I have been watching Fantasy Flight Games with much interest over the past couple of years. Their recent announcement of the Deathwatch role-playing game and the promotion surrounding it made me realize - they actually get it.
What do I mean? First of all, take a look at the introductory adventure for Deathwatch that FFG released for Free RPG Day. Unlike those released by some other companies (which I won't name), you can actually play this one with no other materials. Dice, pen and paper are all you need! And it looks great! You didn't manage to get a physical copy from your FLGS? No problem. You can download the PDF right HERE. What? You just want a web version to read on your laptop or fancy new iPad? Try the version HERE. Fantasy Flight Games gets it.
Let's say that you are interested in Deathwatch but want more information. That's fine. FFG has posted a short, professionally produced video HERE that gives you an overview of the game from the designers and some glimpses of what's in the book. Filled with previews of the book's great art it looks like it would also be a great (and free) promotional tool for a game store as well. Just set it up on a loop and let it run. Fantasy Flight Games gets it.
Is all this not enough for you? Do you want a FAQ for the game? Extra pregenerated characters for the free introductory adventure? Previews of the rulebook? Try the game's website HERE. I know I might be coming off sounding like an FFG fanboy, but I can't stress enough how much this impresses me. Why don't other game companies spend this much effort promoting and raising their customers' awareness of their new games? I have no clue. I'm just glad that FFG does. They get it.
6 comments:
If only GW provided product release ramp-ups and support like this...
Couldn't said it better myself. I'm a huge fan of not only FFG's products but also the way in which they conduct business.
Bravo FFG! Keep up the good work.
If only FF was spending less time on promotional materials and more on making good games...
Sorry, that was snarky. I just dislike the games FF makes so much and the poor quality of a lot of their writing/editing of rules. Dark Heresy was alright, Rogue Trader worse, and 3E WHFRPG is actually just terrible.
They don't, in my opinion, get it, and no amount of slick marketing changes that.
Agreed. I just started really getting into tabletop games, and FFG is my favorite company so far. Beautiful, fun games and rulebooks and good support via erratas and expansions. I only wish that they showed a longer timeline for their "Upcoming" section. I'd like to know that there's more than 2 expansions coming for Warhammer Roleplay :p
Anonymous, the other, perhaps even more acute, problem is that no matter how well the stuff is written/edited, without slick - or even decent - marketing there won't be too many people giving a damn.
The troubles with Dark Heresy and Rogue Trader are nothing special. They are part and parcel of the industry, unfortunately, and while it isn't a good thing, it isn't an extraordinary one either, and thus, I believe, FFG gets it.
I bought a board game from them and lost the rulebook. I wrote to them and asked if they'd sell me just the rulebook. They said, "hey, we'll just mail you one no problem."
Good guys over there.
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