FIRST LIGHT discussion

[Nlinindoll]

New HeroQuest starter set is like Avalon Hill’s answer to Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Bold claim. Of course it's not from Hasbro themselves, but still.

I see it more as an “illustrative example.” Said another way, just as Jaws of the Lion serves as an entry-level, more affordable introduction to the main Gloomhaven base game, First Light will serve as an entry-level, more affordable introduction to the main HeroQuest game.

[Kurgan]

Avalon Hill is now claiming that Clark Mitchell, a real human being, created the HeroQuest First Light art, rather than A.I. Many (including myself) are still suspicious. Apparently the artist has used A.I. art in the past, to make it even more interesting. Can they be trusted??

[Kurgan]

Some points of interest...

Also look at the Wizard's right foot... the Barbarian's blade (and his left pectoral region)... Virg pointed out some interesting things, like that the Wizard on this box looks very much like a modified image of the Wizard from the remake game system box. The Elf's shield in this one looks like a modified version of the image of the Elf's shield from Mage of the Mirror's male Elf artwork.

If it's not A.I. then it's a very curious style of the artist, and it feels very unfinished. Not saying anyone could be paid to do what he does (maybe he promised to get it done in record time and under budget?), but it leaves much to be desired, based on the previous history of HeroQuest artwork we've seen thus far.

[Markus Darwath]

I'm leaning toward First Light being to the game system as the D&D starter box is to the core rule books. Easier start for new players, lower price point, better retail shelf spacing. Probably alternative/simplified quests from the original. If there's anything to appeal to veteran players it would have to be something like finally having the missing retail gender-swap heroes, maybe modular tiles, ratmen would be completely awesome and worth the box price alone. Assuming everything will be plastic, not cardboard and standees, because that would be the exact wrong direction to appeal to experienced players/collectors.

[Chwat]

I was thinking if the quest were to be the same format as the GS, would they be on the app also! how would they fit in the order. Not that they need to but surly AH would utilise the app as the younger generation would maybe more enticed by it.

[Kurgan]

I would assume it would just be in its own separate section as if it were an expansion. Would they bother to create an entire App just for First Light on its own?

[MonsterMotor]

Some points of interest...

If it's not A.I. then it's a very curious style of the artist, and it feels very unfinished. Not saying anyone could be paid to do what he does (maybe he promised to get it done in record time and under budget?), but it leaves much to be desired, based on the previous history of HeroQuest artwork we've seen thus far.

I think we can even play a new game HQ-related game now: guessing whose celebrity photos were used in the training of the AI:

Let me try first:
Barbarian: Mel Gibson (Braveheart)
Elfie: Kim Basinger (her younger days, of course...)

Any guesses for the wizard or dwarf? (By the way, his axe is too short. Would not qualify for 4 attack dice on my board. )

[Kurgan]

A mysterious source reveals that there was some real basic human created art behind this cover, and then Clark Mitchell was called in because he's known for touching up and photo-bashing stuff "fast & cheap" that's why it looks like it does. So if there was any A.I. involved in this product, it was minimal, and possibly indirect (my source doesn't believe any was used).

[LucaRocks]

While I think what your source says is credible, I'm pretty convinced that the guy used AI. Whether he'll admit to it or not, doing art "fast and cheap" probably means he would need to dip into the AI well for help. Just saying.

In other news, Amazon has upped the release date of JOD to July 24 and those of us who ordered there are being given a late July delivery date. So my question is; does this mean FL will release Oct with a preorder date of Sept?

I think that was similar to POT and SQT. So it may be following the pattern... Remixed OG expack in Spring (with possibly a hero pack), brand new one in Summer and a new one in Fall with heavy reuse of preexisting content. Whaddya think?

[Kurgan]

Things can change and move more quickly... regarding GenCon (Aug 1-4th) at first Avalon Hill was going to just have a free panel to discuss the "new expansion" (Jungles of Delthrak) which turned into ticketed play sessions. Then they announced we'd be told when and where to be able to get First Light. If it's really a store retail product I wouldn't expect any sort of "pre-order" for it, but several people disagree with me on that, saying Target stores are known for pre-orders.

If JoD is really going to be in people's hands July 26th already (that's the earliest my Amazon US says, if I paid priority shipping, which I don't plan to do, but still), maybe they would speed things up? If it's meant to be a store exclusive, I don't think that gives good odds for it being sold at the con, though having demos on hand might be possible. I am just guessing here. But giving more details, surely possible, though a simple street date may be the only new thing we can count on.