So, here's the real question: Does GW continue the 4th edition with new expansions, or just launch a 5th edition, and if so, when?
Considering FFG had the design team and (probably?) continues to own/have control of the molds and files for printing the expansions they produced, what will GW do? They won't make any money just parking it, and considering it's been in print and expanded on for the past 8ish years. They've also been doing their own new boardgames recently.
What do you guys think?
I think that GW will put Talisman on ice for a good while. If they finally do resurrect it, it will get a complete facelift - graphically and mechanically. It will become more like Relic - a little more modern. Although I doubt that GW has the
creative heads
will to do such a thing properly; my guess is that if Talisman gets resurrected by them, it will aim at quick money.
However, Talisman got a very fine treat by FFG. The Cataclysm expansion ended a great game line. I'm totally happy with that and can only say "thank you" to all those great guys who kept Talisman alive and well. Especially to Jon from talismanisland. I'll keep on playing!
I read elsewhere that supposedly that Games Workshop had already at a convention or some trade show was looking for new companies to make licensed products, whether or not that's true or whether Talisman was included I do not know.
Also I think I have also read that while Games Workshop may have rights to the art of Talisman 4th edition and own the rights to the game, they may not have rights to republish the mechanics and other things FFG developed. Again I am not certain on these things, just implying that I think 4th edition is done, and 5th edition is more likely to be seen and not in a long time either.
I doubt they are in a big rush to do a fifth edition, and I'm one hundred percent positive that they aren't going to try and find someone to take over production of a fourteen box game that has already used up its profitability.
Aye I have a sneaky feeling any forthcoming edition will be very different to 4th edition and probably quite a few years away at any rate.
I for one will be hard pressed to have any interest in a 5th edition of the game. I believe that FFG has done an amazing job with all of their games, especially Talisman.
I think the only way for me to ever buy into a future edition of this game would be if FFG is doing it.
I was rewatching Tom Vasel's Board Game Breakfast (The Dice Tower) where he announced this break up, and his opinion is that all the games on the list will not be reprinted because FFG has the mechanics, and Games Workshop has the theme.
This may be where I originally heard this, although on Friday when this was announced I did read a lot from various sources, so may have read it elsewhere as well.
It is found near the beginning of the video here, during the news segment (at the 3:50 mark):
I'm good on talisman until I'm an old man lol
Would
Hey Nomad,
Will there be a Season 2 for DE Talisman? Obviously the sets for Harbinger and Catyclysm are not in Season 1.
What else is possible?
The season pass that exists now will have those expansions added to it when they are released.
So...If someone wasn't able to get a hard copy/dead tree version of Cataclysm, but did happen to have Talisman: Digital Edition and the season pass, would that said person, be seeing a Cataclysm expansion in the future for Talisman: Digital Edition by Nomad Games?
Yes, Nomad is going to make all 4th Edition Talisman products into digital versions, all of which are covered by the existing Season Pass. Also included in said Season Pass are all Mephisto and 2nd Edition character remakes. The only thing that is not included in the Pass is the fan created charity character The Shaman.
This is correct.
I'm quite saddened by the announcement. I think FFG have done a great job with Talisman and it's shame they won't be making more expansions, but all good things must come to an end I suppose.
Carl, would you guys be interested or able to make the "fan expansion" Jon New is setting up that would connect the Highlands to the Woodland?
I'm not too sure to be honest. I'd have to check through our agreement with GW to see what we're allowed to make. My initial thought is that we wouldn't be able to, but that's not backed up by anything. GW have been pretty open to all of my content suggestions so far, so it's possible, but ultimately their decision.
Would
Hey Nomad,
Will there be a Season 2 for DE Talisman? Obviously the sets for Harbinger and Catyclysm are not in Season 1.
What else is possible?
The season pass that exists now will have those expansions added to it when they are released.
So...If someone wasn't able to get a hard copy/dead tree version of Cataclysm, but did happen to have Talisman: Digital Edition and the season pass, would that said person, be seeing a Cataclysm expansion in the future for Talisman: Digital Edition by Nomad Games?
Yes, Nomad is going to make all 4th Edition Talisman products into digital versions, all of which are covered by the existing Season Pass. Also included in said Season Pass are all Mephisto and 2nd Edition character remakes. The only thing that is not included in the Pass is the fan created charity character The Shaman.
This is correct.
I'm quite saddened by the announcement. I think FFG have done a great job with Talisman and it's shame they won't be making more expansions, but all good things must come to an end I suppose.
Carl, would you guys be interested or able to make the "fan expansion" Jon New is setting up that would connect the Highlands to the Woodland?
I'm not too sure to be honest. I'd have to check through our agreement with GW to see what we're allowed to make. My initial thought is that we wouldn't be able to, but that's not backed up by anything. GW have been pretty open to all of my content suggestions so far, so it's possible, but ultimately their decision.
Hopefully with John New's name attached to this GW will be receptive to it. It would be a shame for that section between the Highlands and the Woodland not to be connected.
I was rewatching Tom Vasel's Board Game Breakfast (The Dice Tower) where he announced this break up, and his opinion is that all the games on the list will not be reprinted because FFG has the mechanics, and Games Workshop has the theme.
I don't believe that's true. FFG might have some claim to the NEW mechanics they introduced, like Fate and the Reaper and so on, but the bulk of the core rules were:
a) written by Black Industries (which might be GW? Not sure) for the original 4th ed core set, before FFG took over the game.
b) nearly identical to the core rules from past editions of Talisman anyway (which GW definitely owns.)
and
c) rules mechanics are notoriously difficult to copyright anyway.
So I think GW would be well within their rights to print a new 5th ed with almost all the same rules 4th ed has now. They might remove stuff like Fate, but it could as easily be because they don't like that added system as because they're afraid of any conflict with FFG. The core mechanics for movement, combat, adventure cards & equipment, etc... That was all part of Talisman long before FFG came along. Even the corner boards in FFG's edition are based on similar boards from past GW editions. Really only the small box content (and Cataclysm, maybe) are fully original to FFG.
As for what will happen in the future, I'm very confident GW will print a new 5th edition eventually. Maybe 5-10 years from now. They might out source it to some other game company, or they might do it themselves in house. If they do in house, I fully expect they'll pull the same stunt they've been using with Space Hulk for the last twenty years or so - print it up, sell it for a ridiculous price, and then discontinue it super fast to make it a "collector's item." They may go a little slower than SH simply because they want to knock out the four corner board expansions before calling it a day, but compared to the luxurious 8 year run 4th ed had, it won't be very long at all.
Edited by Steve-O