Just want to point this out, though it's probably obvious to most on here (and hopefully to FFG). Given that there will likely be some significant proportion of the player base that only plays a specific clan in tournaments, I think maintaining balance amongst the clans is quite important. Definitely more important than seen in other LCGs. I've seen factions in other LCGs retain a much higher win rate % than others, for far too long of a time (Netrunner). I appreciate that there is a delay on fixing balance through new cards, so this might be easier said than done. However, I would urge FFG in play-testing to really stress the importance of maintaining a balance here. Obviously you can do some things through Errata, FAQ, and Influence cost changes as well. I'm very positive about the game, but this is the one potential issue I see coming from Netrunner, which again, has/had issues in this department. That being said, Netrunner is an asymmetrical game, which probably makes balancing quite a bit harder. In any case, changing influence costs of cards happened WAY too slow and still didn't seem to fix the issues.

So, please, keep this game balanced between the clans. Give it more attention than you have given Netrunner in the past in this regard.

I... don't think FFG reads their own forums. Maybe they do, but my understanding is they didn't beyond moderation purposes. Especially not the developers.

Just now, Mirith said:

I... don't think FFG reads their own forums. Maybe they do, but my understanding is they didn't beyond moderation purposes. Especially not the developers.

I think they read them. Just don't care what we say.

1 minute ago, Kakita Shiro said:

I think they read them. Just don't care what we say.

That might be, but they probably don't really want to deal with the abuse they will get if they were to try and participate in the forums more actively.

Blizzard has been doing a big push to be more transparent and interactive with the player base for WoW. And they are getting all kinds of grief about this, even though they are in part doing what the players want, which is to explain the idea behind their design changes.

Just now, Mirith said:

That might be, but they probably don't really want to deal with the abuse they will get if they were to try and participate in the forums more actively.

Reading the forums and participating in the forum are two different things.

It's not about knowing for certain. It's about giving it a go and hoping for the best.

4 hours ago, Mirith said:

I... don't think FFG reads their own forums. Maybe they do, but my understanding is they didn't beyond moderation purposes. Especially not the developers.

It's FFG policy that their designers and other employees do not use or read their own forums, except for the mods.

2 minutes ago, Gaffa said:

It's FFG policy that their designers and other employees do not use or read their own forums, except for the mods.

I think I remember you saying this now. Though I'm curious how they get feedback, or if they don't bother.

11 minutes ago, Mirith said:

Though I'm curious how they get feedback.

Straight from the Sales Department.

Contrast this with Wizards, who routinely put up polls to find out what elements players liked or didn't like about each new set, how they view different types of cards, artwork and flavor text, how well the set managed to convey its story in card form, etc.

Clan loyalty somehow manages to be both the greatest and most cancerous aspect of the l5r property.

55 minutes ago, McDermott said:

Clan loyalty somehow manages to be both the greatest and most cancerous aspect of the l5r property.

"Your greatest weakness is your greatest strength pushed too far."

4 hours ago, Builder2 said:

Contrast this with Wizards, who routinely put up polls to find out what elements players liked or didn't like about each new set, how they view different types of cards, artwork and flavor text, how well the set managed to convey its story in card form, etc.

Internet polls aren't worth the electrons they burn.

Like Wizards, however, FFG does get feedback from a number of sources beyond listening to their fans on their forums (I'll note that Wizards closed all their forums some time ago, so it's not like they read their own forums now either). Mostly it's from playtester feedback, but also from Organized Play reports, conventions, and marketing reports. FFG also has a huge play area in their own store in Roseville, where the designers are known to hang out (plus the Source, Minnesota's biggest game venue, is only about a kilometer away), so they get a lot of direct player feedback and interaction (albeit limited to the local playgroups) there as well.

9 hours ago, Gaffa said:

It's FFG policy that their designers and other employees do not use or read their own forums, except for the mods.

I get not going out of their way to read/post on the forums as a regular thing, but having a specific policy against even reading the forums seems a little strange to me.

25 minutes ago, Vlad3theImpaler said:

I get not going out of their way to read/post on the forums as a regular thing, but having a specific policy against even reading the forums seems a little strange to me.

They can't control what they do on their own time.

6 minutes ago, slowreflex said:

They can't control what they do on their own time.

Well technically in the contract they could.... but I think its more "guys don`'t go onto the forums it will just depress you when all you see are complaints, but if you do don't post anything ever!"

4 hours ago, Isawa Tasatu said:

Well technically in the contract they could.... but I think its more "guys don`'t go onto the forums it will just depress you when all you see are complaints, but if you do don't post anything ever!"

It's almost certainly not a matter of "it will just depress you", and almost certainly is a matter of "We don't want people to accuse us of stealing ideas they posted in our forum, so we must make it publicly-known policy that we do not read our forum."

Also what kind of hidden secret black-ops fortress puts bright lanterns decorated with the clan mon on the path leading up to it? Have some Goddamn sense, people!

4 minutes ago, Huitzil37 said:

It's almost certainly not a matter of "it will just depress you", and almost certainly is a matter of "We don't want people to accuse us of stealing ideas they posted in our forum, so we must make it publicly-known policy that we do not read our forum."

Also what kind of hidden secret black-ops fortress puts bright lanterns decorated with the clan mon on the path leading up to it? Have some Goddamn sense, people!

The type that has an obvious entrance as a decoy! Ninjas are devious don't you know?

As regards the first point, I know AEG had a policy of please don`'t send us or put suggested cards on the forum because we can not use them then... for that exact reason.

Reading the forums is a lot like reading the comment section of one of your YouTube videos. It really serves no purpose and will only hinder your creative process. The only feed back a large company like FFG is likely to listen too is from the sales department, and the PR Department.