COMMANDER OF THE GUARDIAN KNIGHTS discussion

[cornixt]

Sounds like new sculpts, possibly bundled with another expansion, are how it is going to go.

[Blayze]

Sounds like new sculpts, possibly bundled with another expansion, are how it is going to go.

Hope so.

[QorDaq]

Sounds like new sculpts, possibly bundled with another expansion, are how it is going to go.

This is what I suspect as well. They clearly state that the existing miniature will not be reprinted, but that they're not done with the Knight Commanders in HQ. So yeah, perhaps the Knight will get it's own expansion pack.

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RE: Avalon Hill Letter -

Over all, I liked what the letter had to say. Granted, it gives me some hope that the pre-order will eventually be delivered of course, and my thoughts are partially colored by that point. (I got an email Saturday saying it was shipping, but so far nothing but a label printed for status on the USPS tracking #). A buddy of mine received his Knight yesterday and got his notice the same time I did... So...?

Regardless, AH acknowledged their failure to anticipate the popularity of "New" HQ content, apologized for that and also for the frustration that has caused. That's quite an improvement over some of the previous communications we've received. In my opinion anyway.

The letter also mentions that they were not expecting the fan support for the project in general, and implies strongly that there is more than just the Frozen Horror on the horizon. So again, I see that as positive.

I was also surprised that AH recognized the unfortunate scalping angle, the popularity of HQ fan creations on BGG and other "Fan" sites, as well as their recognition that the community is open to new content for the IP.

Now the tone of the letter is somewhat politic, but did suggest that they're paying attention to what fans are asking for and taking feedback, even suggesting that they're taking this into account with development. That's potentially good for the future of retail HQ going forward if true.

AH did not NEED to write that letter, and could have continued letting Zargon take the wrath on Social Media, but they did publish it. Only the future will tell if it is meaningful in terms of releasing new content for HQ, (Let alone an alt version of a Knight) but it does "Sound" like they want our business. As I've said previously, I only hope that they can move with a purpose and strike while the iron's hot.

For now people are still excited despite production missteps and the occasional bad reviews, but if they take years between content the fervor could lesson over time. If they only knew how quickly many of us would snap up almost anything gameplay related, not the least of which would be new heroes, but also odd ball things like tile packs, terrain packs, enemy packs, card packs (Spells, Equipment, etc.), dice packs, and so on. Things that need not require the development time of big box expansions.

Or as another example, how cool would enemy packs be, with 6 - 8 minis, with a couple of alternate sculpts... Goblin Spears? Orc Archers? Bandits? A few minis and a couple of enemy cards would be popular I think. Or even better a series of "Encounter" sets that could be dropped into any Quest. Add a few Treasure and Enemy cards, maybe an overlay tile. Think; Bones Black: Crypt of the Dwarf King. An excellent example of how AH "Could" make themed sets that I think would sell--particularly with just a few cards for enemies and treasure added in for context.

Okay, this went into the weeds quick, and my ideas certainly are not based on anything mentioned in the letter re-posted above, but if AH are actually listening to the fans, perhaps they'll think outside of the box in terms of what has been packaged in the past. I really hope that they've got a genuinely creative team to take HQ well beyond what we've seen before.

Either way, I found the letter to be a good start. And I have some glimmer of hope that perhaps those who missed the pre-order Knight Commander, will eventually be able to get ahold of an analog at some point and in some alternate form.

[Kurgan]

Wow. So are they going to fill all the orders and then stop production or are some people going to go without who did pre-order?

I'm happy for the apology and that they're listening, but bummer about the rest...

[elvyler]

Wow. So are they going to fill all the orders and then stop production or are some people going to go without who did pre-order?

Not entirely sure. Heard from some people on Reddit that some pre-orders are being cancelled. I pre-ordered the day it was announced and haven't heard anything until I got an email today that they've taken payment for it. We'll see if or when they ship. I've also heard of others being charged, but then refunded later and then cancelled.

[Blayze]

I just had a shipping confirmation email from Dorkside Toys half an hour ago.

[dungeonsandataraxia]

HeroQuest doesn't need endless special hero packs, especially not ones that have some sort of "exclusive" or "limited run" BS attached. It isn't 5E, it isn't Descent or Sword and Sorcery (much more complex board games) with 5 billion different hero packs to collect that are "characters" and not just your basic, like, Dwarf. The Mythic ones were lame, I'll say it. Lame. Should have been Knight, Thief, Cleric. The end. No more heroes. Just release the expansion quests.

[Fullork345]

Sounds like new sculpts, possibly bundled with another expansion, are how it is going to go.

This is what I suspect as well. They clearly state that the existing miniature will not be reprinted, but that they're not done with the Knight Commanders in HQ. So yeah, perhaps the Knight will get it's own expansion pack.

---------------------

RE: Avalon Hill Letter -

Over all, I liked what the letter had to say. Granted, it gives me some hope that the pre-order will eventually be delivered of course, and my thoughts are partially colored by that point. (I got an email Saturday saying it was shipping, but so far nothing but a label printed for status on the USPS tracking #). A buddy of mine received his Knight yesterday and got his notice the same time I did... So...?

Regardless, AH acknowledged their failure to anticipate the popularity of "New" HQ content, apologized for that and also for the frustration that has caused. That's quite an improvement over some of the previous communications we've received. In my opinion anyway.

The letter also mentions that they were not expecting the fan support for the project in general, and implies strongly that there is more than just the Frozen Horror on the horizon. So again, I see that as positive.

I was also surprised that AH recognized the unfortunate scalping angle, the popularity of HQ fan creations on BGG and other "Fan" sites, as well as their recognition that the community is open to new content for the IP.

Now the tone of the letter is somewhat politic, but did suggest that they're paying attention to what fans are asking for and taking feedback, even suggesting that they're taking this into account with development. That's potentially good for the future of retail HQ going forward if true.

AH did not NEED to write that letter, and could have continued letting Zargon take the wrath on Social Media, but they did publish it. Only the future will tell if it is meaningful in terms of releasing new content for HQ, (Let alone an alt version of a Knight) but it does "Sound" like they want our business. As I've said previously, I only hope that they can move with a purpose and strike while the iron's hot.

For now people are still excited despite production missteps and the occasional bad reviews, but if they take years between content the fervor could lesson over time. If they only knew how quickly many of us would snap up almost anything gameplay related, not the least of which would be new heroes, but also odd ball things like tile packs, terrain packs, enemy packs, card packs (Spells, Equipment, etc.), dice packs, and so on. Things that need not require the development time of big box expansions.

Or as another example, how cool would enemy packs be, with 6 - 8 minis, with a couple of alternate sculpts... Goblin Spears? Orc Archers? Bandits? A few minis and a couple of enemy cards would be popular I think. Or even better a series of "Encounter" sets that could be dropped into any Quest. Add a few Treasure and Enemy cards, maybe an overlay tile. Think; Bones Black: Crypt of the Dwarf King. An excellent example of how AH "Could" make themed sets that I think would sell--particularly with just a few cards for enemies and treasure added in for context.

Okay, this went into the weeds quick, and my ideas certainly are not based on anything mentioned in the letter re-posted above, but if AH are actually listening to the fans, perhaps they'll think outside of the box in terms of what has been packaged in the past. I really hope that they've got a genuinely creative team to take HQ well beyond what we've seen before.

Either way, I found the letter to be a good start. And I have some glimmer of hope that perhaps those who missed the pre-order Knight Commander, will eventually be able to get ahold of an analog at some point and in some alternate form.

On Twitter they hinted ogre hordes is after frozen horror.

[Kurgan]

It's true we don't need endless new content. It's more important that they keep the GS, KK & ROTWL in retail stores for years to come (like any other board game).

Moving forward limited runs, limited editions, exclusives should be stopped. Whatever they make they should continue to sell as long as it sells if you get what I'm saying.

I made a video response. I'm curious to know why they can't make more. My response

Others had their own takes of course and I didn't watch any others before I did mine. Amalgamash made some good points. Fans needed to express themselves and the company needed to respond. Those who say this give and take shouldn't take place don't understand how change occurs and a franchise thrives rather than withers away.

[elvyler]

They could be using the Guardian Knights to replace the men-at-arms that came in a few of the expansions. I think that would work well, and it makes sense that they would make a "Commander" of the Guardian Knights that isn't essential to have for those quests. Too bad that it's a limited release. Sounds like it they made a mistake and are still underestimating the popularity of HeroQuest.