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Well here is the response from Sarah and Rob, I would like to say thank you to both of them.
I've read them and there are some really intersting tidbits
Enoy!
Q&A for Rob & Sarah
1. How much thought/work has gone into a second SSB set? Do you have any plans to update the existing rules? Why aren’t there any SSB stats in the "Message to Spacers" articles?
SARAH: We’ve talked a lot about expanding upon the first SSB release – everything from updating the rules to releasing an entire second set. It’s a great idea, but it’s been hard to find the resources to come back to SSB with new Lucas content like The Clone Wars to promote.
2. I've been hearing rumors about Ewoks being in one or more of the sets appearing next year. Are they going to get a significant number of figures like the Gungans did in KOTOR (+5 Minis)? Or are they going to get a small boost (1-3 minis)?
ROB: Small boost.
3. Are we going to continue to see the trend of new Tusken Raiders, Jawas, Gungans, and other "Sub-Faction" minis? (Maybe some new Ewoks, Black Sun members, Geonosians, Swoop Gang members?)
ROB: Rarely over the next year.
4. Are we ever going to see an AT-TE, Battle of Naboo, or Battle of Geonosis scenario pack? Will we see colossal figures, like the LAAT, the AAT, and the AT-TE? If so, will any of them appear in the next year?
SARAH: Scenario packs have been a great addition to our main sets and we will continue to pursue them in the coming year. Right now, we’re talking about collectible scenes as opposed to colossal figures, but the AT-AT has always been one of my favorites – I’d love to see it again.
5. Is there a formula for costing SWM? The customs forum would love to get their hands on that.
ROB: No
6. Will Sub-factions like Black Sun be expanded? Are there any other fringe sub-faction planned?
ROB: A couple of Black Sun members appear in the next year. No additional sub-factions in the foreseeable future.
7. Now that the sets are being reduced to 40 per set, are there still going to be multiple versions of the same character in the set, such as two Luke's or two Han's?
ROB: On rare occasion, where there is a compelling reason to have more than one.
8. The map packs that are planned for The Clone Wars are very welcome – what was the reason for the delay on these? Are there any more planned around future sets?
SARAH: We originally planned to release the map packs along with our boosters and Starter Set for The Clone Wars in 2008. Ultimately, we decided to spread these throughout 2009 to give each version its own play window and tie ourselves to the ongoing Clone Wars TV series. The first map pack – The Attack on Teth – will release in April. It will have a new double-sided map and two miniatures, including one exclusive.
9. Will there be more Huge sets in the future? Will we see 3D terrain?
SARAH: No Huge sets in 2009 – everything will be standard size for now. I would love to see terrain tiles – another great idea we’ve discussed.
10. Will we being seeing new any pieces for the Chiss race?
ROB: Yes
11. Any upcoming new factions for SWM?
ROB: No, not in the coming year.
12. How long does it take to come up with new minis (model pose, stats, rules etc.) and what process do they go thru to be selected for the next set? Is it a team effort? Are certain characters assigned to member or do they choose their favorites? How hard is it to create a character that no member of the team has ever heard of (example from TFU and Kota, Juno?)
SARAH: It depends on whether we have specific new content and reference material from Lucas (e.g. The Clone Wars TV series). Generally, it takes a little over a year to design a complete set from start to finish.
ROB: I work with Bill Slavicek & Rodney Thompson from Wizards and Leland Chee & Chris Gollaher from Lucas Licensing when creating set lists. If Lucas can provide reference material on unknown characters, we can generally incorporate them into Star Wars Miniatures.
13. Are there going to be more species from the RPG represented in the minis within the sets of 2009 (ie Cathar/Arkanian/Ki-Adi-Mundi's species)?
ROB: Yes
14. Please explain the play-testing process for new Star Wars Miniatures sets? When designing and play-testing the figures, how aware are you of the strengths of the different figures? Have the results (namely the finalist squads) of some of the larger tournaments been surprising to you, or expected? Also, how do you decide which pieces will be 'strong' and which will be 'weak'?
ROB: We have benchmark figures, and figures are rates in power level from 1 to 10. The biggest surprise was when we removed Unique from Cin Drallig, turning him into the non-Unique Jedi Weapon Master, and the point cost was not adjusted. Oops. As an indication of costing strategies, here is an archived blurb from the development comments of Jarael: “RBW 10/04/07 – Can be “semi aggressive” with point costing, as she is a fan favorite. However, she is fringe….so striving for good here, but not too good!”
15. Please give a general overview of how you think this game will play in terms of changing and/or new mechanics by the end of 2009, based on design efforts?
ROB: I intend to shake up play with each new set release. I aim to provide continued value to players’ existing collections by making each new set thought provocative and challenging players to come up with new uses for their old figures.
16. Just about every SW game product these days tends to get delayed. Other WotC games don't see this sort of problem with meeting schedule deadlines. I'm not referring to things like The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide, where outside events beyond WotC's control caused the delay, but products such as A&E, or the more recent KotoR set. Why does this happen, and is there anything that can be done to get the products out on the announced date?
SARAH: There are many, many factors that can lead to delays – changes in strategy, extra rounds of approval, production issues with the vendor, conflicting dates with other releases, etc. We do tend to experience more delays than other WotC brands, but we also represent Lucasfilm with our products. It is extremely important to be as thorough as possible with each step.
17. Are we ever to see some more Bothan Transmissions now that Rob has come out of "carbonite freezing"?
ROB: Yes
18. Will we get a promise, swear, solid as oak guarantee we will NEVER see a fringe booming voice character?
ROB: No
19. Are there any plans in the pipeline to do a reprint of A&E on round bases?
Sarah: Not at this time.
20. Are there any processes being introduced to stop errors/inconsistencies e.g. misprints of cards/colour & the pin head Mandos?
ROB: Yes
21. Will inter-connectable maps ever be produced?
ROB: Yes – see AT-AT and Hoth Battle Pack for an example.
22. Are the New Starters Uniques (Obi and Dooku) for Clone Wars included in the set list or are they stand alone pieces?
ROB: Stand alone pieces.
23. Will Ossus and/or Taris going to be included as a "B" side map in upcoming starters?
ROB: They are slated to appear in upcoming projects.
24. What is the plan for the championship in 2009?
Sarah: We’re already working on our 2009 tournament schedule, including a championship for SWM. Based on the resounding feedback, it is likely that any championship event will be held at GenCon. I’d still like to repeat a large event at PAX, this time geared towards new players and a wider Star Wars fan base.
25. Without giving up the contents, what is the Clone Wars Battles Scenario Pack? Any particular battle or planet so we can speculate?
Sarah: This is a Target exclusive scenario pack, much like our Battle of Hoth scenario from 2007. It will be available in stores on November 21st and contains FIVE unique figures.
26. As a big fan of the Star Wars setting beyond just the movies, I have to ask if future sets will have as strong of a focus on the Expanded Universe, and in particular a focus on Expanded Universe characters that we have not yet had the opportunity to see as Miniatures?
ROB: There will indeed be a heavy presence of Expanded Universe characters in the coming year.
27. How does Rob address the challenge of continuing to evolve SWM through the introduction of new meta changes pieces, while not succumbing to the temptations of powercreep?
ROB: Primarily by introducing new Special Abilities, Force Powers, and Commander Effects.
28. Can you discuss how you manage to balance accurately matching a character’s characteristics as represented in the films et al vs. designing a playable mini?
ROB: It is more art than science. I want people to play the mini and think, “This makes sense, this feels like what that character could be our should be doing.”
29. In the absence of the delegate program, would SW Miniature Brand be interested in a player lead effort to promote the game for new players? If so, would you support us in that effort?
Sarah: Yes – we love to hear about player led efforts to expand Star Wars Miniatures. I’m in the initial planning stage for 2009 organized play, but I hope to make an announcement soon about the process for anyone interested in leading this type of activity.
30. Will the Yuuzhan Vong faction get some more uniques to fill in the void?
ROB: Not in the coming year
31. What is your favorite character, either out now or going to be released, to have made and what did you like about it?
Sarah: One figure I’ve kept on display for a while is Gungan Cavalry on Kaadu from Clone Strike – something about that goofy guy always brings a smile to my face.
32. If you could redo the design of one of the characters created thus far who would it be and what would you change?
ROB: Kyle Katarn. This was the wrong character to try an experiment on to see if a Jedi without double attack or higher could work out.
33. What is the one character that you feel should have been made by now that has not gotten a SWM incarnation.
ROB: Master K’Kruhk
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