Hi, there is a petition from french and spanish players to keep Armada alive in their countries.

We fear that the end of the translation work put an end to this wonderful game.

You can support us by signing here : http://chng.it/CbQdhkVf

Quote

Star Wars Armada : the french and spanish translation work must go on

We, Armada french and spanish players, are worried about the last known developments of Star Wars Armada, made by Fantasy Flight Games and distributed by Asmodée. First, it seems to us that the communication stays too scarce (if not non-existent) for a game which lacks players and could benefit from being more promoted. Then, when a french or a spanish new player wants to get into the game, he is systematically prevented from it by the scarcity of expansion packs. Third, this situation is worsen by the lack of regular informations about the futur of this game and the lack of translations of the last waves and news. This result in making harder the game to promote, as only a few people are ready to follow a game only playable in a foreign language (even if english).
The next wave, which is a crucial step for the game (new factions, new starting packs, update of hundreds of cards, new mechanics and rules), isn't however in this moment planed to be translated in french and spanish (according to Asmodee's answers to our questions !). In the end, the new expansions will be only available in english, that will decreased a lot the chances to keep Armada sold and played in France and Spain.
We are asking solemnly FFG and Asmodée to reconsider their politic of development about Armada in France and Spain :
- the translation of all the expansions done ;
- the communication on the game must be improved ;
- the old expansions must be reprinted ;
- if the new expansions stay unstranslated, the french shops must be authorized to sell it. It's dangerous to take to them entire waves of products that couldn't be distributed as usual, which will rapidly increase the stop of local communyties.

Make sure to reach out to Asmodee France and the Spanish distributor (Edge?) as well, as translation and distribution decisions will usually be made by them, not the publishing studio.

We have obtained 206 signatures and it's still rising ! 🥳

Done! And also spread around the St Louis, Missouri Armada community over in the U.S. I hope they listen!

Done. And shared at Facebook and WhatsApp. Good luck, bonne chance, buena suerte!

5 hours ago, Irate Pooka said:

Done! And also spread around the St Louis, Missouri Armada community over in the U.S. I hope they listen!

I'm always curious about this. How do you think signing a petition which doesnt affect you will help? Doesnt it just dilute the message?

3 hours ago, Ginkapo said:

I'm always curious about this. How do you think signing a petition which doesnt affect you will help? Doesnt it just dilute the message?

I think it sends the message that the entire Armada community wants to see the game be more accessible, not just those directly affected by the lack of translations. And even if it doesn't directly affect me, it does in terms of support for the game. The more people who buy into Armada worldwide, the more money FFG makes, the more reason to keep supporting and developing Armada. Additionally, some of the folks in those countries may come play at tournaments like Nationals or Worlds. Not the majority of them, I'm sure, but even a couple would be most welcome, and that directly impacts my competitive experience.

I don't think it dilutes the message at all. Just shows that the community at large cares about this particular issue, and so maybe FFG re-evaluates their decision. Nothing is guaranteed, certainly, but it costs me little effort. Plus, if I were in their position, I'd be happy to see some support from the rest of the Armada community thrown my way. Because I've never learned a new language just to play a boardgame, and it would be nice if other folks had that same luxury with a game they've possibly already played for years and really enjoy.

17 hours ago, Ginkapo said:

I'm always curious about this. How do you think signing a petition which doesnt affect you will help? Doesnt it just dilute the message?

The thing is that it's not about how many people concerned have signed (in the meaning of "are you really touched by that"), it's how many people think FFG should rethink their strategy for this game. It's the only thing you can be sure that it's shared by all the people who have signed it and nothing could change that (whatever we would do). And we could also argued that even if you're not in the countries concerned by the stop of the translation work (or even if you don't play this game in particular), you could have anyway a (maybe small) interest to keep this played.

Done

I'm trying to reach @Crabbok to see if he could speak about us. I already send an email but didn't get any answer. Do you know if he is hard to reach ?

1 hour ago, ZaZ333 said:

I'm trying to reach @Crabbok to see if he could speak about us. I already send an email but didn't get any answer. Do you know if he is hard to reach ?

I got the e-mail just haven't responded yet. Kinda in the middle of some things currently.

Ok thanks !

We've reached 431 signatures and still rising ! 🥳

I add one signature, but I already lost hope.

I pre-order all the ship I want to have in english (in my FLGS T2J at Paris, I would have been very sad if I was forced to go in another shop like for executor), but if a french version show up, my next ship will be in french. But I will not rebuy ship I have in english, I will be a mix of language and it will drive me mad ^^

I am very sad of it, I love supporting games in my language (and I like to play with people where english is really a barrier for them).

On 10/26/2020 at 9:46 PM, Igorovitch said:

I add one signature, but I already lost hope.

I pre-order all the ship I want to have in english (in my FLGS T2J at Paris, I would have been very sad if I was forced to go in another shop like for executor), but if a french version show up, my next ship will be in french. But I will not rebuy ship I have in english, I will be a mix of language and it will drive me mad ^^

I am very sad of it, I love supporting games in my language (and I like to play with people where english is really a barrier for them).

For me as well I have to give up on a only one langage game : the pack of squadron one was at first only available in... spanish
🙂

Now I have three langages in my collection and can't do much about it. And in my city as well most of the players won't continue Armada if the game is only available by online order (instead of the local shop) and in english. 😔
But I still has hope.

Thanks @Crabbok for mentioning our petition here 😊 : https://youtu.be/CqQwgOnvzw4?t=288
We are now at 550 signatures, but still without news from Asmodée. We are preparing an article to talk more about the Spanish and French communities in this matter.

If you cant get it, there might be hope if you talk to French Canadians too. We have a large gathering of players around Montreal and one of my fav stores to order from carries French and English versions. https://jeuxcerberusgames.com/

I'm English btw's and live on the other side of the country but they are top notch!

5 hours ago, Darthgallant said:

If you cant get it, there might be hope if you talk to French Canadians too. We have a large gathering of players around Montreal and one of my fav stores to order from carries French and English versions. https://jeuxcerberusgames.com/

I'm English btw's and live on the other side of the country but they are top notch!

Nice ! Do you have a facebook or a discord group that could help to make a more direct contact ? I will send a message to the shop but it will take more time than contacting directly the players.

6 hours ago, ZaZ333 said:

Nice ! Do you have a facebook or a discord group that could help to make a more direct contact ? I will send a message to the shop but it will take more time than contacting directly the players.

I actually dont. I just know when I was in Montreal for work (before COVID) it was easy to find games for Armada, Legion and X-Wing... but not actually living there.

I find them and made a post, thanks !

We have an article out on Can't Get Your Ship Out : https://cannotgetyourshipout.blogspot.com/2020/11/a-semi-serious-note.html#more

Thanks to @geek19 who accept to host our words on this matter 🙏

I know this isn't what you're looking for, but hear me out:

Assuming you can get English products, have you considered some sort of Players' Committee, who can then issue semi-unofficial translations of all cards in the chosen languages and post it online, so players can print their own translation proxies?

Again, not what you're after, but perhaps as an interim solution?

The issue is also to obtain the capacity to have a good english distribution in our countries : shops have to import it as in France (for example), Asmodée FR won't be distributing the minis if they are not translated. And still I'm not sure than in France we have the ressources to do so... But we'll have to start to think of this, because nobody here want to drop a game he loves.

Same issue in Spain: the stores that are bringing the products are those that have someone on the inside that is invested in the game.

Regular stores don't even know that the Clone Wars are coming out, and when asked directly, distribution is a bit of an issue apparently.

I did unofficial translations of the rules and cards of the SSD, the Starhawk and the Onager, which, fine, but only those already related to the community will know that such a resource exists.

Like I said in the articles we'll make-do, but it's less than ideal for the growth of a healthy community.

29 minutes ago, ZaZ333 said:

The issue is also to obtain the capacity to have a good english distribution in our countries : shops have to import it as in France (for example), Asmodée FR won't be distributing the minis if they are not translated. And still I'm not sure than in France we have the ressources to do so... But we'll have to start to think of this, because nobody here want to drop a game he loves.

Distribution will be an issue, yes. But perhaps online stores will be the solution to that? You are in the EU, so no customs and I'm sure free shipping from places like https://www.waylandgames.co.uk/ and others. It's not THE solution, I realize, but it is A solution.

Translations like this requires very good understanding of both languages, and a dep understanding of how the game works - and what terms have been used in the past. But I think a diligent Committee can provide translations that are at least as good as those that are produced by commercial actors.

My English is very good, but I'm afraid my French is very bad, so I'm no use. In Biarritz I once ordered chocolat with my entrecôte instead of echalotte. The waiter was very amused.