Interest in an official online Heroclix product?

[Crow]

NECA's announcement that they are looking for beta testers of an online product, and of course my own experiences on the matter, have me truly wondering what kind of response an official online Heroclix product would have from the community.

[Thrumble Funk]

Meh. I don't like the impersonal, anonymous aspect of online play (mainly the fact that people use anonymity as an excuse to be morons), and I wouldn't really be down with an "e-booster" model that doesn't put the figures in my hands. Can't justify spending money on pieces that don't truly exist.

But hey, I'd give it a shot!

[ChiRocker]

I rarely get to play games at LCS's, because they are normally on Wednesdays or Sundays, and I am a music intern at my church (in school to be a music minister), and I have duties on both days (and this will only intensify after I graduate). Playing anytime on line would be awesomesauce so long as it is not real world prices.

[red king]

I have to echo what Chi-Rocker says... It would be cool to play online.... BUT- I don't see it as something I would pay to play.

[Nightwing-fan]

I wouldnt be interested. After working all day and having responsibilities at home in the evening. There is no way I would be able to sit down for a couple of hours a day just to play a online game. Nomatter what kind of game it is.

I'm lucky enough to get saturday free just to make the local tourneys. Sometimes I cant even do that.

[maddragon13]

Not interested in the slightest. I like the feel of the hands-on type of game. If I wanna play something online. I'll turm my PS3 on and play Call Of Duty.

[zero214x]

I would be interested but the cost would have to be nominal and have a way to get the clix you already own on your account for free because i don't see the reason to buy e-boosters just to digitally reclaim what you already have. but it would be fun to "get" older and HoT figs to play test and see which ones I'd want to get in real life.

[mrben]

If it is anything like the VS. online experience, I will run far away.
A well implemented online game, however, I would jump on. I am lucky to get in two games a week. I'm willing to entertain any option that can increase that number.

[Puuka]

I'm wonderig how people would feel if they had official online tournaments and allowed people to win exclusive LE figs they mailed out to you. I would more like to see them insert little slips with codes in to real world boosters that gave you an online booster.

[Suttkus]

In the past year, we have been promised/hinted at that we'll be getting electronic/online games featuring HeroClix, Star Trek, and Mage Knight, so it's not exactly certain what the playtesters are going to be testing. (And wasn't there a call for playtesters earlier this year? I vaguely recall their being one earlier.)

It's time to flash back to what I wrote before on this topic! It's a Suttkus Classic Repost!

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.

[brnbngls]

Probably just echoing some other thoughts on here, but I do like the tactileness of the game. Getting out there and interacting with the gaming community at my shop. However, I can only make it out twice a month so I'm missing out on some gaming too. Cheap enough and easy to do, I'd probably give it a shot. But don't stiff us by charging exhorbitant prices for "e-boosters".

I'd be interested to see how they go about keeping everyone honest with the figures they use in the game.

[jackstar7]

I love the idea. Pricing model and delivery model will both impact my enthusiasm if the product comes to fruition.

[Sigdr]

Currently, it's not something I'm interested in. I have two excellent FLGS's, with really fun people to play against there. I don't always get the time to go, but I do always enjoy going there when I do.

Another issue is that I've already spent frightening amounts of money on Heroclix...why should I pay more to get characters online that I already own physically?

[Owlman]

I would probably only turn to an online Heroclix game if there were no real gamesin my local area.

[HH2011003]

I would enjoy an official online Heroclix game, as long as they didn't use any sort of micro-transaction business model. If I'm going to buy a pack of Heroclix, it's going to be a real one. I'd rather an online game allowed access to every figure.

Though this may all be a moot point if the game they're beta-testing is something else entirely, lol.

[Azrael0626]

Meh. I don't like the impersonal, anonymous aspect of online play (mainly the fact that people use anonymity as an excuse to be morons), and I wouldn't really be down with an "e-booster" model that doesn't put the figures in my hands. Can't justify spending money on pieces that don't truly exist.

But hey, I'd give it a shot!

My thoughts exactly.

[The Arachnid]

I think it would be great for me to try out my theorycraft without risking anything when it came to tournys and special events. But other than releasing scratch off codes on each character card for new sets coming out and giving a player a virtual 'tackle box' for all the figs that have come out, would be the only way to see an economical and viable way to pull it off. Im not burning what hard earned cash I have for a virtual product (I have WoW for that).

[rpweld03]

I'm about to move to whole new state, so I would love an official way to play online with my friends from here and would play often... assuming it's either entirely web-based or that there is a Mac version.

[Munchoboy]

I am very interested for a variety of reasons:

often I may be travelling and the ability to play a game regardless of where I find myself is awesome;

the opportunity to play against folk all over the U.S. or in other countries is really attaractive;

this would be a great tool to sharpen my HC ability, should I wish to "step up" my competitive skills;

and the number one reason an Online HC would be awesome:

All Realms disputes can be resolved via an online HC game. Dance-off's will be a thing of the past. :confused: ;) :laugh:

[FFFAN]

No interest at all. It's all about plastic superheroes for me.

Maybe if there was some kind of DS utility that you could use to check rules, line of sight, build teams.... that would be cool.

[kh2003]

It would be dependent on the price for me. Also, i find it very hard to justify having to "re-collect" my entire collection. At this moment in time, my response would be not interested

[Jarimy123]

Yea that would rule. I would want it to be real time though, I don't like the play-by-post type of programs we have on here. I'd want something where I move my pieces on a board, end my turn, and then it's immediately my opponent's turn and they see everything. Not want to move stuff, then save in a file, then send them the link. I'd want it to be really high tech. I'd pay the money for it to be that way if it costs more as well.

Something like Magic online has, where it's like an actual game between 2 people but just on a screen.

[Manchine]

I didn't realise they said the online game would be heroclix. Where was this stated?

[Crow]

I didn't realise they said the online game would be heroclix. Where was this stated?

It was not. This is still just speculative at this point. Although putting together some facts I have on hand it certainly wouldn't surprise me.

[Crazy Bee]

For me Clix is more of a social experience, getting together with friends for some comic style beatdown awesomeness. An online game holds little to no interest to me.

But this is based on the idea that it's just HC-online, now if it were a superhero based online game where you make your own hero using the powers and abilities in HC, then I might reconsider.

[Crow]

Yea that would rule. I would want it to be real time though, I don't like the play-by-post type of programs we have on here. I'd want something where I move my pieces on a board, end my turn, and then it's immediately my opponent's turn and they see everything. Not want to move stuff, then save in a file, then send them the link. I'd want it to be really high tech. I'd pay the money for it to be that way if it costs more as well.

Something like Magic online has, where it's like an actual game between 2 people but just on a screen.

I'm happy you mentioned Magic Online. Wanna know who the brand manager of that was? A certain Justin Ziran. Wanna know what game he's with now? :cool:

[Manchine]

It was not. This is still just speculative at this point. Although putting together some facts I have on hand it certainly wouldn't surprise me.

True, personally I would like it. Getting virtual figures like magic shouldn't be a high price. I wouldn't want to pay more then 2 or 3 dollars for a booster.

[Crow]

Hmm, the results so far interest me. I see about 30% registering "meh", 30% saying "maybe" and 30% are in.
I'm pleased that most people agree with me - paying for virtual boosters/collections is not very exciting. A quality program with complete access to pieces would be pretty cool though, and probably wouldn't cost too much to develop. I bet they could turn a profit from it.

[Jarimy123]

I'm happy you mentioned Magic Online. Wanna know who the brand manager of that was? A certain Justin Ziran. Wanna know what game he's with now? :cool:

Well I'm happy you mentioned that. While I knew who Justin was, I didn't know the other part. Very interesting, dots are connecting, T's are being crossed, something, something, something dark siiiiiiide.

[Thrumble Funk]

I'm happy you mentioned Magic Online. Wanna know who the brand manager of that was? A certain Justin Ziran. Wanna know what game he's with now? :cool:

So I guess net-decking takes on a whole new meaning!

[First Lensman]

It'll be hard to get into the game IF we have to buy online figures. We'll see.

[gmastermcd]

The problem with having a heroclix online game where you just get every figure ever made is that it won't make money for Wizkids and it would be much harder to hold sealed or draft events. The problem with blind boosters is that people don't want to pay for virtualclix and would like someway to redeem their virtualclix for real clix. This is doable like Magic Online but would mean that the boosters would have to cost the M.S.R.P. so that it doesn't mess with brick and mortar stores. I would prefer a blind booster type payment without being able to cash in to get real clix that way the boosters can be cheap, you can play any kind of tournament constructed, sealed, draft or sealed/draft and you don't have to worry about completing a set to cash it in for real clix.

[mkweaver]

Meh. I don't like the impersonal, anonymous aspect of online play (mainly the fact that people use anonymity as an excuse to be morons), and I wouldn't really be down with an "e-booster" model that doesn't put the figures in my hands. Can't justify spending money on pieces that don't truly exist.

But hey, I'd give it a shot!

This is why I said I MAY try it once or twice... for the same reason I don't like card games that have an online version as well, where you buy "online" packs for the same price as the regular packs... if I have the option of buying real, physical items or online virtual items for the same price, physical items will win every time.

Now, I might play a virtual version if, when I buy a pack, it had codes to enter online so that i had both a physical and virtual pack for one price, but i don't know how the online version makes money then... also, all the online codes would need to be different so that someone doesn't add the same broken SR 27 times to his account...

Thanks for reading!

[Crow]

The problem with having a heroclix online game where you just get every figure ever made is that it won't make money for Wizkids and it would be much harder to hold sealed or draft events.

I'm not sure I see the problem... if you hold a sealed/draft event, you can limit the pieces to what is pulled. In fun games or non-event games, access to all the legal pieces is permitted. WK/NECA pays a programmer to perform the upkeep of the software and manage the relevant chat rooms, and the money from subscriptions rolls in.

[presidentluthor]

Yessssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!

[ShockValue]

Whoa, didn't expect so many negative responses, but I suppose if there were some e-booster micro payment transaction I'd be turned off of it too.

I think the best course of action would be either full Clix accessibility for everyone, or a point system. Every time you beat someone you get points (maybe if you lose depending on how well you did you get points too) to spend at a virtual store, and you could get specific figures or boosters.

I think being ad supported could be a possibility, and LE support would be great if they mail it in to you for winning a weekly/monthly tournament. Though I'm a bit nervous that some sort of monetary compensation will be necessary on the part of the users to make it viable. I'd be very willing to pay a one time buying fee, though I'd be wary of a monthly fee.

[SLVRSR4]

It all depends on $$$$$$$$$$

I don't have much right now...I keep it in a mayonaise jar....I'd like to have more...that's where you come in...


Seriously, though. I would really like it for the reasons that others have said...global play, rules clarifications, etc.

If you would have to buy/rebuy everything you have then it would be kind of unfortunate.

[Kloen]

being from overseas, I would welcome the idea as a way to play US people. It's probably a logistical nightmare, but if each booster came with a serial number inside, which you could enter in the game in order to get the clix from the booster in the game - with each serial unique, and only able to be entered once.

[First Lensman]

being from overseas, I would welcome the idea as a way to play US people. It's probably a logistical nightmare, but if each booster came with a serial number inside, which you could enter in the game in order to get the clix from the booster in the game - with each serial unique, and only able to be entered once.

What about all those boxes I threw out? :disappointed:

[krusticlese]

Wait, other online games make you purchase 'virtual' boosters?

Is the world really that mentally challanged? What sense does that make?

It should be like credits for product purchased. If I buy a brick, the UPC's redeemed for the brick should go towards my online 'credit' or somesuch.

there is something seriously wrong with the world if people are buying cards they can never physically hold.

[SLVRSR4]

I'm wonderig how people would feel if they had official online tournaments and allowed people to win exclusive LE figs they mailed out to you. I would more like to see them insert little slips with codes in to real world boosters that gave you an online booster.

duh Duh DUH!!!!!

The return of Clix Points?

You see kids, back in my day there were these little squares that you could clip off the bottom of boosters that had a value of "X" amount of clix points. We oldtimers scrimped and saved hundreds of these points with the promise of them being worth something "Eventually."

After a few sets, there were no more clix points on the bottom of boosters and the concept just....went away. I guarantee you that a good majority of us still have them though! :p

[stage3]

I love the idea of an online heroclix game. Where I live I have almost no places to play and an online option sounds great. Paying full price for boosters doesn't sound very appealing. I would like to see something like a points system where buying the game comes with a few points to get you started and you get more by winning matches. Although to be honest I would still pay for e-boosters if the price was fair ($2-$3 a booster).

[MattMinus]

I would be interested but the cost would have to be nominal and have a way to get the clix you already own on your account for free because i don't see the reason to buy e-boosters just to digitally reclaim what you already have.

Really? Don't you think that all players would coincidentally own multiple copies of all figs ever made if this was possible?

[IsysEphex]

if in the game you were able to use all figures that have been produced like an online real time play test against people around the world for teams I'd use in actually tournies at a subscription price that wasnt outrageous then sure i'd give a whirl

[Tim Drake]

The poll is, like usual in these cases, missing an option. I would love to play online at least occasionally... but I CAN'T. Dial-up and online gaming of any sort do not mix. I live in a rural area, and there's no broadband access here.

[Timeshadow]

I too am in a rural area but at least I have satalite internet which is half way between dial up and low speed. I'd still be all over an online version of clix evin if it meant not buying as much real clix cause "I WANNA PLAY" and currently due to my location the nearest place to play is 3 hours drive away. Currently I get to play clix maby once every 2-3 months...and that's just sad. That said if it did cost actual booster prices it had better be darn near flawless and have real prizes sent out for wins...ect.

[neutralmarkhot]

I'd do it if it were free. Especially if there were campaigns/scenarios that you could do alone (against AI?) and then have a customizable online peer-to-peer/s game.

I've seen sites in the past give you "points" to spend on online content stuff by having you click on links/ads, fill out market research-y polls, and invite other friends to the game, but those might not be all that appealing to people.

[Azriel Stern]

I've been a Battletech guy for the last 15 years. That said, for a long time I couldn't find a game that played regularly outside of Mechwarrior clix (I didn't find it a fulfilling substitute, but it was a decent game). Then several years ago I got hooked into a java-based version of Battletech called MegaMek that really got me hooked back into regularly playing Battletech. Eventually the developers came out with a campaign version of the game in MekWars and I've been playing on the MekWars servers here and there for about five years online with people all over the world.

I see the great potential in bringing a tabletop game online. Even though MegaMek and the MekWars campaign servers are free and an online version of Heroclix produced by NECA wouldn't be, I think there are plenty of opportunities to provide a competitive, fun game that many people will play (I especially like Suttkus's ideas). I definitely will be interested, and will join up the first chance I get.

[ThwartHog]

Are we sure this is a Heroclix game, and not another Wizkids game?

[tyroclix]

I don't make any time to play video games so anything that has a time-sensitive format is a no-go from the start.

I make time for HeroClix because I get a break from the everyday and get a chance for a little male-bonding (education is a female dominated profession). While I do enjoy playing Ultimate Alliance 2 with my son, we've had the game about 3 months and we've played it twice.

Contrast with HC, which in that 3 month span I've played 9 or so games. Awesome graphics. Fair price. PS3 format. One and done purchase - yes I'd buy it.

Just don't give me anything that goes on my computer - when it comes video games, Words with Friends is the most regular I play.

[y2schwabe]

I would be interested if it is a ONE TIME cost to start, and a point system for additional pieces. I would not want to pump money into a real game and virtual game.

That being said, the occasional cost for online "actionpacks" for supplementing their income I woud not be totally opposed to.

[Suttkus]

duh Duh DUH!!!!!

The return of Clix Points?

...

I guarantee you that a good majority of us still have them though! :p

My brother threw ours out last year. I WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM FOR THIS! He's going to be so horrified when they finally come through with that promotion they promised us.

***

Are we sure this is a Heroclix game, and not another Wizkids game?

No, we're not sure of anything, given they've promised us/hinted at online HeroClix, Star Trek and Mage Knight games, and could well be doing something else less ambitious to start with.

(I think I've said this already.)

[UltraDRGN]

Meh. I don't like the impersonal, anonymous aspect of online play.


Yeah but I'd only play online when I couldn't play in person, which I'm sure is all the time for some people, myself included.

[Surfer13]

I am not really interested in paying to buy virtual miniatures when I have already paid to have real ones.

The one thing that I might be willing to do, though, would be to play in online tournies to win real LE, chase, or even SR figures.

A number of selected individuals could be on hand and if a player had any issues with any chat going on in their game, these officials could look in and disqualify anyone using abusive language.

[Superfly]

Crow,

It seems you're mixing a few too many things in this poll. It was hard to give an accurate answer, as the reply options were not simple enough. If you're looking to gauge interest, only, th answers should have been:

Very Interested

Somewhat Interested

Neither Interested or Disinterested

Not Very Interested

No Interest at All


I think I know what you're trying to do, but you have other factors thrown in the mix. Maybe wha you need to do is post a separate poll to determine what factors are more important in the collective interests. Or maybe I'll do that. :laugh:

[jbship628]

I played Magic: Online, so I have some first hand experience when it comes to an online version of a collectible game. (Maybe I should have put that into my application for being a beta tester! Oops!)

Here was the appeal for me as a physical owner of Magic cards as well: The availability to play a pick up game of Magic nearly instantly anytime of day. I paid quite a bit of money to play online because my personal playing circle dissolved when we all graduated from college and went our own ways.

Here is the big issue and difference between Magic and Heroclix: In Magic you got 15 cards for just over $3. In Heroclix you get 5 figures for $12. Your typical booster draft tournament in Magic cost you 3 boosters plus 2 single dollar "Event tickets" (We'll get back to that idea later) so roughly 12 bucks to play in an event to win prizes. You could play in a single booster "draft" in clix, but that's just asking for trouble as the difference in what a booster can contain is so great.

So charging people $12 for 5 virtual products in a non-starter.

If they want to go the virtual collection route, here is the way to do it: Smaller boosters, smaller prices, and bonus boosters to draw people in.

BRAINSTORM IDEA 1

To start with, inside each booster of RL(real-life) Heroclix, there would be a code that would be entered online and saved up to a certain amount to get a free Heroclix Online booster. (The number would have to be determined via economics, but I would guess something like 3 RL boosters would yield one virtual booster)

Sure it isn't a lot, but it's free, and for someone who buys a brick, they can then instantly log into the program and add 15 figures into their collection from that set for free which is enough to build a rough team, but would encourge further purchase to be able to make better teams.

BRAINSTORM IDEA 2

Variety of gameplay. If it is going to be something like Heroclix Online, than it HAS to have more types of gameplay than just regular game, team games and booster draft/sealed games. Either the event dials need to be incorporated somehow OR, some other new novel ways of playing the game have to be invented to keep it fresh.

ALSO

There has to be a way to play faster games. A standard clix game takes often times 45 minutes or longer, which does not lend itself to quick pick em up type players which is important. If you have a half-hour to kill, you should be able to get a game in if you want. Magic excels at this with their game clocks. Heroclix could do the same thing, but it could also mean the revisiting of the 100 or 200 point formats (with maybe some designing in the future having to take that into account)


BRAINSTORM IDEA 3

More than 1 type of game. This does not mean different ways to play Heroclix Online, but rather different types of ways to use Heroclix to play on a computer. Anyone remember the old Magic computer game called "Shandalar" or something like that? You started the game with a very basic deck of magic cards and battled monsters RPG style to gain better and better cards working your way around the world and accomplishing things. A very similar type of game could be used with Heroclix. Include both Heroclix ONLINE plus this other type of game together and you might get people to buy into the Online product because they wanted the computer game, had the free codes, so they might as well cash them in and use them!

BRAINSTORM IDEA 4

For now, this will be the last thing I give in terms of ideas. It falls into finding novel ways to play Heroclix. So here are the 2 words that could make or break online Heroclix: 3D Maps.

3D Maps are tough to store on the scale the clix are at, but in a virtual program, a 3D Maps with a bunch of new rules (even for the existing PAC) will make the Online product different enough that your everyday player will want to try it out because it is different than what they are used to in their local store. And who knows, if it goes like gangbusters, and you work out all the kinks online, you might find another product to start selling through the Heroclix brand, 3D Maps.

[gmastermcd]

I'm not sure I see the problem... if you hold a sealed/draft event, you can limit the pieces to what is pulled. In fun games or non-event games, access to all the legal pieces is permitted. WK/NECA pays a programmer to perform the upkeep of the software and manage the relevant chat rooms, and the money from subscriptions rolls in.

How much would you be willing to pay as a monthly fee? How many people do you think would sign up and pay monthly for this?

Me personally for a heroclix online game where every person who signs up gets every single piece ever made I would pay maybe $7 a month tops and I would expect that 1000 people would sign up maybe 1500. So even if we bump those numbers up to say $10 a month and 2000 users then we get $20,000 per month to pay for everything Wizkids would not make money from this.

If you look at MTGOnline they charge 3.99 per booster and anywhere from normally 2-6 event tickets to play in an event. Event tickets cost $1.00. Once you get a full set you may cash it in and have a set of those cards mailed to you however you lose the cards you got online. The reason they charge 3.99 per booster is because if they didn't it would interfere with sales from stores. I would like to see a heroclix online game come out similar to this model except maybe make it so when you buy an online booster you can input a UPC code from one of those boosters to receive a discount on your virtual booster. That way they don't interfere with store sales and the customer doesn't end up paying double for the same product. Also if it did go similar to the Magic Online game it would be nice that if you do cash in a set you could keep your online pieces for tournament play but they get a mark so you can't cash them in again or trade them to anyone.

[Cain]

Hi,

I think I have a different point of view as most people here, mainly because there is no HeroClix community to speak about in Hungary. In the last 8 years I met about 5 players, and I can mostly play against my brother or against some friends, but even they just using my collection to play.

I made several attempts to recruit new players with almost zero result... :-/

so an online game would be really good for me, but only if it's relatively cheap. (I guess I don't have to describe how much my salary is different from an US salary)

Cain

[I Am The Game]

Why do there have to be virtual booster packs? Why not have different subscription levels?

Basic - current set

Advanced - tournament legal sets

Superior - all figures

Premium - all figures, draws for giveaways, complimentary convention ticket, input on a figure design every set, stuff like that

[gmastermcd]

Why do there have to be virtual booster packs? Why not have different subscription levels?

Basic - current set

Advanced - tournament legal sets

Superior - all figures

Premium - all figures, draws for giveaways, complimentary convention ticket, input on a figure design every set, stuff like that

if there isn't some form of virtual boosters you can't have drafts or sealed events. An online heroclix game would not be nearly as popular without draft events and sealed events. Whether the boosters cost anything or not would be up to Wizkids but to maximize profits they would make them cost money.

[Crow]

Why do there have to be virtual booster packs? Why not have different subscription levels?

Basic - current set

Advanced - tournament legal sets

Superior - all figures

Premium - all figures, draws for giveaways, complimentary convention ticket, input on a figure design every set, stuff like that

I love it. Sign me up for this.

[cambone]

Anyone remember the old Magic computer game called "Shandalar" or something like that? You started the game with a very basic deck of magic cards and battled monsters RPG style to gain better and better cards working your way around the world and accomplishing things. A very similar type of game could be used with Heroclix. Include both Heroclix ONLINE plus this other type of game together and you might get people to buy into the Online product because they wanted the computer game, had the free codes, so they might as well cash them in and use them!



I loved that game, and I was a lousy magic player, but the game was still fun, and I loved the RPG style.

Maybe a HC version you could start off with a starter or some classic battle packs and earn bricks and boosters and whatnot?

[Surfer13]

Why do there have to be virtual booster packs? Why not have different subscription levels?

Basic - current set

Advanced - tournament legal sets

Superior - all figures

Premium - all figures, draws for giveaways, complimentary convention ticket, input on a figure design every set, stuff like that

I just want to say up front that I think that the idea that "premium" users be allowed input on a figure is horrible. I will get back to that, though.

How much would these different levels cost?

What is the benefit to anything that isn't premium? Just playing? Paying to rent the virtual minis and to be able to play but nothing else? No tournies with a chance to win anything real?

Without prices it is hard to say, but why would I want to just have the WoS minis for three months, and then lose them and have just the DC75 minis, and while I can play, I have no chance of winning anything?

Again, maybe your idea is to charge $100.00 for the premium service, but it is the only one that offers anything to the people that play the miniatures game.

As for the premium plan, how is that going to work if a thousand people sign up looking to have "input" on a figure for a set?

Or is all of that just tourney prizes? You have to win a special tourney to get input on a figure, just like at Gencon?
If that is the case, then they couldn't really cut-off then tourney entry, could they? I mean, if I am paying whatever for all of these things, then if I find that a couple tournies in a row haven't even let me try to get what I am paying for, then why am I paying?

Not that anyone's odds were ever good, anyway. I mean, player skill and all of that, but ultimately I am one in a thousand, and everyone is fighting for the same thing.

What con are they giving away tickets for? Unless they are paying for a room, too, I go to Dragon*Con.
What are the odds that Wizkids is going to be interested in paying for someone to go to a con that they aren't going to?
A ticket to Gencon does me no good if I have to pay for my room, too.
And then there is the whole issue with families. If one of them wins a ticket to a con, there is still the issue of everyone else getting a ticket.

So that just leaves drawings for figure giveaways. How many are they giving away? If I only win one figure every year then it had better be a pretty spectacular figure considering that I have been paying for the premium plan for all of the extra goodies which are otherwise worthless to me.

Setting up this sort of tiered pricing is precisely the wrong thing to do in my opinion.

A single access price, with discounts for 6 and 12 month blocks. Sell boosters cheap. Have a small entry fee for tournies for prizes/points, and have at least three time windows for tournies every week so that players should be able to find at least one that suits them.

That's it.

This doesn't mean that there couldn't be a tourney offering two tickets to Gencon as a grand prize, but what it would mean is that only those interested in that specific prize would be paying the cost for that tournament. :cool:

[Puuka]

This is why I said I MAY try it once or twice... for the same reason I don't like card games that have an online version as well, where you buy "online" packs for the same price as the regular packs... if I have the option of buying real, physical items or online virtual items for the same price, physical items will win every time.

Now, I might play a virtual version if, when I buy a pack, it had codes to enter online so that i had both a physical and virtual pack for one price, but i don't know how the online version makes money then... also, all the online codes would need to be different so that someone doesn't add the same broken SR 27 times to his account...

Thanks for reading!

I think the boosters with a code would be best. As for them making money, a nominal monthly fee ($5-$10) and, then they could have weekly or monthly tournaments that have the option of buying virtual boosters, or just a buy in with your existing . These would have recorded standings posted. Quarterly and annual events where the people that have been participating in these events get certain things, top players get a "free ticket" in, or, an "Elite match" for the top winners.

Another model:
Monthly fee ($5-$10)
You buy expansion sets (like WoW) that includes the complete CUR.
Each real world booster you buy has a code that unlocks a SR (or chase)
Tournaments and regular gaming standings get you a virtual LE (same dials as in real world sets)

I could see it making money. If they had real world prizes (with a coresponding virtual figure).

[jbship628]

Why does everyone need access to every figure? That doesn't really make sense to me. Collecting is part of the appeal of the game, and would be so even virtually if done correctly. Eliminating the collecting aspect will make it so most any casual game you see will be nothing but the high cheese teams all over the place and it would drive lesser skilled players away.

Part of the appeal of Magic Online was that my quirky yet very cheap deck could compete with a variety of decks if the circumstances were right, especially in multiplayer. Also, going with the booster charge method *could* keep the price of playing free. Meaning once you had a few boosters, you could play free forever. However in a few weeks, you really want some different figures, so you drop some cash on a few boosters in a draft and get more figures to try some new teams out.

[Crow]

Why does everyone need access to every figure? That doesn't really make sense to me. Collecting is part of the appeal of the game, and would be so even virtually if done correctly. Eliminating the collecting aspect will make it so most any casual game you see will be nothing but the high cheese teams all over the place and it would drive lesser skilled players away..

Sorry, but this has been proven wrong by my HCOL program, which allows users access to all figures and not only seems to attract plenty of unskilled players but also has given me a bounty of original, interesting and FUN teams rather than the same stagnant tourney scene pieces. I have played nothing but random teams (literally, pulled from all the figures the exist) for the past three years, and I do very well. It would not be the case in a competitive scene where people played for prizes. Online, it seems, people play for other reasons.

[rpweld03]

Anyone remember the old Magic computer game called "Shandalar" or something like that? You started the game with a very basic deck of magic cards and battled monsters RPG style to gain better and better cards working your way around the world and accomplishing things. A very similar type of game could be used with Heroclix. Include both Heroclix ONLINE plus this other type of game together and you might get people to buy into the Online product because they wanted the computer game, had the free codes, so they might as well cash them in and use them!

I loved Shandalar! I played the heck out of it, and a large part of the fun was wandering around, fighting AI opponents, and getting new cards if you beat them. I think it would be great (especially for those of us hesitant to deal with the kind of folks for whom anonymity = chance to call a stranger foul names) if one could play against the computer even a couple times per day to get a fig or two as "ante".

Though, didn't Shandalar have it that you could lose a card or two if you lost a duel against the computer? Lose to the computer and your HoT Cap goes away? Nooooo!

[jbship628]

Sorry, but this has been proven wrong by my HCOL program, which allows users access to all figures and not only seems to attract plenty of unskilled players but also has given me a bounty of original, interesting and FUN teams rather than the same stagnant tourney scene pieces. I have played nothing but random teams (literally, pulled from all the figures the exist) for the past three years, and I do very well. It would not be the case in a competitive scene where people played for prizes. Online, it seems, people play for other reasons.

A bit of hyperbole to say that all people who would play an official HCOnline would only be the people that are using your program isn't it? I've tried it (your program), and I can honestly say that outside of using it for more opportunities to play-test for GENCON, I enjoy playing play-by-post more than using HCOL.

For example, I was using a team of Amazons and on HCOL, I had a pile of starfish tokens having to stand in for Amazon tokens, and another set of special tokens being used as my theme PC. So HCOL in my opinion is more of an acquired taste. Especially because there is no visual representation of the figure outside of a dot that says "Thor".

I would imagine on the Official product, there would be some actual visual representation of the figures, which then puts the collectible aspect in the game back into play.

This reminds me of another good idea. Several people like to play against friends but can't always meet up. In the game, there should be a turn-by-turn mode that mimics the play-by-post system seen in the leagues here. Then if you and your BFF are playing but can't finish an epic battle, you can just take turns when you get a chance. The only thing that really needs to be determined is how your figures use PC when it is not your turn, but that can be easily dealt with in a few choices that can be setup ahead of time.

[Azriel Stern]

I also play Magic on the XBox and I really like how they do card unlocks. Essentially, outside the main game and two expansions that open up the game a little bit more, you don't have to pay money to get more cards. You unlock them as you win games against the AI or other players. Sure, you can pay to fully unlock decks, but you can take a little bit of time to unlock them for free.

My idea about unlocking figures is as follows:

When you win a game you have two choices: unlock two or three figures from Golden Age sets, or one or two figures from Modern Age sets. Also with every win you get points towards unlocking random LE's. So not only are you unlocking CURSR figures constantly, you're also making headway towards getting LE's. You can even make the distinction between unlocking a Golden Age LE and a Modern Age LE, with the Modern Age LE's being more expensive by some factor.

You could even allow players to pick which set they unlock figures from. Like, if you win, you could pick to unlock the two or three figures from Supernova. Or one or two figures from Brave and the Bold.

For your LE unlock, you could either have players pick ONLY between Golden Age or Modern Age and have a random unlock from ANY set within those ages. Or you could have players pick a specific set to unlock a LE from. Either way would work.

I think also that player trades would be great in some kind of marketplace menu. It gives people with a stockpile of extra figures to get figures they need. An alternative to this that I think should be included alongside a marketplace would be a trade back to the computer for another random figures. Let's say you have 10 Moloids (Modern Age, Secret Invasion) more than you need. You can trade four of them for another Modern Age figure or two of them for a Golden Age figure.

For the money side of things, I think that there should be free ways to play and unlock figures and also a way to pay for unlocking things faster. That's the way a lot of online games are going, and would make more people play the game. There are plenty of games without subscription fees that have micropurchases associated with them that I have spent money on and would never have played if they had a subscription. Dungeons & Dragons Online upped their revenue by 500% when they went free. See article link below:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100331/1631278819.shtml

Anyway, those are my thoughts.

[bludd72]

first, if it's HC related that would be sweet. however, as others have said.....i got lots of clix (started at CT and have most sets up to date), so i dont wanna have to rebuild a virtual collection.
second, the actual interface, mechanics etc would have to be spectacular for me to part with my cash. think of the game R2D2 and Chewie played on the falcon, but without the 3D hologram aspect...for now ;)
i'd wanna see my Hulk have a battle animation when he slams his fists down and quakes the 3 saps he is adjacent to.
it's weird actually, just before they released this announcement i was brain storming on how i'd like to develope a HCesque game. creepy......
all the same, this could be a great game if done proper.

edit: after reading some posts regarding 'unlocking' new figs after winning games....how hard will this be if you keep playing people that will field cheesey CSM teams(for example) just to unlock their figs faster?

[Azriel Stern]

edit: after reading some posts regarding 'unlocking' new figs after winning games....how hard will this be if you keep playing people that will field cheesey CSM teams(for example) just to unlock their figs faster?

I think the workaround for this would be to let people get unlocks for playing against the AI. This gives everyone the ability to unlock figures at the same pace and not have to play human players that may be fielding higher-powered pieces.

Battle animations would be awesome. I wholly support this idea.

[Suttkus]

Given the diversity of figures in the game, I wouldn't expect too much in the way of battle animations. Mind you, it would be a cool thing for chase figures to have...

[spider_ham]

My take:

MEMBERSHIP
Membership is free. All members are assigned a ranking based on account type, and are initially given a number of credits to spend on building a virtual collection:

FREE
Rookie: Limited to 100-400 point games. Access to Modern Age CURSR. Cannot participate in online tournaments; casual games only. May trade with other players. Eligible for occasional drawing/giveaways. 100 credits and virtual mini-booster (Modern Age; 2 figures) with sign-up. Earn 10 credits every month as an active member, and bonus credits for casual games won that month.

PAID
Experienced: 100-1000 point games. Access to Golden or Modern Age characters. Can participate in online tournaments on a limited basis. May trade with other players. Eligible for larger drawing/giveaways. Receive discounts on real-world Heroclix product. 400 credits and virtual booster (Modern or Golden Age) with sign-up. Earn 50 credits every month as an active member, and bonus credits for games won that month.

Veteran: 100-2000 point games. Access to all Modern and Golden Age characters. Can participate in all online tournaments. May trade with other players. Eligible for larger drawing/giveaways. Receive discounts on real-world Heroclix product. 800 credits and virtual booster (Modern or Golden Age) with sign-up. Free, exclusive virtual figure for online play. Earn 75 credits every month as an active member, and bonus credits for games won that month.

Unique: Unlimited point build. Access to all Modern and Golden Age characters. Can participate in all online tournaments. May trade with other players. Eligible for larger drawing/giveaways. Receive discounts on real-world Heroclix product. Free, exclusive virtual figure for online play. Will receive a real-world figure or object of choice from the newest DC or Marvel set (while supplies last). 1600 credits and 2 virtual boosters (Modern or Golden Age) with sign-up. Earn 100 credits every month as an active member, and bonus credits for games won that month.

Limited Edition: Unlimited point build. Access to all Modern and Golden Age characters. Can participate in all online tournaments. Eligible for larger drawing/giveaways, and will receive discounts on real-world Heroclix product. 2 free, exclusive virtual figures for online play. Will receive a real-world BIBTB figure, and a figure or object from a DC or Marvel set upon release (while supplies last). 2000 credits and 3 virtual boosters (Modern or Golden Age) with sign-up. Earn 150 credits every month as an active member, and bonus credits for games won that month.

VIRTUAL FIGURES
Figures must be purchased and added to a collection. Some account types will limit access to purchase of specific figures. Credits earned for winning games must be spent the month they are earned, and do not roll over from previous months or to the following month.

Cost : Modern Age
---------------------------
Common: 10-20 credits
Uncommon: 30-50 credits
Rare: 70-90 credits
Super Rare: 100+ credits

Cost: Golden Age*
---------------------------
Common: 10 credits
Uncommon: 20 credits
Rare: 40 credits
Super Rare: 60+ credits

* A member needs access Golden Age figures in order to collect them.

EARNING CREDITS
Players earn credits by winning games. A winning player earns 10% of the difference between their victory points and their opponent's earned points per game.

Example: In a 300 point game, Player A won the game, earning 300 victory points. Player B lost, but KOd 125 points worth of Player A's characters. Player A earns 18 credits for the winning the game (300-125 = 175/.10 = 18).

In addition, I'd have each real-world booster cataloged; the player then enters a code contained in the booster to add its contents to their virtual collection. This gives an advantage to members with free accounts (Rookies) to add characters that normally would take a long time to add, or would otherwise be impossible to do so.

Members also earn free virtual boosters and credits for winning X number of games, defeating an opponent with a higher skill level, or upgrading their accounts.