Redemption's new competition!

[rpgdirector]

I will have to play a few more games before I decide to write a formal review.  Out of all the faith based TCGs released so far (The Mission, Timestream, Noah's Quest, Principality, Testament), Bible Battles is one of the better ones.  Some of the artwork is good, the concept is playable, the base card set is large enough to make a decent variation in deck archetypes.  I'm interested and will be playing a bit to really get the game figured out. 

[Kor]

If you think about what redemption started as, one can't be too harsh on new games I suppose.

[BubbleBoy]

If you think about what redemption started as, one can't be too harsh on new games I suppose.

Now that I think of this, this game probably has a lot more potential than Redemption.

[The Schaef]

I actually disagree with this.

When Rob designed Redemption, Magic was the only other game in the genre.  Richard Garfield had taken the industry in an entirely new direction, adding new value to the old notion of collecting and trading cards by making a game out of it.  Redemption has evolved over the last 15 years as a result of a combination of trying to define itself more clearly and adopting a few of the better ideas from other game.

Ten years ago, the bottom fell out of the CCG market and like 98% of them were gone practically overnight.  Over the years since, most of the other old-timey games have also gone away (e.g. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings) and most new games came in, sold some cards for about six months, and faded out.

Card games these days are trying to find other hooks to make it more than just another card game to come and go: Bakugan uses those little flippy marble monster guys; Whiz Kidz did card games with little constructable 3d pirate ships and Star Wars vehicles.  Decipher basically dropped their whole line of card games to get franchise rights and create Fight Klub, and sell it essentially through direct sales only.

So there are only two kinds of card games left in the world: those that have survived long enough to stay entrenched (Magic, Pokemon, Redemption) and those that are trying other gimmicks to stay relevant.  If you're a new card game, you have over fifteen years of experience to draw from; you should be able to study your competition and see what works and what doesn't, and avoid the pitfalls that they had to climb their way out of themselves.  And then you need something new and fresh that nobody else has, and that will demand that people buy your product.

I don't know enough about Bible Battles to make any kind of conclusions about how good (or not) it is.  All I'm saying is that games coming out today don't have 15 years to try and get all their sand together like the original card games did, and if they have that much background to draw from, they shouldn't need to start all the way back at square one anyway.  So I would measure potential a lot more on how much of a head start they have on their design, and what is in their game that is new and compelling.

Of course, if it's only ever intended to narrowly target the church market, then I guess all of that goes out the window and they can do whatever their budget will allow.

[EmJayBee83]

And then you need something new and fresh that nobody else has, and that will demand that people buy your product.

And boy howdy does Bible Battles deliver. They have a whole series of videos where the they have real-life actors re-enact exciting moments in the game. The videos titled Caleb and Followers were especially compelling.

I know Cactus doesn't have a huge marketing budget for professional actors/directors/equipment and such, but if Redemption had some videos like this it would really push product. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to attend Buckler: The Movie?

[Kingsman08]

So is it a JCCG (Jewish Collectible Card Game) since it only uses the Old Testament?

that just made my life

[The Schaef]

I know Cactus doesn't have a huge marketing budget for professional actors/directors/equipment and such, but if Redemption had some videos like this it would really push product. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to attend Buckler: The Movie?

Angel Wars Episode 1 (clip)

[Red Dragon Thorn]

This leads the question - Why is the card called 'Seemingly Insignificant' when the line is 'Seemingly Trivial'?

[TimMierz]

And boy howdy does Bible Battles deliver. They have a whole series of videos where the they have real-life actors re-enact exciting moments in the game. The videos titled Caleb and Followers were especially compelling.

I know Cactus doesn't have a huge marketing budget for professional actors/directors/equipment and such, but if Redemption had some videos like this it would really push product. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to attend Buckler: The Movie?

Cactus can't splurge the apparent $12 it cost to make one of these?

[Shofarblower]

I haven't played the game yet (probably will if it survives long enough to outlive my current cash crisis). It looks very interesting. I like the idea of a Settlers type expandable card game. Building a food supply and armies seems interesting. It looks like the games could be very long (monopoly in ccg form), yet fun. I did see something about a suggested deck minimum of 60 cards so, I think all they need to do is change the suggestion to a rule.

I agree that the game mechanics of new ccg's are lacking. I thought Timestream was good until they never released the beta boosters as the creator kept promising me. I always saw potential in that game. I hope that this game (if it turns out to be fun) expands on current gaming and doesn't fizzle.

I don't mean to make it seem like I want Cactus to fail. I just mean that alot of gamers I know would never touch Redemption but may lean toward something different. As a minister, I applaud anything that draws people away from worldly things. (not bashing anyone who plays other ccg's at all)

[New Raven BR]

that honestly looked alot better then the angel wars on VHS

[rpgdirector]

Bible Battles TCG will be making an appearance at Gen Con this year.  Will Cactus be there?

[Master KChief]

will Nathanial be there?

[christiangamer25]

ok as far as the video thing i'm willing to pursue using my skills and equipment to pursue this avenue. monies can be discussed but i personally love the game and would willingly to do more if thats what the people want. all i ask is open assistance of the community.

[rpgdirector]

I don't know yet.  I'm not sure about the schedule for my kidney transplant.  I WISH I could attend, but don't know just yet. 

Is NESFEATHER going to be there?!