Thank You, FFG, for Dropping Time Periods

By Felswrath, in Star Wars: Imperial Assault

The minicampaigns do not have time periods because they do not have side missions. It is no indication one way or another.

I'm all for letting people choose themselves which side missions to include. I don't want to tell other people which side missions and agenda sets they should include into their campaigns.

You yourself have said you dislike the change. Now you are just arguing for the sake of arguing.

No, I'm not. I dislike the change, and I think it's a lazy implementation. But I think it's a reasonable assumption that the change came from somewhere.

I don't see what the steam is about either. Time Periods don't add or subtract from the game in my opinion. From my perspective, it looks like they maybe had a link or an idea of how they would work in the beginning, then realized that it would constrict the ability for future development, and FFG got rid of it. When you make a mistake or change your mind, why keep doing what you've always done, change it. Adaptation is good, especially if it allows for growth. I'd rather the game increase in options instead of stagnate or diminish. I get to decide how and when I'll participate.

While both of you are 100% absolutely correct, then FFG should have made a statement and not just assume we all know what's going on behind closed doors. FFG should know, the people buying their product are hardcore fans of SW. So if you're going to do something, then quit, then at least say why. A simple...

"Based off a majority feedback from people, limiting their figure use in Campaign has made it less enjoyable for fans"

*OR*

"Our initial intent with Time Periods was to immerse players in the SW universe that flowed with the Original storyline, but we want to be able to have a universe that allows a more free open environment."

Then we could have all said, "Well, I don't like it, but at least they gave me a reason why they chose to stop." Not just stop it. This is what pisses people off when companies do this. And if FFG didn't think Time Periods were a sensitive subject and wouldn't think it would be a "big deal" then they're sorely wrong. #1 it's an actual rule/guideline and #2 going back to my original comment, SW fans are hardcore story geeks. If they want to create their own EU, then that's fine, I think we all agree we're not going to see THESE made up heroes/villains in the SW movies and all of this should be truly EU, then it would make sense for FFG to just come out and say it and move on.

~D

Weren't time periods already gone with the Lando expansion?

I' m tired of arguing with people like you...

Trust me, the feeling is mutual.

No this is "I wish FFG would stop taking a **** on Star Wars" syndrome. And don't give me the "if you don't like it, don't buy it" bull either. That reasoning is completely stupid considering it means I have to wait even LONGER for new content now. There are tons of other characters that they could have released that would be usable in time period 3 and 5.

This sentence encapsulates your position entirely. You only care about how you are affected by this. Because you don't see the value of having access to characters that can be implemented however the buyer sees fit.

Yes. I do need/want FFG to put timelines on these missions. 1. They've already established the rule. 2. Why can't people who don't care just ignore that? Why does it have to be the other way around? 3. What is the point of making Obi-wan and etc if you are just going to IGNORE their entire story?

You need it? Because you're unable to restrict yourself unless the rules are in place to do so for you?

1. Rules are made to be bent/broken by more rules later on. Characters and abilities frequently let you do things that the core mechanics of a game do not.

2. They can, if they want. And I'm sure there are people who do.

3. FFG probably reasoned that other iconic characters from the movies are still things people want, even if they don't tie in to their structured campaigns. So here you can have them, without it affecting your campaign one way or the other. Entirely up to you.

Without the timelines on these cards, the entire background of these iconic characters is destroyed. Obi-wan might as well be old jedi dude... Greedo might as well be some random rodian... etc. Instead, FFG just wanted a quick paycheck so they slapped these together without giving any care about involving them in any story.

The background is never destroyed, as you can just pop the dvd's in and rewatch the movie to get the same story again. I hear Lucas can't change it anymore... You're the one thinking the characters have changed.

On the paycheck I agree, as FFG have iconic characters licensed to them and they want to get their money's worth. They have done so with the caveat that it's down to the purchaser to decide how to implement them.

You don't have to buy them. And from your attitudes on this forum I suggest you don't. You don't seem to be a fan of Star Wars anyway.

Now we'll never see these characters in any storylines... Instead they are 100% separate from any story (besides their single side-mission) because FFG wanted a quick buck.

That remains to be seen, although I'm impressed with your ability to see the future so clearly. What are the lottery numbers next week?

PS. I have zero intention of buying these PoS figure packs now. I'll just ebay the item cards cause thats the only usable part.

Aaaaand.... none of us care. Do whatever you want with your money. That's the point of these figures in the first place.

I don't see the issue.

Clearly these are flashback missions to time period 0. Obi-Wan is hiding on Tatooine, Inquisitor is hinting force-sensitives. Winning them means you get to have that character's SPIRIT aid you in the present.

Don't think I'm kidding, that is exactly the rationale I am going to use in my campaigns and I'm seriously considering painting my Obi-Wan apparition blue.

I don't see the issue.

Clearly these are flashback missions to time period 0. Obi-Wan is hiding on Tatooine, Inquisitor is hinting force-sensitives. Winning them means you get to have that character's SPIRIT aid you in the present.

Don't think I'm kidding, that is exactly the rationale I am going to use in my campaigns and I'm seriously considering painting my Obi-Wan apparition blue.

Say it! Just say it! You think we're antidisestablishmentarianists!

Again, I don't think they're straight up getting rid of time periods. They just released a new FAQ, and unless I missed it, they didn't say that time periods should be scrapped. The Bespin mini campaign didn't have them (neither did Twin Shadows, so that wasn't a surprise) and the newest A/V Packs didn't either.

If the next big expansion hits and there's no time period, then I'd feel like the coffin has been nailed shut.

Trust me, the feeling is mutual.

Then why did you start this argument?

This sentence encapsulates your position entirely. You only care about how you are affected by this. Because you don't see the value of having access to characters that can be implemented however the buyer sees fit.

You're right I do only care about me. And I'm certain mostly everyone else here cares about themselves as well. You don't see many posts here on these message boards of people saying "Boy, even though I don't want ____, I sure hope they release ____ for others to enjoy!". Nope, instead you see "FFG we want Yoda, Jar-Jar etc." and they only say we so 1. They don't look self-centered. 2. Make it look like more than just themselves want ____.

You need it? Because you're unable to restrict yourself unless the rules are in place to do so for you?

1. Rules are made to be bent/broken by more rules later on. Characters and abilities frequently let you do things that the core mechanics of a game do not.

2. They can, if they want. And I'm sure there are people who do.

3. FFG probably reasoned that other iconic characters from the movies are still things people want, even if they don't tie in to their structured campaigns. So here you can have them, without it affecting your campaign one way or the other. Entirely up to you.

Again, what is the point of naming this character Obi-Wan if you're just going to completely **** on his story. I'll tell you the point, it's so FFG can make a paycheck. Without respecting Obi-Wan's story in anyway (they didn't even try) this might as well be some random 'old jedi hermit'.

The background is never destroyed, as you can just pop the dvd's in and rewatch the movie to get the same story again. I hear Lucas can't change it anymore... You're the one thinking the characters have changed.

On the paycheck I agree, as FFG have iconic characters licensed to them and they want to get their money's worth. They have done so with the caveat that it's down to the purchaser to decide how to implement them.

You don't have to buy them. And from your attitudes on this forum I suggest you don't. You don't seem to be a fan of Star Wars anyway.

So just because I'm not a lemming like you, that will buy buy buy anything FFG craps out, means I'm not a fan of Star Wars? I've probably read and played more Star Wars books and games than you before they butchered it with Rebels. I'm guessing that's how you were introduced to Star Wars. With laser slingshots and helicopter lightsabers...

That remains to be seen, although I'm impressed with your ability to see the future so clearly. What are the lottery numbers next week?

Is your head so far up your own butt that you can't even see what lies ahead? Name one villian/ally that has appeared in a mission outside of their corresponding expansion? And no, core set doesn't count... even if we barely get to see those allies anymore anyways.

Aaaaand.... none of us care. Do whatever you want with your money. That's the point of these figures in the first place.

Wow, so you speak for EVERYONE now? That's even more impressive than 'apparent' ability to see in the future. Since you speak for everyone, why don't you just solve all our world problems?

Edited by patrickmahan

I really wanted to buy Greedo, but my OCD just cannot get along with this new, no time period approach. I can't help it. :( so, I'll wait and see what happens in the future, but for now I am on hold buying new IA stuff, which is actually a relief as I have spent way more than I wanted already. :)

Then why did you start this argument?

It is in fact you who started, when you responded to one of my posts directly. I have just been replying to your posts to me since then, as I disagree with the way you are presenting your case.

You're right I do only care about me. And I'm certain mostly everyone else here cares about themselves as well. You don't see many posts here on these message boards of people saying "Boy, even though I don't want ____, I sure hope they release ____ for others to enjoy!". Nope, instead you see "FFG we want Yoda, Jar-Jar etc." and they only say we so 1. They don't look self-centered. 2. Make it look like more than just themselves want ____.

I don't really mind if they release characters I don't know or care about. If others want Palpatine or Mara Jade, and FFG release those then great for those who want them.

Again, what is the point of naming this character Obi-Wan if you're just going to completely **** on his story. I'll tell you the point, it's so FFG can make a paycheck. Without respecting Obi-Wan's story in anyway (they didn't even try) this might as well be some random 'old jedi hermit'.

who's doing what to who's story now? All of the missions with characters from the OT are making everything up from scratch. That doesn't diminish those characters either, as this is all NOT CANON! Anyone can do anything, and be on a team with someone they never even met.

In fact, I'd argue that releasing Obi-Wan increases his story to players who would like to explore more of his presence in their games. As he dies before the game even starts, in CANON at least, this now provides them with the opportunity.

So just because I'm not a lemming like you, that will buy buy buy anything FFG craps out, means I'm not a fan of Star Wars? I've probably read and played more Star Wars books and games than you before they butchered it with Rebels. I'm guessing that's how you were introduced to Star Wars. With laser slingshots and helicopter lightsabers...

Name-calling seems a little immature, and I'm perfectly capable of deciding for myself if I want something that was crapped out or not. Also making assumptions about my Star Wars credentials is entirely in keeping with your attitude, that you are completely right and everyone else is a noob with no idea what they're on about.

Also, anyone can be introduced to Star Wars in any of the many ways available and that's entirely fine. Others might not have been able to see it the very first time in the cinema, and this does not diminish their right to enjoy Star Wars without people like you crapping all over their likes and dislikes.

For your reference, my first introduction to Star Wars was on VHS, should that alleviate your misconceptions about what introduced me to this wonderful universe.

Is your head so far up your own butt that you can't even see what lies ahead? Name one villian/ally that has appeared in a mission outside of their corresponding expansion? And no, core set doesn't count... even if we barely get to see those allies anymore anyways.

I'm not sure I follow your question? Characters tie in to the expansions they're released with because FFG want the product to be semi-plug and play. So that someone can buy one box and not another, and still be able to play with the figures.

As for the placement of my head, it's exactly where it should be. Not unnecessarily lodged in any nether regions. You should probably check yourself though, as you appear to be suffering from the affliction...

Wow, so you speak for EVERYONE now? That's even more impressive than 'apparent' ability to see in the future. Since you speak for everyone, why don't you just solve all our world problems?

And I'm certain mostly everyone else here cares about themselves as well.

And who's talking for others now?

The point was that you seem to be under the impression anyone cares how you spend your money.

Other than the people getting it from you, or the people missing out, no-one will.

Don't care either way, was ignoring them anyway, although it never came up.

What I wish they'd drop is the price. I just got some of the old miniatures game versions of wookie warriors, allied troopers, hired guns, echo base troopers, snow troopers, heavy troopers, storm troopers, smuggler, assassin droids and a few other things as well as alternate miniatures I can use for Loku, Diala and other heroes for about a buck a miniature... painted. I don't mind giving FF money for a great game, but I'd much rather get a 2nd pair of Hired Guns for $2 than $12 and save myself the 2 hours of paint time on top of it! The price we're paying per pack is very very premium priced.

Again, what is the point of naming this character Obi-Wan if you're just going to completely **** on his story. I'll tell you the point, it's so FFG can make a paycheck. Without respecting Obi-Wan's story in anyway (they didn't even try) this might as well be some random 'old jedi hermit'.

who's doing what to who's story now? All of the missions with characters from the OT are making everything up from scratch. That doesn't diminish those characters either, as this is all NOT CANON! Anyone can do anything, and be on a team with someone they never even met.

In fact, I'd argue that releasing Obi-Wan increases his story to players who would like to explore more of his presence in their games. As he dies before the game even starts, in CANON at least, this now provides them with the opportunity.

You're grasping at air now, Majushi!

True or False: Luke was alive and a member of the Rebellion between Episodes IV and V. True

True of False: We don't know much of what happened between these two events. True

Therefore he could have helped some rebel commandos take down a general named Weiss!

True or False: Kenobi was alive and a member of the rebellion between Episodes IV and V. False

Therefore he could not have helped some rebel commandos take down a general named Weiss!

This is why I (not we, because unlike you, Queen Majushi, I am not able to speak for others) loved IA. Now that is gone!

51897795.jpg

It's a minor disappointment to many, but it's not like they destroyed the game with this.

On a level of 1-10 not everything we don't like is a 10!

Don't care either way, was ignoring them anyway, although it never came up.

What I wish they'd drop is the price. I just got some of the old miniatures game versions of wookie warriors, allied troopers, hired guns, echo base troopers, snow troopers, heavy troopers, storm troopers, smuggler, assassin droids and a few other things as well as alternate miniatures I can use for Loku, Diala and other heroes for about a buck a miniature... painted. I don't mind giving FF money for a great game, but I'd much rather get a 2nd pair of Hired Guns for $2 than $12 and save myself the 2 hours of paint time on top of it! The price we're paying per pack is very very premium priced.

To be fair, or fairer as you've said, when I was collecting Star Wars miniatures they were $11 to $14 a box for 7 miniatures, and I have enough common stormtroopers to field a Legion of the Emperor's finest troops. Tracking down the Rares and the very rare figures was expensive. When I wanted Boba Fett Bounty Hunter, one of the best pre-General Obi Wan Kenobi pieces, he was $50 at Miniature Market, and that is after a case of Bounty Hunters, which cost over $100, failed to produce one. So far, I've felt like IA has been far cheaper, as I'm buying what I want, and not chasing rare miniatures. Additionally, FFG sculpts are amazing compared to WOTC. And if they are well painted, look much better than the very basic paints on the Star Wars Miniatures figures. And, if you need anymore miniatures from the SWM collection, just ask, I'm sure I have many of what you need, and I'd probably part with them just to unload the big box of bagged figures I have.

Edited by Rikalonius

I'm not bothered near as much by Greedo and Obi Wan, as I was with the inquisitor. I was pleasantly surprised by a Greedo. At least Greedo an Obi Wan existed in the OT. The inquisitor just seems like a nod to kiddies. Here's your helicopter lightsaber force users baddies. I hate them. Still, I knew it was going to happen. I'm not fan of Ugnauts either. I promise you, eventually, Ewoks will come to this game, and they will be better than Stormtroopers as well, and I will not be pleased. I liked IA because it seemed a little more serious compared to Star Wars minis' multiverse timelines concept of just having everyone from every era fighting each other. After a while factions became meaningless because there were so many figures that could bridge the factions. Let's just hope we never see the Yuuzhan Yong in Imperial Assault.

For me, I try to stick to canon for campaigns, but for skirmish, well that's different. After years of playing SWM I don't have any desire to play skirmish.

Maybe FFG's next game can be a ground version of X-Wing. Then we can have all the vehicles that don't really fit in a squad based combat.

Edited by Rikalonius

You know, I've wondered about a vehicle ground based SW game for a long time, but the Rebels don't really have much - do they?

Not unless you look at the previous iterations of games that have attempted to spread the field somewhat.

You know, I've wondered about a vehicle ground based SW game for a long time, but the Rebels don't really have much - do they?

Play the Star Wars Commander game (SW version of Clash of Clans). That has a lot of "Clone Wars" style machines.

~D

You know, I've wondered about a vehicle ground based SW game for a long time, but the Rebels don't really have much - do they?

Play the Star Wars Commander game (SW version of Clash of Clans). That has a lot of "Clone Wars" style machines.

~D

Blech, I played the Rebels for about a week on that game and got bored out of my skull. The Empire has all the cool toys!

I will boil this down as succinctly as possible... There is campaign, and there is skirmish. Campaign is story driven, skirmish is a sandbox. People who play primarily campaign liked the time periods because it gave a coherent storyline within the overall Star Wars Universe. People who play skirmish don't care about timelines. So, FFG wants to release Obi-Wan, Greedo, and Sockhead. They want everyone to buy them (as if most campaign people have ZERO interest in these figures to begin with), so they eliminate the timelines on the side missions so that they can be included in campaigns.

Now here's the disappointing part: This move changes EVERY campaign potentially. If you stop for two whole seconds and think about alternatives...

What if you made a single $10 book campaign that allows all time periods? Would that not have allowed 'sandbox' usage of characters in the campaign? Would that not have made these characters inclusive in both sides of the game? Would most campaign players dig SOME 'what-if' campaigns? Would that not have avoided three characters messing up the entire time period system?

This clearly ridiculous lack of thought is what makes me think this was a decision from administration.

Edited by tomkat364

Honestly, I was blown away when I found out there was no timeliness. I hope things don's devolve from here further.

Ffg has been pretty good at keeping a finger on the pulse of the community, but with this one they really missed the mark, so hopefully threads like this with a great discussion from both sides will help them in the future. I just wish we got an explanation. Instead they just released the figures with a Meh, we don't care enough to justify this to our playerbase.

Ffg has been pretty good at keeping a finger on the pulse of the community, but with this one they really missed the mark, so hopefully threads like this with a great discussion from both sides will help them in the future. I just wish we got an explanation. Instead they just released the figures with a Meh, we don't care enough to justify this to our playerbase.

Correct. Maybe someone can post a rules question to them but in all honesty be about why they got rid of TPs!

~D

FFG already gave explanation in the packs. So it sounds like people are asking for justification or FFG to defend themselves instead.