Update: Highlander: The Card Game

[Tim Small]

After many years of producing Highlander the Card Game, we have come to a point where we have decided to stop the production, for the remainder of 2011, of any further releases after GenCon 2011. We will still be at GenCon in an official capacity to run tournaments, provide product we still have in stock and provide prize support for the GenCon tournaments.

The goal of Paradox Publishing was to 'right the wrongs' that have consistently plagued the Highlander Card Game. In our efforts to once again legitimize the game and create a fun, quality product, we felt it necessary to separate our daily operations from prior management. It has become apparent that that is not possible at this time. Simple production items (like what paper to use and which printing source to use) have been taken out of Paradox's control. This has caused further delays and an early blemish on our ability to separate ourselves from the game's previous failures.

Continuous errors in production, waste of material, unclear costs for the materials needed and what was paid for them have lead us to a crossing point. Our only goal is to make a quality product, on time, for our players to enjoy. We realize that we have a great group of supporters. Your dedication to the game over all these years, despite all the failures, is remarkable. Unfortunately, we cannot fulfill these goals with the lack of communication and the constant delays caused by the owner of the SwordMaster system.

To those of you that have ordered the June and July releases, they will still be released as soon as printing delays allow. We appreciate the support of all the players over the years and look forward to the day when we can create a quality product that can erase any disappointment created throughout first and second edition.

It is my hope that we will be able to resolve our current issues and make this a great game again. Until that time, thank you for playing and continuing to support the Highlander Trading Card Game. And, for those of you attending GenCon 2011, we're going to do our best to make it a blast!

Thanks for your past, present and future support!!!!!
Tim Small, Brent Bailey, Steven Rice, Jim Black, Russell Modglin, Dallas Baker and Greg Eckhoff

[davester64]

Words fail me at this news.

[dbaker]

Wow, I did not see this coming. Just wow.

[DNecaise]

I was looking for an update...not this.

Really sorry to hear this...
sort of hoping it's a bad 4th of July hoax.

I don't know the wrangling of the company and the struggles you all face, so best wishes to you.

I always said I'd be here until you guys closed the door and turned off the lights, it appears the lights are starting to flicker...

[kurganfan]

Well, kind of glad I didn't pre order the Consone set.

So is this a way of saying Mr. Sager has thrown a wrench into the works or something else?

[kurganfan]

Ok, I feel inspired at this point but not in the good way. Here is the card I would create if I had won at Gen Con:

Mr. Sager

Situation-Mortal Ally

When Mr. Sager comes into play discard your hand. At the start of each of your Reconcile phases make a Hard Exertion for no effect. During your Ability Adjust phase you may lose 1 ability to draw a card. Skip your Draw/Discard phase.

'Thanks for playing'--Mike

[hayus]

OK, I don't know the full story here (likely not many do). It may not be one persons fault. Consider this:

You have a limited amount of players.
You're trying to increase quality of product.
You're trying to keep cost to a minimum (i.e. the game now being non collectable).

In essence, you're trying to do a lot more, with a lot less. With a very limited amount of players, this basically is a recipe for failure. You can't do it. No one can.

The economics don't support having both amazing quality cards with very low print runs. There's no profit in it. You can't have (higher than) 1e A&T quality when you only have like 30 players out there.

The real shame in all of this is that you guys got to the promised land. The game was pretty well balanced and the new tweaks for the third edition were perfect. Wounds were intuitive and had an excellent strategy that really could make for some great game play.

"I slash you when you're at low ability, drop the new wound for the katana, and then lunge a headshot..." wow, that's killer. It -realistically- recreated a sword fight. I can't wait to see what you did with the (underpowered) rapier.

Anyhow, kudos to the designers, this isn't on you guys. You guys did great. If you were to continue as a virtual set based with a low 'suggested donation' I'd donate. The quality of the state of the game and the images is that high.

Thanks guys, and sorry it didn't work out. We'll look out for future expansions.

[Heel Santa]

Is it not possible to at least print off some prize support packages to keep tournaments going?

[thelovebus]

Hayus It actually is Very possible to do low print runs and make a profit. 30 is a little low I will admit we needed to sell 50 to hit our mark each month. Thats not alot of printing.

[langster]

Having not logged in this site for years , and having sold my entire 2nd Edition collection some years back , I felt it was time to make a final post here . I am an avid Highlander Card Game player and as such have seen the wrongs done by Mrs. Sager over the years and yes want to say I told you so but will not , because gentlemen such as Tim Small, Brent Bailey, Steven Rice, Jim Black, Russell Modglin, Dallas Baker, Greg Eckhoff and Shaun Campbell have gone out of their way over the years to make Highlander a great CCG that it could be .

My respect goes out to these gentlemen for the time and diligence they have given this game and your efforts will NEVER be forgotten by true lovers of this game such as myself.

Is it possible to drop the Sword Master system as its owner has clearly dropped us over the years ? Mrs. Sager I hope to someday meet you in a back ally for some Redneck justice .

[kurganfan]

The Swordmaster system is really the lynchpin of the whole game. It would be difficult at best to drop it and start fresh. Especially since there is no media currently running anything Highlander. And I agree the game could still be profitable even as a small press venture. Isn't that what its been for the last 5+ years? I mean when the same people buy your product and there is very little new growth, really no reason to print 500 sets when you know you will sell 50. You could always do the 'virtual' thing, having a Paypal donation, say for a yearly subscription. Upload virtual sets and let the subscribers print whatever the hell they want. Makes you money, maybe even more profit since you'll eliminate the printing issues.
Food for thought. Hopefully it works out. If not at least there are a buttload of cards in our 5k count boxes to fiddle with.

[kurganfan]

I'll also toss out my thanks to Tim, Brent, Jim, Dallis, and everyone else that I haven't talked to who have kept the game alive and kicking since 1E. I'm still heading to Gen Con, but this announcement has kind of subdued the excitement.

[prowler7]

Thank you all for the kind words!

In the words of Loretta Lynn - We aint dead yet!

Jim and I are still working on the Type One Rulebook. GenCon is still happening. The Design Team still loves this game. Who can tell what the future holds?

[grady]

As long as Dumb-Ass (oops, make that Sager) can interfere with the process in any way, the future won't be bright. Having been with this game from the beginning from players to Regional Reps, the only consistent result from Sager was lies, B.S., lies and more B.S. Congrats to the design team for at least trying to steer the game in the right direction, and super kudos for putting up with an egotistical jerk!!

[meeps]

this is disappointing news. i really liked the changes in 2e and 3e was looking to perfect the game.

is it safe to assume you'll still be selling the cards that are already printed?