I'd buy it if they had Gungans in the Species section and the chapter on the Force simply said "MIDICHLORIANS, MUTHER*****!"

There are others of us out here who are perfectly OK with just one line ... or maybe two.

If this were true, then why are the existing core products not sufficient for TFA?

Remember, each core is pulling information from 6 movies plus some extended universe material. It seems unlikely that a single movie and it associated EU material is going to be sufficient to produce a full core book.

So what's to say someone who's late to the party and gets jazzed about Star Wars again through watching the new flick will only care about Episode 7 (and presumably Episodes 8 and 9)? I would argue that this is incredibly likely!

Really, you think this is "incredibly likely"?

I think very few people are going to get their first exposure to Star Wars directly from the Force Awakens, and fewer still will not go back to watch the other three films (They only made three...). I think its odd so many people pushing for a new core believe TFA will somehow exist in a vacuum without the original trilogy.

OK, first of all, EotE and AoR together pretty much allow anyone to play as they would the old WEG RPG ... without the benefit of playing a full-fledged Jedi (which is accurate to the OT). So why did FFG have to split this stuff? Oh, that's right. Because of the focus of the two individual core books. Plus, there seemed to be plenty that was left out of each book, and that stuff has been seen in a ton of supplementary sourcebooks.

So, no, I do not see a problem filling a new core book - to the brim! - with the material we'll see in the new film.

Second, you seem to believe that anyone willing to roleplay in the new film universe has already bought one or more of the existing core books. Wha-? Seriously? C'mon now...

What's bound to happen (and it *will* happen) is that people will get all excited about Star Wars again after seeing the new film, and people who've kinda left it behind will scour the stores for more material ... whether that's books, toys, video games, board games, or roleplaying games.

But... Having gotten excited about all of these *new* characters and settings, these same folks aren't going to be super-keen on delving into one of three core books set between the original film and Empire Strikes Back.

Thus, we will probably see (1) a beginner game set during the time of The Force Awakens, (2) a core book for those wishing to play in the Force Awakens timeline, and (3) tons of supplementary material that provides even more info for the Force Awakens timeline (probably releasing with each consecutive film).

Understand I'm not *pushing* for a new core, amigo. (So cool your jets!) I'm just almost absolutely certain it's gonna happen. Whether you want it to or not.

I said this in the other thread.

The next three core books will tie into the prequel trilogy.

1. The Declining Republic-an age of unrest where organizations such as the banking clans are trying to use their vast resources to increase their wealth. The Republic is not what it used to be and relies heavily on the Jedi to solve many of their troubles. The Jedi, in turn, chafe under the weight of policing an entire galaxy.

2. The Clone Wars-the galaxy is at war. The Jedi lead cloned troops against the Seperatists and their droid armies. Intrigue and battles on many scales are taking place. Behind the scenes lurk the Sith and their minions directing the downfall of the Republic.

3. The Dark Times-the Empire rises. Jedi are all but gone in their entirety. Force-users are hunted by the Empire's forces be they stormtroopers or Inquisitors or other Sith minions. People against the Empire must hide or be brought in as traitors and jailed or executed. It is a dangerous time.

These books will take us close, if not to, episode 10. At which point FFG will begin bringing out core books based on the sequel trilogy. The first of which will be the New Destinies CRB.

Three more core books, based (mostly) on the prequels? I'd like to see a show of hands for that...

Yeah, while I can see a prequels-era core book sometime in our future? I figure we'll just get one book that covers the Clone Wars.

That's really all we'd need.

But, hey, I'll raise my hand for that...

I will be stunned if they do another core rulebook. It would irritate a lot of the existing playerbase and I don't think it will draw in that many players.

"It would irritate a lot of the existing playerbase."

I seriously doubt this. The fact that so many in this community have gobbled up all three of the core books already leads me to believe a new core book would be very well-received.

"I don't think it will draw in that many players."

Ha. Just wait until we reach December.

Second, you seem to believe that anyone willing to roleplay in the new film universe has already bought one or more of the existing core books. Wha-? Seriously? C'mon now...

I never said anything of the kind! Either explicitly or implicitly.

If you're going to put words in my mouth there's little point in trying to discuss this with you. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you misread something I said, but if it happens again, I'm just going to ignore further responses.

I don't think it unreasonable for someone who wants to RP in the Star Wars universe to belong purchase one of the three core books, or at least belong belong to group, in which a copy is available. As to when the product is purchased is irrelevant, I don't know when people buy it, I don't much care. If they've bought it before now, fine. If they buy it after TFA is released, fine.

I do think that many individuals interested in Star Wars RP already have already purchased at least one of the game cores. But believing every one has is as absurd as trying to interpret what I've said to make it sound like I believe what you claim.

Well, given your tone, you have little interest in being my friend, so not sure why you used the term 'amigo'.

You've framed your conclusion as the only reasonable one, use what ever term you want for it.

Just prepare for disappointment. When the 'almost absolutely certain' publication of the new core fails to happen.

"It would irritate a lot of the existing playerbase." I seriously doubt this.

You're This is equating "players" to "purchasers of the core product," which is incorrect.

Edit: The quote wasn't originally yours. The point still stands though, there may be more players, but because the of social/group aspect of Role-playing, this doesn't mean more consumers of the book.

I personally think that it makes way more sense (a la more reliably profitable) for FFG to sit on their laurels and *keep* selling their three cores a with a supplement. I would compare the two scenarios:

Scenario #1: New core

Costs:

• Writing/editing/publishing new core work that appeals to new players.

Returns:

• New Core sales - All new players
• New Core sales - fraction of old players

Scenario #2: Supplement only

Costs:

• Writing editing/publishing new supplement that appeals to *all* players

Returns:

• Sales from OLD core products to new players (no development costs)
• Sales of new supplement to all new players
• Sales of new supplement to fraction of old players (Greater than fraction above)

It would seem, to me, that the latter scenario has lower upfront investment (creating a supplement costs less than creating a core) and has equal or greater return potential. If there's as much of a buying frenzy for all things SW to occur as Harlock predicts, then I don't think it's unrealistic to expect the consumers

Besides, for a TFA core to be ready for the launch, i.e. to capitalize on said frenzy, it's unlikely to be ready for the December release given that FFG didn't announce it last Friday and recent comments by Sam (LFL hasn't stopped by to fill them in on the particulars of the new movie).

Others may see it differently. I'm sure I'm about to be blasted by them, again, below.

A lot of you seem to griping about having a 4th core book. So I have to ask the question: Do you really need every single core book?

I don't think you understand the nature of the complaint. The complaint isn't about the CRB per see. It's about the idea that FFG would make people pay $60 for fluff material. If you wanted the new Ep VII material you'd have to pay $60 for a reprint of material you already own 3 times over for maybe 200 pages of new material, if that much (being as how the new material in each book isn't all that much actually). It's the idea that in order to get Force Awaken stats you'd have to buy something you already own.

It's not about owning the complete set. It's not about having every core book. It's about not wanting to pay an outrageous price for setting material.

What's bound to happen (and it *will* happen) is that people will get all excited about Star Wars again after seeing the new film, and people who've kinda left it behind will scour the stores for more material ... whether that's books, toys, video games, board games, or roleplaying games.

But... Having gotten excited about all of these *new* characters and settings, these same folks aren't going to be super-keen on delving into one of three core books set between the original film and Empire Strikes Back.

Thus, we will probably see (1) a beginner game set during the time of The Force Awakens, (2) a core book for those wishing to play in the Force Awakens timeline, and (3) tons of supplementary material that provides even more info for the Force Awakens timeline (probably releasing with each consecutive film).

This doesn't work and is somewhat flawed. These new jazzed up fans will be jazzed up about something different by the time a Force Awakens book comes out. Keep this in mind, at the earliest we are 6 months away from a product focused on the movie. That's 6 months after the movie comes out. Though it's more likely to be a year. Those excited people aren't going to wait 6 months to a year to play in the Force Awaken time frame. They'll either buy what is out now and make up their own stats and material or it will likely fall of their radar as other stuff vies for their attention. ie Batman v Superman and Captain America. By the time Star Wars hype begins again it will be for the Rogue One movie, a movie set the OT time line and made perfect for Age of Rebellion. So by the time this proposed book comes out those jazzed up fans are all jazzed up about the OT era not Force Awakens.

This whole hype will sell the book plan only works if there was going to be a book out to coincide with the movie release. But if the book comes out a year or so later (which would likely be the case) it's missed the Force Awakens hype.

There's also the fact that FFG isn't privy to the movie storyline. They find out what happens when we find out what happens. That means their product tie in for the movie will always be a year or so later than the movie it's targeting. It's not a solid business plan. It doesn't cash in on the hype. And it wouldn't maintain fan interest.

I seriously doubt this. The fact that so many in this community have gobbled up all three of the core books already leads me to believe a new core book would be very well-received.

Yes because the entire fan base are mindless sheep who will buy everything. There are limits.

Ha. Just wait until we reach December.

Yes because you know .... there is exactly NOTHING in December from the RPG for Force Awakens. There's nothing to wait and see about. In December those fans will either buy the current line of products or they'll get their Force Awakens fix in other ways.

A lot of you seem to griping about having a 4th core book. So I have to ask the question: Do you really need every single core book?

I don't think you understand the nature of the complaint. The complaint isn't about the CRB per see. It's about the idea that FFG would make people pay $60 for fluff material. If you wanted the new Ep VII material you'd have to pay $60 for a reprint of material you already own 3 times over for maybe 200 pages of new material, if that much (being as how the new material in each book isn't all that much actually). It's the idea that in order to get Force Awaken stats you'd have to buy something you already own.

It's not about owning the complete set. It's not about having every core book. It's about not wanting to pay an outrageous price for setting material.

But that setting material isn't really part of what was every promised to people who bought into the three core system, implicitly or explicitly. FFG promised that EotE, AoR, and FaD would provide a comprehensive toolkit for playing games in the era of the original trilogy, and that each individual book was enough to play a game focused on a specific realm of that trilogy. So far I think they've done an excellent job of delivering on that promise. They've managed to be so thorough in EotE, for instance, that I wonder how long the line is even sustainable. It seems like they'll hit a wall not too far from now where basically everything anyone could possibly need is already covered.

I just don't buy the argument that a new core for a new setting is somehow screwing over old customers. Older fans have been delivered exactly what was promised, and if they think an audience is there for a new line set in the time of the new trilogy (which I believe is the case, but which I'm not especially qualified to answer), then I think they can pursue that with a guilt-free conscience.

I could see two or three PT/Dark Times setting books but not corebooks. One for EOE on the buildup to the Clone Wars, one for AOR on the wars themselves, and one for FAD covering the Dark Times. Or maybe switch the first and the last.

Ditto for the ST and gap between the OT and ST. EOE book covering the early breakup of the Empire period before the First Order and Resistance form. AOR book covering the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order, and an FAD book covering the Knights of Ren and the rebirth of the Jedi Order.

A lot of you seem to griping about having a 4th core book. So I have to ask the question: Do you really need every single core book?

I don't think you understand the nature of the complaint. The complaint isn't about the CRB per see. It's about the idea that FFG would make people pay $60 for fluff material. If you wanted the new Ep VII material you'd have to pay $60 for a reprint of material you already own 3 times over for maybe 200 pages of new material, if that much (being as how the new material in each book isn't all that much actually). It's the idea that in order to get Force Awaken stats you'd have to buy something you already own.

It's not about owning the complete set. It's not about having every core book. It's about not wanting to pay an outrageous price for setting material.

But that setting material isn't really part of what was every promised to people who bought into the three core system, implicitly or explicitly. FFG promised that EotE, AoR, and FaD would provide a comprehensive toolkit for playing games in the era of the original trilogy, and that each individual book was enough to play a game focused on a specific realm of that trilogy. So far I think they've done an excellent job of delivering on that promise. They've managed to be so thorough in EotE, for instance, that I wonder how long the line is even sustainable. It seems like they'll hit a wall not too far from now where basically everything anyone could possibly need is already covered.

I just don't buy the argument that a new core for a new setting is somehow screwing over old customers. Older fans have been delivered exactly what was promised, and if they think an audience is there for a new line set in the time of the new trilogy (which I believe is the case, but which I'm not especially qualified to answer), then I think they can pursue that with a guilt-free conscience.

This is moot as this issue isn't about promises. The argument isn't that FFG is going back on a promise. It's that they are charging an outrageous price for setting material. The only way this promise you speak of matters is if FFG were releasing a Force Awakens core that was radically different rules wise than current books. Then and only then would it matter.

This also isn't an issue of whether or not FFG could do this guilt free. No one is making a morally based argument on the matter.

I'm not sure you are getting what the people opposed to this are opposed about.

All three of those prequel books can be done as setting books with new careers to cover clone troopers, pre-order 66 Force Users and anything else relevant to the end of the Republic era and the subsequent Clone Wars.

I'd like a book on the Dark Times but we can already run that using the existing books, the Exile works fine for Jedi like Kanan and Force & Destiny covers those with a love of characters wielding lightsabers if that's their thing.

A book on Clone Wars tech would go down a treat, since that would be ready made additions to Rebel and Mercenary hardware, beginner box sets would help establish the setting which the movie advertises!

Until FFG decides a 2nd edition is on the cards is probably when your new core rules will make an appearance that could be next year or after Episode 8 is filmed and teased for all we know so you're both right its just a matter of time when its announced!

At this point, I'll take a book entirely about designing fashion for Gamorreans if it has something to do with the RPG. They've been releasing new info (even if it's just a preview) on all the other Star Wars game lines for about a week barring the RPG. Throw us a bone and give another preview of Strongholds for all I care, just something.

But that setting material isn't really part of what was every promised to people who bought into the three core system, implicitly or explicitly. FFG promised that EotE, AoR, and FaD would provide a comprehensive toolkit for playing games in the era of the original trilogy, and that each individual book was enough to play a game focused on a specific realm of that trilogy.

No has said the sequel trilogy setting material was promised to people who bought the three cores. That's never been the point, and is a bit of a straw man.

What was reasonably implicit was that the three cores would be reasonably sufficient to cover any Star Wars story, hence no core product beyond the original three would be needed to run any Star Wars story.

This has been explained to death above.

Putting the relevant 'fluff' for the setting behind an exorbitant paywall and justifying it by bundling it with redundant rules is screwing over old customers, because we have to pay for something we want (new 'fluff') by bundling it with something we don't (the rules, again).

I don't know how to make that clearer.

I will be stunned if they do another core rulebook. It would irritate a lot of the existing playerbase and I don't think it will draw in that many players.

"It would irritate a lot of the existing playerbase."

I seriously doubt this. The fact that so many in this community have gobbled up all three of the core books already leads me to believe a new core book would be very well-received.

"I don't think it will draw in that many players."

Ha. Just wait until we reach December.

It obviously will irritate the fan base. Look at the 7 page thread of irritated people, and if you look through old threads there are many more hashing over the same territory. I've bought every book so far and I will balk at a new core, especially one as unneeded as a movie sourcebook.

I'm not saying a movie sourcebook won't bring in new players, I'm saying that a movie CORE book won't bring in much more then a sourcebook to go along with one of the existing systems. Or it won't bring in enough to make up for those lost due to purchasing burnout.

I'll stand by my statement, I'll be stunned if they put out a new core book.

A lot of you seem to griping about having a 4th core book. So I have to ask the question: Do you really need every single core book?

I don't think you understand the nature of the complaint. The complaint isn't about the CRB per see. It's about the idea that FFG would make people pay $60 for fluff material. If you wanted the new Ep VII material you'd have to pay $60 for a reprint of material you already own 3 times over for maybe 200 pages of new material, if that much (being as how the new material in each book isn't all that much actually). It's the idea that in order to get Force Awaken stats you'd have to buy something you already own.

It's not about owning the complete set. It's not about having every core book. It's about not wanting to pay an outrageous price for setting material.

But that setting material isn't really part of what was every promised to people who bought into the three core system, implicitly or explicitly. FFG promised that EotE, AoR, and FaD would provide a comprehensive toolkit for playing games in the era of the original trilogy, and that each individual book was enough to play a game focused on a specific realm of that trilogy. So far I think they've done an excellent job of delivering on that promise. They've managed to be so thorough in EotE, for instance, that I wonder how long the line is even sustainable. It seems like they'll hit a wall not too far from now where basically everything anyone could possibly need is already covered.

I just don't buy the argument that a new core for a new setting is somehow screwing over old customers. Older fans have been delivered exactly what was promised, and if they think an audience is there for a new line set in the time of the new trilogy (which I believe is the case, but which I'm not especially qualified to answer), then I think they can pursue that with a guilt-free conscience.

This is moot as this issue isn't about promises. The argument isn't that FFG is going back on a promise. It's that they are charging an outrageous price for setting material. The only way this promise you speak of matters is if FFG were releasing a Force Awakens core that was radically different rules wise than current books. Then and only then would it matter.

This also isn't an issue of whether or not FFG could do this guilt free. No one is making a morally based argument on the matter.

I'm not sure you are getting what the people opposed to this are opposed about.

If this hypothetical book is designed for new players interested in reliving the kinds of adventures presented in The Force Awakens, and if those adventures combine the heroics of Rebels/smugglers with the swashbuckling lightsaber fighting of jedi (and yes, I recognize those are big ifs), then a setting book would make it exorbitantly expensive for anyone who's not already invested in at least two of the existing cores to relive those adventures. Any new readers who wanted to would have to shell out for a setting book, Force and Destiny, and one of the other cores. Anyone who owns just FaD or AoR and EotE would be forced to shell out close to a hundred bucks for another core and the setting book. This kind of segregation is fine if we're talking about the OT. The force rules in AoR and EotE replicate Force powers perfectly well enough to replicate the Han/Leia/Han dynamic. AoR and EotE are really all you need to play a game that captures the tone and setting of the original trilogy (and I really do think only one is required. The variations for the games don't strike me as crucial enough to justify both). FaD is more a horse of a different color, designed to appeal to fans of the EU and PT. They seem to reflect a style of play and power sets that aren't really indicative of the original three films. But the new trilogy very well (I'd say likely will) push those flashy powers more front and center. A hypothetical supplement wouldn't be designed for new players or players invested solely into one of the gamelines. It would be designed for the devoted portion of the fanbase who's already deeply invested. That strikes me as a far more prohibitive barrier to entry than the fact that a bit of setting fluff might be hidden behind a new core. If the new core is based off of TFA, then most of the setting stuff could be pretty easily gleaned just by watching the movie, and the cost of stat blocks and such could be easily remedied with adversary and equipment decks.

That said, the more I think about it and the more y'all talk about it, the more it seems like the "cherry picking" option isn't a good solution for anyone. I'd be curious to see a new core where FFG perhaps does away with the idea of a career system in favor of something more loose. Maybe have characters set down one of three loose paths (professional/criminal/jedi) and have talents on a point buy system linked to the three paths and a general use category. It could encourage old fans to buy in for an alternative character creation system and encourage new users to buy the old books to convert the talent trees or see what the career system has to offer.

But that setting material isn't really part of what was every promised to people who bought into the three core system, implicitly or explicitly. FFG promised that EotE, AoR, and FaD would provide a comprehensive toolkit for playing games in the era of the original trilogy, and that each individual book was enough to play a game focused on a specific realm of that trilogy.

No has said the sequel trilogy setting material was promised to people who bought the three cores. That's never been the point, and is a bit of a straw man.

What was reasonably implicit was that the three cores would be reasonably sufficient to cover any Star Wars story, hence no core product beyond the original three would be needed to run any Star Wars story.

I just don't buy the argument that a new core for a new setting is somehow screwing over old customers.

This has been explained to death above.

Putting the relevant 'fluff' for the setting behind an exorbitant paywall and justifying it by bundling it with redundant rules is screwing over old customers, because we have to pay for something we want (new 'fluff') by bundling it with something we don't (the rules, again).

I don't know how to make that clearer.

And old customers aren't FFG's only concern. The core rules ARE reasonably sufficient to cover ANY Star Wars story. That's the case whether they release new trilogy books as a new core, a new supplement, or never release it at all. All the tools are there to adapt your game into the new setting, and I doubt the new setting will be sufficiently different enough to make home-brewing an ordeal.

If this hypothetical book is designed for new players interested in reliving the kinds of adventures presented in The Force Awakens, and if those adventures combine the heroics of Rebels/smugglers with the swashbuckling lightsaber fighting of jedi (and yes, I recognize those are big ifs), then a setting book would make it exorbitantly expensive for anyone who's not already invested in at least two of the existing cores to relive those adventures.

These arguments are contradictory:

• If the new setting isn't different enough to make home-brewing an ordeal, then a new core containing new material is totally unnecessary, as as the current cores are sufficient.
• If the new setting is different enough to make home-brewing an ordeal, then a new core is a unnecessarily expensive way of transmitting the information to current players.

Additionally, why is $40 in addition to a core 'exorbitantly expensive', but $60 for a largely redundant product is reasonable? By your logic (above: house-ruling isn't a problem), the new player wouldn't need the supplement. They would just need one of the cores (the one most apropos for their campaign) and they would have all the tools they need to adapt the game to the new setting. If the developers believe in this, why would they waste time creating a new core?

The problem with an Ep 7 corebook is that if they can encapsulate a bunch of disparate campaign ideas with one core, then why did they need three for the OT timeline?

I'm in agreement with those who think an "Era" line of game-neutral books is in order. With three lines, I'm already feeling stretched keeping up. A fourth would be too much for me.

If this hypothetical book is designed for new players interested in reliving the kinds of adventures presented in The Force Awakens, and if those adventures combine the heroics of Rebels/smugglers with the swashbuckling lightsaber fighting of jedi (and yes, I recognize those are big ifs), then a setting book would make it exorbitantly expensive for anyone who's not already invested in at least two of the existing cores to relive those adventures.

All the tools are [in the core] to adapt your game into the new setting, and I doubt the new setting will be sufficiently different enough to make home-brewing an ordeal.

These arguments are contradictory:

• If the new setting isn't different enough to make home-brewing an ordeal, then a new core containing new material is totally unnecessary, as as the current cores are sufficient.
• If the new setting is different enough to make home-brewing an ordeal, then a new core is a unnecessarily expensive way of transmitting the information to current players.

Additionally, why is $40 in addition to a core 'exorbitantly expensive', but $60 for a largely redundant product is reasonable? By your logic (above: house-ruling isn't a problem), the new player wouldn't need the supplement. They would just need one of the cores (the one most apropos for their campaign) and they would have all the tools they need to adapt the game to the new setting. If the developers believe in this, why would they waste time creating a new core?

You're under the impression that the three cores should be designed to tell a Star Wars story in any setting. Does that mean you'll be up in arms if we don't get a Knights of the Old Republic supplement? What I'm saying is that the tools are there, but it's not the primary mission statement of the game. The rules are loose and fast enough (and the various eras of SW aren't all that different) to make a homebrew solution pretty simple. But new fans who are just leaving the theater aren't looking for a game that resembles the movie they just saw. They want an experience that replicates it. If, as I mentioned before, the movie sees fantastic jedi battles and more straightforward pulp adventure side-by-side, then the barrier to entry isn't simply down to buying a core and buying a supplement. It's down to buying two cores tailored to a different style of game and a supplement that can be used to alter that game to fit the setting you want. If it's close enough to be easily replicated with one of the single cores, then fine, but I still don't think it's the best answer. What you're suggesting is that new players invest at least $100 to get into a new hobby so that you can get access to what will likely amount to a relatively small amount of setting content.

The problem with an Ep 7 corebook is that if they can encapsulate a bunch of disparate campaign ideas with one core, then why did they need three for the OT timeline?

I'm in agreement with those who think an "Era" line of game-neutral books is in order. With three lines, I'm already feeling stretched keeping up. A fourth would be too much for me.

I always saw EotE and AoR in a similar light to the way Pokemon games used to split into separate colors. You buy the version you like and receive variations tailored towards your interests, but it's really not necessary to invest in both.

Less cynically, I'd say a consolidated core loses out on the depth you get from segregating the three corners of the universe, but it offers the breadth to tell a less focused story.

The core rules ARE reasonably sufficient to cover ANY Star Wars story.

I agree. (Emphasis yours, btw)

You're under the impression that the three cores should be designed to tell a Star Wars story in any setting.

wait, what? Which is it? I mean, "ANY story" should be inclusive of "a Star Wars story in any setting"

As for the remainder of this:

What does KotOR have to do with this? I'd prefer a KotOR setting supplement to a KotOR Core book, and for the exact reasons that have been posted here, repeatedly. I can't tell if that's what your asking.

What you're describing is exactly the current situation with three cores; If a viewer wants "fantastic jedi battles" next to "more straight forward pup adventure" they have to buy 2 cores.

If one core product could do this, why are we in a situation with three?

If I were FFG, I would be very happy to have a product that merely 'resembled' the experience and be happy I've got new customers with no development overhead. You can mince words about the difference between "resemeblance" vs "replication", but diffence in degree between the two is very very minor.

Again, different people will draw different lines, but this seems the reasonable choice to me: The existing cores plus the supplement for whoever wants it.

I'm in agreement with those who think an "Era" line of game-neutral books is in order. With three lines, I'm already feeling stretched keeping up. A fourth would be too much for me.

That's the one thing we seem to be overlooking. It doesn't matter if a 4th product line will honk off fans or not - can the market support that many product lines? That is a hell of a lot of shelf space, and face it - we're not exactly D&D here. Compared to that 800 pound gorilla, we're small potatoes.

But new fans who are just leaving the theater aren't looking for a game that resembles the movie ? they just saw. They want an experience that replicates it.

This idea is continually brought up and it's been refuted several times but that refutation has never been addressed. So this is the only thing I'm going to respond to in this post. There won't be a Force Awakens book out when these people leave the theatre. So is the business model to make them wait a year or more before they can be able to play the Force Awakens?

Is Force Awakens going to be soooo good that FFG can count on those fans waiting a year or more to get that fix? You realize at the earliest a Force Awakens book could be released those same fans will be all about Rogue One and thus will likely be wanting to replicate that experience (which is AoR)?

Is FFG seriously going to take the risk of angering their current fans on the hopes that one year from Force Awakens the people who wanted to play the game then will still be wanting to play the game? The more likely situation is that those people who want to replicate the experience will buy the current books and then homebrew what they need. And then they'll get upset a year later when they find out that there is a Force Awakens book coming out and they already invested in 3 other core books. Why? Because if a Force Awakens book was anywhere on the horizon we'd know about it by now. The lack of product announcement means that at present there are no plans to develop such a book. So when the movie comes out these fans will want to play, be told nothing is there and they can use these 3 cores, and then they'll invest in that.

No one has been able to even remotely suggest how this idea of a new Force Awakens core overcomes the fact that it will be a year late to the Force Awakens party. Or even remotely addressed that by the time a Force Awakens core comes out it will be competing against Age of Rebellion and Rogue One. So no matter how you slice it new players are not going to be able to enter this system with out investing in the other 3 books. So these Force Awakens fans, after waiting a year, will have to buy the Force Awaken core and then turn around and buy Age of Rebellion so they can play that out too.

The sad truth is that splitting the game into three different cores as they have done kills their ability to build on the new movies. FFG didn't create a business model that grows with the Star Wars brand. They created one that caters to the OT era.

The core rules ARE reasonably sufficient to cover ANY Star Wars story.

I agree. (Emphasis yours, btw)

You're under the impression that the three cores should be designed to tell a Star Wars story in any setting.

wait, what? Which is it? I mean, "ANY story" should be inclusive of "a Star Wars story in any setting"

As for the remainder of this:

You're under the impression that the three cores should be designed to tell a Star Wars story in any setting. Does that mean you'll be up in arms if we don't get a Knights of the Old Republic supplement?

What does KotOR have to do with this? I'd prefer a KotOR setting supplement to a KotOR Core book, and for the exact reasons that have been posted here, repeatedly. I can't tell if that's what your asking.

But new fans who are just leaving the theater aren't looking for a game that resembles the movie they just saw. They want an experience that replicates it. If, as I mentioned before, the movie sees fantastic jedi battles and more straightforward pulp adventure side-by-side, then the barrier to entry isn't simply down to buying a core and buying a supplement. It's down to buying two cores tailored to a different style of game and a supplement that can be used to alter that game to fit the setting you want. If it's close enough to be easily replicated with one of the single cores, then fine, but I still don't think it's the best answer. What you're suggesting is that new players invest at least $100 to get into a new hobby so that you can get access to what will likely amount to a relatively small amount of setting content.

What you're describing is exactly the current situation with three cores; If a viewer wants "fantastic jedi battles" next to "more straight forward pup adventure" they have to buy 2 cores.

If one core product could do this, why are we in a situation with three?

If I were FFG, I would be very happy to have a product that merely 'resembled' the experience and be happy I've got new customers with no development overhead. You can mince words about the difference between "resemeblance" vs "replication", but diffence in degree between the two is very very minor.

Again, different people will draw different lines, but this seems the reasonable choice to me: The existing cores plus the supplement for whoever wants it.

I think the problem is you're looking at the cost to yourself but not the cost to potential new consumers.

Let me directly address the question that seems to be at the heart of every dissenter's argument (and I think I'll address your issues in the process):

Why should I pay a premium for a new setting?

Because you're not the target audience.

You bought into a game that presented you with a very focused perspective on the OT timeline. The first two books have all the tools you need to replicate the experience of the OT. The third one gives fanboys the jedi adventures they crave. Were three cores necessary? No. But they created a model where you get a more in-depth perspective on the corner of the universe you want to focus on. If you bought EotE, it's because you wanted to play smugglers, colonists, and bounty hunters living dangerously on the Outer Rim. If you bought AoR, it's because you want to relive the scrappy heroics of the Rebel Alliance. If you bought FaD, it's because you want to play a unique snowflake, part of a nearly extinct group of spiritualists on the run from the Empire. Obviously the film isn't out yet, but none of these experiences seem to reflect the state of affairs in TFA. By early accounts, it's the story of a young Republic trying to keep order as Force powers start to return and splinter groups test their security. It's a setting close enough to be adapted by a resourceful GM but not necessarily a setting that fits easily into the mold of any of the existing game lines.

Because the alternative is unfair to new consumers.

It could be a kid who just left theaters and wants to play out adventures in the universe with his friends, or it could be a group of seasoned roleplayers who've heard good things about the game systems but are inspired to finally pick up the new core based on the hype around the movie. The source book model means you're forcing new players to dump a hundred bucks on the game just to play in the new setting. We all got everything we needed to play in our preferred corner of the universe for 60 bucks. Why should new players have to pay almost double that to play in theirs? As much as people are complaining that investing in the new core means they'll be buying a bunch of redundant information just for their setting bits, the reverse is as much as true. Why should new players have to invest in all this information about ISB, the ins-and-outs of guerilla warfare inherent in being a member of the Rebel Alliance, or the resources the Empire uses to hunt Jedi when these simply aren't relevant any more?

It's sloppy from a business perspective.

You don't ask a new user to pay a premium for their first hit. You get them hooked and then you offer them more. We're already invested in the FFG infrastructure. We've proven that we're encouraged to buy new books because we recognize their quality and value. Dumping an extra 20 bucks for a core for a game that's not really meant for us or ignoring it altogether isn't going to turn most people off from the game because we know how packed and informative the supplements are. I don't know about you, but the quality of their source books is proof enough for me. A new core that might not be an entirely fair shake (and that's designed to draw more people into the hobby) is a drop in the bucket.

I'm in agreement with those who think an "Era" line of game-neutral books is in order. With three lines, I'm already feeling stretched keeping up. A fourth would be too much for me.

That's the one thing we seem to be overlooking. It doesn't matter if a 4th product line will honk off fans or not - can the market support that many product lines? That is a hell of a lot of shelf space, and face it - we're not exactly D&D here. Compared to that 800 pound gorilla, we're small potatoes.

Yeah. I think there's the problem.

But new fans who are just leaving the theater aren't looking for a game that resembles the movie ? they just saw. They want an experience that replicates it.

This idea is continually brought up and it's been refuted several times but that refutation has never been addressed. So this is the only thing I'm going to respond to in this post. There won't be a Force Awakens book out when these people leave the theatre. So is the business model to make them wait a year or more before they can be able to play the Force Awakens?

Is Force Awakens going to be soooo good that FFG can count on those fans waiting a year or more to get that fix? You realize at the earliest a Force Awakens book could be released those same fans will be all about Rogue One and thus will likely be wanting to replicate that experience (which is AoR)?

Is FFG seriously going to take the risk of angering their current fans on the hopes that one year from Force Awakens the people who wanted to play the game then will still be wanting to play the game? The more likely situation is that those people who want to replicate the experience will buy the current books and then homebrew what they need. And then they'll get upset a year later when they find out that there is a Force Awakens book coming out and they already invested in 3 other core books. Why? Because if a Force Awakens book was anywhere on the horizon we'd know about it by now. The lack of product announcement means that at present there are no plans to develop such a book. So when the movie comes out these fans will want to play, be told nothing is there and they can use these 3 cores, and then they'll invest in that.

No one has been able to even remotely suggest how this idea of a new Force Awakens core overcomes the fact that it will be a year late to the Force Awakens party. Or even remotely addressed that by the time a Force Awakens core comes out it will be competing against Age of Rebellion and Rogue One. So no matter how you slice it new players are not going to be able to enter this system with out investing in the other 3 books. So these Force Awakens fans, after waiting a year, will have to buy the Force Awaken core and then turn around and buy Age of Rebellion so they can play that out too.

The sad truth is that splitting the game into three different cores as they have done kills their ability to build on the new movies. FFG didn't create a business model that grows with the Star Wars brand. They created one that caters to the OT era.

I don't think being a year late is going to be a huge deal. The movie will come out on DVD a few months later. Kids will be playing with the toys in the meantime. And then it won't be long before Episode VIII comes out. This book doesn't have to be timed to coincide a year after TFA. It could be released as a lead-in to the release of Ep VIII. If anything, the delay means they can gauge fan interest and see if a new core really is a wise investment. I'm not sure if it is (though I'm inclined to think so).

I'm not here to say whether or not the game will sell gangbusters. I'm really not qualified for that, but I don't think anyone here really is. The game might have to wait until Ep IX to come out (if it comes out at all), but I think FFG is a few short years away from really hitting the wall with their existing model (and I think that's a testament to the quality of their work). The NT seems like one of the better potential outlets for expansion. By the time that comes around, the series might even be due for a second edition.

One wonders if FFG would have gone the three-game, era-specific route had they known there was going to be a new trilogy falling into their laps. Sure would love to be a fly on the wall over there, right now...

Because you're not the target audience.

Any business model that does not consider it's current audience is doomed to failure. FFG can not going into producing a new core book with out first considering the effect it would have on it's current lines. Because at that point they'll be trying to support 4 lines and if they lose customers due to opening a 4th line then they are not getting ahead in the deal.

So while we may not be the target audience, we are an audience they want to keep buying their products. Unless the customers of the 4th line are intended to also support the other 3 lines the fact that we are not the target is moot.

Your problem is you're treating this as if a Force Awaken core would exist in a vacuum. We are treating it as it would actually exist.

Because the alternative is unfair to new consumers.

Being unfair to your current customers is another bad move. Also there really isn't a way to produce a Force Awaken core that wouldn't require the new people to also buy the other cores (namely Force and Destiny) and not alienate their current base. Again, unless the number of new fans can pick up the slack it is simply a bad business move.

It's sloppy from a business perspective.

No, whats sloppy from a business perspective is angering your core audience on the hopes of gaining a new audience. If they were trying to support 1 line it wouldn't be sloppy. But when we are expected to support 3 lines it is a very sloppy deal to burn us just to open up a 4th one.

Also the idea that a Force Awakens game wouldn't also be meant for us is asinine. It would also ignore everything FFG knows about Star Wars fans. They know the core audience they built already will want it. It is a sloppy business move to act like we don't matter or that it's not meant for us.

I don't think being a year late is going to be a huge deal.

Failing to cash in on the hype when it's at is strongest decreases the odds that opening a 4th line that could piss off it's current fans will not be profitable. A year is a big deal.

Kids will be playing with the toys in the meantime.

Kids are not the main RPG audience and FFG knows this. The idea that a Force Awakens book is targeting kids is ludicrous.

It could be released as a lead-in to the release of Ep VIII.

Leading in implies that it's being made to make play for Ep VIII possible too. But FFG has already admitted they are not kept in the loop. They find out what is in the new movies when we do. This prevents them from being able to lead into any of the new moves.