Heroclix Online is official [Archive]

adamkomar

08/05/2010, 06:34

:(

That means I have to stop playing online with Crow's program once the lawsuits start coming.

I doubt it. There are ways to play other games online that aren't official and there aren't any problems. WizKids will probably just pile on a lot of fringe benefits to bring you to the official game.

And I'm sure the official online version will follow the form of buying virtual packs. I've never been into that.

The Incredible Mate

08/11/2010, 16:24

If they do it anything like Magic online then I definately won't be playing it. If it's a small monthly fee like $5 or something and you can play a game with anyone around the world then fine and with any figure then again fine but I won't be spending $12 a pack or any money for that matter on Digital picture figures that I can't own unless I collect the whole set BS.

They should make it that you somehow punch in a code for the figures you get to put in the game. IDK how they would get it to work for older modern age sets but then again all you would have to do is tell your friend the code for E2 supes and everyone can use him.

I hope this is more fun that I think it will be because I don't have anyone in the area that plays and this way I could actually play.

Munchoboy

08/11/2010, 16:33

If this report true, we can expect online Heroclix play sometime in the future.

Interesting...so much potential!

Jarimy123

08/11/2010, 16:35

Yea this would be insanely awesome.

Suttkus

08/11/2010, 16:36

I'd take a lesson from the Dungeons and Dragon's Online: The game is free, to hook you. You can play free forever, but advancing your character comes more quickly if you pay the premium.

For HeroClix Online, I'd do something like this:

When you sign up for the free game, you get 50 random figures (you can choose Marvel, DC or Mixed). These figures all come from modern-age sets. You get a free booster each week that you play at least five games online, in addition to any LE figures you win in tournaments. You can make individual payments to get points that you can spend on blind boosters, action packs or individual figures in the virtual store. If you sign up for the subscription, you get more points than the same amount of money would get you in individual payments, of course. Naturally, you can also trade with other people.

If you're broke, like me, you can still play, and slowly build up your collection, as well as be encouraged to make the occasional cash payment.

FrankyTheClamp

08/11/2010, 16:40

:(

That means I have to stop playing online with Crow's program once the lawsuits start coming.

Nah that program will continue on, there is still a free magic one out there, can't remember what it is called, but if WotC didn't quash that one why would wizkids with its fraction of the resources bother shutting down a small app like that

also i will refuse to play if it is the same as MTG online, I am not going to bother spending money to play a game i already own a pile of pieces for online.

If they manage to do the code, they could do a "unique" code for each figure so once a code is punched in it cannot redeemed again, they do it for the loot cards in the WoW TCG so why not for the figures in the game. They could make it like Chaotic (i think thats the one) where the codes are covered like a scratch ticket, so you know if your figure is still valid online. If it was like that i would gladly pay 5$ a month to play in tournaments

The Incredible Mate

08/11/2010, 16:49

I like suttkus's idea. That would work wonders for me and everyone who wants to play still can either spend their money on the best figures or just play for the heck of it.

Plus I like the one pack a week idea, then I can still get my game on and get rewarded for it without having to pay. Then I can still buy my figures outside of the computer.

SPAZ the GEEK

08/11/2010, 17:04

I'd like to see Wizkids/NECA's idea of Heroclix online. I don't like the idea of buying virtual packs, but there's nothing to say that if you buy a real pack that each character card couldn't have an activation number on it. That way your virtual collection would like your real one. I like the possibilities.

Puuka

08/11/2010, 17:10

Beast

08/11/2010, 17:12

:(

That means I have to stop playing online with Crow's program once the lawsuits start coming.
Yeah, just ask the people who made X-Assault. Cease And Desist Order.

Munchoboy

08/12/2010, 09:20

If it was "virtual packs" I wouldn't bother. If it's a monthly sub and access to all "Booster" set figs, then the LE's and such can be won in tournaments.

As for it being "Official" It just sounds like it's something in development. They may still decide it's not worth it and pull it.

For all the others that are saying "I wouldn't play if it was just virtual boosters" What if they had online tournaments and you could win real figures?

I don't mind the idea of virtual packs, depending on how it is modelled and operated.

That said, I am very interested in the possibility of being able to play a game of clix literally whenever I want, and with folk outside of my area. That is very appealing and exciting to me.

I can only think that if this takes off, your average clix player with a regular scene will probably not be the target demographic, but rather this product will be aimed at folk who do not have easy access to other players or a regular scene, or those players who travel a lot for work.

All in all, I am very interested to see how such an endeavor will affect the HeroClix gamescape as well as the overall proficiency of players worldwide.

Jarimy123

08/12/2010, 09:31

Troma99

08/12/2010, 10:29

I'm pretty sure people will line up to play this, and if done right, will be huge for the game. It just needs to be a real-time game, where when you move a figure it moves on your opponent's screen too, that would truly be awesome. I don't even know if Crow's is that way, I believe you have to save your move and send the link to your opponent?

I like the idea of it being sort of free, but you get more if you pay, but you should be allowed 20 free pieces, and that's it period.

But $5 a month? Hahahah, yea ok. All 2 of the people who wouldn't play it if it's not free, have fun playing home games against yourself in your mom's basement. The grownups will all be enjoying clix online whenever we want.
Yup. While all us cool guys sit in our mom's basements on computers playing with REAL people...just not in person but through the cold heartless plexiglass that is our computer screen.

moogleclix

08/12/2010, 10:49

I'm pretty sure people will line up to play this, and if done right, will be huge for the game. It just needs to be a real-time game, where when you move a figure it moves on your opponent's screen too, that would truly be awesome. I don't even know if Crow's is that way, I believe you have to save your move and send the link to your opponent?

I like the idea of it being sort of free, but you get more if you pay, but you should be allowed 20 free pieces, and that's it period.
I'm totally down with this, too. I would definitely play a Heroclix online that's free to play, but you can pay for more. I always thought that was a great idea on the side of the DDO folks. And if they implement a way to give real figs as prizes for online tourneys, that would be awesome, too!

On the other hand, Crow's program is really sweet. I've played around with it for years, and it works exceptionally well. I remember making the comment back when they first leaked the possibility of an "official" HCOnline that Wizkids is crazy if they don't use the existing HCOL engine, at least as a starting-off point. It is in real-time, btw, and includes a chat feature, but is made much easier (and WAY faster) if you have a mic and some type of voice-chat program.

Timeshadow

08/12/2010, 11:13

I for one would probubly play play this pay or not as long as it is implimented well with good graphics and interface. I'm literally 2 hours drive from anywhere that I could play in a tourniment so Clix online YES!! Thank-you!!! I'd like it if you payed for the program and got a vurtual starter (16-20 figures from a current set about 4 boosters) Then payed a monthly fee say 5-10$ and got a booster or more every 2 weeks for that. You could also "buy" extra boosters and trade ect. Hopefully they will have a good trade interface where you can just lock in what figs u want to trade and for what. What would be really cool is if they went really all out and had us make vurtual avatars of ourselves and created a clix city/world that we could explore and battle others in. It sounds cheezy but I think many ppl would like it.

exodus147

08/12/2010, 12:02

My Girlfriend and I play a game at home usually once a month, the nearest other gamer is an hour away. If the Graphics are decent I would be all over this. I think buying boosters online for a buck a booster or less wouldn't be terrible but maybe have a coupon with each case. Buy a Case of a set and get a coupon to unlock the entire set online, chases and all.

RavenProject

08/12/2010, 12:16

Way too many open questions before I can get excited or disappointed.

But definitely curious.

-J

ChiRocker

08/12/2010, 12:30

I would be crazy down with this. I rarely get to play during the school year, but I would love to play at my leisure. I think you get 10 free boosters for signing up (getting them from the set lets you get a brick fig!!). They could have all sorts of ongoing tourneys for modern age or golden age, and of course Print-and Play would be very easy to use.

Anyone could start their own free play room or tournaments, being able to use any of their pieces as prizes. I can see their being Highlander rooms as well. So many possibilities, especially if they listen to the players and try all sorts of beta ideas.

dwidabill

08/12/2010, 12:43

I HATE the idea of playing clix online!! It will always be much more fun to venture out into the big, bad, world and interact with other human beings to play!

Munchoboy

08/12/2010, 12:53

I HATE the idea of playing clix online!! It will always be much more fun to venture out into the big, bad, world and interact with other human beings to play!

I don't think folk will disagree with you in that actual in-person play will be generally preferable.

However, as evidenced by some of the posts above, it isn't always an option.

Like I said, I don't think this product is aimed at folk with regular HeroClix scenes or with access to other players that are readily available. ;)

FrankyTheClamp

08/12/2010, 12:56

I pretty much would only do it if it was in the style of chaotic as i suggested earlier, my gaming budget is tight as it is

Suttkus

08/12/2010, 19:53

I like the idea of it being sort of free, but you get more if you pay, but you should be allowed 20 free pieces, and that's it period.

No, man, you don't see the evil psychology here.

If you say, "You can play free, but you only ever get twenty pieces", the skinflints like me are going to look at it and say, "Bah, that's nothing, I'd have to start paying to get anything good, since I can't afford that, I won't get involved."

But, offer them a little bit free every week, and the skinflints (like me) are saying, "Haw! I can stay free forever and always get new stuff!"

Then we get addicted and have to pay money. It's like any other drug, you get inured to the amount you're currently taking and need a larger high all the time.

And then you have them in your evil clutches!

***

If the Graphics are decent I would be all over this.

Graphics? Graphics?

You kids today with your fancy fonts and your 32-bit graphics are all spoiled rotten. In my day we had ASCII graphics, AND WE LIKED THEM! We played Star Trek with asterisks for stars and aimed our shots by typing in angles we calculated by hand. AND WE HAD FUN DOING IT!

You kids today wouldn't know fun unless it came in 32 billion colors.

Bah! Humbug!

***

I HATE the idea of playing clix online!! It will always be much more fun to venture out into the big, bad, world and interact with other human beings to play!

Are they somehow not capable of doing both? Personally, I only get to play physical games on Saturdays, so that gives me 6 days of time where I don't have that option. I'm not going to give up my Saturdays for Online time.

Oddly, I'll probably get to play with my brother more online. We don't have table space to play at home.

CowboyBebop

08/12/2010, 20:01

As a busy dad, this would be perfect. I rarely get to play twice a month. I have been screaming for this for years, lol.

PsychoHippie

08/12/2010, 20:07

No, man, you don't see the evil psychology here.

If you say, "You can play free, but you only ever get twenty pieces", the skinflints like me are going to look at it and say, "Bah, that's nothing, I'd have to start paying to get anything good, since I can't afford that, I won't get involved."

But, offer them a little bit free every week, and the skinflints (like me) are saying, "Haw! I can stay free forever and always get new stuff!"

Then we get addicted and have to pay money. It's like any other drug, you get inured to the amount you're currently taking and need a larger high all the time.

And then you have them in your evil clutches!

***

Jay and Silent Bob approve of this post.

It IS called plastic crack for a reason...

ManOfCopper89

08/12/2010, 20:12

This would be a great way to test out teams at any time, since there will always be an opponent willing to play. The problem with team-building now is that you can't test teams out as much as you'd want to because doing that involves digging them out, traveling, and finding an opponent who has the time to sit and play multiple times.

Also, it would help with the large amount of people that don't have a firm grasp of the rules by making it so people would be forced to play according to even the more detailed rulings and get accustomed to one unified way of playing, cutting down on rules-lawyering and stalling with timed turns.

While on that subject, they better make the programming for it really tight and accurate. In Heroclix, the rules are in a constant state of evolution from starter to starter, and I don't want to have any problems with glitches allowing or not allowing you to do certain things you would be able to do in real life. With all due respect to Wizkids, if they can miss drawing out terrain markings on maps sent out in real-life, doesn't that mean they could miss programming in terrain bonuses and markers while programming? Or have glitches with the complex rules? Of course, these would be easier to fix with instant feedback and maintenance.

Jutty

08/21/2010, 16:32

They should either charge a monthly fee, or include codes with future boosters that you redeem for online play with those figures. I don't like how MTG Online works. I'm not big on virtual items and having the figure in person to set up is half the fun for me. I like collecting just as much as I like playing.

Havickzbeck

08/21/2010, 16:39

:(

That means I have to stop playing online with Crow's program once the lawsuits start coming.

Why are you assuming that Crows HC online isn't what they are using?
Nothing like good ol-fashioned assumptions!

fut_baller

08/21/2010, 17:00

I too would so play this as my nearest venue is about 2-3 hrs away. I would pay to play but i think i would be in the minority. The free play model I think would be the way to go. Including redeemable codes with boosters would also go along way in making sure I keep buying the physical product and keep playing the original and the electronic versions.
Great idea and as long as there are no/minimal bugs, I will keep my fingers crossed that it works!

hclixinarcadia

10/06/2010, 22:57

If this report true, we can expect online Heroclix play sometime in the future.

http://www.livingdice.com/4901/gen-con-2010-trade-day-report/

I read thru that link. Lol, all it said was that quote:

Heroclix Online is a new project announced, but it is still very early and there were not any screen shots or demo. I will follow-up as this develops.

My guess? That's at least three years away from reality.

adamkomar

10/07/2010, 12:46

My guess? That's at least three years away from reality.

I think it's still three years away from fantasy.

hclixinarcadia

10/07/2010, 12:54

I think it's still three years away from fantasy.

so, three years to even get to the fantasy stage? and then three more to go from fantasy to reality? Sounds about right. lol, that's software development for ya.

Darth Sabre

10/07/2010, 13:26

Cool for those that enjoy such things, but it's not for me. There's a lot to be said for using the real figures and hanging out with friends in a face-to-face enviornment.

Suttkus

10/07/2010, 13:27

What, you can't do both? I, personally, intend to love Heroclix Online and play it often, but it's not going to mess up my Saturday games with friends.

spike1138

10/07/2010, 13:29

Yes! This means I can finally lose HeroClix matches online to VGA!

invisibo

10/07/2010, 13:41

the smart thing to do would be to offer figures via redeemable inserts in boosters, and otherwise have a 'pay a small fee to unlock characters' while making the game otherwise free-to-play.

MarshallXIII

10/07/2010, 13:48

the smart thing to do would be to offer figures via redeemable inserts in boosters, and otherwise have a 'pay a small fee to unlock characters' while making the game otherwise free-to-play.

Quoted for truth. Best idea, and a small fee to download old sets.

IceHot

10/07/2010, 13:56

Play testing would be much improved with an online version.

MaxFortune

10/07/2010, 14:40

Play testing would be much improve with an online version.

And with rules editors who speak and write English as their primary language.

KillerSavage

10/07/2010, 15:37

And with rules editors who speak and write English as their primary language.
So we're sending more jobs overseas?! The US just can't get any breaks.

:laugh:

DarkLordVerjal

10/07/2010, 17:54

With all due respect to HCOL, Crow, and the other contributors, I always found it lacking. I used to play Star Wars Miniatures on a Vassal program and that was MUCH better. There was a HC Vassal, but out of date, and could have been brought up to date using existing data and been better then HCOL.

If we get a better program with an option for Mic usage and a better layout and button system for adjusting LOF, and map view, I am very excited.

sparks4289

10/07/2010, 18:10

If this is true, which I seriously doubt, it'll probably be very similar to wizkids earlier attempts at bringing one of their games into the Online world. Pirates online was absolutely horrible. Costs for digital packs were almost the same as real packs, it was free to play, no monthly fees, but I do believe you had to buy the 'starter' to get going. I played this off and on for like 2 years, the servers were always empty, the updates were far and few between, the code was buggy, and the servers were laggy for what little traffic they actually had. After about the 20th time I logged on to discover NO ONE online, I removed the program and never looked back.

If wizkids brings heroclix online, I'll consider playing it if and when they decide to refund the 50 bucks I wasted playing pirates online.