Heroquest remake by Hasbro - The BIG discussion thread

[Shadzar]

Technically, HeroQuest was kind of a thing that existed in that world prior to 1989, but … yeah, releasing books for "HeroQuest" AFTER it was a board game that everybody knew about that was published until just a few years ago was likely not an accident.

Well the trademark is the issue. HASBRO is, or may be trying to release a property, and they don't like letting trademarks escape. This was probably an oversight at the time that caused some confusion, and with the Quest Wars announcement and ending of the Hero Wars products that were called Hero Quest; the space in the name just isn't enough difference and HASBRO might actually have to do something to prevent the confusion of its brands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEui6fSzVtA


Not sure if Quest Wars uses a d20, but to me this makes a clear statement that HASBRO needs to make sure their brand is known instead of this RPG, and that means they also have to distance the game from D&D as well to prevent continued confusion.

Of course, I had to add my snark to it because HASBRO/WotC. So maybe the line in the sand is not only being drawn by us, but also HASBRO so that people know they don't want controversy spilling over into a "new" game they are making. Nip it in the bud sort of thing? Also probably to make sure it is known to belong to HASBRO alone now and no longer connected to Games Workshop.

[Kurgan]

This past weekend I visited another local midwestern game shop that featured a prominent sticker on the door "Ask inside for more information on the new Warhammer Quest, now with vampires!" The folks behind the counter seemed confused, then went and looked in the warhammer section and found nothing, checked and said they only ordered a few copies which pretty much instantly sold out. They also stated they don't have any information on getting the new Hero Quest but doubted they would be able to.

[iKarith]

Cursed City is GONE unless GW republishes it after they sort out new suppliers. Thing is, that was bound to take them months. It may be back in time for Christmas if they can get it done other than from a Chinese supplier. (I don't know what UK tariffs do and don't cover.)

At this point, also gone is anyone's faith in "Warhammer Quest" as a brand. GW has made several random games that aren't related to each other nor to the classic WHQ using the brand, and they've all been here and gone so fast that it's kind of an insult to the players. Are they making games for players or fodder for the scalper market?

I guess we'll see if Hasbro has better plans for the HQ edition. The expansion artwork suggests some room for cautious optimism, but we shall see I suppose.

[Kurgan]

Are they making games for players or fodder for the scalper market?

Exactly. I sometimes imagine some post apocalyptic hellscape in which we trade food packets for unopened neca figures...


Hopefully it's the former.

[Edge]

This is my fear, too. That they’re just reasserting the copyright and milking the fans that have been obsessively waiting for this moment. That there won’t be a wide retail release with marketing support and an articulate message about the human/social value of games like this. That we won’t get the dragon or the dice box or re-releases of the other expansions.

I’m as doom and gloom as anyone, but I’m trying to be optimistic.

The fizzling of no solid information from “Zargon”, crappy low-res photos, and still no update to the Avalon Hill site despite stated expectations for at least weekly painted furnitures or miniatures from months ago is disheartening, though. Especially since, let’s be honest, none of these things should have been impacted by COVID. Nothing’s stopping them from painting a mini and sharing it. Nothing’s stopping them from announcing that backers get dragons and dice boxes. Nothing’s stopping them from announcing a commitment to develop at least the old existing expansions as exclusive preorders through Pulse at the very least.

Today I’m not optimistic. Zargon has won.

[Kurgan]

I wouldn't assume anything more than what they have already promised.

Promised: Game (Mythic and Heroic versions) ship Fall 2021. 90 days to return unopened for refund after delivered. Mythic Tier unlocks contain two new quest books in addition to the two expansions and the bonus figures shown (colors may vary). Heroic Tier gets the four alternate basic heroes and Sir Ragnar plus the game system only.

Promised: The Dragon (with tiles and quest book) will not be released, since its tier was not funded during the pledge drive. No dice box was mentioned except in previews by unofficial youtubers, no further information provided (might have been exclusive to them for all we know).

Promised: The general public can start ordering the game through the Hasbro Pulse website sometime after the pledged orders are all fulfilled. Exact date unknown.

Suggested but not Promised: Future releases. They want fans to send in their requests.

It has not been promised that the game will be released in retail. So far I've asked a couple of local game/hobby stores here in the midwest and they either said they didn't know anything about it or explicitly said they would not be getting any copies unless they were used from pledgers (at a necessary markup).

Other than what's showing on the page, we know nothing for sure. The Twitter page shows pictures of the models that were already made known on the pledge page, some with custom paint jobs (figures will be unpainted).

The Twitter page shows a flimsy plastic "holder" for the figures, but it's unknown if this will be included in what customers actually receive.

Dice shown in the official trailer and on the Pledge page (and shown in unofficial "preview" videos from youtubers) have rounded corners while Twitter shows square cornered dice.


So will it ever get released to retail stores for the general public or will it be a kind of print on demand type of game only available through the website? The "Pulse exclusive" thing makes it sound like it might be sold in some other form, but it might be referring to other websites selling it (without the alternate heroes for example).

I hope for the best, but until we have proof, best not to assume. If you have twitter, make your complaints known there... they've said they want to hear from us, so by all means!

[iKarith]

The "holder" being the very thermoformed PVC box insert with pre-assembled minis? Given the date, that was a factory sample. Barring QA flaws in that (which at this stage would delay release), that's the final form of the minis and how they'll be shipped out. It's a cost-saving and QA thing, and they do the same in their other products, so it's logical that they wouldn't break with that model.

[Shadzar]

pre-assembled minis?

Well the Q&A stated that the minis would all come pre-assembled. So the gargoyle wings, and candlesticks on the Sorcerer's Table, and scales on the Alchemist Table will be pre-broken for us all.

As well th staff on the bonus Witch Lord mini and ll other minis will be pre-broken.

At best the minis will only be half misaligned when assembled and will only have to melt 20% of a mini with unknown solvents to take it apart and realign the limbs and items they have.

This is why you can only return un-opened for a refund because they know everything will be broken in packing and shipping, and you arent allowed to check the quality of what you purchased before determining if it is worth the money.

At least Walmart will exchange for a replacement item hen parts are broken in games. But since HASBRO is dealing with China (probably a Wuhan based manufacturer), then what do we really expect? 50% of the product will be DOA like all electronics are now.

I am expecting QA & QC to be very low on this. When you have HASBRO telling people to put out electrical fire with water, you know not to trust what comes next.
https://twitter.com/heroquest/status/1408087533456592902

Zargon @heroquest
LITTLE KNOWN FACT:

A “Potion Of Stop Fire” is just water.
11:40 AM · Jun 24, 2021·Khoros Publishing App

[Edge]

I wouldn't assume anything more than what they have already promised.

That’s valuable perspective, Kurgan. Thanks.

[cornixt]

I am expecting QA & QC to be very low on this. When you have HASBRO telling people to put out electrical fire with water, you know not to trust what comes next.

Zargon's dungeon has electricity? Maybe that is a tv above the fireplace and not a portrait.