Status Of Game?

[Monk]

Ahhh...everyone slow down. =)

So here's the deal, I'm still hoping to revive the Allegiance game in some form or another once it becomes possible again. Right now I'm working on other projects trying to build up some capital. If at some point I can make another good go at things I'd like to do it. We spent a lot of time in the "dying days" working on a plan for the future. The one we came up with was pretty great and I think Allegiance, given a reasonable budget, can be successful - potentially in its old form, but more likely in a slightly modified fashion. Unfortunately that means that I have to hang on to the expansion for now until I can reach a point where it's fiscally viable to revive the line (or throw away a potential money maker that would allow continued development and support etc).

In my opinion, the only reason Allegiance failed was because we never had the money to properly market it. We made great money...just too slowly as the fanbase built up. Basically we took X months to sell Y product, but we needed to do it in Y-4 or something. The result was we ended up in an economic pit where we could no longer make things work. That lead to us seeking some financial aid - we had a number of shots at getting some investment but for one reason or another they didn't pan out. Perhaps that was for the best as the opportunities it opened up have given me a lot of options for the future in many areas.

So anyhow, I hope that things will line up again in the future, if that doesn't happen soon enough for the remnants of the fanbase I'm really sorry...it's never been my intention to do anything other than try to produce good games for real gamers. I still believe in Allegiance and hope to bring it back as soon as possible.

Good to hear that some of you are still having fun with the core set. =)
_________________
aka Andrew Grierson
Lead Designer
Allegiance: War of Factions
Lucid Raven Productions

[Patheos]

Hear hear! Im still playing a pick up game now and then when I can find people with cards. And of course I will do everything I can in the future to bring it back to greater glory.

Allegiance was a launchpad for all of us. It taught us many great things about business, exposure, PR, and many other great things. I use many of the skills and experiences I learned while creating Allegiance in many facets of my life and career.

Allegiance became more than I ever dreamed at age 21 when we first started it. The reality of taking an idea and making it a reality is sweet. Now that I have done it once, I know how to do it again and fully expect to.

So anyway, I don't see the game as a failure. I see the fact that we made an incredible game, a very loyal fanbase and experienced as much success as we were prepared to do. Next time, we will have that experience to lean on and show investors in order to start off with some financial backing other than what two brothers (age 24/21) have at their disposal.

To the future! And the day we shall be reunited again.
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Patheos
AKA James Grierson
Game Designer #2
Director of Sales/Marketing

[comicsmike]

I'm very glad to hear that you guys are trying to keep the game going, and that it was a good experience for you. I have a store in Michigan, and loved your game. When you guys were having a tour, your company was nice enough to come by and do demos. Fun was had by all that stopped by that day. I hope to see some progress in the future, but if not, thank you for all that you had provided before. Thank you, Michael Werner.

[Clandaith]

So, any word on the game? I still think releasing it as a PDF would be great. I would gladly pay for the PDF.
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Troy Davidson

[Monk]

I'm still not giving up hope on Allegiance yet. Though most of the old fanbase will probably be gone by the time I'm able to put out the new version I'm still going to hang on to the Undercity as it has a pretty good value as a future asset. I realize this stinks for those of you who still enjoy the first incarnation of Allegiance.

The good news is that life is going well and if it continues it may become possible to get things going again someday. With all the new experience and the furthering of industry contacts were making all it would take is a little luck and a few good intentions and we might be able to resurrect LRP - which would be a dream. Allegiance isn't the only game I have wanting to get released! =)
_________________
aka Andrew Grierson
Lead Designer
Allegiance: War of Factions
Lucid Raven Productions

[Clandaith]

So you would rather hold the release back for a potential future release, than release it now as a PDF? That just doesn't make sense to me. I understand that this is your baby and you would love to see Allegiance take off again, but honestly, the is dead and buried. It's not coming back without something amazing.

Why would people spend money on boosters or starters for a game that was once dead?

You could release the game as a PDF. Charge something like $10 for each PDF. (Yes, I am pulling $10 out of the air.) Then, send information to news outlets that you have changed the format from paper to electronic.

I would venture a guess that you would make more money on the game that way then you will by trying to get the game reprinted.
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Troy Davidson

[Matrim]

I am with Clandaith on this, those few fans who would pay for a pdf are unlikely to prevent any relaunch of the game with an injection of cash and some slight changes. After all the game never died because it was bad it ran out of stream due to the lack of backers.

I still play L5R regularly but chuck old cards once an arc is done. I have mept all my Allegiance cards though as it is the only game I have played that bridged the gap between CCG and role play type games.

Lets hope if you cannot allow a small pdf release that you successfully relaunch the game.

[skandall]

I still promote this game on a regular basis. Just about everyone that I get to play the game loves it. The only problem is that I don't have enough cards to make more than 3 decks. This game is multi-player gold and I miss out on opportunities to play with people because I only have three decks. I've looked everywhere but I can't find any cards for sale, not even on ebay. If there is any way at all for me to get more cards I would dearly love to.

That aside, one of the major hurdles of relaunching this game is the lack of available core set cards. Just releasing the Undercity expansion is almost certain to fail without also rereleasing the Core set of cards. Indeed, the way to go may be to just combine the two sets.

There is another option for relaunching the game; change the format from CCG to something like the Living Card Game (LCG) that Fantasy Flight Games is doing. I quite like this format and my understanding is that the industry is more receptive towards publishing games of this nature.

EDIT: As to releasing on PDF, it may help keep the existing player base going. If you do release the expansion, it would be good to also release the core set. I have players who would gladly pay $10 for the set as a PDF. We all love the game and we just want to be able to keep playing as well as spread the word to others.

Best Regards,
Craig
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Craig

Amiga forever!

[Patheos]

Skandall - we still have a few starter deck boxes lurking around if you need some for your players. Feel free to send me a pm and I would be happy to help you get some out your way.
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Patheos
AKA James Grierson
Game Designer #2
Director of Sales/Marketing

[LordTurin]

Hey just Thought I would say I really love Allegiance, And if you guys do get something going again I would love to help with demos and stuff.