Lit Fantasy Flight Games and the Star Wars TCG

I doubt it's really recanting. It's not like TOR is new. I think it falls in the same box as the DH comics getting finished up -- it's just continuing an existing ongoing Legends story. They won't be commissioning TOR 2 or issuing any more TOR novels, or Legends: Legacy Volume III, but they'll let the existing MMORPG stuck in Legends continuity continue until it no longer makes economic sense to let it live.

 

Well, it was still a surprise, especially since the StoryGroup (or at least Heddle) didn't account for the ongoing RPG or MMO when creating the policy - the remainder of the DHC run and the EGTW excerpts were never thought by anyone to be part of the "Everything after April 25th is part of the NEU canon" statement.
Considering that FFG is probably looking for the long-term, however, what's your take on how the RPG will be officially handled?

 

I don't know, really. It depends on how much attention is paid to it. I doubt they'll stop drawing from established resources, because it's much harder to build a universe all on your own, but I think there may be a push to back away from incorporating big-name Legends characters like Mara, Corran, Kyle, etc. I doubt they touch the post-ROTJ stuff like that as much. Especially as the films hit, and they have new stuff to spin in.

Which I think will allow the official canon people to completely ignore it the way they have already without ever going into its canon status (or just lazily going, "uh, the old Legends stuff is Legends, the new stuff is new"). The Story Group's process up to now has been one of underthought halfassery, general ignorance and inconsideration of any kind of hard case with fumbling and bumbling to avoid having to deal with them directly, and panicking any time they're put on the spot, and I doubt that's going to change.

 

Well, they're pretty committed to the OT only for right now, and I assume until all three Core books are out, that's not going to change. They really haven't referenced any EU stories, just the background material - but they certainly didn't shy away from detailing the Corellian Sector, for instance. But the only detail that I ever noticed that was post-ROTJ (keeping with the RPG, not the card game or miniature lines) was an indication on the galactic map about the location of the Imperial Remnant. That's it.

Ha! Well said.

I guess my main concern is how it will come out in practice - namely, how much editorial interference from the StoryGroup for Age of Rebellion. Edge of the Empire didn't really have to say much about the setting, but when a summary of AoR mentions something like "history of the Rebellion", that almost seems like a red flag. Apart from Heddle's comment (admittedly preceded by a bunch of "IDK") about FFG having to run inclusion of EU material by the StoryGroup, an Order66 podcast with a rep from FFG seemed to confirm that as well. I guess we'll see in a few weeks.

 

Not to nitpick, but...

Yes, since its all based on Legends material, it is effectively Legends whether or not they declare it... but this isn't them actually doing that. This is Eric Musco, community manager of BioWare. His use of extended universe, rather than expanded or even Legends shows he isn't really the person to be answering the question with authority. His use of canon, who can affect TOR, and then using a Sith riding a unicorn as an example kinda backs this up, as its a misunderstanding of the question. Unless we have a different source, I still reckon the official placement is in question.

Not that I really care. My stance on Legends and how it is more AU than a discarding of material is long and clear in several posts. If TOR were to be considered Legends, the majority of players likely wouldn't care, and it won't stop the game from moving forwards if the subscriber base stays high, and may in fact be the last bastion of the continuing Legends universe. However, if they do decide TOR is Legends, we might end up with a new MMO based in the OT or ST era, which would be glorious.

 

It's understandable that TOR won't be allowed Sith riding unicorns; they're saving the unicorns for the cool Disney Sith.

 

You know, ideally, this would mean TOR could now go crazy and not even have to bother keeping the universe one that had to eventually align with the films three thousand years later.

BLOW UP ALDERAAN EARLY!!!

Of course, that would make the EU side of Wookieepedia a nightmare.

But, y'know, FUN!

 

I just realized that Age of Rebellion's Core Rulebook comes out on July 7th! Less than a month away! I can't wait to get that book and see what sort of stuff (especially art) they put in there.

--Adm. Nick

 

They would need a shred of creativity for that, something TOR has demonstrated very readily to heavily lack.

 

I actually missed his post, lol.

--Adm. Nick

 

My issue is all my 'hobby' money is tied up each month in trying to finish of the graphic novels part of my SW collection and its turning out more expensive than I initially foresaw. Sure, the books can wait a while as they are plentiful, but Tales, Clone Wars Adventures, Dark Times, Legacy Part 2. Invasion, Knight Errant, Star Wars (Wood) and so forth will likely become a little more difficult to get later on. And thats is around £250 worth of books to get. Er, no, make that £300 as I am still around four Omnibus' from completing the set (and thats while not planning to pick up the original Marvel run). Then i'm pondering the fancy Book of the Jedi/Sith/Mandos, in their expensive collectors forms.

On top of that, I only have the Core and two supplements for Edge of the Empire. It would be nice to finish off that series first.

So basically... i'm probably not pre-ordering Age of Rebellion.

On the upside, Edge has remained in pretty good availability considering its publisher. So it will likely still be around in a year or so to collect then.

 

Too Bad Disney doesn't own Hasbro, or we could get Trixie Lulamoon, Sith Apprentice

 

by http://roogna.deviantart.com/

 

Darth Talon gets everywhere...

 

I've lucked out and in the past couple years there's been a local mail-order business (Cool Stuff Games) that sells game material at mail-order prices even for pick-up - so they have the $60 Age of Rebellion priced at $41.

 

Leia on the right and Lando are the best of that lot.

blackmyron Miniature Market is also a great source, for X-Wing as well as other FFG products.

 

Prices seem comparable, although the advantage with CoolStuff is that I don't have to pay shipping as store is about a mile away from my place.

 

“The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.”
–Leia Organa

The Star Wars®: Age of Rebellion™ Roleplaying Game thrusts players into the middle of the civil war that rages between the evil Galactic Empire and the heroic, rag-tag bands of freedom fighters that comprise the Rebel Alliance.

In our last Age of Rebellion preview, we looked at how their allegiance to the Rebel Alliance gives player characters a cause to fight for that’s greater than themselves, and we explored how that idea carries out through the system’s epic scope: The missions your character undertakes will impact the fates of hundreds of Rebel soldiers, the outcomes of massed space battles, and the lives of millions throughout the galaxy.

Mechanically, the system’s epic scope is given form by its focus on Duty and by the new adversaries, vehicles, and starships that help comprise the Imperial threat. Today, however, contributing author Sterling Hershey turns our attention toward another way that the Age of Rebellion Core Rulebook reminds you that your character’s actions are always creating ripples that echo throughout the galaxy.

​

Sterling Hershey on Portraying the Galaxy and the Rebellion

The Star Wars: Age of Rebellion Core Rulebook contains more than the rules you need to play; it contains setting details and story ideas. Setting details include information about the planets and locations where the player characters might go, and they address the groups and organizations to whom the heroes may talk or against whom they may fight once they get there.

The Star Wars galaxy is vast, and such information is helpful to orient both Game Masters and players. They can use this chapter to jump start their character backgrounds, discover interesting places and people they haven’t previously heard of, or find suitable locations for new encounters, adventures, and campaigns.

My contributions to the Age of Rebellion Core Rulebook included Chapter 10: The Galaxy and Chapter 11: The Rebellion.

​

A Galaxy at War

Naturally, The Galaxy includes a lot of physical information: major hyperspace routes, regions of the galaxy, and a galaxy map. Each region of the galaxy is described, along with a list and brief description of important systems, but the approach is unique to the Rebellion’s specific interests.

The descriptions in the Age of Rebellion Core Rulebook don’t just describe a location as a static entity; they talk more about how areas may be useful to the Imperials and Rebels who may visit or target them. That isn’t to say that every single entry focuses on battlegrounds; there are still shady places throughout the galaxy where characters can slip off the sensors for a while, and the Rebels make use of these as well. The Rebel Territories section discusses exactly what that means in a war where it is difficult to hold ground.

The chapter’s in-universe, in-character sidebar descriptions and vignettes also reflect the Core Rulebook’s focus on the Rebel Alliance. A variety of voices and viewpoints emphasize the range of opinions regarding the Rebellion and its efforts throughout the galaxy. A few examples include a Bothan Spynet report, Rebel recruiter, Imperial defector, and a skeptical citizen.

​

The Rebel Alliance

The Rebellion is a primer on the Rebel Alliance, how they operate, and the battle tactics they employ. Players trying to figure out how their characters or groups fit into the Alliance should find this information helpful. Common mission types may also serve as story hooks or inspiration for other Rebel operations.

The chapter also covers the Rebellion’s bases. Everyone needs somewhere to operate out of, and the chapter offers general base-building advice for those GMs or players who want to create their own. For those who want something more recognizable, the Rebel Main Base on Yavin IV is included, straight out of the movies.

You will also find a new base called Watercrest Outpost. Watercrest isn’t a military base, but an intelligence gathering base situated near sensitive Imperial star systems – places suitable for covert Rebel missions. It is hidden in plain sight, concealed within a failed vacation resort that the Alliance has “reopened” as a way to cover its ship traffic, as well as to provide better accommodations than the average secret base. Because the outpost hosts non-Rebel guests from time to time to keep up local appearances, the use of Watercrest Outpost introduces new roleplaying and story opportunities not available at an isolated military base.

​

Thanks, Sterling!

As the core of an entire, standalone Star Wars roleplaying system, the Age of Rebellion Core Rulebook provides all the rules you need to enjoy countless hours amid the civil war raging between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance.

We’ve now seen how Age of Rebellion immerses you in this epic, galactic conflict with both its rules and its setting information. In our next transmission, we’ll continue to explore the different elements that make Age of Rebellion a uniquely satisfying Star Wars roleplaying experience. We will turn our attention toward the Imperial threat and the vehicles, starships, and massed space battles that may decide the outcome of the Galactic Civil War!

 

'Dat map.

 

Very nice.

Though I was thrown for a bit because it was at a different angle than usual.

 

Yeah. I actually think I even prefer it this way, with the Unknown Regions at the bottom. It stops them being the first thing you see, and actually makes them not feel quite as imposing-- which I imagine may appeal more to the people who never liked the idea.

Symbolically it also feels rather fitting that you've got the dark unexplored places "underneath" the Republic, like it's the "Hell" where none dare venture.

 

It does make the galaxy feel larger and more sprawling set out that way, though I'd still be happier if it was encircling the whole thing ("here be space dragons") rather than eating a giant chunk out of one side.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y8vzs1p5vjvglpo/thegalaxy.jpg

 

That map is gorgeous, plus I LOVE that angle. The shot of a Rebel task force was beautiful, love seeing a classic shot with Home One and an assortment of ships.

Do we know if this is canon yet? Cause I desperately want the galaxy map from the EU to be canon!

EDIT:

Crap, that map has Zonoma Sekot and shows the Imperial Remnant in 40 ABY. In other words, non-canon.

--Adm. Nick