id like to see some statement from ffg about coc. they mentioned that agot was doing better than they thought. so where does coc sit? is it doing as good as they hoped, better or worse?

werent we supposed to also get a pack each month? as it looks we arent getting one for april, what does that mean? nothing, or that they are too busy with other games, or they just dont care??? maybe tides will still make it out this month, probably more like may at this point. it would be nice if we had some sorta of idea whats going on with the game.

This was posted on the Game of Thrones board but I felt it would be fitting for Cthulhu as well. Take a look:

[quoted from Twn@dn ] here: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_foros_discusion.asp?efid=16&efcid=4&efidt=108933

Caution: This is sort of a rant/open letter, so if you're looking for information or not into this sort of thing, best move along.

This summer will breathe new life into AGOT the card game. At least that is the impression that I have after reading Nate's recent "state of the game" post, and I would really like to believe it. For the most part I have faith that this 60-card "expansion" will be transformational--I remain optimistic about FFG's ability to deliver, assuming the Greyjoy pack contains what Nate says it does. I don't mean the 60 cards alone will be truly amazing, but I do think that some of the minor adjustments they include--such as location discard, more thematic/complimentary card mechanics, and the return of Greyjoy as a competitive house--have larger implications for the game as a whole. (For example, more metagame location hate will mean that players rely on locations less, making the over/abusive use of them less common.) It also seems to me that Nate's recent post signals a renewed FFG commitment to organized play, and the new organized-play director will undoubtedly bring fresh ideas to the rather bland (even if good-intentioned) state of tourneys.

Despite my optimism, there are, however, a few potential challenges that I want to highlight as reminders that everything is not yet "gravy." For the most part, these are "broad-stroke," long-term issues that have come to my attention over the past 1-2 years. Nevertheless, they affect my own enjoyment of this game dramatically and, for those interested in the bottom line, my willingness to spend on AGOT. (For an indication of how my general personal "satisfaction" translates into FFG revenue, over the past 6 months I have taken up playing Warhammer Fantasy. This is my first "miniatures game" and it isn't my favorite game, but I have nevertheless spent around $200-300 directly/indirectly on Warhammer to date; all of that money would have normally gone to AGOT.)

-- No more delays, at least not for awhile (and more communication please). I believe I speak for most of the community when I say "I am really tired of unannounced delays." I don't particularly mind the break between chapter pack sets--one month, right? What I do mind is long breaks between sets, especially when they're preceded by game-changing decisions such as those announced December 2007. To a lesser extent I also find it disappointing that Nate no longer posts the regular journals he used to post. I always looked forward to reading those, and I felt they added a lot of texture to the AGOT community in that they provoked discussion and highlighted game mechanics that I may not have immediately noticed. (In the later months, the entries were used primarily to introduce upcoming sets as a pseudo-advertisement, but I didn't mind as long as they contained spoilers.) As the crappiness of these forums (more on that later) and the general frustration of the LCG transition has sunken in, the forums have become even less lively and the need for a regular AGOT update is even greater. Though ads may be "good enough," I would be very pleased if I saw more longer/developed AGOT updates, stories about FFG's office AGOT league (in the past, these were some of my favorites), and constructive critiques of decklists. I know some such articles can be posted by players in threads, but there's something about the designer posting it himself that makes it really interesting to read.

-- Improve prize support for tourneys, and make tourneys playable at any venue, not just cardshops . In the Washington, DC area where I play, there are no cardshops that carry AGOT that are accessible by public transportation. Because DC (and I'm sure this is true for other cities too) has a decent public transportation system, there are, however, many cardplayers without cars. This means that if our local DC meta wants to organize a tourney, we have to (a) find a way to get a cardshop interested in hosting that we normally wouldn't play at (and owners are usually reluctant to host strangers or provide temporary support for a new game), or (b) hold a "casual" event without prize support. To date, we have done the latter, but that means that organized play typically involves only a few players who meet occasionally at someone's home or a coffee shop. This is great for hanging out with friends, but very poor for attracting out-of-towners for large events and generating momentum/excitement for AGOT. I suggest that FFG provide "cool" prizes, such as the special housecards, deckboxes, and counters of the past. I also suggest that such prizes be mailable to tourney organizes regardless of the location so that people may organize tourneys anywhere. I recognize that this second idea presents logistical or verificatin problems. How about if instead of supplying the actual prizes, FFG ship awards that are then "redeemable" for the prize of your choice--sort of like the Core Sets were sent to regionals winners when they were new, except that they would be sent in a timely fashion?

-- Avoid cookie-cutter cards that do slightly different things for each house . For example, the recent Scattered Armies' 4-cost armies are pretty bland. I think this approach reveals a general apathy or lack of creativity in game development. Sorry if that comes off as harsh, but this isn't poker--different houses should have different cards (not just different triggered effects). Beyond the boringness factor, making cookie-cutter cards also runs the risk of having some overpowered and others underpowered. For example, how many people play To Be A Viper? It doesn't take an expert to spot that is a wasted spot in a chapter pack. Going back to the Scattered Armies example, it is much easier for Lannister to marshall a 4-cost army and have something left over than Greyjoy/Targ/Stark. Why not give those houses a different card altogether, possibly an event, plot, etc. This is the best way to ensure balance while also making each house its own.

-- Improve the online board system, if at all possible . It might be too late to change this system, but at least make some minor aesthetic and utility adjustments. For example, for the background that surrounds the actual typing area, use recent AGOT art. (For a good example of how to do this, see websites such as www.starcraft2.com/features/terran.) Try to spruce of some of the style so that the online community doesn't feel like the depressingly plain ER room at the hospital. Also, the pm system is terrible, though I have a feeling this has to do with the "friend system" that nobody seems to use. Also, I'm not sure what the deal with the points thing is, but when I come to the forums it isn't to "make points," it's because I have something to contribute or I'm interested in the contributions of others. (In other words, "making points" that you can redeem and "making a point" during a conversation are two separate things, and this forum should be intended for the latter.)

In the end, venting frustration for the changes to AGOT and the playing environment (forum included) is beating a dead horse at this point, though I'd be lying if I said I am completely over the mishandling of the transition to LCG. I am not Stag Lord, Rings, or Mathlete and have not been a major national contendor nor event organizer. Still, I like to think I am (or used to be) an active member of the AGOT community, and I certainly invested enough time and money into the game to attract the (negative) attention of my wife. Recent changes to this game are promising and have given me reason to hope, but FFG still has a long ways to go.

Feel free to add your own suggestions of ways in which FFG can improve this game. (Sorry this post grew so long, but if you're still reading at this point then I hope you got something out of it.) [end quote]

So, which points do you feel apply to Cthulhu? Which ones don't? What else do you feel could be improved for Cthulhu?

It looks like we are getting a demo ...maybe an expansion is looming on the horizon?

cannon said:

You know, not long after the AGOT announcement, I sent an email to Bromen asking that the Cthulhu announcement be made soon and handled with more tact (assuming that the change would be coming here as well, and rightly so) despite him at least returning a response directly to me via email, no official announcement ever seemed to be made here. Very disappointing.

Frankly, my anger with FFGs handling of CoC has gotten to the point where I would actually welcome a discontinuation of the game. I do not appreciate the rug-pulling that resulted in a LCG only format. The LCG should be treated as a new block in the continuing game, not a **** reboot, to do so cheats all of us who own CCG cards out of our hard earned money. ( and frankly I don't think too many new players picked up the LCG anyway, you know it was mostly just current players who were excited for new cards after FFG told us our game was dead). If treated as a new block, they can do all the set rotation they want as long as they also provide a format for those of us who want to mix blocks . My decks are mixed, and will continue to be as long as I play. The people I play with have mixed decks, is there room from us in FFGs future plans? Doesn't look ike it. There should be some consideration for those of us who have played and collected for more than 3-4 months. Have your LCG only format, I'm fine with it, but allow other mixed formats as well. Otherwise, why would I continue to give my money to someone who's going to stab me in the back? You're making a mistake FFG, there are plenty of other games out there...

The long time collector should be upset. As long as cards are continued to be released, I'll accept any level of support. The push forward need not feel so cold to loyal veterans. We were a small game, already niche and after Thrones from the start. But it's been a successful and brilliant beautiful game. I think, psychologically, we divided players among the mere 1,200 cards. I can't wait for an announcement for the next cycle.