I'm a big fan of the podcasts of this game. I liked the personalities and enjoy the banter. However, I cant help but notice that many of them seem to recently have a common thread of burnout or frustration with the game.

I can't help but think that the unrelenting focus on competitive play is partially the cause for this. Very often I hear the podcasts deeming certain things that are very fun as not "viable". Things like the Nastah pup, epic play, and other fun mechanics or interactions get shunned.

I don't often play competitively, partially due to the time commitment, but I have. I do believe that as a competitive game, the game is a more flawed game. Timed games, points, half points, all seem clumsy at times and against the true goal of the game, space murder.

Sometimes I wish a lot of the podcasts would stop and smell the roses, for the lack of a better term, and talk more about the fun lists, fun games, and fun moments and take a break from trying to win Worlds with every card that gets spoiled. I just think this game is at it's best when friends get together and trying to bury each other in the vacuum of space.

Not saying their way of doing things is wrong or that all podcasts are like this all the time, just my own personal observations on the scene currently.

Morale's still pretty high on the Shuttle Tydirium! Then again we don't focus on competitive play, so....

The podcast scene is definitely in a recession.... Depression...Slump....

Entertainment economic downturn?

I used to count on almost 15-20 percent of a podcast being either informative or entertaining.but it hasn't happened in a while. I have moved to other podcasts for other games for my super long commutes.

the most recent episode of one of the x wing casts was a straw that broke the camel's back for me with their show. I found the whole thing **** near insulting to listen to.

1 minute ago, Velvetelvis said:

The podcast scene is definitely in a recession.... Depression...Slump....

Entertainment economic downturn?

I used to count on almost 15-20 percent of a podcast being either informative or entertaining.but it hasn't happened in a while. I have moved to other podcasts for other games for my super long commutes.

the most recent episode of one of the x wing casts was a straw that broke the camel's back for me with their show. I found the whole thing **** near insulting to listen to.

Without naming the podcast, what about it didn't you like?

It's really hard to specify without dumping the bucket.

Dump the bucket

The podcast scene is a good indicator of the competitive scene, in general. Frustration and dissatisfaction are definitely at all time highs since the game began. I've played in multiple regionals every year for the past five years, and this year's regionals were pretty frickin' miserable. Low energy, lots of complaining, no one really caring who or what lists advanced or sticking around to watch finals.


Now whether this is just general burnout becaue people have been playing too long, or because the competitive game has fundamentally gotten worse and less fun over the past year or so is an open question. But personally, I think it's that the competitive game has been slipping in quality for a variety of reasons, most exacerbated by terribly balanced cards of the past few waves (e.g. Jumpmaster).

Nah,

The truth is I appreciate that the podcasts even happen. I can only guess at the effort and time it takes to do a project like that. And I'm grateful to have x wing related stuff to listen to.

My issue started out a long time ago as " that guy rubs me the wrong way personally" kind of thing. Which might not even be fair to the fella. Whom I've never met.

but...On the topic of "podcast morale"...Instead of "podcast consumption morale"...

the episode seemed incredibly....Ah hell I can't find any way to say it.

So how much of this changes with the new FAQ and Wave 11?

Many meta lists affected and you won't necessarily go to an event and see half a dozen of the same list.

2 minutes ago, USCGrad90 said:

So how much of this changes with the new FAQ and Wave 11?

Many meta lists affected and you won't necessarily go to an event and see half a dozen of the same list.

That's the ultimate question. And hoth is probably going to be a step towards the answer.

But around here at least.this burnout issue is not a common opinion. And hasn't been.

Being "burnt out " on something is a personal thing not really a community thing.

2 minutes ago, Velvetelvis said:

Being "burnt out " on something is a personal thing not really a community thing.

Of course, but it sure feels like and seems like a lot of folks in the community are having that personal experience.

I guess I just look at it as a hobby and if you burn out on hobbies, you might going too hard at'em. Sort of an issue of feathering the breaks and minding your speed so you don't have to slam on the breaks at the last second only to have them lock up, sending you crashing into the wall....to use an abstract metaphor.

11 minutes ago, Velvetelvis said:

Nah,

The truth is I appreciate that the podcasts even happen. I can only guess at the effort and time it takes to do a project like that. And I'm grateful to have x wing related stuff to listen to.

My issue started out a long time ago as " that guy rubs me the wrong way personally" kind of thing. Which might not even be fair to the fella. Whom I've never met.

but...On the topic of "podcast morale"...Instead of "podcast consumption morale"...

the episode seemed incredibly....Ah hell I can't find any way to say it.

I think I understand what you're getting at, @Velvetelvis . I had the same take on it. Came across obnoxious and humblebraggish...and I like the guys on the podcast.

All the post-FAQ casts have been much more positive.

Also: the political situation in this country is leading to a general malaise that seeps into everything.

No, we don't need to talk about it here.

Maybe its because I don't listen to many podcasts (just started 1 recently because they are local guys who have been at it a little while, and they mostly nothing but positive), but the only time I get an sense of 'burn out' is from people who, quite frankly, seem to try way too hard ALL THE TIME. If a game about little plastic ships actively annoys/aggravates/makes you mad, I don't even know what to say. Of course the podcasts as a whole are going to be a bit more serious and 'try-hard', its sort what their in it for. No one can fault them for that. Maybe just don;t listen to those podcasts.

On a side note, the place I see the most negativity and grumbling about the game is on these very boards.

4 minutes ago, TasteTheRainbow said:

Also: the political situation in this country is leading to a general malaise that seeps into everything.

No, we don't need to talk about it here.

Other than to mention how ridiculous that sounds?

6 minutes ago, TasteTheRainbow said:

Also: the political situation in this country is leading to a general malaise that seeps into everything.

No, we don't need to talk about it here.

Maybe YOU don't, but my avatar says all i need to say

39 minutes ago, AllWingsStandyingBy said:

The podcast scene is a good indicator of the competitive scene, in general. Frustration and dissatisfaction are definitely at all time highs since the game began. I've played in multiple regionals every year for the past five years, and this year's regionals were pretty frickin' miserable. Low energy, lots of complaining, no one really caring who or what lists advanced or sticking around to watch finals.

I blame it on FFG's changes to Regionals and Worlds. I think that having the first of this year's Regionals happen just a week or so after last year's worlds has really taken its toll. In the past, hardcore competitive players had what almost amounted to a tournament season. Outside of that season they could play more relaxed games and goof around with stuff that was fun to play but not really competitively viable.

The extended tournament season that we are in the middle of right now has a trickle down effect to even players that wouldn't consider themselves hardcore tournament players. Tournament players are looking to maximize their playing time with the squads that they are wanting to run competitively. Because they're bringing their tier one squad to the shop to get practice rounds in the people that they are playing kind of need to bring efficient effective squads as well. This makes the pool of players available to play a game for lols with whatever jank they think might be fun much smaller.

15 minutes ago, mamajamma21 said:

I guess I just look at it as a hobby and if you burn out on hobbies, you might going too hard at'em. Sort of an issue of feathering the breaks and minding your speed so you don't have to slam on the breaks at the last second only to have them lock up, sending you crashing into the wall....to use an abstract metaphor.

I am at a weird spot with this game that I have never experienced with a game before. I've loved (and spent tons of $ on) lots of games before, and I've never felt like I've "quit" before. I've played M:TG, Decipher's SWCCG, ICE's MECCG, DHA miniatures, D&D, and GURPS. With none of them did I ever get to the point of not feeling like playing. . .either my group's emphasis changed (M:TG, D&D, DHA), the company went belly up, ending the game (SWCCG, MECCG), or I still play.

Some of my other hobbies (painting minis, building model kits) I do pursue seasonally because (A) Chicago has winter and (B) I do get to the point where I want a break.

With X-Wing, I don't feel like I want a break. . .I feel uninspired and underserved.

Some of my personal malaise has a lot to do with having started this game for fun, but then realizing that all of the design energy goes into "professional" X-Wing and balancing the meta. This is the ONLY game where I have repeatedly needed to refer to the meta-game as a state of being. As a casual-only player it makes me feel both out-classed and under-addressed.

1 hour ago, mamajamma21 said:

I'm a big fan of the podcasts of this game. I liked the personalities and enjoy the banter. However, I cant help but notice that many of them seem to recently have a common thread of burnout or frustration with the game.

I can't help but think that the unrelenting focus on competitive play is partially the cause for this. Very often I hear the podcasts deeming certain things that are very fun as not "viable". Things like the Nastah pup, epic play, and other fun mechanics or interactions get shunned.

I don't often play competitively, partially due to the time commitment, but I have. I do believe that as a competitive game, the game is a more flawed game. Timed games, points, half points, all seem clumsy at times and against the true goal of the game, space murder.

Sometimes I wish a lot of the podcasts would stop and smell the roses, for the lack of a better term, and talk more about the fun lists, fun games, and fun moments and take a break from trying to win Worlds with every card that gets spoiled. I just think this game is at it's best when friends get together and trying to bury each other in the vacuum of space.

We focus solely on non-tournament X-wing at the Shuttle Tydirium. I burnt out long ago and got miffed at podcasts only doing tournament...so I started my own.

1 hour ago, Babaganoosh said:

Morale's still pretty high on the Shuttle Tydirium! Then again we don't focus on competitive play, so....

We did do our STATE OF THE GAME podcast not that long ago and it was negative. I know we recorded it like a month ago, but it only came out 2 weeks ago or so.

8 minutes ago, heychadwick said:

We did do our STATE OF THE GAME podcast not that long ago and it was negative. I know we recorded it like a month ago, but it only came out 2 weeks ago or so.

Yeah, I didn't want to call him out on that

I said it elsewhere, but I think a big part of my funk for Wave XI is the notion that many people would like to see the game begin to go in a different direction (or at least fork, and have 2 prongs of development), and seeing the new Wave is just a slap in the face of "business as usual." With the likelihood that today's grips will take at least another season of development to be addressed.

Podcast Morale

Mynock-negative, but FAQ may change that plus Dee has said multiple times he's had a rough year so frustrations on the game may be exaggerated. Ryan seems rejuvenated after the FAQ and Dallas may play Swarms again so positivity should rise

S&V-not too bad, but Blair always complains about something ?

TCX-They don't have time to be negative

Shuttle Tydirium-Mostly positive because Phil reals them back to reality when they go off on complaints

Nova-Not bad because they don't record often enough to be burnt out ? (Also, cut back on the flight deck guys haha)

Back To Dials-they aren't negative probably due to them having that long break

Gold Squadron-they seem pretty unbiased with their views and Ron has a great view on the game

Stay on Target- their attitude seems fine

Krayts-I would say they're negative, but they don't talk about X-Wing anyways. Not sure if I'd even consider them an X-Wing podcast ?

Overall, I think the new FAQ and competitive season coming to an end finally in May we will start to see morale rise back up.

@heychadwick , just added your podcast to my subs...look forward to checking it out (sans state of the game episode). Thanks.

3 minutes ago, Tbetts94 said:

S&V-not too bad, but Blair always complains about something ?

Blair is kicking people's asses with generic Rebel jousting lists. Has X-Wing even changed for this dude?

8 minutes ago, Tbetts94 said:

Nova-Not bad because they don't record often enough to be burnt out ? (Also, cut back on the flight deck guys haha).

I'm glad to hear someone feels the same way about the flight decks. I stopped listening to NOVA because of them.

One that you missed that I listen to regularly is Kessel Run. They seem positive about the game and sound like even though they play competitively, that they don't take it too seriously and still keep it fun.