Getting old....

[JChadbourne]

Hello Keith and all that represent Mystical Empire as a game,

I would just like to point out that this game is growing old. There is noone out demoing it. There is no place to have tourneys. No one pushing product.

I feel that this is why many people have put the game down. As Keith has stated that many of the New England top players have not been active for a while. Well the above mentioned issues could be why.

I have ask to become a judge so I can start posting tourney dates and see if that sparks anythign but I was told that i needed to wait because they are not ready, well great give me an old one. I would not think that a game would want someone to stop supporting or stop trying to help it grow.

It is the same 8-12 people that reply all the time. Obviously they are interested in the game. Maybe even want to support the game further but they are not sure what else to do and or ask.

My concerns for this game is that the spend ALOT of $$ on the big conventions and nothign realy on local tourneys. Hmm well to have a decent competitive turn out at a Con I would think one would have to have a strong backing in the local communities. Maybe I am wrong, I dont own a game and have not tryed to make one yet either.

If there is anythign else I can do to help this game whether in the public eyes or behind the seen i would be happy to help out. I for one am one of the ones that are getting board and reasdy to put down the game. I like the game but I dont like that everyone that has played it has retired it. Well not everyone but you get the idea. I would rather voice my concern rather then put the cards in storage.

Maybe this will help...

[Bob Synnott]

I second the motion. Every day I go to the mailbox expecting to receive prizes that were mailed?{Feb16 at last post] only to be disapointed. From a collecting standpoint the game is a disaster.No one sells singles and no one trades.[exception: Wildfire Games Long Beach}The response to the fan base is non-existant. I supply all the cards for my playgroup but am getting tired of the hassle.
Bob

[Keith Katsikas]

I am very sorry about the slowdown in some areas of the country. Northeast Games has gone though some very big changes in the last year and with our new business plan and increased revenue we have 20 times more manpower than we had a year ago and twice as much capital. We are going to be attending every major trade show, plus a dozen or more others. We will also be setting up demo days at many local shops throughout the country. What I have personally found is that in New England (where we had come on strong in the begining of our life cycle, but has since fallen short on the required followup, due to a prior lack of manpower) it is very hard get those stores to take futher interest, and equally as difficult to get our old players from a year ago to take it up again. Many believe the game is dead, or dying, when in reality it is better than ever and even more backed than we every were able to in the past. We have nearly a doze distributors, large and small, pushing the product; we have gotten Fish Antics into a local Wal-Mart; and we have restructured our prized support to offer even more cash prizes and highly popular non-cash prizes, such as iPhones, iPods, and Trips to GenCon. There is a ton happening now, and going to be announce very soon. We will be starting up our weekly e-zine email newsletter in the coming week or two. We will be shipping out direct mailers with follow-up phone calls to retailers across the country. And any one who want to help us out in any way is certainly welcome to. We are also putting together a new incentive program for volunteers who want to help us spread the game. I really hope this info helps ease some concerns. Please let people in your areas know that Mystical Empire is certainly not dead and they will be seeing a great deal about our games in the very near future from every source imaginable. Look for us online, in the mail, in your favorite magazines, at every convention you can get to. HELL, We may ever get on TV! Please, don't let us die in your areas. We are working hard to get back to you and to introduce ME and FA to the rest of the 90+% of people who have yet to even hear of us. We are still very much a brand new company with two very new games. We have a long life ahead of us.

Thank you so much for your support. We love you! =)

[JChadbourne]

The below message will offend some people so in advance i will say i am sorry for that...

Hmmm, not sure how to take that responce. The responce was a great sales pitch, besides mentioning fish antics. Not the right thread, but agian it is part of your company. I dont need the game to be sold to me. I have taken much enjoyment in this game. I do how ever still have concerns...

My posts will be before kieths...

To address the first part of this explanation form keith. The slow down in some areas, hmm that could be looked at as a lie or a very large understatement. New England has lost 85% of the players. They were to my knowledge at one point the highest play group around. I am glad that the company has and is still growing. You have 20 times more manpower, great!!!
Keith:
I am very sorry about the slowdown in some areas of the country. Northeast Games has gone though some very big changes in the last year and with our new business plan and increased revenue we have 20 times more manpower than we had a year ago and twice as much capital.

As I mentioned before, not everyone is Con geared. What about the younger kids that hav to work all week for $7 worth of allowence and they go to a local shop and buy 2 packs every week? that kid is not going to any cons but he would like to support the game. As for demo dates... Hmmm the issue I have with these is that the ones that are up coming dont get enough advertising and then people cant make it. But postponing it will just put the game that much further out of the loop. We state that there is a man power issue well then lets solve this issue. Another CCG company made it so there was a Demoer for a particular area. They rewarded that person with cards instead of paying them, maybe that is an idea that Northeast Games should look at. Maybe it is hard to find gaming stores that will take further interest in this game because it charges for its prize kits. Most games that want to promote there product does nto charge for kits. As for players that dont want to take it up again... there realy is no need to since the Top player still gets free trip to gen con and noone is playing the game at a sanctioned level he has nothing to worry about.
Keith:
We are going to be attending every major trade show, plus a dozen or more others. We will also be setting up demo days at many local shops throughout the country. What I have personally found is that in New England (where we had come on strong in the begining of our life cycle, but has since fallen short on the required followup, due to a prior lack of manpower) it is very hard get those stores to take futher interest, and equally as difficult to get our old players from a year ago to take it up again.

Inregards to the game dead or dying, yup many people do believe that. Fortunately you have some players that want to make this game happen. I have seen this company have lots of issue with meeting a deadline. Again this is not a place for fish antics but i am not sure if that was released in a timely fashion or not. But for ME there has been delay after delay and the prize winnings is just confirming that. Its great that you have sooo many distributers pushing the product but if the demand is there will you still be able to keep up witht he demand?? When this game first started that seamed to be a big issue. As for Wal-Mart, they will sell anything, maybe you should look at getting ME in Wal-Mart, Targets and such as well. Again witht he restructuring of prize support, where does that help the peopel that dont go to cons. I dont see any judges asking for a big Tourney. i am not a judge but I have asked and thrown out ideas. When will this game be truly unleased. it would be nice for a person that wants to hold a large event to be able to such. Put out the Prize structure and advertise for it 3 months in advance. Allow people to make arragnements and work witht he new cards. I think that we need to have this game work bawards when it comes to prize support. I feel that if you reward the local gamers and they take an interest in it they will go to the larger tourneys. But if you only offer large prize support for cons then you lose all the little people that can make or break a game. As for stuff being announced soon, hmmm well I have waited at least 2 1/2 month for some large announcement hope much more do we have to wait? I took a break form the board because nothing was happening and now that I have come back to shake things up things die out again.
Keith
Many believe the game is dead, or dying, when in reality it is better than ever and even more backed than we every were able to in the past. We have nearly a doze distributors, large and small, pushing the product; we have gotten Fish Antics into a local Wal-Mart; and we have restructured our prized support to offer even more cash prizes and highly popular non-cash prizes, such as iPhones, iPods, and Trips to GenCon. There is a ton happening now, and going to be announce very soon.

It is great to get updates on NE Games and ME and all of the games that NEG supports but weekly might be too much. Maybe not at first since there is a lot of catching up to do but in the log run I think that people will put it in the junk mail and not read it. I for one would be up for a bi-weekly or monthly e-zine. Witht he direct mailers I would follow up with a phone call as you suggested and let them know that you can offer free demo decks and a league kit for free. Not too many people want to play for prize support when other games are givig you stuff hand over fist. As for anyone wanting to help you, I WANT TO, but how? I have asked and have been asked to hold off for now... How am I able to help if I am put on hold, maybe when the time comes I have lost interest in this game as it seams some have. As for easing some concerns, well it was just a sales pitch, great I already baught intot he game now lets make it better.
Keith
We will be starting up our weekly e-zine email newsletter in the coming week or two. We will be shipping out direct mailers with follow-up phone calls to retailers across the country. And any one who want to help us out in any way is certainly welcome to. We are also putting together a new incentive program for volunteers who want to help us spread the game. I really hope this info helps ease some concerns.

At this point in many areas the game is dead. there is nothign that we can do about the past except move on. Lets look at the past and see where are errors were. What can we do to fix them or even avoid them? How can we get people interested in the game? A well packaged marketing campain could do and so could allowing the prize support to trickle down to smaller tourneys. You could also have the league pachages be free and have playable cards in them. off the topic but its annoying to have cards that are promos that you cant play, sorry bout that. We the concerned ones also need to realize that this company is young. It takes 3-5 years even to see if it is going to make it. I guess my concern is that you have so many non employees that are willing to help but you dont take advantage of there offers. Adverting will help alot as well.
Keith
Please let people in your areas know that Mystical Empire is certainly not dead and they will be seeing a great deal about our games in the very near future from every source imaginable.

Well with all that being said. I hope that NEG and all of the games it produces do well. I for one am happy with ME but there are draw backs and concerns to be addressed.
Keith
Look for us online, in the mail, in your favorite magazines, at every convention you can get to. HELL, We may ever get on TV! Please, don't let us die in your areas. We are working hard to get back to you and to introduce ME and FA to the rest of the 90+% of people who have yet to even hear of us. We are still very much a brand new company with two very new games. We have a long life ahead of us

Well after typing all that and looking through it it looks as I have unleased a personal attack opn Keith and NEG. No I have not I am voicing my concerns for a game and company that I want to see do well. I have only stated what some players are thining. I will be the voice if noone else will. I dont want to see anymore players walk away form this game. I would like for it to do wella nd make it. Again this reply is not ment to be offensive so please take it with a grain of salt, no one ever said I was not rough around the edges or soft spoken.

Keith, I hope that I have not insulted you or offened you. I am just a concerned player...

[Keith Katsikas]

I am thankful for your well thought and presented reply. I am not insulted, in fact I am inspired. I hope we can better utilize the supporters that we have. As I mentioned, we are working on a new incentive program to help get volunteers to help create traction for the game. I would love to have you helping us; it really sounds like you have a place in your heart for Mystical Empire and would work your ass off to get it active around you. We want to use that enthusiasm as much as we can, however, we also want to reward you for your time. If you want to help us out as you say, please call me at 603-606-2883 and we will talk. That goes for anyone who reads this. Call me if you want to help us out in this way. We will soon have a solid incentive program. We want to offer you rewards for helping us.

[JChadbourne]

I am not sure when i will be in touch but I will be in touch with you shortly.

Again if anyone out there has issues they do nto want to bring tot he table pleasePM me and Iwillbring them up. I have no problem being the voice as long as you have a valid point. As you can see most of my posts have backing and justification. If you have an issue I ask that you justify it to me and Iwill put it in my own words so you will not have to worry about your name getting out.

No disrespect ment to the game but I am sure that there are more concerns that are not being voiced. Hopefully I iwll be able to help this gamegrow and becoem enjoyable to new players and stay enjoyablefor the ones already playing.

Once I have spoken to keith Iam sure I will have a betterunderstanding of what he is looking for and what I can offer. At this point Imay not be a judge and not know all th eruling but I am a personcan ask questions to and voice concerns.

Looking forward to further helping...

[plmrelm]

More praise for this newbie! Gotta give it to anyone that keeps active in this haitus-like atmosphere of the game.

[Nosferatu]

More than that, he deserves praise for bringing up such important and touchy issues. With more talk stirring, these issues will definately get more attension.

[JChadbourne]

As I have stated before, if you pm me i will bring up any issue as long as it has a valid justification. This game needs to have communication and with out it we will end up in this place again.

This is not a place that a game needs to be in regularly. It will lose players and fall down agian. TYhe game is in the Down stage at this time and I would like to start tot upward fight! Anyone with me on this??? The fight may be hard and tiresome but in the end look at what we could have to show for it. Our efferts help this game make it. Maybe someday NEG's will put out a letter or give thanks to the ones that have stuck with them and helped them grow and prosper.

Active members of this board, I would like you all to know that I will be the pest and the voice. I just need to know other peoples concerns. As people have made mention I am the Newbee here on this forum. I have left this forum in the begining when lots of people were here because most of the posts were random and unjustified. But at that point people were just happy to have activity in the forum.

My next concern is the forum organization. We need to have a place for real posts and not just posting to have somethign to do. I am sure that valid points could be taken out of random thoughts and rants but if so then we can most that thread. Have things archive every 2 months. Maybe that could be helpfull. There is no justification at this point because my time is running short before work but look forward to it soon...

[plmrelm]

The only complaint I have right now (besides lack of players) is the same that Bob brought up earlier...it's been a couple of weeks since we were told the prizes were going to be mailed out "this week"

I would like to see some of this MAJOR advertising we've been told about...maybe the game will grow to beyond just the eight of us...

[WildfireCEO]

It's 6:30 in the morning in Long beach ca right now. I have been think on this thread since very early in the morning yesterday. I understand that some of these ideas the JC brings up are new however quite a few have been brought up before. As for us going con crazy let me assure you we are also going to be going into gaming stores and doing demo's as well as setting up permanent tournaments. My own retail store holds tournaments every sunday. I know it is a lot to ask but in order to get this game really going we need your help. Thats why I asked people to help make this website ad free. Thats why I have asked people to put ME ads in their signature and go to other sites and contribute positively. I understand as a custamer you don't want to hear the question what are you doing... but what are you doing for Mystical Empire?

[JChadbourne]

Wildfire: Thanks for your responce. My concern with your post is that you seam to be tied intot he compnay and own your own gaming store. Well one would hope if you are in any way tied to a game that you would demo it. Maybe thats just me. As for going con crazy I have spoken to keith personaly about this concern and we are working on getting it fixed. I am only one person and not affiliated with the game in any way besides being a player.

As for the website bign free I have not come to the conclusion that it owuld help. I am not sure what that would do besides get the players to "Donate" money for a forum. Hrrmm That does not sound right, maybe if some wants to donate money then they get random product that could be cool but the idea of a company is to sell the "Game it produces and make monsy to support what they want to do.

I think I have address this someplace else on the forum but what I have done...
Spoke with keith about my concerns and my ideas
Asked to become a Judge
Asked to become a Tournement director
Asked to become a person that demos
Have started a play group, gets smaller because of the lack of communication with ME reps
offered my opinions on changing the forum lay out
Give local players cards so we can play
Offered to hold larger events but need to be a judge and all that stuff first
Spoke to one store thus far about supporting ME again, Agin goes back to the communication
Posted concerns on the forum, brought up touch sujects on forum
Asked to become a "Beta tester"

So all in all I guess I have done what I concider a fair amount. I am just waiting for more communication witht he ME staff. How mach can you offer with out a responce? Why woould one continue to offer if you get nothign in return? These are the concern that I have brought up in other posts. Also when I spoke to Keith I brought these up as concerns.

Agin not to point fingures but I have not heard anythign back from the communications that I have made. i knwo that the compnay are busy and that the staff have better things to do besides wai on me hand and foot but someone should be a contact rep. That person should be in charge of communications. I will not ramble on this time cuz my time is short...

Just my 2 cents

[gamerjeff]

New store comments: We just started selling ME 2-1/2 weeks ago. As with any game, the first thing my wife and I did was break open a starter deck and give it a shot. It opened our eyes! We then opened up the theme decks and played a couple of games. What really caught our attention was the following:

1) ME fixes the whole "in response to" problem we have with Magic. The speed ratings for reactions allow things to be responded to in a better fashion than last in, first out.
2) ME fixes the whole Magic & Vampire blocking mechanic. With your choice of either Block or Defend, you can still attack and block, you just won't do damage. So you don't leave yourself totally undefended.
3) No mana, just actions. Sweeeet! Your deck is full of what you want.
4) Plays equally well 1 on 1 and multi-player. Very few games can accomplish that trick!

We demoed this last weekend, and have 5 players already. Just talking about it this week at the store, and there are several other players who want to give it a try. All this, while up against the new World of Warcraft Dark Portal release. Not bad. We have been telling people if you can play Magic, Vampire or WoW, you can grab this game almost intuitively.

My only problems so far? CGE's software and tournament ability is non-existent. So there is *no* organized play structure. That is a huge downside. The other problem is that when you tell someone this game has been out for 2 years they are afraid to get in on the game now because it is too late. Not true, but there is that to overcome as well.

What to do now? Well, keep the golden master open for one. THat is a plus. If you still have them in booster packs to give out, that will drive sales and that will help sell the game.

Get an organized play program up now!!! Even if it is something simple for ratings purposes, we need it. In the last 9 years, I cannot tell you how much ratings have driven CCG's.

Be prepared for the long haul. This game has been out for some time. If you can be around for 2 more years, you have outlasted 80% of the ccgs ever produced. Most don't make it beyond the 2nd or 3rd set. Once you are there however, simple momentum will keep the game afloat and it will continue to grow. We have players still playing Pokemon, Magic and Vampire because those games are *ALWAYS* on the shelves and always have tournaments! ME should be no different!

Tournaments: No more than 2 per month. If you do them every week while trying to build a following, too many people become discouraged when only 3-4 people show up. If you only give them 2 times per month to play, they give up other things to show up. Then make it worth their while! Promos, foils, and at least 1 booster to everyone.

Okay, getting off the soapbox now.....

[CGE]

Greetings,

I will be happy to answer your questions regarding CGE.

Login here:

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Member "Q" is a member of our staff and will be more than happy to asnwer any questions on this forum. Feel free to PM him any time.

Also, organizedplay.asp on mystical should link to:

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"ME" is also working on updating their site.

Thank you very much and let me know if we could be of further assistance.


Thank you.

[Deleted]

Likewise Gamerjeff, I'd also like to add that I'm glad to see you enjoyed the game and that it has been picking up in your area. I share many of the same points as you do on what makes the game stand out as interesting. And we at CGE also agree with you that an organized play system is vital to all ccgs as it is an invaluable tool.

Like CGE has said, if you have any questions about the ranking systems and/or anything else, please feel free to ask. I've logged in many many hours on all aspects of the game including organized play, deck mechanics, metagame analysis and comprehensive rulebook editing, among other subjects. I check the forum daily so hopefully I'll see you around. Thanks.