When it comes to gaming, most people would probably agree that electronic games are far more popular and profitable than board games. After all, not only do more people play electronic games but with the high cost of producing board games (and that’s already excluding salaries and graphic design costs) and a more niche (but growing) audience, it’s understandable that board games are seen as less profitable or even less viable from a business perspective.
Which is perhaps why many big board game publishers look to run interactive divisions to try to also get a foothold into the market. If you follow game news (and you do because you’re reading this) video game development itself is expensive and fraught with many challenges also which make it a difficult industry. So perhaps there might be cause to heed to the old saying of stick with what you’re good at.
This is sadly something which Fantasy Flight Games appears to be learning as the company has announced that they are closing their Interactive Division and will lay off some people in the company, along with some from its less profitable RPG tabletop division. According to Gamasutra, up to 10 people have been laid off where they could not find a home for people. Fantasy Flight Games is one of the most successful board game publishers in the world but trying to convert that into Interactive success was a step too far and so the company is choosing to rather focus on keeping its main business afloat.
It’s never great to hear news of people losing their jobs and our thoughts go out to those affected because of this. However, it’s perhaps best that the company looks to keep the rest of its business operational and remain focused on giving the world high-quality board games. And more Warhammer and Cthulhu. You can’t go wrong with that.
Last Updated: January 8, 2020
Original Heretic
January 8, 2020 at 14:32
More Lovecraftian stuff, yeah!
I’m busy writing a story inspired by his works. Going well so far, considering I gave me one mate nightmares after reading what I’ve already written! Ha!
Pariah
January 8, 2020 at 14:41
You’re grammar was that bad eh?
Original Heretic
January 8, 2020 at 15:10
I have not missed the irony in your post.
But my inner gnazi is still fuming.
And no, it wasn’t the grammar.
This guy is a huge HPL fan, and he reckons I’ve nailed it. As he said, “It’s like classic HPL, but written in more contemporary style. Love it! More please!”
I’m not even halfway with this one!
Pariah
January 8, 2020 at 15:27
Let us know when it gets published! 😀
Original Heretic
January 8, 2020 at 15:31
Ugh. Publishing is a bloody headache…
Gimme an email address and I’ll just send it to you once done. I’ll even send you what I’ve written of it so far.
Pariah
January 8, 2020 at 13:24
Yeah that’d be a massive loss to the tabletop industry. My favourite system outside of DnD is the Edge of the Empire system developed by FFG. I think they also turned that into a generic system a little while ago so you could use it in other properties and homebrews and stuff as well. Really dynamic and interesting system.
Daniel Hallinan
January 8, 2020 at 13:28
Yeah read about this yesterday, really sucks. Having digital variants of games is wonderful for playing with friends in other cities, and there was promise for some great boardgame integration. I wonder if this will affect if they incorporate apps into future boardgame designs.
There are murmers that their RPG department got the axe too, which would be a bummer considering how much it’s influenced the RPG world.
This(allegedly) has less to do with it “not working out” and more a focus shift towards the stable cash cows they’ve got going, as dictated by owning companies. If true, it’s another example of why conglomerates (and megacorps buying up all the competition) totally kills the vibrancy of a genre / hobby.
edit: also man it stings that the header image reminds me of all the amazing games we lost in the FFG X GW divorce ?
I’m still conflicted over whether I should have nabbed Forbidden Stars. Astounding game, but difficult to get to the table ?
Jacques Van Zyl
January 8, 2020 at 14:10
Forbidden Stars is one of the best games I’ve ever played. Now it is almost impossible to find.
Daniel Hallinan
January 8, 2020 at 14:25
Hell yeah!
I remember standing in Outer Limits after I’d learned about the “divorce”, staring at what I knew was likely the last store copy I’d ever see, trying to justify if it was worth buying. Ended up not getting it, and it still stings. Was the right choice though ?
Got a friend who has a copy, though, so I suppose I could hassle them for games when they’re in the area ?
Jacques Van Zyl
January 8, 2020 at 14:25
I envy you having a friend to grab games with. My only friends with a copy live on an entire different continent, so grabbing a casual game is out of the question.
Still, Forbidden Stars is what got me into 40k. The easiest 40k experience I’ve ever had and by far one of the best.