Will you need proof of purchase for Imperial Assault app

By aceckert, in Imperial Assault Campaign

I know there isn't much info yet, but perhaps based on the descent app, will you need proof that you bought app the expansions and packs for IA to use them in the app?

I know some items (in x-wing especially) have proof of purchase tokens. I haven't really kept track of any receipts or anything, and I expect most users would be in the same boat.

I expect the need of the tile sets enforce the "only select if you have the expansion", like in Mansions of Madness.

I doubt you'll need the proof of purchase tokens, not least of which because I'd bet that 99% of people who bought the game have already thrown them out :P.

Also, if you don't have the physical game then you won't have the tiles, dice, figures, etc. - you really wouldn't be able to make it very far with just the app (which, assuming it is similar to Descent, doesn't actually track where things are on the board).

Even if you had the core set and wanted to "lie" about owning the expansions, it would probably be more trouble than it would be worth. In addition to the missing tiles (I guess you could draw your own grids on paper?) you would still need the enemy figures and cards. Like if the app put out Wing Guards it might tell you to attack or to use the Keep the Peace ability where possible, but if you don't have the Bespin Gambit expansion then how would you know what dice to use? What the surges can do? What Keep the Peace means?

I mean I guess you could find out all of this information by looking at images online, but that's a lot of work and it's not something that FFG can do much to prevent. From their point of view they would probably just say that the half-dozen people who go through all that trouble probably weren't going to buy the game anyway, so it wouldn't make much sense for them to inconvenience the thousands of people who did legitimately buy the game by requiring product codes.

1 hour ago, ManateeX said:

Like if the app put out Wing Guards it might tell you to attack or to use the Keep the Peace ability where possible, but if you don't have the Bespin Gambit expansion then how would you know what dice to use? What the surges can do? What Keep the Peace means?

I mean I guess you could find out all of this information by looking at images online, but that's a lot of work and it's not something that FFG can do much to prevent.

And you'd still need something to represent the Wing Guard miniatures anyway ...

Just throwing this out there- between the Boardwars database and the Core Campaign guide (yes, it's not to difficult to find that online, too), it really is no different than making the app easy to access without proof of purchase.

In fact, almost any board game is easy enough to proxy, provided you're willing to spend the time to do it and end up with low quality components. I'm not suggesting anyone do that, by the way (components are one of my favorite things about gaming, after all) but just pointing out that this needn't be a concern for FFG.

Thanks for all the responses. Aside from my original question about P of P, I do wonder how they will work out the creation of agenda decks and optional missions. I assume they will have you just check off what expansions and packs you have so you can select your available agendas.

I started watching videos on the descent app, and now am seriously considering buy Descent as well.

It would be pretty stupid for them to do this, it would render the app unusable by the vast majority of people.

They didn't do this for Descent though or any of their other apps, they're not going to start now. For every person that will try to play the game for "free" by playing with ugly low quality home printed copies (most copy centers will refuse to print licensed material), there are a 1,000+ players that are just going to buy the game once the app releases (assuming the app is good).

1 hour ago, aceckert said:

Thanks for all the responses. Aside from my original question about P of P, I do wonder how they will work out the creation of agenda decks and optional missions. I assume they will have you just check off what expansions and packs you have so you can select your available agendas.

I started watching videos on the descent app, and now am seriously considering buy Descent as well.

The app will likely not make use of agendas or Imperial classes,if Descent or Mansions of Madness are any indication. It will also use none of the existing missions or campaigns. Instead it will have a couple new campaigns (Descent only had one short one when it was released) and handle the Imperial player through simplistic monster ai and random events. That's my guess at least.

well, in Descent there is only one type of Overlord development. There are no classes. I think (some) Imperial classes would not be hard to include in the app, so I still have some hope for them

10 hours ago, Jarema said:

well, in Descent there is only one type of Overlord development. There are no classes. I think (some) Imperial classes would not be hard to include in the app, so I still have some hope for them

There won't actually be an AI in the app, so without something to make decisions, there won't be any point to classes unless they do something very simplistic like buffing all troopers vs buffing all droids. Most will be handled randomly or by a choice of outcomes that the players decide on.

6 hours ago, neosmagus said:

There won't actually be an AI in the app, so without something to make decisions, there won't be any point to classes unless they do something very simplistic like buffing all troopers vs buffing all droids. Most will be handled randomly or by a choice of outcomes that the players decide on.

I was thinking about something like buffing a type of unit (Descent app does it; buff type could be dependent on imperial "class"). Also, attachments could be given to units quite simply (e.g. app gives attachment to first eligible unit)

After playing IA and my regular opponent moving far away i invested in Descent and the expansion that also in the app (shadow of nerekhall) to play solo.

I havent played the proper descent game but i could see IA being done in the same way where you say what expansions you have and available side missions are spawned from that. Also each round the monster group gets a special ability at random which adds to the unpredictability, this would do away with class and agenda decks and maybe they would throw bad guys and or allies from your collection which would be awesome.

I think (hope) the reason its taking so long is that the Descent app isnt just a copy of the normal game but a whole new game. Also i havent bought the Deleve yet. this is about 5 euro and has unlimeted possibilities apparently. I would pay for something like this for IA app. in fact I (hate to say it out loud) would pay for an IA app if it meant it would happen and get future support.

How much? thats the question :)

2 hours ago, Corver said:

After playing IA and my regular opponent moving far away i invested in Descent and the expansion that also in the app (shadow of nerekhall) to play solo.

I havent played the proper descent game but i could see IA being done in the same way where you say what expansions you have and available side missions are spawned from that. Also each round the monster group gets a special ability at random which adds to the unpredictability, this would do away with class and agenda decks and maybe they would throw bad guys and or allies from your collection which would be awesome.

I think (hope) the reason its taking so long is that the Descent app isnt just a copy of the normal game but a whole new game. Also i havent bought the Deleve yet. this is about 5 euro and has unlimeted possibilities apparently. I would pay for something like this for IA app. in fact I (hate to say it out loud) would pay for an IA app if it meant it would happen and get future support.

How much? thats the question :)

I am waiting for the reprint of descent because I am intrigued by the app as a way to play something more regularly on my own (and something new to paint).

Given I paid $20 for a IA playmat just so I could quickly set up a skirmish when I can get someone to play, I would certainly pay at least that if the app can deliver a satisfying play experience.