XCOM Co-Op Board Game

[Hotfoot]

I thought about faking everyone out, but no, that would be mean.

The Press Release

The Game Page

Fantasy Flight has a long history of doing video games, TV Shows, and Movies in Board or Card Game Format. That they would do an XCOM board game is hardly a shock, but it is interesting.

Cooperative Board Games are...well let's just say they're limited in the US market. We prefer competitive games, by and large. Even when we have "Co-Op" games, they tend to include either a competitive element, like Munchkin, or one of the players is secretly a traitor, like Battlestar Galactica, Shadows over Camelot, or House on Haunted Hill.

So a truly Cooperative Board Game for a North American Audience? That's noteworthy. The license would have lent itself well to one player being the Alien Menace, with the possibility of another player as the Human Traitors.

To get around this, they've created an app to act as the GM/Antagonist player. Rather than relying on a rulebook or forcing a player to play the alien side of things, they've got a free app that you can use online or download to a smartphone or tablet to use with the game. Sure, they're banking on their players having one, but let's be honest, they've got a pretty safe bet there. Fantasy Flight board games are not cheap, so the idea that the players would have access to a laptop, tablet, or smartphone are pretty high.

I've yet to play this obviously, but at it's core it reminds me of some older games I played with Electronic Randomizers, only now with the web this game's randomizer can be updated with each new expansion, which is pretty cool.

No doubt I'll see this game at a con sooner or later, and hopefully we'll also get to see Wil Wheaton showcase it on Tabletop one day.

[rhoenix]

If you do see Wil Wheaton do a Tabletop about it, please link it here. I have to admit I'm a little intrigued so far, despite having an archaic smartphone.

[Lys]

So a truly Cooperative Board Game for a North American Audience? That's noteworthy.

Is it really? Fantasy Flight Games has already been publishing a very popular cooperative board game in the North American market for nearly a decade now. It doesn't seem noteworthy in and of itself that they're now publishing another.

[frigidmagi]

Is it really? Fantasy Flight Games has already been publishing a very popular cooperative board game in the North American market for nearly a decade now. It doesn't seem noteworthy in and of itself that they're now publishing another.

What board games?

[Josh]

Is it really? Fantasy Flight Games has already been publishing a very popular cooperative board game in the North American market for nearly a decade now. It doesn't seem noteworthy in and of itself that they're now publishing another.

What board games?

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_ ... p?eidm=168

It owns. Unfortunately I don't have anybody (or much time) to TT with these days, but I'd love to see what the expansion's got going on.

[Hotfoot]

So a truly Cooperative Board Game for a North American Audience? That's noteworthy.

Is it really? Fantasy Flight Games has already been publishing a very popular cooperative board game in the North American market for nearly a decade now. It doesn't seem noteworthy in and of itself that they're now publishing another.

Yes, it is. I didn't say they didn't exist, Lys. I said that they are not nearly as common in the North American market as competitive games. A new one with FFG behind it and a cross-media tie-in with clearly a decent amount of budget is sort of a big thing.

[Lys]

What board games?

Arkham Horror and its faster paced derivative Elder Sign. They're pretty awesome. I still have fond memories of my friend breaking the game with Professor Wizard and dual-wielded withering spells. Also killing Ancient Ones with dynamite and a shotgun.

[General Havoc]

Arkham Horror is badass. The sequel is supposed to be awesome too. I'm looking forward to an equal awesomeness with X-Com