After playing Smash Up the other night it got me thinking about FFG’s much anticipated card game Keyforge while I was soaking in the bath the next morning.

Naturally I haven’t played Keyforge yet. I wasn’t at Gencon and one of the chosen few they gave decks too. I’m also not some big internet boardgaming content creator (I think that covers most mediums) that they will send preview decks to. Apart from Scythe stuff this is probably the only time I wish I was. Being chosen by WotC to get a preview card has never been something I’ve desired. But to play Keyforge early that will be cool.

However that doesn’t stop me having an opinion on the game, after all this is the Internet.

I’m hoping FFG up their organised play game for Keyforge. That’s going to be the secret to its mid to long term success. Well along with product being easily available. I’m hoping that FFG have learnt the lessons from Star Wars: Destiny. They need to make sure decks are on the shelf of the FLGS. No good having people learn the game and not being able to buy it. But back to the organised play. My experience of the FFG efforts for Netrunner and Destiny have been less than stellar. They have been underwhelming. Compare it to MtG, at events I get a promo card, participation packs, etc. I feel I’m getting my entry fee back. Where with the FFG kits you get a promo card and generally that’s it. Well unless you win. Plus MtG has Friday Night Magic the weekly event that has promos, and prize support (this bit is usually store provided). Where as I never saw this locally for Destiny. I don’t think there was any support for weekly gaming events.

How will decks play between different releases? What I’m talking about here is I’m expecting in the next release of Keyforge is new mechanics etc being introduced. So if you played a deck from release 1 against a deck from release 2 will you still have a fun experience or will the release 2 deck be too over powering, and a less than fun experience for the release 1 deck player?

They also need to get the schedule right for releases. It’s a hard thing to judge. Too often and people will drop out, having not had enough time to get enough play out of the current decks they have. Take too long between releases and people will stop playing because they are bored of the decks they have. For me that sweet spot is about every 3 or 4 months.

There needs to be a way to play it digitally. If they aren’t working on a digital version shame on FFG and Asmodee (the parent company). Each deck has a QR code, you could scan that in, pay a small fee (not the full physical deck cost, ideally £2 max) and play your deck online against others.

It would be nice to have a separate token/counters pack and not have to buy a starter box, or to rely on third party to get them. They sell extra dice for games like Star Wars: Imperial Assault so why not tokens for Keyforge? Not everyone will want to get the starter box.

I think from the videos I’ve seen so far this will be a fun game to play. But will it have legs? Get the organised play and supply right (as I talked about above) then it stands a good chance. Too many games like Destiny and Ashes failed to make an impact. It’s going to be interesting to see if it gets any traction at my FLGS.