I really don't understand why they keep making the same mistake with their estimates time and time and time again. You would think at some point they would just be more conservative with their estimates in the hopes of not annoying the hell out of their fan base.

It is virtually impossible to pinpoint when something manufactured in China will be in stores in the US. FFG doesn't have a ton of stateside warehouse space to sit on things before they release, and I'm sure the distributor's don't either, at least not for long periods of time.

Yeah, that's all well and good. But when you get burned on your estimate for the thirtieth time in a row, you would think someone in the office would suggest being somewhat more conservative in their predictions.

"Well Bob, our guy in China thinks Armada wave two should be here and ready for distribution in July. Should I just go ahead and put that on the website?"

"No Tom. Not this time. Lets just go ahead and add three months to that. You know, because thats what happens every single time anyway. And since I possess the pattern recognition skills of a five year old, I'm just gonna make an executive decision and act on them."

"Brilliant Bob! That must be why you're the boss!"

"And don't you forget it."

I would rather they be honest. If you take into consideration that their announced dates are estimates and subject to change, you stop caring so much when it gets pushed back. They are not the only company this happens to. Not all of their stuff gets pushed back, and it doesn't always get pushed back the same amount. There is no concrete pattern to speculatively base an over-estimation on without regularly having to adjust it again later. The process is long, and has many steps that can slow things down, especially with a game that must get licensor approval for every

I really don't understand why they keep making the same mistake with their estimates time and time and time again. You would think at some point they would just be more conservative with their estimates in the hopes of not annoying the hell out of their fan base.

It is virtually impossible to pinpoint when something manufactured in China will be in stores in the US. FFG doesn't have a ton of stateside warehouse space to sit on things before they release, and I'm sure the distributor's don't either, at least not for long periods of time.

Yeah, that's all well and good. But when you get burned on your estimate for the thirtieth time in a row, you would think someone in the office would suggest being somewhat more conservative in their predictions.

"Well Bob, our guy in China thinks Armada wave two should be here and ready for distribution in July. Should I just go ahead and put that on the website?"

"No Tom. Not this time. Lets just go ahead and add three months to that. You know, because thats what happens every single time anyway. And since I possess the pattern recognition skills of a five year old, I'm just gonna make an executive decision and act on them."

"Brilliant Bob! That must be why you're the boss!"

"And don't you forget it."

I would rather they be honest. If you take into consideration that their announced dates are estimates and subject to change, you stop caring so much when it gets pushed back. They are not the only company this happens to. Not all of their stuff gets pushed back, and it doesn't always get pushed back the same amount. There is no concrete pattern to speculatively base an over-estimation on without regularly having to adjust it again later. The process is long, and has many steps that can slow things down, especially with a game that must get licensor approval for every release.

Your argument is fine if they werent missing their mark by like, 4 months. This was originally a July release, and it's not even on the boat yet. Honesty from them at this point would be "Armada Wave 2. Release Date: Your Guess is as Good as Ours."

While I'm certainly eager to get my hands on Wave 2 stuff, I have to say that I'm still having fun. I say this even though I limit myself to the Empire, and that means that I only have two ship types to choose from.

Heck, I was having fun even before Wave 1 came out (not that I want to go back).

But let's look at it this way: FFG has only so many resources to invest in bringing this game to market. (Sure, if they get the combination of those things just right, they might have more resources than if they don't, but for the sake of argument let's assume that the amount of resources they have going in is constant.) Where would you prefer they put their resources: game design, production value, tournament support, or marketing?

Because I already know about this game, and because - as an enthusiastic customer - I'm willing to do some marketing on their behalf ("Hey, do you want to check out this game we're playing?"). That way, they can focus their finite resources on bringing the game to market with as much focus on game design and production value as possible. Tournament support is great too.

We haven't seen any actual evidence that X-wing Wave VII will be hitting stores this week, and you'd think the announcement article would have hit by now if it were going to.

One of my local store said he was told today buy his rep that it is shipping to them tomorrow and should be there by Thursday

I read as much, but X-wing players are rather jaded to statements like that. I can recall at least half dozen threads like this regarding the raider's "imminent release" in the months before gencon. So I'm skeptical until FFG releases an official anouncement. Or the X-wing forum has like 5 independent verifications.

Nothing against you, mind you, but word of distributor has proven to be unreliable in the past.

My store just confirmed X-Wing Wave 7 will be for sale on their shelves tomorrow.

On a side note, we can expect Armada Wave 2 by the end of October, if the last X-Wing pre-release is any indicator.

While I'm certainly eager to get my hands on Wave 2 stuff, I have to say that I'm still having fun. I say this even though I limit myself to the Empire, and that means that I only have two ship types to choose from.

Heck, I was having fun even before Wave 1 came out (not that I want to go back).

But let's look at it this way: FFG has only so many resources to invest in bringing this game to market. (Sure, if they get the combination of those things just right, they might have more resources than if they don't, but for the sake of argument let's assume that the amount of resources they have going in is constant.) Where would you prefer they put their resources: game design, production value, tournament support, or marketing?

Because I already know about this game, and because - as an enthusiastic customer - I'm willing to do some marketing on their behalf ("Hey, do you want to check out this game we're playing?"). That way, they can focus their finite resources on bringing the game to market with as much focus on game design and production value as possible. Tournament support is great too.

Though I largely agree, I am keen to experience the game 'the way it was meant to be played' at 400 points with a little more ship diversity.

Well we finally got our bone, and the forum is happily chewing away

BUT

Sadly the latest news has made me move my estimate back!! I would think a production run of this game might take a month (purely guesswork on my behalf, but do have some experience having things made in China)...... So if the first off the line is the end of September (assuming they are flown straight to the participating FLGs) then production may go on until, say, the end of August, so on the boat 6 weeks, and in the stores in time for Christmas

All pure speculation

Hope I'm wrong, as usual!

Well we finally got our bone, and the forum is happily chewing away

BUT

Sadly the latest news has made me move my estimate back!! I would think a production run of this game might take a month (purely guesswork on my behalf, but do have some experience having things made in China)...... So if the first off the line is the end of September (assuming they are flown straight to the participating FLGs) then production may go on until, say, the end of August, so on the boat 6 weeks, and in the stores in time for Christmas

All pure speculation

Hope I'm wrong, as usual!

It has been at the printer since July 8th. It will come off the printer and go on the boat by mid September and then spend 4-6 weeks there before shipping to stores. Expect the retail release by the end of October.

I'm really liking wave 1 so far. But I'm also certain wave2 is going to make this game more interesting.