what will be done with reprints, and if there will be a reprint. A new Core Set may be something on the table for consideration, updating the Core Set fixing errata may also be a consideration. Until Christian makes a decision on that (and I suspect Nate will have a lot of imput if Christian doesn't just unitarily decide to reprint it) you will get absolutely no answer concerning the future status of a Core Set. If it is anything other than a straight reprint, you will get no answer until Nate finishes his initial design cycle (even if it is just fixing errata), and possibly not until he is halfway through the final design cycle (where he knows what the scope of any changes is going to be and it has gone through in-house playtesting).

I am interested becausethe answer to this will give us a huge insight into the future of the game. IF they do a direct reprint, not updating for errata then it seem to mean they are keeping themselves focused on the future of the game by way of Chapter Packs and feel that the Core Set is a strong enough product and good enough entry point that it should remain untouched. If they update the game with errata then it shows they understand that the Core Set may be not only the entry point of the game but the sole product that a significant sized group is buying and they want that initial product to be as fulfilling as possible. If they don't reprint the Core Set but instead create a new Core Set then it shows they understand there may be an additional market for them to sell extra Core Sets to existing players by revolving the Houses, or choosing to bring back different cards from the CCG days into the LCG environment, wwhile still serving as an excellent point of entry for new players.

I don't see any of these choices as bad for the game at all. The only one is the one I did not mention... not printing a new or reprinting the old Core Set. However all indications is that the LCG are doing very well here and abroad so I highly doubt this is something that is even on the tabel for discussion.

dormouse said:

That would be against LCG philosophy. Besides, info says "This is a reprint!".

1) What info says this is a reprint?

2) How is a new core Set against the LCG Philosophy?

1) The email back from Jaffer says print runs, it does not say reprint. The shop page does say it is a reprint, but it also says it is in the design and development stage... a wholly unnecessary stage if it is going to be a direct reprint. By this information I'm left to assume that it is not in fact a "reprint" but a Core Set that is being updated in some fashion. It may just be the errata we hope for... then again it may be more. I should also point out the product says "NEW!" right across the top of it, which while certainly not hard proof does contradict the statement also present saying it is a reprint.

2) The Core Set is intended to give players an easy entry point into the game as well as serve as the only set an individual need buy if they are looking for the fun of playing the game but not interested in deck design.

Here is what they say about the product -

"Across the Seven Kingdoms, the Great Houses of Westeros struggle to control the Iron Throne. The battle begins here in the A Game of Thrones Core Game.

The beloved heroes, villains, locations, and events of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire saga comes to life in this customizable card game. Players take control of the Starks, Baratheons, Lannisters, or Targaryens and attempt to plot, fight, conspire, manipulate, and bribe their way to victory.

The A Game of Thrones card game can be played in a multiplayer "melee" format with 3-4 players, or in a one-on-one "joust" format with 2 players. But whichever format you choose, the game has only just begun! In the world of the Living Card Game, hundreds of additional cards are available separately, allowing players to customize the four houses included here, or create entirely original decks."

And here is what they say about what a Living Card game is -

"A Living Card Game (LCG) breaks away from the traditional Collectible Card Game (CCG) model by offering a fixed card distribution method. It offers the same dynamic customizable, expanding, and constantly evolving game play that makes CCG’s fun, but without the blind buy purchase model that can burn out players. The end result is an innovative mix that gives you the best of both worlds!"

Nothing in any of that seems to even imply that the Core Set will not change in some fashion. As a matter of fact with all the people on here who talk about new reprints updating the Core Set to a version 2 makes a lot of sense. Unless they want to put out some other sort of product like an expansion pack similar to Greyjoy or Martell including every House or each House separately but there is nothing said in the past or even hinted at along these lines

dormouse said:

If they change the set of cards, that means that some of them are not available anymore, thus not every player is equal.

dormouse said:

Well, that people already possess CS. Nobody asked potential players

Regarding LCG "philosophy", it has been the case from the get-go that Chapter Packs are a one time printing. Eventually they'll sell out and, unless FFG changes its plans, you won't be able to buy some Packs that others might own. That's no different than a new version of the Core Set.

Hi Max,

The Core Set files were recently reviewed for an international run, and errors like the Brothel and Magister Illyrio were corrected. I believe similar errors in CoC will be addressed for future reprints of that game. Instead of changing the identity of Core Set Steve Clarney, I'm pretty sure the Core Set version of the character is going to remain Agency, and a new version complete with new art and a new ability will be released for Miskatonic in an upcoming expansion.

Nate French
Game Design and Development
Fantasy Flight Games

LetsGoRed said:

Well, Asylum packs are reprinted now. Besides, if game is successful it would be weird not to reprint.

It'll be interesting to see what they do. They did clearly state at the beginning that Chapter Packs were one runs. They of course may change their policy on that, but as of yet they have not.

That said, it does look like the core Set is getting updated, not reprinted per se, but definitely not "replaced" either.

dormouse said:

Actually, I've been keeping track of reprints of other FFG games. They all go through the Design and Development stage designation, believe it or not. Same goes for the bright blue ribbon that says "NEW!"

However, I'm not privvy to the info of whether these are straight reprints or no. Max's post has cleared that up for AGoT and CoC LCGs at least.

So are we looking at a straight reprint, a "new" set, or a reprint set with "fixes"?

Why would FFG need to keep this a no comment issue? Just give us a straight answer already. Please.

xenoss said:

Good luck getting an answer. As a journalist for 34 years, FFG is the most tight-lipped game company I've ever tried to contact. I have requested help with several of their games for gaming features I do at the newspaper where I work in Indiana and have gotten zero help. To be fair, one of the requests was answered by Jeremy Stomberg asking what I wanted to do a story about this game. But I answered him on Sept. 22 and have never gotten another reply.

I agree with another poster in a thread about the Arkham Horror miniatures that marketing and PR aren't FFG's strengths. But thankfully making really good games is their strength and I'm sure that's more important than marketing and PR anyway.

I think Max Wax answered this on the first page of this thread. It's a reprint with error fixes.

perthius said:

Thanks. But note that the "updated" sign is taken away from the upcoming products page now.

xenoss said:

So? "Updated" is related to information not to a product.

I didn't know that. I thought it meant the product itself had been updated not that the product's status had been updated.

Me neither. Thanks for telling me; good to know.