So, livestream over, we pretty much know what's coming, what's the odds that FFG releases a news article on it today?

Yeah I am planning on camping infront of my target at around six am based on these numbers

http://www.alternet.org/story/35610/target_as_bad_as_wal-mart_you_decide

I'm not a fan of large stores like this, but that article was written 9 years ago. Things can change, right? Grain of salt and all that.

They made big news last year for a new anti-union PR campaign. They raised their starting wage this year, following a similar move by Wal-Mart.

They may have some sitting in the back room waiting for midnight tonight, but I don't know for sure. I haven't bought into X-Wing yet, so I'm wondering if I should get the old core set first.

Unless you're planning on ignoring the original TIE fighter (and you shouldn't), the original core set is a pretty good deal.

The new Core is probably a better starting point. The X-Wing in that set is superior to the old one, plus it includes the new damage deck, templates and core rulebook.

After that, if you enjoy the game, get the older Core. It has the original TIEs, who are still among the best ships in the game for their price point, plus R2D2, Luke, Biggs, and extra dice.

The core set on their upcoming page here just changed to shipping.

The core set on their upcoming page here just changed to shipping.

It says In Stores Now for me.

Bomber still on the boat.

http://www.alternet.org/story/35610/target_as_bad_as_wal-mart_you_decide

I'm not a fan of large stores like this, but that article was written 9 years ago. Things can change, right? Grain of salt and all that.

They made big news last year for a new anti-union PR campaign. They raised their starting wage this year, following a similar move by Wal-Mart.

They may have some sitting in the back room waiting for midnight tonight, but I don't know for sure. I haven't bought into X-Wing yet, so I'm wondering if I should get the old core set first.

Unless you're planning on ignoring the original TIE fighter (and you shouldn't), the original core set is a pretty good deal.

Pretty much everybody does union slam campaigns now... Doesn't make it right. I'd avoid Target, but with a kiddo it's hard to avoid all of them (I'm sure TrU isn't much better).

This won't be on sale until midnight?

There may or may not be a video on youtube of someone unboxing or not unboxing a new core.

If it exists...ahem.

This won't be on sale until midnight?

That depends on the store. If all of this is true, that is.

12, or less, per store seems like a really low number to me.

I sort of feel like maybe FFG didn't manufacture all that many units. They needed something to unveil and sell tomorrow but they probably made enough so every target could get a box of them and shipped them pronto, so the rest are probably "on the boat"

It gives us the first glimpse into FFG's production rates, anyway.

"Force Friday", according to the press material, has 207 Target stores participating. Assuming FFG made enough for at least all participating stores to get the 12-pack, that means FFG printed at least 2,484 copies of the new core set. For just Target.

12, or less, per store seems like a really low number to me.

Not when you consider density of stores in various areas.

Between all of the stores within 25 miles of me there are 88 core sets. If I expand the search to 50 miles there are 188 sets available. One store has 12, one has 9, two have 5 each and the rest have 11 each.

Some areas will surely have a short supply based upon a decent player base and not many stores. Others will be in better shape...presumably.

Is it true that this is a different core set than what is available at my FLGS right now?

Does your FLGS have Episode VII core sets?

They may have some sitting in the back room waiting for midnight tonight, but I don't know for sure. I haven't bought into X-Wing yet, so I'm wondering if I should get the old core set first.

What ships do you like more?

We don't know yet if there'll be anything to help the T-65 X-wing out so right now if you want to play as rebel the new one is better. If you want to play as Imperial and use Tie swarms the old one is better.

BB8 would help, I think.

Ok so the ones by me say they have between 10-12... and one says they have 5! Does that mean that one might have it on the shelf already?

I have stores showing 5 & 4!!!! Which is to say that if they come packed 12 to a case, I would assume they're already on the shelf.

Okay Insider Info from a former Target Team Leader...

**Target's cash register system will not allow a cashier to ring up an item that has a designated release date before that date. If they try, a message pops up that says to call for a manager to not sell it and make sure the items are removed from the sales floor. It is not possible to override the program.

**Once product is received through the backroom, it shows as in store. Target has a Buy Online, Pick Up In-store function. Online shoppers can find items marked as in store thru their website and request they be held for pick up at the guest service desk. When this happens, a team member gets a ping on their hand held computer to find and hold the item. Such items show in the system as in store but not available. However, when the team member realizes it is an unreleased item they mark the item as not found in their computer and the item goes back into the general inventory.

This will explain the 11/12 and 4/6 that people are seeing. When I used to work there, we always got pings for video games and such that were not yet released. It was a royal pain in the a$$.

So there you go guys, at midnight tonight, request yours thru their website. You prepay by credit card and just need your ID to pick it up, but PLEASE make sure you get a confirmation e-mail before you go to pick it up as they may or may not have enough for everyone making requests.

Can you order now, pay Now, and pick up at midnight? Or do you have to wait until midnight to order?

There is a Target on the way home from the game store. I always go on Thursday nights and am often out until about midnight. I was thinking I could cruise on by and pick something up. Then I found out that that Target isn't on the list. Poo.

Anyone think Barnes and Noble will also end up stocking x-wing stuff Friday?

My local store (and many in somewhat less populous areas) only has 6 Cores listed as in store. So total for all Target stores is probably less than 2,484.

My Barnes and Noble are always late with stocking the new x wing stuff for some reason. They don't even have the wave 7 stuff up yet. It's usually a few weeks after release when I see stuff there.

My Barnes and Noble are always late with stocking the new x wing stuff for some reason. They don't even have the wave 7 stuff up yet. It's usually a few weeks after release when I see stuff there.

Does it show it in stock on the website? It did here but nothing was on the shelves so my friend had to ask an employee to go into the back.

Can we go back to talking about how sleezy and dirty it is releasing a new miniatures product to department stores that don't sell miniatures products, but not releasing them to our own FLGS?

On the other hand, and I have to give them credit, this could be a great way for gaining new customers. This must be their intent. The game is getting a wider exposure to a new audience. Someone might pick up the game who'd otherwise never step into your typical MTG/boardgame geeky FLGS, and the more customers you have purchasing your product, the more products you can release.

But still. I want my FLGS to sell this product.

Can we go back to talking about how sleezy and dirty it is releasing a new miniatures product to department stores that don't sell miniatures products, but not releasing them to our own FLGS?

Why would we when it's none of those things?

Target doesn't run FNM either, but I don't think it's wrong they sell Magic.

The core set on their upcoming page here just changed to shipping.

Hmmm. So was that not really the original core all along? Was that a place-holder for the new core?

Can we go back to talking about how sleezy and dirty it is releasing a new miniatures product to department stores that don't sell miniatures products...

Except that they did sell the original core set at the game's inception, and part of the game's appeal is that it functions as a crossover between miniatures games (traditionally complex, expensive, and labor intensive) and board games.

...but not releasing them to our own FLGS?

I expect that FLGS will get this stuff as soon as FFG can manage to get it into their typical distribution pipeline.

Can we go back to talking about how sleezy and dirty it is releasing a new miniatures product to department stores that don't sell miniatures products, but not releasing them to our own FLGS?

Why would we when it's none of those things?

Target doesn't run FNM either, but I don't think it's wrong they sell Magic.

But you're missing the point. In terms of MTG, this kind of release would be akin to releasing the new Magic Core block at Target first, and then waiting a few weeks before releasing it to the local shops that run FNMs. Can you imagine the backlash that would cause?

Can we go back to talking about how sleezy and dirty it is releasing a new miniatures product to department stores that don't sell miniatures products, but not releasing them to our own FLGS?

I keep hearing this, but until Monday comes and my LGS tells me he can not get the new core sets I'm going to assume this is merely a case where Target is getting them early.