Thursday 7 June 2012

Privateer Press show off Level 7

   
    

So yep the cat is out of the bag... or maybe I should say the alien is out of the top secret Government controlled facility, as Privateer Press are now spilling the beans on Level 7. Some might even go as far to say they 'finally' showing off Level 7. They announced the existence of a new game about twelve months ago now, at the last Lock & Load event in Seattle, although rumours of it's existence had been swirling around the Internet for months before. Over the past 12 moths there has been a slight drip feed of information and a comically poor, B-Movie attempt at promotion. It's OK though as I think it was in keeping with the product. So what the hell is Level 7? Well first things first it's not an 80's lounge-jazz-pop band, which to be honest is what the name made the game sound like. Ever since Privateer Press announced the existence of Level 7 there have been rumours about it being a new sci-fi skirmish game, a card game and a board game the cure for depression... OK maybe not the last one. The competing theories have often been supported by claims of knowing people, who met some people, who knew people who shopped at the same 711 store that the Privateer Press cleaners shop at.

It's almost as recognisable to geeks as a certain 80's tinged red and yellow logo!

I thankfully steered well clear of such rumour mongering, wisely I feel given I knew nothing about it. There's a lesson in there somewhere, I'm just not too sure what it is. Well unsurprisingly Privateer Press have used this years Lock & Load event to reveal exactly what Level 7 is... drum roll please... it's a board game. I have to say I'm not entirely surprised. I know many people had hoped, and wised for another full on miniatures wargame, and I too had high hopes that's what it would be. However, 'rational me' knew deep down it would be a board game for a number of reasons. Firstly Privateer Press are rightly trying to focus their efforts on further establishing HoMachine as a game. They're not as big as Games Workshop are, and quite frankly would struggle right now to support more than one wargame, yeah I'm counting Hordes and Warmachine as one system. They would run the risk of dividing their current customer base, and diluting their own resources between two competing products. That is not a wise place for them to be. This way they get to test the water with another setting and product, and learn a little bit more about themselves and their customers.

The other main reason that I felt Privateer Press wouldn't release a wargame and instead plump for a board game is that they are savvy enough to know that board games are hot right now. Board games are a good instant hobby hit for many out there right now. They've exploited this marketplace in the past, with games like Grind. When you factor in the success another American success story is having right now with board games, Fantasy Flight Games, then you can see exactly why it was likely Level 7 was going to be Privater Presses attempt at grabbing a lucrative piece of this particular pie. No company can stand idly by and watch as others hoover up all the money in a marketplace so easily. Truth be told there's been a lot of buzz this past year or so about board games, and there have been some pretty big hitters that have come out of the left field, like Super Dungeon Explore, and really grab gamers attentions... and money. Not to mention some of the exceptional Indiegogo and Kickstarter campaigns that have happened, it's clear to anyone with a brain that once more board games are hip, cool and trendy. A resurgence like this can't go untapped for a company like Privateer Press.

A picture of stuff that comes in a box.

So does Level 7 look like it'll be worth the money they're asking for it? It's far too early to tell to be honest with you. I've seen nothing of the game apart from some blurry photographs that have come out of the Lock & Load event, and the games official website, not really good solid information sources to be fair. The games contents are listed below:

  • 47 Map Tiles 
  • 138 Cards 
  • 4 Character Sheets 
  • 133 Tokens and Markers 
  • 28 Stands 
  • 8 Special Dice 
  • Rulebook 
  • Scenario Guide

The really interesting thing for this here blogger is that according to that list of contents, it isn't a miniatures board game. For a miniature company that seems like a bit of an own goal to me, unless they plan on releasing optional extra toy soldier to go along with the games release. There's a veritable bucketload of card components though, and I guess the $54.99 asking price isn't too bad all things considered, that works out to £35 in real money by the way. The game is for 1 to 4 players and said to last between 30 to 60 minutes, which sounds like it should tell you a lot... but actually tells you bugger all. The game is described as a semi-cooperative game, probably meaning that it requires you to work together, and also screw each other over in increasingly devious ways to win. Those sorts of games can be fun, if done properly. I'm not going to re-write their marketing spiel here, as I don't see the point, and neither am I going to proclaim it's either rubbish, or the second coming like some have done. All I'll say is that I'll be watching this development with some interest as I like board games and there's always room for another good game. I'll be waiting for the inevitable Privateer Press promotional video. Peace out!

43 comments:

  1. I'm excited that the first game (since they keep hinting at many more) in the Level 7 line is a board game. Board games are hot right now and it is good to see that Privateer Press is wanting to stay a "Game Company" not necessarily a miniatures company.

    Remember wayyyy back when in the days of olde when GW released RPG books, Adventures, Board Games and manner of gaming things. Now it's just Warhammer and 40K and a smattering of LOTR.

    Privateer Press is experiencing lots of success with Warmachine & Hordes and I hope that things like Grind, Bodger Games, The Iron Kingdoms RPG and now Level 7 mean that have plenty ideas for other types of games.

    It just might mean that my wallet will suffer for it.

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    1. I do remember the beginnings of GW, possibly better than most because of my father. However, times they have changed and as I said in the article I'm more aware than most at how popular board games are getting now... but part of the reason is that the miniatures in board games have been getting better and better... in fact all the components have. Many board game miniatures now rival tabletop wargame miniatures for quality. This is because of the massive advances in PVC moulding processes that mean that PVC miniatures now retain far greater levels of detail.

      So flip to Privateer Press, a predominately miniatures company... even their Iron Kingdom RPG is miniatures based, as was Monster Apocalypse / Voltron and of course Grind. Something that they are very good at and could knock the opposition out of the water with and they choose not to exploit it? So sorry I do think that's slightly bizarre. Also on the price thingy, for me I see it as asking a fair amount actually for a board game with no nice toys. When you look at what the likes of Asmodee are putting out with games like Claustrophobia. I'll keep an eye on it as I always do... but it's underwhelmed me so far.

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    2. PP have Infernal Contraption and Scrappers, which are entirely card based, and are about to roll out Heap, so they do have a history of non-miniatures games.

      And, WarLokk, remember that GW aren't currently just about models and rulebooks for WHFB, 40k and LotR, they've made a pile of cash licensing out their IP. There's the Black Library books, the 40k RPG, the computer games, the film, the FFG boardgames...

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    3. Fiendeil, I mention in my responses below that PP do the Bodgers games etc. But it doesn't get away from the fact that this looks very much like a miniatures board game in the vein of GoW, Claustrophobia, Zombicide etc... without the chuffing miniatures. lol.

      It also doesn't get away from the fact that part of the reason board games are becoming more accepted and popular right now is because their components are beginning to look as cool as tabletop wargames components... just think personally that PP have missed a trick.

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  2. I was super excited about this until I saw the preview for it, now I couldn't be more disinterested. Dislike is the wrong word for it, just very very disappointing. I much prefer sci-fi to fantasy and was really looking forward to PP doing with it what they did to fantasy/steampunk with Warmachine. Now that they've shown it off, it's just men in black/X-Files style sci-fi with traditional (and incredibly boring) Grey aliens.

    I think the most puzzling aspect is that it was clearly designed with miniatures in mind, but all we get is cardboard standees. Yes, it's to keep the price down and make it competatively priced to other board games on the market, but coming from a company known for great figures and settings as well as already making board games with cool figures (like Grind), it's just a strange decision. Instead we get this very generic theme and cardboard standees. Even if the gameplay is truly amazing, the theme and lack of cool toys makes it completely not my kind of game. Thank god Sedition Wars kickstarter is doing so well, that's what I thought Level 7 was going to be like and SW is in every way completely up my ally. Well, ok not COMPLETELY, it needs cool aliens instead of just mutants (and again, Grey aliens =/= cool), but who knows what the future (expansions) will bring. I'm clearly not the only one that is wiling to pay almost twice as much for nice figs to go along with a good game.

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    1. That's not a million miles away from my own thoughts. Cardboard cut outs aren't even so last decade... they're so last millennium!!!

      A bit of a strange step in my opinion, unless there's more to the plan that they've yet to reveal. As I say I'm not going to judge the game harshly too early or anything... but it'll have to be some game to impress me.

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    2. That was my thoughts on this also. Kinda a letdown as the last 8 months or so since I heard about this I was thinking this would be a board game akin to Zombicide or Sedition Wars. Its like meeting that girl in person you've been talking to on modelmatches.com for months only to find out shes not that hot. And sorry PP, you try to sell me miniatures for this game as a supplement for more money and I will tell you to go stuff it. Ok thats not true I'm a mini whore and will probably still buy them if they look good, but I will still give you the angry eyes!!!

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    3. This comment mirrors my own opinion on this game. When I saw that the description of the game was up on PP's site I immediate jumped to look at it. And all I could muster as a response to it was a big "meh."

      I have trouble accepting that they would choose cardboard stands over minis given to keep costs down. Look at the Warmachine starter box. Its an absolute steal at $99.99 for two starter armies and a full set of rules. I understand wanting to hit a price point, but given they are a miniature company I think its a misfire to not have miniatures to launch a new game.

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    4. @PapaSpanky, you need to get that angry eyes quote made into a T-shirt. :P

      I sorta agree though. If they bring out a miniatures add on pack while part of me will be a happy panda, a bigger part of me will be an angry panda.

      @Vagrant Benthos, I agree. When you see games like Asmodee's Claustrophobia you realise just what is possible in this day and age for a very reasonable price!!!

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    5. My thought exactly. Not to sound too negative yet but if they doesn't have amazing visual minis included, they should at least have a demo video detailing the fun part of this game. If not, the too much early expectations will backfire on them.

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    6. I'm sure the gameplay video will be on their website and Youtube within the next month or two. Then we can start to see what the game is like, and just what Privateer Presses plans are.

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  3. Yep - I'm interested and will probably buy it, but it seems extremely strange for them not to include miniatures in it! It's a major head-scratcher.

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    1. I'm not so sure I will buy it. If there were little toy soldiers etc. I'd have been all over it like white on rice... now? Now I'll take some convincing.

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    2. @Minijunkie : I agree. Why no minis for the game. That's what Privateer does best, is make minis.

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    3. I see there might be a consensus forming...

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  4. I'll admit, this product doesn't really call out to me. The setting isn't really my thing and there are no cool miniatures to win me over despite it. That said, I hope it does well and becomes a good game for the people who do like it.

    It is a relief though.. Against all odds, it looks like I'm still able to read one of your articles and not think "I have to have it". That and the universe is conspiring against my bank account..

    First the Bushido campaign, then new Kingdom Death miniatures (the new Forsaker might have elicited a little dance..) and then Sedition Wars? Seriously?

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    1. I'm telling you now. Greece should stuff the economic stimulus package and put all their money into designing toy soldiers. It's the way forward!!!

      I know, prior to Lock & Load I was looking forward to the Level 7 reveal... now... meh. I'll wait and see.

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  5. They had a demo table going at Lock and Load. From people said it reminded me of Cutthroat Caverns in that you need to help each other to survive but screw each other to win.

    I admit I'm curious but I'll wait and see as well.

    Though I have to admit I find it odd that people get up in arms that it's not containing miniatures. Their boggers series of board games didn't have them. I know miniatures are their current main stay but I would rather see them grow and be known as a game company and not just a miniatures company.

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    1. I don't think people are getting up in arms FitS, it's nothing so dramatic. People just find it odd that a miniatures game company isn't playing to it's obvious strengths. As to Bodgers that's one game in their back catalogue that's not had toy soldiers in it. Here we have a board game where clearly the intention is to have a spacial representation on the board and individual representatives for the players. Or a miniatures based board game... except they've not gone with mini's. They've just misjudged the current board game trends I think. People are looking at them more and more because the mini's are getting better and better and they don't seem 'third rate' visually to their tabletop wargames counterparts. If the game is good I'll play it regardless, I just felt it was a bizarre move, and looking around the Internet today and yesterday I'm certainly not alone in that.

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    2. I agree with Frontline Gamer. It's odd. I think they'll be missing out a secondary market as well. I can imagine that quite a few people that will be Sedition Wars with no interest in the game itself, but for the miniatures (even without the extra's from the kickstarter)

      Or they'll travel the same path as Smog 1888. Unless I'm very much mistaking, the boardgame itself comes with with cardboard cut outs, but it's possible to buy true miniatures to replace them.

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    3. They almost certainly will be missing out on the secondary miniatures market... we all call them shinies for a reason!!!

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    1. Everything needs moar tentacles.

      We need a minis company to do a range with a GW-esque approach. Think the Tower of Skulls, but with tentacles. The Garden of Cthulhu instead of the Garden of Morr. Things with tentacles made up of tentacles. And then tentacles on top of that.

      You could do worse than start with a pile of Lords of Cthul, the Aberration from Carnevale, a decent chunk of the Mid Nor range, and a Throne of Everblight.

      That reminds me, I need to paint Wormpile.

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    2. Tentacles are good... but that's what Tentacle Bento is for!!!

      :P

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  7. It seems like most of us are in agreement that it's a bit underwhelming. I'm not interested in the Warmachine/Hordes part of PP but something that looked like it could be hard(ish) sci-fi certainly caught my attention.

    However, seeing the preview now doesn't get me excited at all, and the lack of miniatures doesn't help. Unless the gameplay turns out to be pure gold I'll send my money to Mike McVey instead for a piece of the Sedition Wars cake (or just buy more Infinity minis).

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    1. Yep, it seems there's a consensus of 'meh' forming on the Interwebz that I bet PP just weren't expecting. If it's a good game I'll get it. But if not, well, there are no shiny new toys for me to want to buy it for either.

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  8. I just can't get my head around who they are marketing this for? At £35, it seems to be priced as a beer and pretzles game, which is fine, but it'll be competing against the likes of Arkham Horror and Zombies! (only 1 of which has miniatures)...

    It'll be interesting to see what the boardgame community makes of it. I'm a bit of a coffee table game fan (it's a way I can share my gaming hobby with people who aren't into the whole wargames thing) so at £35, I may take a punt to see what it's like? If I get 4 games out of it, that's 4-6 hours worth of enjoyment, so it's minimum-wage gaming. Mini's would have probably put the price up, and maybe priced them out of impulse buys?

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    1. As you point out though, there are a lot of games in that impulse range buy for gamers. And many of them actually have little toy soldiers, which is nice. Would I personally pick this up over Arkham Horror? No. What about Settlers of Catan, Munchin, Claustrophobia etc. etc. etc. On the looks of the box and its content list alone I think it'll struggle, and they'll be trying to sell this off of the Privateer Press name I'd guess. I'll be interested to see where they aim it as a product and who they aim it at. Sleeping on it last night, this could be a game you find in motorway services etc. It could be aimed at none gamers as a gateway products.

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    2. It may be, as you said, a gateway product similar to GW's HeroQuest experiment in the 90's. It may just be something they threw out there to see what would happen? I guess it all comes down to what they consider to be success with Level 7- I doubt they are looking at monetary gain alone on this one.

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    3. It could indeed be that. But doesn't the step between the universe in Level 7 and the HoMachine universe seem a bit big? Unless it's a try-out to test the waters before they potentially 'endanger' their main product.

      Or was Heroquest also in a completely seperate universe?

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    4. No, Hero-Quest was a Fantasy Dungeon-crawl, so more like WHFRPG. You're right in that Level 7 is a huge departure from PP's existing IP, but it also doesn't have any mini's, so I was wondering for they are going for a whole different market exposure?

      My experience of PP's mini games so far has been small-scale games, I just can' get get that heavily invested in them to buy the whole 50pts warband. However, they've got cool models and it's a decent little game (for me at least), so I'm left wondering if that's the kind of person they are trying to approach- the £50 a year guys who are out there, but won't buy into the whole game, just a part of it? Inexpensive Starter sets, cheap board games?

      Just thinking out loud really...

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    5. I think a gateway product doesn't even necessarily have to have anything to do with any of a companies IP. It can just introduce the company name and brand to people. If you like the game you might think 'hey this Privateer Press company rock'. You might then go and seek out their internet page and discover a whole host of goodies you'd never seen before. A gateway product is as much about marketing the company responsible as it is their products.

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  9. Of course, there is always the chance that its not primarily aimed at us wargamers at all but may be an attempt at a gateway game into the hobby. As you were saying in your chats over on HoP, maybe this style of boardgame, quick and dirty, is one way of getting more people into gaming in general. Just my two pence.

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    1. Argh... ninja'ed by an Anonymous ninja!!!

      *pulls ninja stars from back*

      You must have posted your comment while I was writing my own. Yeah it could be. If they try to get it into comic book stores, super markets and motorway service stations. But lets see shall we where they go with it as a product. As a gateway to the broader hobby though I won't know if it is an effective stab at it until I've seen it.

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. PMSL

      I'm glad you removed that comment. I thought you'd gone a little crazy on me for a while. :P

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    2. Yah, epic fail in checking I'm on the right tab before commenting :p

      It's the Vore I tell you!! I must have him!! ;)

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    3. If it's affecting your brain that much I'm not so sure it's wise you have him!!!

      :P

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    4. Bah, you and your.. logic..

      ;)

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  11. I don't know what it is about board games recently but I'm definitely feeling the effects of it.

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    1. I don't think you're the only one who is feeling the impact of board games on their hobby right now. Many of us are... I'm definitely feeling a Sunday Sermon coming on here.

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    2. Maybe it's that many of us are turning towards smaller skirmish games rather than mass battle games as an antidote to endless price rises? With high quality components and a tightly focused objective to play for a modern boardgame can be just as visually and mentally rewarding as a skirmish game, more so if you don't put in the effort on painting, terrain, etc. At that point it's easy to blur the lines between the two?

      Over the last few years we've played quite a few boardgames at the club and they seem to get better and better... Arkham Horror, Mansions of Madness, Last Night on Earth, Talisman, Gears of War and more besides.

      I wouldn't say they'll replace wargaming Because they lack the potential imaginative scope and grand spectacle, but the high quality, self-contained packages they come in nowadays have definitely wedged them a foot in the door...

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    3. yeah I wouldn't disagree with what you say, in fact many of the themes you touch on are things I've started scoping out in my by now innevitable Sunday Sermon article. Yes... it's on its way soon.

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