CCG for Warhammer?

Recently a new Collectible Card Game (CCG), Champions of the Force, was announced for Star Wars Galaxies (SWG). It is a virtual card game which is played online, both in and outside of the SWG client (much like Legends of Norrath). World of Warcraft also has a CCG. It is a bit different than SOE's offerings in that it is played offline, but has loot cards with codes that can be redeemed for in-game items.

Since this trend seems to be growing, I would like to see Warhammer have a CCG. Not everyone seems to like them though. The SWG forums, which are always a joy, had some interesting negative opinions on the new feature.

• 'Waste of time, should be working on something else.'
• The ol 'what I want is obviously the correct path for everyone else'
• It is a different set of CCG focused developers working on that aspect, so it is not taking time away from the game.
• 'Isn't this just RMT?'
• Not really. All accounts get 5 free booster packs per month so there is no extra cost.
• SOE's implementation does give loot cards which can be redeemed for useful in-game items, which can lead to the perception of RMT. I do not like the idea of combat useful items given through a CCG.
  
• Booster packs contain random cards, so if you are buying them for the loot, you are buying a chance. However, you currently do this with your subscription fee since there are random drops within the game.
  
• 'They are just copying WoW again...'
• No, they are copying Legends of Norrath.
• WoW's CCG is nothing like what they are implementing.
  
• 'It's stupid!'
• It is the SWG boards...

Those are the primary arguments against the CCG, which seem generally weak to me. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks:

• A Game within a game
• A completely different style of game that can be played within the game client (or outside of it).
• More money for the game
• The more profit, the more that can be spent on the game.
• More things to do
• Card collecting can be fun, whether they be baseball cards or Magic.
• Everyone can play
• So long as they follow the SOE model of giving free packs to paying customers.

I would really like to see a CCG game in WAR which follows the SOE model. As we know, Warhammer has a rich lore to draw from, so there would be no shortage of possible cards. Being able to play a more strategic/tactical game would be a nice change of pace from the MMO combat sometimes.

As for the ever popular loot cards. A WAR CCG should only give items that have no effect on game mechanics. The cards could give things like: Mounts, Trophies, Dye's, Guild standards, character model changes and Squig/White Lion customization options.

Now if they could combine their Tabletop game with a CCG and an online client... it would be even better.

Posted in: WAR