The event schedule for GAMA 2016 is posted here:
http://www.gamatradeshow.com/show-schedule/
GAMA is in Las Vegas, so the times are in PDT.
For those who don't know, GAMA is a trade show for the gaming industry, targeted primarily at shop owners. If the schedule looks boring, that's because this isn't a convention for gamers, it's about the business of making and selling games.
Once again, FFG has a Star Wars panel scheduled at GAMA. In years past, they've announced new products at the Star Wars panel, though not necessarily X-Wing products. In 2014, they announced Rebel Aces at GAMA (and something else, maybe something for the LCG?). Last year, they announced Imperial Assault Wave 2 and Armada Wave 2 at the GAMA Star Wars panel, while saving the X-Wing Wave 7 announcement for Star Wars Celebration Anaheim (which took place a few weeks later). This year, Star Wars Celebration is much later in the year (just three weeks before GenCon) so it probably won't be a good place for FFG announcements, especially for stuff they plan to do an early release of at GenCon. This panel is one of two natural places this spring for the next X-Wing announcement, with the other being Adepticon at the end of the month (though I don't know if FFG will have a presentation or just the Hoth System Open tournament).
My hope is that they announce some new X-Wing stuff next week at GAMA and follow it up by having the models on display at Adepticon for some high-res photography.
There are a few other Asmodee/FFG events on the schedule, with two others of particular interest:
Asmodee North America Keynote (Tuesday, 3/15 at 2:00 pm) - This is probably a big picture discussion of the merger, distribution changes, online sales policies, and the Catan acquisition. For those who are not industry insiders, there might be some discussion of new product by either Asmodee or FFG, but the trend has been that Star Wars product discussion has always been saved for the Star Wars specific panel.
FFG Organized Play (Tuesday, 3/15 at 5:00 pm) - This is mostly aimed at convincing store owners why they should run FFG OP tournaments and giving them tools to do so. There usually isn't much in the way of actual info for gamers, but it can provide a window into FFG's approach and thought process. It is possible they could announce a special tournament series like Imdaar Alpha or the Netrunner Plugged-In Tour, but I kind of doubt it. I expect this to be pretty dry.
There are also panels on retailer support and Asmoplay (Asmodee's demo program), but those likely won't have anything of interest to the average X-Wing player.
So what do you think? What are the odds we get some news from the Star Wars panel next Wednesday? It's only a week away! Unfortunately, these panels aren't generally broadcast, though there are usually people taking pictures and live-Tweeting. I won't be at the show but hopefully someone else here will be who can keep us all up to date. Any volunteers?
