A Message from Chubbs.

By Mt_Do, in UFS General Discussion

Posted at

My Story: I still remember the days I bought 4 boxes of Soul Calibur III and 6 boxes of Street Fighters when they first came out and tried to collect every single card of the game. The habit stopped sometime last year when I found I couldn't catch up with the pace of release. Trying to be a competitive player, I still owned at least a playset of all powerful cards of the game. I put together a binder of cards to share with my teammates, especially so in big tourneys. With all the awareness of possiblity of errata and ban hammer, I still extend my limbs to collect 7 BRT and 4 Addes before the prime Tourney season, just in case my teammates need any. At the prime of UFS, I went to 3 different playgroups which span 50 km (30miles) in radius. I once went to 3 different stores to enter 6 pre-release tourneys to collect cards and playing with different players, not mentioning buying boxes and singles of the same set. I used to played 12 hours of UFS consistently in the weekends and thats as much UFS you can get when you are working Full-Time. Our home store has to reserve a table for UFS players. I love the days when there were 3 30+ participants tourneys for my team (6-8 members) to join in the span of 3 months (FoPs).

In the last set, I still travel to 2 stores and play 4 pre-release tourneys. But I only bought 1 SC box, no, not even the SNK box. I now travel 75km one way to join a playgroup and I play about 3-5 hours UFS weekly. 4 out of the 6 playgroups I knew of in the last 3 years has disbanded and 1 did not meet regularly. And did I mention I live in downtown Toronto, Canada (3.5 million population) and the 6 playgroups I mentioned covered the GTA area (5.3 million population). The last time I travel out of the province for an UFS event, I have to travel all by myself. One of my favourite exchange with my previous teammates was when they ask me what would I do with all the UFS cards I have years later, I told them, I would use them as wall paper to decorate one of the walls of my bedroom when I retire. The card rotation system do not stop me from playing UFS (some of my younger teammates does); the banning of cards do not stop me from playing UFS. However, if I cannot find a competitive playgroup within 100km travel one way, I know I will probably be forced into premature retirement from the game and thats about time I started to use my spare time to decorate walls with my UFS cards.

Posted at

BlindProphet said:

Mt_Do said:

Jypsy, while I may have not agreed too much with you thread, you made an observation that most people may have not been paying close attention to. How is CSI selling UFS for that cheap? Of course I do belive that when STG was in charge that they never really bother to force the retailers to sell for market price. Of course I could be wrong and TBH, you can't tell retailers what price to sell you stuff. None the less, an explantion would be nice. Once again, good call. aplauso.gif

I have an idea that has to do with tournaments in which gamers play decks from one gaming company. I have to poner it some more b/c while it might be a good idea, it needs alot of work.

I will post it later.

Not hard to figure out if you look at CSI's buisness and what makes sense. They can buy a box and sell it for a $1-10 profit and it makes sense. Selling it at that price gets traffic as a internet buisness you live and die off of traffic. Traffic can cause people to purchase things where the margin is much higher such as singles. Who cares if you make $6 on a box when a singular feline spike pulls in at least $20-30 all by itself.

The fact that they buy cards is where the money can be made off of single cards such as spikes and (in the past) addes and chain throw. The thing that remains is if they are opening boxes of product to get said singles, they will undoubtedly end up behind. You aren't guaranteed a spike or any "hot" super rare in a box, and if they get a box with nothing valued at over $5 they are unlikely to make that money back.

The traffic is nice, but again, unless they are selling ridiculous amounts of boxes they really are going to have a hard time making a profit off of UFS. That or they simply are using UFS as a loss-leader to keep people coming back and eventually buy singles and other games. This is not an option for the B&M retailers, especially ones that are looking at possibly carrying the game, they want a product that will bring people in their store, make them good money, and won't be sitting on the shelf 6 months from now collecting dust and wasting space. We see the game as an incredibly fun hobby, but most retailers see it as another Creepyfreaks, raceday, HumAliens, Star Wars (WOTC), or one of the 50 other games that they took a risk on and never paid off. Combine that with the economic downturn in the US as well as the fact that your customers could just go buy online for the same price you pay, and you have an incredibly had sell to retailers. Sadly, it makes sense, why waste the shelf space on something that might sell eventually, when you could just throw the new Magic, Yugi or Pokemon set that WILL sell?

The reason i bring this all up is if we all keep working on growing our playgroups and encouraging other retailers to carry the game, it won't be as depressing or devastating people inevitably move on for whatever reasons. Just keep things exciting and fun for you and your players!

Posted at

mattkohls said:

FFG is aware of these issues.

When James first started, I sent him a very similar email detailing the same marketing /advertising and OP suggestions that are contained in your message. I mainly pushed for mass-market retailing and more cross promotion including upcoming games and the new Street Fighter movie. I broke down what the target market for UFS consumers is, and where the most pressure should be applied. James's background is in marketing. He understands these issues and I'm sure he is considering them when he discusses the game with Paul and Steve. However, not all of the suggestions can be accomplished. There are feasibility issues here as well other walls to get through. Hopefully some will stick.

The transition period coupled with having a new designer has led to some setbacks, including the ldelay of set 11 and the lack of any significant OP programs at this time. Thankfully, both of these will be remedied soon. Set 11 will be out in a few weeks, and once it hits, I think many of us will be playing UFS like crazy again. Regionals are coming up soon, and the plan for 2009 is to have no down time - there will be year-round events.

So while I agree with many of the points raised in your email, just know that FFG most likely has already considered them.



Posted at

DoubleD said:

mattkohls said:

FFG is aware of these issues.

When James first started, I sent him a very similar email detailing the same marketing /advertising and OP suggestions that are contained in your message. I mainly pushed for mass-market retailing and more cross promotion including upcoming games and the new Street Fighter movie. I broke down what the target market for UFS consumers is, and where the most pressure should be applied. James's background is in marketing. He understands these issues and I'm sure he is considering them when he discusses the game with Paul and Steve. However, not all of the suggestions can be accomplished. There are feasibility issues here as well other walls to get through. Hopefully some will stick.

The transition period coupled with having a new designer has led to some setbacks, including the ldelay of set 11 and the lack of any significant OP programs at this time. Thankfully, both of these will be remedied soon. Set 11 will be out in a few weeks, and once it hits, I think many of us will be playing UFS like crazy again. Regionals are coming up soon, and the plan for 2009 is to have no down time - there will be year-round events.

So while I agree with many of the points raised in your email, just know that FFG most likely has already considered them.



Thanks for the update Matt! I talked to James last night and he said pretty much the same thing, while having to be patient all the time really sucks we need to remember that UFS has only had a designer for not even 3 months. Since the transfer till James arrived in Minnesota there has been an incomplete UFS staff and that's why things have been slow. I am willing to be patient just a bit longer and I hope everyone else is too, there are going to be big things in 2009.

Good news indeed. Patience is a virtue and I have no doubt that the UFS boys are doing there damndest. However, 3 guys alone is not enough. Are there any new prospects that FFG is looking into? Are they still hiring for UFS? Do you think that Matt Kohls and Andrew Olexa, who are also UFS champions, should apply if interested? More questions I know, but I think that pulling from people who have card gaming experiance is a good idea. How about hiring VikRamas? You think he would help. I wouldn't mind working for UFS myself, but only if they could outsource from Maryland. lol. Now that I think about it...I have played plenty of games, but am no Hata. gran_risa.gif

Posted at

mattkohls said:

FFG is aware of these issues.

When James first started, I sent him a very similar email detailing the same marketing /advertising and OP suggestions that are contained in your message. I mainly pushed for mass-market retailing and more cross promotion including upcoming games and the new Street Fighter movie. I broke down what the target market for UFS consumers is, and where the most pressure should be applied. James's background is in marketing. He understands these issues and I'm sure he is considering them when he discusses the game with Paul and Steve. However, not all of the suggestions can be accomplished. There are feasibility issues here as well other walls to get through. Hopefully some will stick.

The transition period coupled with having a new designer has led to some setbacks, including the ldelay of set 11 and the lack of any significant OP programs at this time. Thankfully, both of these will be remedied soon. Set 11 will be out in a few weeks, and once it hits, I think many of us will be playing UFS like crazy again. Regionals are coming up soon, and the plan for 2009 is to have no down time - there will be year-round events.

So while I agree with many of the points raised in your email, just know that FFG most likely has already considered them.

I hear ya matt I have been preaching for the lonest time we have to wait it out until things stablize . I just hope by the time it happens with OP and marketing there is a game left I am losing players and team mates like crazy ...

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Mt_Do said:

Now that I think about it...I have played plenty of games, but am no Hata. gran_risa.gif

you are certainly not. i think it is great that their are going to be regionals but, for someone like me who has litle means of transportation, unlese their is something 3 hours or closer, i can't make it. we need a regional in baltimore!

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DoubleD said:

Thanks for the update Matt! I talked to James last night and he said pretty much the same thing, while having to be patient all the time really sucks we need to remember that UFS has only had a designer for not even 3 months. Since the transfer till James arrived in Minnesota there has been an incomplete UFS staff and that's why things have been slow. I am willing to be patient just a bit longer and I hope everyone else is too, there are going to be big things in 2009.

The point of my e-mail wasn't to raise awareness, just that there was unrest in the forest (there is trouble with the trees) and since FFG does not interact with the forums, I've taken it upon myself to collect the opinions raised in the thread and send them. I'm not expecting ANYTHING to come out of it really. If it does cool if not meh. I've done most I could already (which took me about 2:30 hours. Yes, to write all that and word it like that, and even then it wasn't perfect. I still think it could be miles better but hey I'm not an English major aiight?)

Also, hell yes Rush reference.

Posted at

Mt_Do, Shoe, Hatman, I love you all.

I almost wish I'd read this thread before posting my own. Is it scary that so many of us are feeling obligated to post on these trends at the same time?

One thing in your letter I would have modified, Hatman: Not more involvement from playtesters, more involvement from PAID developers and playtesters. Shoe pointed out that many of the playtesting problems stem from a set of a volunteer playtesters with little time, little prep, little help, little motivation, and little oversight.

And one big thing everyone seems to have missed: UFS is missing a large or competitive draft scene.

I'm going say this several times:

Draft play sells boxes.

Draft play sells boxes.

Draft play sells boxes.

Many folks will tell you that UFS doesn't draft well. They are right and wrong. I'm one of the only folks I've heard of who's had a seriously fun time playing booster draft in this game, and I think that's because I heavily modified the rules. (My draft rules are included in the Pirated TR; they're nothing new. But they did work.)

One of the problems with UFS draft play was that the game wasn't balanced for draft (or in any other way). But that's not a serious issue, because a proper draft format balances itself. Everyone has equal crack at the rares, and equal crack at the "good" cards in the packs they open, and equal crack at cards that are useful for a deck. You NEED to include some limited symbol restrictions, because if you don't there's no skill involved in the draft. Drafting where you just pick the best card is not fun. You need to pick the best card that works with the other cards you've already drafted. But as I've mentioned, my modified draft rules addressed this.

The only SERIOUS impediments to draft play are: 1) there are only 10 cards per pack, and 2) STG/FFG never pushed the draft format very hard.

The 10 cards per pack issue is really a problem. We're used to getting near 15 in Magic packs (MTG being the model for doing draft well). Not only are 10 cards not worth $4, but they don't go around the table as many times. They don't allow draft pods bigger than 5 people, either. Even 4-person draft pods are pretty crappy with 10 cards.

The company not pushing draft tournaments is just dumb. Put out BIG prizes for draft play. Why? DRAFT PLAY SELLS BOXES. It even gets old product off the shelves, because even old outdated cards are competitive in draft play. Want to do something to make hobby stores happy? Offer a special prize only available through draft play of OLD sets. Force players to clear the old product off shelves to get a set of sweet promos. Maybe something like a popular character + an attack with matching symbols and a dual- or triple-character-only ability (like Guile/Charlie/Remy E:, or Ryu/Ken/Akuma R: or Dan/Sean/Sakura E:). Something that has broad appeal but only shows up for the old set draft.

As I've said, it may be too late. But if advertizing ever actually happens, draft would be a killer way to restart the game right.

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ARMed_PIrate said:

Mt_Do, Shoe, Hatman, I love you all.

Don't thank me. I just wrote what the thread said in a more palatable manner. I didn't suggest crap if you take a gander the thing. My suggestions are far less glamorous and far less efficient.

Gotta keep being the village idiot after all.

Posted at

I posted something similar to this in the old FFG forum and in this one too, but the newer post definitely got deleted. I don't care to repeat myself for the third time, falling on deaf ears the other two times. I have also voiced similar sentiments much, much earlier, but who cared?

I believe I first found this fault with how the game was run around June of this year. At that point in time, it became obvious (to me) that the old ways would not work. Upon this realization, I was astounded that UFS made it as far as it had. How long has it taken more players to realize, or at least make themselves heard, that this game has been running on the devotion of players brought about from the first sets? The parent company has made no significant effort to revive or revamp this game in a very long time, and they haven't really "supported" it like they should have been. Instead, the parent company just "does its part" and lets the game run its own course. I believe that this game has some very devoted players, but I think that many of us are also pretty tired of our circumstances. When will the parent company show some enthusiasm beyond "words", which after my part with this game are decidedly "empty"?

I haven't played in 6 weeks or so (due to university, getting my crap together, and keeping said crap from falling apart due to external forces), and despite my "negative outlook", I still appreciate this game. I would play if I could and if I was that guy , but, quite frankly, its hard being such an ideal version of myself at the pinnacle of perfection. At the least, it gets tiring.

I would like to see the parent company do something for me instead of the other way around. You know, openly embrace its player base and say "from now on, we're going to be an active part of the community." The one thing that sets UFS apart from all the other games is community, but oddly enough, the parent company compises such a quiet voice of that community.

lol, I only intended on posting a few lines and look what happened...

Posted at

Nfxon said:

I can agree with chubbs. Larger tournaments are what I found myself living for UFS wise this season. The locals not nearly as much b/c they'res not 30+ people showing up weekly. The competition level was just higher.

Another thought to tack on here. After gen con aka the big one for the year what do we get after that? Basically our tournie scene is dead until jan / feb. So by the power of math! We get a five month hiatus give or take. And this is the first year with "Regionals" tournies instead of our A or F ops. I just think this time could go to better use. Everything right now feels so clumped with nats and worlds together.

Personally more tournaments spread out more will please ALOT of players in my opinion.

I have to agree last week at or store only two other people showed up so we couldn't have a tourny.

Posted at

Well I have obtain information from 1UP.com. Albeit it did not come from any of the editors which makes sense as advertisement had a link on the bottom of their pages. Anyhows, I read into it a bit and found that there are 24 million gamers that visit there website. Which means for those who have advertised on that site in particular, 24 million folks see said advertisements. I know, stating the obvious.

This would be an excellent idea for advertisement as that 24 million gamers from across the world log unto this site in particular. Heck I was almost willing to e-mail there PR rep for more information. Than I figured, why not mention it and see what happens?

As for those of you being discouraged. Hang tight. *sigh* sad.gif I know that something will be done.

Armed_Pirate that goes for you too. You have to at least vs. me once before you decide to quit.

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Hey Mt-Do i,m trying ti do the same thing with shoryuken.com good move and all on your part though.

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no probs. If you read the pre-state of the game, which I now recommend that we all do if you have not, things are about to get a little more interesting. I am very curious about the store and city champion idea. Sounds interesting.