https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/Leading publisher of board, card, and roleplaying games.en2016 Asmodee North AmericaWed, 03 Jun 2026 04:28:04 -0000https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2019/11/27/ffg-live-in-december-1/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/d7/6d/d76d87e9-a61b-48af-8de3-6d63cdf1dd33/ffglive_preview_2019-dec.png' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 27 November 2019 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/x-wing-second-edition/">Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>FFG Live in December</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>Check Out What FFG Live Has in Store for December</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/23/45/2345dd9d-b5cd-4e11-847e-9b49df1cbdb8/ffglive_header.png" style="width: 700px;" class="padding product-feature" /> </p> <p>With the holidays fast approaching, FFG Live is speeding towards the conclusion of its second season, but there’s still plenty of action coming your way!</p> <p> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/03/a6/03a6ace5-abe3-4146-bee0-fad09b0c161f/ffglive_2019-dec-schedule.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="padding product-feature" /> </p> <p>Enter Rokugan with a stream on December 3rd focusing on the <em><a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/legend-of-the-five-rings-the-card-game/products/clan-war/"><em>Clan War</em></a>  </em>Premium Expansion for <em><a href="/en/products/legend-of-the-five-rings-the-card-game/"><em>Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game</em></a></em>. Developer Tyler Parrott will show off new cards coming your way when the expansion releases in the first quarter of 2020!</p> <p>On December 5th, <em><a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/marvel-champions-the-card-game/"><em>Marvel Champions: The Card Game</em></a></em> designers Michael Boggs and Caleb Grace play a game featuring all-upcoming releases! Tune in to get a sneak peak of the <em><a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/marvel-champions-the-card-game/products/captain-america/"><em>Captain America Hero Pack</em></a></em>, the <em><a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/marvel-champions-the-card-game/products/ms-marvel/"><em>Ms. Marvel Hero Pack</em></a></em>, <a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/marvel-champions-the-card-game/products/green-goblin-scenario-pack/"><em>The Green Goblin Scenario Pack</em></a>, and the very first look at the <em>Thor Hero Pack</em>!</p> <p>On December 10th, John Shaffer returns to the FFG Live stage for more advanced painting tips for <a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/star-wars-legion/"><em>Star Wars</em>™: Legion</a>! This is the third stream in a series giving you tips on how to paint your favorite <em>Star Wars</em>: Legion figures! For the first streams, click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l01Rxl5B6T0&amp;t=4423s">here</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJm-5-FtChE">here</a>!</p> <p>Our ongoing RPG series Flights of Fantasy will close out its first campaign in the <em><a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2017/6/27/genesys/">Genesys</a></em> Roleplaying System on December 12th. Join Game Master Sam Stewart and players Max, Evan, and Alexis as they navigate the world of <em>Android</em> using the <em><a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/genesys/products/shadow-beanstalk/"><em>Shadow of the Beanstalk</em></a></em> sourcebook!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/e8/1a/e81ad5a3-d504-4614-8599-02beb9125be3/gns04_a1_art4.png" style="" class="padding product-feature" /> </p> <p>Be sure to tune in on December 17th to get an early look at upcoming releases for <a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/x-wing-second-edition/"><em>Star Wars</em>™: X-Wing</a>! Developers Max and Brooks will be on hand to show-off and answer questions about the iconic tactical miniatures game!</p> <p>From there, FFG Live will be embarking on our season break until January 9th with one exception. Join us at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Eve for a blast from the past as Head of Studio Andrew Navaro and Senior Manager of Digital Development Andrew Fischer play <em><a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/android/"><em>Android: The Board Game</em></a></em>! Originally released in 2008, this game kickstarted the <em>Android</em> universe with flawed investigators trying to solve a murder-mystery. The festivities start at 10 a.m., don’t miss it!</p> <p><em><big>Join us on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBgLoSqJJnzp3eQdjDEdl9w">YouTube</a> and <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/ffglive"><em>Twitch</em></a> channels for FFG Live every Tuesday and Thursday at 1:00 PM Central Time. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new video or livestream—we hope to see you there!</big></em></p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=656"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>© and ™ Lucasfilm Ltd.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2019/11/27/ffg-live-in-december-1/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/5/31/android-archived-memories-6-2016/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/66/fb/66fbfc53-bb04-4b51-ba84-86b458fbea9a/adn08_preview2.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 31 May 2016 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Android: Archived Memories</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>Insights from the Developers of the Android Universe</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="F8BE" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/7b/10/7b10e06c-190c-4b17-be95-235d626883cd/aduniverse_logo.png" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/7b/10/7b10e06c-190c-4b17-be95-235d626883cd/aduniverse_logo.png" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 206, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#F8BE').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p class="flavortext"><em>…Frontal lobe activity at 99.8% accuracy. Temporal lobe activity at 99.9% accuracy. Occipital lobe activity at 99.784% accuracy. Brainmapping complete…</em></p> <p>In our <em>Archived Memories</em> series of articles, the developers of the <em>Android</em> universe take us behind the scenes of the not-too-distant future. We may learn how different artists work to bring the <em>Android</em> setting to life, or we may learn how the different games set within the worlds of <em>Android</em> are influenced by its setting.</p> <p>The influence that the <em>Android</em> universe has upon the games set within it was the subject of <a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/5/23/android-archived-memories-5-2016/">our last article</a>, in which we interviewed Lukas Litzsinger, the game designer responsible for updating Richard Garfield's classic <em>Netrunner</em> design to fit the <em>Android</em> universe and Living Card Game® model. It is also the subject again today as we present another closely related interview—this time with the new lead developer on <em><a href="/en/products/android-netrunner-the-card-game/"><em>Android: Netrunner</em></a></em>, Damon Stone.</p> <h2>Damon Stone</h2> <div style="width: 300px;" class="textbox"> <p style="text-align: center;" class="caption"><em> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/5c/bd/5cbd08d3-00d4-41bb-8918-67c1f9c2e6c8/photo_damon.jpg" style="width:300px;" class="align-center product-feature" /> </em></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="caption"><em>LCG® developer Damon Stone</em></p> </div> <p><em>Damon Stone stepped into the lead developer role with his work on the </em><a href="http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/5/9/23-seconds/">Flashpoint Cycle</a><em>, but his roots in </em>Android: Netrunner<em> go much deeper. He has contributed to the development of multiple cycles and draft sets, as well as the stories behind several of the game's most recognizable runners. Moreover, his work in the </em>Android<em> universe extends beyond </em>Android: Netrunner<em>, as he was the lead developer on </em><a href="/en/products/android-mainframe/">Android: Mainframe</a><em>, the free-for-all contest between rival runners.</em></p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> You recently took over the role of lead developer on <em>Android: Netrunner</em> from Lukas Litzsinger. Since that time, what percentage of your time on the game would you say is devoted to exploring its themes and stories, rather than focusing on the introduction of new mechanics?</p> <p><strong>DS:</strong> I'd say that it is roughly fifty-fifty. I really try to immerse myself into the setting and spin out ideas of what the <em>Android</em> version of different places or concepts might be and how they would impact society. The specific mechanics for cards frequently suggest themselves from that point.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> Can you share an example?</p> <p><strong>DS:</strong> One example is <a id="11EBF" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/1f/3c/1f3c72b7-c39c-4716-8041-e28df846e89f/palana-foods.png" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox" class="" style="">Palana Foods</a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 418, innerWidth: 300 }; $('#11EBF').colorbox(opts); }); </script> (<em>Business First</em>, 30). Whenever I explore a new location, or ponder a new question, the research I do starts to inspire cards that fit into what we know a faction needs and may even help suggest new effects that can fit within that faction's domain. As I was doing research for the <em>Mumbad Cycle</em>, I was looking into factory farms, genetically modified food stuffs, and what it would take to feed a world that is struggling with overpopulation. The idea that Jinteki would step in was only natural, and was explored earlier in the novel <a href="http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/android-novels/products/strange-flesh-1-2-3/"><em>Strange Flesh</em></a>.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="7AB4" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/a2/2f/a22f71fd-d4a8-45c0-90ce-31fadd3d1d6a/palana-foods-art.jpg" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/a2/2f/a22f71fd-d4a8-45c0-90ce-31fadd3d1d6a/palana-foods-art.jpg" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 502, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#7AB4').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p>Also, the idea that not all divisions and subsidies of the corporations are “out to get the small” was something that Lukas and I were very clear on early in the creation of the game and its expansions.</p> <p>So a Jinteki division that was essentially creating super foods to feed not just the Indian Union, but significant portions of Asia and the Middle East was exactly what was needed, especially when that division was doing the work cleanly and humanely, and without it, untold millions would starve. The question, then, was how to explore that in an identity. And then the answer presented itself: gain a credit the first time each turn that the runner gained a card. It symbolized Palana's ability to make a profit whenever Runners fed their hands to keep themselves healthy.</p> <p>That idea then led to a few other cards where Palana “fed” the Runner… and, in many cases, overfed the Runner.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> It sounds like Palana Foods started with the theme, but you mentioned that there are plenty of cards that start with a faction's mechanical needs. When a card design starts with such a mechanical need, how do you end up deciding how it should be themed?</p> <p><strong>DS:</strong> Usually it is a case of the mechanics themselves suggesting something. A piece of ice with a specific subtype, belonging to a specific corp, definitely recalls themes that were established early on. Something that provides money or cards or some form of information the Runnner may gain is frequently going to end up as a job or <strong>connection</strong> resource. But even there, the different Runner factions have certain card types they tend to favor over others, so Shapers may get a program that does something while Anarchs get hardware with a similar type of effect, each distinguished and themed in their own ways.</p> <p>And, of course, that is where researching into the subject comes in handy. If the cycle takes place in New Angeles, things will be presented differently than if its cards were set in SanSan.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="BF0E" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/ac/91/ac91490c-725d-4a88-96a8-1db2fcdea969/enforcing-loyalty-art.jpg" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/ac/91/ac91490c-725d-4a88-96a8-1db2fcdea969/enforcing-loyalty-art.jpg" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 460, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#BF0E').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> To that end, how important is the overarching story or setting of a set in terms of the design of an individual card?</p> <p><strong>DS:</strong> I wouldn’t say that any individual card relies on the setting, but it is more like Pointillism: each card helps create an image, donating a bit of color, which when viewed in context with all the other cards gives you the feel of a piece of the <em>Android</em> universe.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> What would you say are the <em>Android</em> stories and themes that interest you the most?</p> <p><strong>DS:</strong> The themes that interest me most are the ones which explore the question of what is human. Is it being made of flesh and blood? Do clones qualify, despite Jinteki’s insistence that they are merely biological machines, consisting of proprietary chains of DNA? Is it our brains? Would that mean that bioroids whose minds are modeled on imprints of human minds then count? Is it how we treat each other? Our instincts for social organization and group defense and labor?</p> <p>These are the stories that I find compelling, and you can find some thread of those questions at the heart of most of the stories I tell through my <em>Android: Netrunner</em> designs.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> You talk about telling stories through <em>Android: Netrunner</em>. How do you feel you “tell stories” through a card game that’s a collection of different cards that players can use?</p> <p><strong>DS:</strong> Well, obviously, there are the fiction inserts, but there's also the flavor text. Even the art briefs I create for the artists help to create a world which has repeating characters and lots of situations that give small glimpses of a bigger tale.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="12A12" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/0a/b0/0ab0ee01-a165-4d02-b617-831ba3c2d130/another-paycheck-art.jpg" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/0a/b0/0ab0ee01-a165-4d02-b617-831ba3c2d130/another-paycheck-art.jpg" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 487, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#12A12').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> Do you have any favorite <em>Android</em> characters?</p> <p><strong>DS:</strong> Victoria Jenkins, Reina Roja, and Nero Severn.</p> <p>I love the idea that Victoria rose from a small local news program to the heights of running NBN. I love that she is engaged in an internal power struggle with the president of the board, and she runs the multi-planet conglomerate with such style and grace that no one knows that one slip could mean the death of her career… and—because this is <em>Android</em>—it could potentially mean her literal death.</p> <p>Reina Roja is an elite special ops warrior who realized that the government she pledged herself to defend wasn’t calling the shots, that the Corps were. Now she fights the Corps with the skinsuit and skills the U.S. government gave her—the very same skills the Corps had tried to exploit for their own profit.</p> <p>And Nero? His story is complicated and hidden in the shadows. That the Indian Union's premiere info-broker has a hidden past, with deep secrets few would ever guess at, just creates such a fascinating character.</p> <p>All three are layered, flawed characters, struggling to define themselves in a world where you can rewrite your genetic code, but where the human "ties that bind" are every bit as tight as ever. That which does not act as expected, cannot be controlled, and cannot be quantified is seen as a threat. And these three fight against that… while at the same time profiting from it. So much gray…</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="B401" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/01/94/01945606-ff86-4104-947f-eca45b49446e/exclusive-party-art.jpg" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/01/94/01945606-ff86-4104-947f-eca45b49446e/exclusive-party-art.jpg" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 456, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#B401').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> Okay, last question. With <em>Android: Mainframe</em> and the <em>Flashpoint Cycle</em>, you’ve taken an interesting step toward unifying the <em>Android</em> universe, using the defining event of one game to spark a revolution in another. Can you offer any hints about how we may see <em>Android: Netrunner</em> drawing from other <em>Android</em> materials in the future?</p> <p><strong>DS:</strong> The <em>Android</em> games really do all take place in the same world. Noise and Caprice first appeared as playable characters in the <a href="/en/products/android/"><em>Android</em></a> boardgame, and making them both important characters in <em>Android: Netrunner</em> was a great way to show the link between the games. We have both Reina and Victoria appearing in the <a href="http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/12/16/tap-the-network/">novellas</a>. You can definitely expect to see other characters from <em>Android: Netrunner</em> make appearances in other <em>Android</em> properties, and those other appearances will help you gain greater insight into their personalities.</p> <p>The <em>Android</em> universe is an amazingly rich setting, and if you are a fan of it, there are more exciting things just over the horizon, including a new take on the "murder mystery" that was one of the original conceits of the <em>Android</em> boardgame.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> Thanks, Damon! We look forward to it.</p> <h2>What Stories Will You Discover?</h2> <p> <a id="197A" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/3b/f6/3bf69857-3f00-4f80-8197-10c537e0579d/adn36-stock-buy-back.png" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/3b/f6/3bf69857-3f00-4f80-8197-10c537e0579d/adn36-stock-buy-back.png" class="product-feature float-right padding" style="width:215px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 419, innerWidth: 300 }; $('#197A').colorbox(opts); }); </script> Noise, Caprice Nisei, Victoria Jenkins, Reina Roja, Nero Severn, and more—<em>Android: Netrunner</em> and the <em>Android</em> universe are full of rich characters with sophisticated backgrounds and concerns. Do you believe, like Damon, that by bringing them together in your games, you are discovering the untold chapters of their stories? Is part of your appreciation of the game's cyberstruggles rooted in your appreciation of the depth of the setting's themes and moral complexities?</p> <p>With its new trashable ice and operations, plus its terminal operations and desperate Corps, the upcoming <em>Flashpoint Cycle</em> offers plenty to raise the stakes for all sorts of players, but for those invested in the <em>Android</em> universe and the fates of its characters, you'll find an even richer experience. You'll find yourself back in New Angeles with a chance to lend critical aid to the people you love and support.</p> <p>When the New Angeles economy plunges into chaos, what will you do?</p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/5/31/android-archived-memories-6-2016/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/5/23/android-archived-memories-5-2016/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/54/7d/547d22c7-5528-4b13-90a9-f72f53bead40/adn11_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 23 May 2016 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Android: Archived Memories</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>Insights from the Developers of the Android Universe</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="18623" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/7b/10/7b10e06c-190c-4b17-be95-235d626883cd/aduniverse_logo.png" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/7b/10/7b10e06c-190c-4b17-be95-235d626883cd/aduniverse_logo.png" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 206, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#18623').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p>Lately, the <em>Android</em> universe has been enjoying a healthy growth spurt, and over the past several months, fans have been able to see larger and clearer pictures of the setting that first debuted as part of the innovative <a href="/en/products/android/"><em>Android</em></a> board game:</p> <ul> <li><a href="/en/products/android-netrunner-the-card-game/"><em>Android: Netrunner</em></a> continues to lure players into its Network and adds new richness to SanSan, Mumbad, and the virtual realm as it pits countless Runners and Corps against each other in a never-ending quest for cyber-dominance.</li> <li><a href="/en/products/the-worlds-of-android/"><em>The Worlds of Android</em></a> lends color your table or bookshelf and serves as your definitive guide to the not-too-distant future.</li> <li>Our upcoming <a href="/en/products/android-novels/"><em>Android</em> novellas</a> offer a deeper look at several fan-favorite characters and corporations.</li> <li>And the recent release of <a href="/en/products/android-mainframe/"><em>Android: Mainframe</em></a> permits runners with the rare opportunity to ignore the threats posed by sentries, code gates, and other cybersecurity, and instead focus on outmaneuvering each other in a twenty-three-second, no-holds-barred race for cash and glory within the defenseless servers of Titan Transnational Bank.</li> </ul> <p>Through all these books and games, we have streams of data, flowing and pooling together, filling servers upon servers with more information about the <em>Android</em> universe. Accordingly, we like to check in with the developers from time to time to update our feeds and our brainmaps, and to get a better sense of how everything <em>Android</em> all fits together.</p> <p>These are our <em>Archived Memories</em> articles, and today we get another look at the <em>Android</em> universe from one of the people most responsible for the setting's continued growth and development. <em>Android: Netrunner</em> developer Lukas Litzsinger discusses what the setting and its themes add to your cat-and-mouse cyberstruggles between Corp and Runner.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="2768" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/63/8f/638f30ae-d34f-461f-bd87-5bf99cf6852a/cyberfeeder-art.jpg" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/63/8f/638f30ae-d34f-461f-bd87-5bf99cf6852a/cyberfeeder-art.jpg" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 461, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#2768').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <h2>Lukas Litzsinger</h2> <p><em>Lukas Litzsinger is the designer and developer responsible for taking the original </em>Netrunner<em> collectible card game and updating it for the Living Card Game® format as </em>Android: Netrunner<em>. He was also the lead developer on the game for its early expansions and, as such, has had a tremendous impact on both the shape of </em>Android: Netrunner<em> and the ongoing evolution of the </em>Android<em> universe.</em></p> <p><strong>FFG</strong><strong>:</strong> Hi Lukas, let’s talk about how the people, companies, and themes of the <em>Android</em> universe have impacted the design of <em>Android: Netrunner</em>. For starters, when you were working on the <em>Core Set</em> and the first cycles of expansions, what sort of adjustments did you have to make to fit the original game and its cards into the <em>Android</em> universe?</p> <p><strong>LL:</strong> The main difference between the original release and the LCG is the introduction of factions. Once we had established factions, I found it relatively straight-forward to assign cards to those factions without making too many changes to them. But the Corp factions, in particular, are integral to the LCG and the direct result of the <em>Android</em> universe. It is impossible to imagine the setting without the rivalry between Haas-Bioroid and Jinteki.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="9098" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/5d/17/5d17476e-f1f0-4d76-ba38-1d5066eb7f33/biotic-labor-art.jpg" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/5d/17/5d17476e-f1f0-4d76-ba38-1d5066eb7f33/biotic-labor-art.jpg" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 474, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#9098').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> When did you start exploring more new card designs, and at that point, how much did you draw inspiration for your new designs from the established elements of the <em>Android</em> universe?</p> <p><strong>LL:</strong> I started designing new cards immediately with the <em>Core Set</em>. All of the identities, obviously, were new. But the <em>Core Set</em> and the first cycle had many more “reprints” from the original <em>Netrunner</em> than the later sets. One of the first things I would do in each set was review the original cards that we had not yet reprinted and figure out if we could use them or a revised version of them. As time went on, I would find fewer and fewer, and I think it was around the <em>Lunar Cycle</em> that I stopped looking at the original cards altogether.</p> <p>It was also around the time of the <em>Lunar Cycle</em> that I began to think of each cycle as more of a physical entity that could represent a time and place in the <em>Android</em> universe. Previously, the game's cycles had identities driven by mechanical goals for the game and for each faction, but I found the complete sets to be much more compelling when we paired the cycle with a theme from the <em>Android</em> source material.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> Can you elaborate a bit on the idea that each cycle was a physical entity that could represent a time and place in the <em>Android</em> universe?</p> <p><strong>LL:</strong> Sure. To a lot of our players, the <em>Android</em> universe is a vehicle for the game. And if you present it to those players piecemeal, on a card-by-card basis, that is all it will ever be. Without playing the board game, or reading the novels, it is hard to get a sense of what is really going on behind the cards other than snippets. By focusing on a specific place, like the Moon, SanSan, or Mumbad, we are able to give players more context about what they are seeing. These places begin to feel more real, because you talk about them more.</p> <p>In the <em>SanSan Cycle</em>, each district has its own unique identity, and you can explore it one district at a time. The Data Packs become little portals into the universe, almost like different levels in an open-world video game.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="8E32" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/f5/bb/f5bb01d9-e422-43e8-a21b-4c212ab5e29e/docklands-art.jpg" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/f5/bb/f5bb01d9-e422-43e8-a21b-4c212ab5e29e/docklands-art.jpg" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 450, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#8E32').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> Okay, since you mentioned SanSan, the <em>SanSan Cycle</em> was the first that themed each Data Pack individually, even as it focused on a number of different locations in “meat space.” How was the experience of working on that cycle different than working on the previous cycles?</p> <p><strong>LL:</strong> Very different. Up until that point, cards were not assigned to their individual packs until the end of testing. Basically, we created a 120-card set, then broke it down into six packs of twenty cards each. We would look for balance of theme, mechanics, and power level in each pack. Starting with <em>SanSan</em>, each pack was assigned cards at the very beginning of the design process. This meant that the theme of each pack had to be considered from the very beginning, and that it was harder to adjust the order of a card’s release at the end of the process. But the overall benefits of having a clear theme and sticking to it through a single pack was worth this loss of flexibility.</p> <p>If we had created the <em>SanSan Cycle</em> as a 120 card block, I guarantee you that it would be incredibly different. Working with our own intellectual property is a double-edged sword. You have incredible creative freedom. This can lead to amazing ideas, but it can just as easily lead to lazy ideas. By focusing on specific districts in SanSan, it required us to get more creative when we wanted to create an effect for a card. The temporary “check-out” policy on <a id="11CF7" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/05/20/0520094b-f76b-404f-a22a-a3e320e9b9ed/london-library.png" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox" class="" style="">London Library</a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 418, innerWidth: 300 }; $('#11CF7').colorbox(opts); }); </script> (<em>Breaker Bay</em>, 29), for instance, was a direct result of the name of the card.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a id="11714" href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/48/a1/48a1cbcb-3d1c-4e06-b666-d4c27204a393/london-library-art.jpg" data-colorbox-rel="ffg-lightbox"> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/48/a1/48a1cbcb-3d1c-4e06-b666-d4c27204a393/london-library-art.jpg" class="product-feature padding align-center" style="width:700px;" /> </a> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var opts = { iframe: true, innerHeight: 444, innerWidth: 700 }; $('#11714').colorbox(opts); }); </script> </p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> How has the growth of <em>Android: Netrunner</em> impacted the development of the <em>Android</em> universe?</p> <p><strong>LL:</strong> The growth of <em>Android: Netrunner</em> has definitely led us to explore the universe in more detail than we ever could have before. Among other things, it led to the formation of the <em>Android</em> story group. The group originally consisted of myself, our fiction editor, the game's art director, and Dan Clark, creative content guru and co-creator of the universe. Our Vice President of Product Development presided over the group. The group’s responsibility was to generate ideas to flesh out more of the <em>Android</em> universe and make sure that we remained internally consistent. Much of the story group's work can be seen in the recently released <em>The Worlds of Android</em>, which is a beautiful 272-page book that goes into great detail about the universe.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> What have you enjoyed the most about working in the <em>Android</em> universe?</p> <p><strong>LL:</strong> We are fast approaching a world where our cars drive themselves, and the things we buy are dropped into our laps via drones. With the advent of an automated workforce, robots and AIs will be a real threat to our economy and livelihoods. But the technology that takes us there will drastically improve the lives of millions at the same time. This dichotomy is really at the heart of the corps in <em>Android: Netrunner</em>, and exploring the moral ambiguity of such a post-human society is fascinating. While it might seem like the future as depicted in the <em>Android</em> universe is far-off, I think it is much closer than many of us realize.</p> <div style="width: 300px;" class="textbox"> <p style="text-align: center;" class="caption"><strong> <img src="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/f9/0b/f90b62a1-9156-4770-aefc-8d3367f6cdbb/photo_lukas.jpg" style="width:290px;" class="align-center product-feature" /> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="caption"><em>Game designer Lukas Litzsinger</em></p> </div> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> You’ve recently stepped down from the lead developer role on <em>Android: Netrunner</em>, handing the reins to Damon Stone. Are you still playing any part in the <em>Android</em> universe?</p> <p><strong>LL:</strong> I am still a member of the story team, but after helping out with the <em>Flashpoint Cycle</em> that Damon led, I am now hands-off on the design side. I will always feel a strong connection to the IP and the game, but it is important to make sure that the game evolves.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> Okay, to close... do you have a favorite character from the <em>Android</em> setting, and what makes that character stand out?</p> <p><strong>LL:</strong> I definitely love the enigmatic g00ru. He or she or it is the legendary hacker that is revered almost as a prophet among other runners. How can you separate the human from the myth? One of the conceits of the game is that a single individual can have a large impact on the world around them, and we see the impact of g00ru in all of the runner factions.</p> <p><strong>FFG:</strong> All right, we're done, then. Thanks, Lukas!</p> <h2>Where Do We Go from Here?</h2> <p>Where do <em>Android: Netrunner</em> and the <em>Android</em> universe go from here?</p> <p>As Lukas steps down from lead development on <em>Android: Netrunner</em>, he passes the opportunity to use the game to explore the <em>Android</em> universe to fellow LCG developer Damon Stone. With his previous work on <a href="/en/products/a-game-of-thrones-lcg/"><em>A Game of Thrones: The Card Game</em></a> and <a href="/en/products/call-of-cthulhu-lcg/"><em>Call of Cthulhu: The Card Game</em></a>, Damon has amply demonstrated his ability to blend themes and mechanics, and he's already had a hand in developing a good number of cards for <em>Android: Netrunner</em>, as well as the runner-versus-runner struggles of <em>Android: Mainfame</em>.</p> <p>In our next <em>Android: Archived Memories</em>, we'll present our interview with Damon Stone and discuss some of what he has in store for <em>Android: Netrunner</em> and the <em>Android</em> universe.</p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/5/23/android-archived-memories-5-2016/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2014/6/25/android-archived-memories/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 25 June 2014 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Android: Archived Memories</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>Insights from the Developers of the Android Universe</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" vspace="10" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/androiduniverselogo.png" hspace="10" alt=""></p> <p>At companies like Haas-Bioroid and MirrorMorph, Inc., programmers modify and build upon recorded braintapes to forge the neural channeling that serves as an android’s artificial intelligence. Similarly, the imprints of various designers have been spliced and synthesized into something that has taken on a life of its own: the <a href="/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=68&amp;enmi=Android"><i>Android</i></a> universe.</p> <p>The noir, near-dystopian future that was birthed out of a conversation between designers Kevin Wilson and Dan Clark has since expanded to encompass a ground-breaking board game, several novels, a fast-paced game of corporate larceny (<a href="/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=192&amp;enmi=Infiltration"><i>Infiltration</i></a>), and the cyberpunk Living Card Game® <a href="/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=207&amp;enmi=Android:%20Netrunner%20The%20Card%20Game"><i>Android: Netrunner</i></a>.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" vspace="10" src="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/simone-diego-art.jpg" hspace="10" alt=""></p> <p>Along the way, we’ve seen the introduction and development of a wide range of characters, each of whom has arrived with a distinct personality built from his or her collection of interests, motives, and style. Their arrivals have expanded the <i>Android</i> universe, and its growth has led to the introduction of even more clones, bioroids, corporate executives, detectives, and runners.</p> <p><i>Archived Memories</i> is a periodic series of articles in which the developers of the <i>Android</i> universe look at the challenges, processes, and rewards unique to the development of a constantly evolving world set in the far future and deeply rooted in human motives and ambitions.</p> <p>Today, we present an interview with Matt Zeilinger, one of the artists responsible for giving shape to the <i>Android</i> universe and drawing our attention to the human elements of <i>Android: Netrunner</i>.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img vspace="10" align="middle" src="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/satellite-uplink-art.jpg" hspace="10" alt=""></p> <p><b>Artist Matt Zeilinger on Working with the World of <i>Android: Netrunner</i></b></p> <p>Artist Matt Zeilinger is one of the key figures responsible for working with FFG’s art directors to develop the visual stylings of <i>Android: Netrunner</i> and the <i>Android</i> universe, especially those of the world’s “meat space.”</p> <p>In <i>Android: Netrunner</i>, a handful of exceptionally talented hackers, known as runners, compete with ultra-rich megacorporations for the control of valuable data. Their struggles span two different realms. They call the physical realm “meat space,” and the virtual realm is “cyberspace.” The art styles for these different realms vary greatly, but they intersect where human imagination shapes cyberspace and the technology necessary to interact with the virtual world bleeds over into the physical realm.</p> <p>While Matt Zeilinger has worked with both realms, as indicated by his work on the art for the cards <a href="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/ice-wall.png">Ice Wall</a> (<i>Core Set</i>, 103) and <a href="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/easy-mark.png">Easy Mark</a> (<i>Core Set</i>, 19), his most important contributions have typically focused on the game’s meat space. He has worked to conceptualize how different stores and structures might appear, he has developed in-universe branding, and he has given life to many of the game’s most important characters, its runners.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/ice-wall.png"><img align="middle" vspace="10" src="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/ice-wall.png" hspace="10" alt=""></a><a href="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/easy-mark.png"><img align="middle" vspace="10" src="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/easy-mark.png" hspace="10" alt=""></a></p> <p><b>FFG: What excites you most about creating pieces for <i>Android: Netrunner</i>?</b></p> <p><i>MZ: All of it! The characters, the technology, the locations!</i></p> <p><i>In all seriousness, though, the thing that I love about the </i>Android<i> setting is that it’s a place that could be our future. There’s a sense that the world is grounded in reality and that what you find there is absolutely feasible, given many, many years of progress and evolution of design.</i></p> <p><i>Personally, the thing that excites me most about creating art for the game is the process of discovery that comes along with that, and the challenge of creating designs that could feasibly exist in a potential future of our own world.</i></p> <p><b>FFG: What qualifies an art piece as something that fits into the world of <i>Android: Netrunner</i>?</b></p> <p><i>MZ: Awesome tech, interesting characters, and visual storytelling that goes beyond the card itself.</i></p> <p><i>The world of </i>Android: Netrunner<i> is such a vibrant one, and I love to see the correlations and connections that so many of its art pieces make with other parts of the world, such as events, people, places, and things. Every card image tells a story, but I believe it’s the meta-narrative happening in the images that really breathes life into the world and makes it special. The projected ads on a building, the person on a runner's chat screen, the graffiti on a back alley wall; the opportunity for storytelling in these little details set an art piece apart and make it something that fits into the world of </i>Android: Netrunner<i>.</i></p> <p><b>FFG: You’ve created artwork for a number of the game’s Runners. How do you go about creating an individual within this fictional universe?</b></p> <p><i>MZ: While I do love hulking space marines, superheroes, and elven rangers, I’m even more fascinated with characters who represent ordinary people with extraordinary abilities. The individuals I get to create as runners are often very human, and that’s what I love about them. They’re short, lanky, pretty, freckled, near-sighted, curly-haired, genuine, nervous, intelligent, sometimes crazy, wonderfully human individuals. They also happen to have unique skills that set them apart and make them extraordinary.</i></p> <p><i>These are some of the things that help inform the designs I create for the runners. They are people you could know. Hell, you could be one of them. </i></p> <p><b>FFG: Do you have a favorite among the Runner IDs that you’ve created? What makes that Runner your favorite?</b></p> <p><i>MZ: I have to admit: I’ve got a soft spot for <a href="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/genesis-cycle/cards/chaos-theory.png">Chaos Theory</a> (</i>Cyber Exodus<i>, 46) and <a href="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/genesis-cycle/cards/dinosaurus.png">Dinosaurus</a> (</i>Cyber Exodus<i>, 48).</i></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/genesis-cycle/cards/chaos-theory.png"><img align="middle" vspace="10" src="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/genesis-cycle/cards/chaos-theory.png" hspace="10" alt=""></a><a href="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/genesis-cycle/cards/dinosaurus.png"><img align="middle" vspace="10" src="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/genesis-cycle/cards/dinosaurus.png" hspace="10" alt=""></a></p> <p><i>Anytime I get to illustrate anything involving C.T. and Dino, I get a little giddy inside. There’s something so fun and intriguing about her connection to her rig, and I feel like there’s a story there that I want to know more about.</i></p> <p><i>While you wouldn’t have seen her yet, there is also another Runner on the horizon who I am quite fond of already, due to our shared appreciation of Astronomy. </i></p> <p><b>FFG: Is there anything else we should know about how you see the world of <i>Android: Netrunner</i>?</b></p> <p><i>MZ: I see the world of </i>Android: Netrunner<i> as one with endless potential for innovation. It’s a unique and exciting world that will continue to grow and progress, as long as the artists, designers, and writers keep breathing new ideas into it… Thankfully, there’s no shortage of ideas or creative minds behind them!</i></p> <p><i>It’s an honor to be a part of the process, and I look forward to continuing to help build the world.</i></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img vspace="10" align="middle" src="/media/ffg_content/android-netrunner/misc-news/matt-zeilinger/scavenge-art.jpg" hspace="10" alt=""></p> <p>Thanks, Matt!</p> <p>At FFG, we’re pleased at how fully our fans have engaged with with the world of <i>Android</i> and <i>Android: Netrunner</i>, and we’re thankful to Matt and all the other artists, designers, developers, and contributors who continue to breathe life into the setting.</p> <p>Stay tuned for more <i>Android: Archived Memories</i>! This ongoing, periodic series of articles will continue to explore other elements of the <i>Android</i> universe with the artists, developers, and other individuals responsible for splicing and synthesizing the various elements that have brought it to life.</p><p></p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2014/6/25/android-archived-memories/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2009/4/7/mysteries-revealed/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 7 April 2009 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Mysteries Revealed</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>The FAQ for Android is now posted.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p>The streets of New Angeles are a dangerous place. Conspiracies, murders, clones, bioroids, corrupt cops, private detectives, bounty hunters the list goes on. Now it is a little easier to navigate the back alleys found in this city of the future.</p><p>Check out the latest <a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/faq/android_faq_1.0.pdf">FAQ for Android</a>. (pdf, 815 kb)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img vspace="10" alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Line-Up.png" hspace="10"></p><p><i>Android is a board game of murder and conspiracy set in a dystopian future. Detectives travel between the city of New Angeles and moon colony Heinlein chasing down leads, calling in favors, and uncovering the sinister conspiracy beneath it all. The detectives must balance their pursuit of the murderer against their personal lives and their inner demons. Android’s innovative mechanics ensure that no two detectives play alike.</i></p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2009/4/7/mysteries-revealed/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2009/3/20/two-weeks-left/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 20 March 2009 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Two Weeks Left</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>A reminder about the Android Fan Fiction Contest.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p><b>From: anisei@jintekicorp.comSubject: Information Regarding Ongoing InvestigationDate: February 27, 2009 12:33:45 PM CSTTo: ffgfans</b></p><p>Dear fans,</p><p>I write again to remind you of the impending deadline. There are only two weeks left to expose a murder most foul. I fear that I may be comprimised, but all those who wish to help me expose a horrible crime can find the <a href="http://new.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=442">details here</a>. The murderer will go free, unless you help.</p><p>Please help me by writing all the details of this new crime, in 2,000 words or less.</p><p>My life may be in your hands,A. Nisei</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img vspace="10" alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Jinteki-Logo-Green.png" hspace="10"></p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2009/3/20/two-weeks-left/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2009/3/6/murder-exposed/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 6 March 2009 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Murder Exposed</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>A contest for Android!</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p><b>From: anisei@jintekicorp.comSubject: Information Regarding Ongoing InvestigationDate: February 27, 2009 12:33:45 PM CSTTo: ffgfans</b></p><p>Dear fans,<img align="right" vspace="10" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/conspiracy-section.jpg" hspace="10" alt=""></p><p>I have been watching the updates and reports in your continuing investigations. I must say I am impressed with the level of attention to detail you have all recorded. I will readily dismiss any accusations against my beloved Jinteki, but I will say I am shocked at how many of you managed to uncover Garret Carlson's machinations at the end of 2008. I have heard many rumors of a new ongoing investigation. I need you to provide the details of this murder.</p><p>That's right, I need you to provide the story for the next investigation. Your entry should consist of a PDF (preferred), Pages, Word, or rich text file e-mailed to jgodwin@fantasyflightgames.com. The first page of the document should begin with (a) your full legal name, (b) your e-mail address, and (c) how you’d like your name displayed if you win (e.g., “J. Smith,” “James Smith,” or “James T. Smith”). The first page must also include the following legal text, copied verbatim:</p><p>The following disclaimer must appear verbatim: “I (CONTRIBUTOR) certify that I am the author of this material (WORK) and the attached WORK is original, unpublished WORK. CONTRIBUTOR hereby agrees to assign to FFG, upon creation of WORK, absolutely and forever, all rights, title, and interest throughout the world in and to the WORK and any derivative works thereof, including, but not by way of limitation, (a) the copyright and the right to secure copyright thereon and all extensions and renewals of copyright throughout the world (b) the title and story thereof, including all rights in the names and illustrations, and (c) all rights therein of every kind now and hereafter known or recognized.</p><p>CONTRIBUTOR agrees that by this complete assignment, FFG hereby purchases all rights in said WORK and that FFG has the exclusive, proprietary, and absolute rights in all aspects of the work, including but not limited to, derivative works based on said WORK. CONTRIBUTOR hereby agrees that he/she releases FFG, and all others who derive title or any rights from FFG, from having any obligation whatsoever to CONTRIBUTOR in regard to any product, service, or presentation (existing or which may hereafter be created) which might be deemed to be a derivative work based upon the WORK. For the avoidance of doubt, story, character, likenesses, and all derivative rights to the WORK, in any way, shape, or form, is absolutely proprietary and owned by FFG or its designee or assignee. CONTRIBUTOR agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Fantasy Flight Games against all claims, suits, costs, damages, and expenses that may be incurred in connection with the WORK." -Entrants shall not submit or expose their submission or any part thereof for any purpose beyond private use once submitted.-Entries will be reviewed by our staff.-Entries will be judged based on creativity, setting treatment, clarity and professionalism.<img align="right" vspace="10" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Blaine-Light-Dillon.png" hspace="10" alt="">-Winners will be announced on April 17th, 2009.</p><p>Important Guidelines:-Limit of two entries per person.-All submitted entries become the property of Fantasy Flight Games (See above).-FFG employees cannot participate in this contest.</p><p>After that, you’ve got up to 2,000 words to expose the misdeed that has so far gone unnoticed in the city of New Angeles. Be sure to include a small bio about yourself, no bigger than a paragraph, and no this does not count against your word count.</p><p>All entries must be received by April 3rd, 2009. Entries that are publicly posted before the end of the contest will be disqualified from consideration. There is a limit of two entries per person. FFG employees may not enter. Entries will be judged by FFG staff on the basis of their creativity, appropriateness to the setting, and clarity and quality of presentation.</p><p>The Godwin model was determined to be reasonably successful and has been recommissioned to answers any questions that may arise during this. He may be reached at jgodwin@fantasyflightgames.com.</p><p>So please let me know what you have found out in the seedy underbelly of New Angeles. I am eager to send out operatives to investigate.</p><p>Thank you,A. Nisei</p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2009/3/6/murder-exposed/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/9/murder-rocks-the-city-of-new-angeles/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 9 December 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Murder Rocks the City of New Angeles</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>Android is Now on Sale</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <div class="n_entrada"><p>Android is now on sale. Grab yours from your local gaming store or the <a href="http://store.fantasyflightgames.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=1736">FFG online store</a>, and take on one of five unique detectives as they dive deep into the conspiracy, piece together the murder, and battle their own personal demons.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.fantasyflightgames.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=1736"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/AND_box_lid_eng.png"></a></p></div> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/9/murder-rocks-the-city-of-new-angeles/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/8/how-to-beat-the-mean-streets/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 8 December 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>How to Beat the Mean Streets</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>Strategies for Android: Louis Blaine</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p>Each character can be broken down into 2 parts: their overall strategy and their plot specific strategy.Overall<img align="right" alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/cards_louismood.png">Louis is great at piecing together the murder. He has a number of abilities that add to this. He can place and move evidence at a far greater pace than any other detective. Use his light cards to further aid this. In addition to the evidence, Louis has cards that will allow him to look at the unused Hunch cards. This helps him choose who to remove evidence from, and can really put the hurt on another player's hunch. Use the favors you get. Louis is the king of favors, he will get more. Do not worry about using them, many of Louis' light cards will give more of them. Take care to get the Mr. Li favors, as they are the best favors in the game. These favors, depending on the conspiracy, can potentially be worth 16 points each! Also pay attention to Louis' mood. He can chain together a number of cards depending on which side is up. In a good mood, Louis can potentially play 3 light cards in a row without being fully dark shifted. In a bad mood, Louis can do terrifying amounts of damage with the pile of dark cards that can be linked together.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/diagram_setup_louis.png"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Plots<b>Sara</b><img align="right" alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/art_sara.png">The Sara plot is Kevin's favorite. Sara is a very positive force in Louis' life. Her plot deck is one of the only plots that does not dark shift Louis. Take care to place good baggage on this plot. It can help power many of Louis' cards.<b>On The Take</b>This plot deck features a significant number of fights. Use these fights to your advantage. Many of them will result in extra cards. The other highlight of this deck are the number of Mr. Li favors. Take advantage of the ability to gain these. As stated above, these can potentially be worth 16 victory points at the end of the game.<b>Krausey Case</b>The Krausey case gives Louis much more emphasis on piecing together the murder. If done successfully, the end result of this plot makes Louis' guilty hunch worth extra victory points. The other possible benefit gives good baggage towards the next plot. Use this to your advantage, as Louis can be very susceptible to bad baggage.In addition to the above, each detective comes with a sheet detailing some of the key strengths and weaknesses. Louis' sheet is listed below.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/louis_tip_sheet.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/louis_tip_sheet.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Click this image to enlarge</i> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Now while these provide some useful tips, they are by no means the only way to play Louis. While not his strong suit, Louis can work the conspiracy to make the high volume of favors he can gain worth extra victory points. In addition Louis can get into dark cards wars with other players, and will generally come out on top. Play through Louis a few times and find which of his many strategies work for you.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/token_favor_corp.png">  <img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/token_favor_political.png">  <img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/token_favor_society.png">  <img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/louis_strategy_article/token_favor_street.png"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Next we look at the bounty hunter, Rachel.</p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/8/how-to-beat-the-mean-streets/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/5/what-makes-them-real/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 5 December 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>What Makes Them Real</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>The stories behind the detectives</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p>The detectives of <i>Android</i> have a lot on their mind. The ongoing murder investigation, the movers and shakers behind the scenes, and even worse, their own personal demons. The following will give you a bit of insight into their lives.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-1.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-1.jpg"></a>  <a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-2.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-2.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-3.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-3.jpg"></a>  <a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-4.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-4.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-5.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-5.jpg"></a>  <a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-6.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-6.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-7.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-7.jpg"></a>  <a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-8.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-8.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-9.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-9.jpg"></a>  <a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-10.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/character_sheets/character_sheets-10.jpg"></a></p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/5/what-makes-them-real/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/4/pulling-back-the-curtain/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 4 December 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Pulling Back The Curtain</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>A peek behind the scenes with the design team of Android</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p>In anticipation of next week's release of the super secret <i>Android</i>, the design team would like to give you this exclusive look into the workings of this highly anticipated game.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/media/android-video.mov "><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Android_Thumbnail(1).jpg"></a></p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/4/pulling-back-the-curtain/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/3/confronting-your-inner-demons/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 3 December 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Confronting Your Inner Demons</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>Delving further into the secrets of Android</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p style="text-align: left;">By Kevin WilsonToday brings us to the third – and most unusual – part of our tour through Android. I’m going to talk about the personal demons and the twilight cards, which is where the theme and story of the game shines through the strongest.Looking at Louis Blaine (who was the first detective Dan and I designed for Android), we see that he has three entire decks of cards devoted to him and his story. He has a light deck (representing his strengths and abilities), a dark deck (representing his weaknesses and frailties), and a plot deck (detailing the major events going on in his life at the start of the game).In Louis’s decks, he has three plots. Each plot has cards scattered throughout all three of his decks. That is, his “Sara” plot has light cards, dark cards, and plot cards.At the start of each week, each detective randomly selects one of his or her plots to deal with that week. Let’s say Louis draws his “Sara” plot. Basically, Louis’s wife Sara has left him at the start of the game and he’s trying hard to win her back. To introduce the player to the plot, the start card is placed in play.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/louis_xroads-2.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/louis_xroads-2.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The start card sets the scene for the story, and lists the conditions under which Louis gains emotional baggage (both good and bad). Because Sara is concerned that Louis is involved with criminal activities, spending time with her or trying to be a better person helps him to win her back. On the other hand, when Louis’s dark side shows (represented by the other players sacrificing his dark cards), it drives her further away.For the purposes of our example, let’s say that Louis isn’t able to overcome his dark side (perhaps he neglected this plot, or perhaps the other players were simply too much for him), and the plot resolves negatively on day 3 of the week (this happens if the amount of bad baggage on the card is equal to or greater than the amount of good baggage). In this case, his negative crossroad replaces the start card, and all the baggage on the start card is discarded.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/louis_xroads-4.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/louis_xroads-4.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">From here, Louis now has new ways to gain good and bad baggage (the start card is discarded, so those ways to gain baggage are now gone). He gains good baggage when the suspects are moved away from Sara’s new place, but gains bad baggage when the suspects are near her new place.If Louis turns things around and resolves the crossroad positively, he receives the 2nd best ending for this plot, “I’m glad you’re back.” which is worth 3 VPs at the end of the game.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/louis_xroads-7.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/louis_xroads-7.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">On the other hand, if Louis can’t pull it out of the fire, he receives one of the most tragic plot endings in the game (and one of my favorites, oddly enough), “She can’t be dead.”</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/louis_xroads-8.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/louis_xroads-8.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Obviously, the badness has now officially hit the fan for Louis. This ending is worth –9 VPs for him. However, if he turns out to be the one who successfully catches the murderer, he avenges Sara, and this ending is only worth –2 VPs instead. When designing the plots, I tried hard to closely integrate game mechanics and theme.But what about the light and dark cards? How do they tie into the plots? Well, each plot has a number of light and dark cards that are related to its themes. For example, here’s a light and a dark card related to the “Sara” plot:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/dark_louis_cards.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/dark_louis_cards.jpg"></a>  <a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/Light_louis_cards.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Article%203/Android%20Story%20Dark/Light_louis_cards.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">When Louis has his “Sara” plot in play, light and dark cards that are related to it (indicated by the color of the card’s border), the cost of these related cards can be adjusted up or down by 1 (minimum 0), as decided by the person who plays them. Thus, if Louis plays his “I’ve got a date with Sara” card when his “Sara” plot is in play, he can increase the cost from 0 o 1 (which he might want to do if he’s preparing to pay for a dark card). Similarly, if another player plays the “Back off...or else.” card on Louis while Louis has his “Sara” plot in play, that player can adjust the cost of that card up to 3 or down to 1, depending on his or her needs.Basically, what this all means is that I had about 60 cards to explore each detective’s personality, stories, and supporting cast. This is pretty much unprecedented in a board game, and I had an absolute blast working with Dan to flesh out all the stories. So, if you read the rules and thought they were a bit dry, don’t worry, there’s a whole world of details and drama waiting in the 300 or so cards.</p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/3/confronting-your-inner-demons/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/2/uncovering-the-conspiracy/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 2 December 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Uncovering The Conspiracy</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>More Details On The Top Secret Game: Android</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p>Uncovering the Conspiracyby Kevin WilsonWell, now we’ve discussed solving the murder case, and the rules are posted online, so what’s left to talk about? Clearly, you’ve read the rules, so what secrets could Android possibly still hold for you? You might be surprised.</p><p>Today, I’m going to discuss the conspiracy behind the murders in the game and talk about some of the people and groups in the game that may be tied to it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/conspiracy-section.png"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/conspiracy-section.jpg"></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Click this image to enlarge</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">It may interest some folks to know that the conspiracy puzzle wasn’t actually added to Android until somewhat later in the design process. I had the three parts of the game thought up fairly early on (murder, conspiracy, and personal demons), I just didn’t know how I was specifically going to make each one work. Inspiration can be a funny thing – I couldn’t tell you exactly what sparked the idea to have the conspiracy based off a jigsaw puzzle that the players build as the game progresses, but I distinctly remember getting very excited one day and pitching the idea to Dan. It has gone through some changes from that first pitch, but once the jigsaw puzzle entered the design I had a pretty decent idea what I was going to do with it.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Now, as I’ve gained experience as a game designer over the years and talked to other designers, there aren’t a lot of consistent rules that I’ve found, but one of the few that I like to follow is the concept of ‘paychecks’ and ‘jackpots’. Paychecks are small, regular rewards handed out over the course of a game, while jackpots are large payouts made at the end of the game. Paychecks provide drama and keep the players interested as they play and contribute to the game’s excitement level. Jackpots, on the other hand, bring the game to a close with a bang and add some unpredictability to the outcome. There’s nothing worse than realizing that you’ve lost a game an hour before it actually ends, after all. But what does this have to do with a jigsaw puzzle?</p><p style="text-align: left;">In Android, uncovering the conspiracy delivers a number of handy paychecks to the players in the form of both Victory Points and resources. A player can earn anything from emotional baggage (handy for dealing with those pesky personal demons) to dropship passes (used to jump around the map) while investigating the conspiracy. VP rewards are earned when a player completes a row, column, or diagonal consisting of 5 puzzle pieces, although that can be a tricky proposition without some careful planning.As for jackpots, the conspiracy has tremendous potential for end-game payoffs for a clever player, and creates an interesting ebb and flow of strategies as links are formed during the game. Favors can suddenly become extremely valuable, while players may suddenly wish they’d paid more attention to their personal demons when sad endings become even more punishing than usual. Ignore the conspiracy at your peril.</p><p style="text-align: left;">But who are some of the groups that might turn out to be a part of the conspiracy in Android? Jinteki - A Japanese-owned company that designs and grows human clones, Jinteki has a lot of enemies it wouldn’t mind eliminating. The company is run by Chairman Hiro, a visionary geneticist who has begun to unlock the secrets of ESP in the human genome. The more involved with the conspiracy that Jinteki turns out to be, the more valuable contacts and pull within Jinteki (in the form of Jinteki tokens) become for the detectives.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Haas-Bioroid - An American-owned company that manufactures artificially-intelligent robots, Haas-Bioroid is based on the moon, where the lower gravity allows them to manufacture components with much finer tolerances than could be built on Earth. Always ruthless with their competition, Haas is a definite potential member of the conspiracy. The more involved with the conspiracy that Haas turns out to be, the more valuable contacts and pull within Haas (in the form of Haas tokens) become for the detectives.Human First - Although this anti-android group is comprised largely of middle- and lower-class laborers, there’s no telling what their leaders are up to, nor what depths they’ll stoop to in pursuit of their goals. If Human First turns out to be involved in the conspiracy, then it’s important for the detectives to stay aware of the word on the street (represented by Street favors).</p><p style="text-align: left;">The Order of Sol - This mysterious religious brotherhood is based on the moon in a high-security compound. Tightly knit and steeped in secrecy, there’s no telling how the Order’s goals might overlap with the conspiracy’s. If the Order does turn out to be embroiled in the conspiracy, its sinister plans make it extremely important for the detectives to solve the murder. </p><p style="text-align: left;">James Levy - The head of one of the wealthiest families in New Angeles, James Levy has lent his name to the local college, Levy University. With any number of enemies and the wealth to buy just about anything or anyone he wants, James Levy is a prime candidate to be a member of the conspiracy. If it turns out that he is, it becomes vitally important for the detectives to circulate among the upper crust (represented by Society favors).</p><p style="text-align: left;">Cardinal Reese - A powerful and charismatic religious leader, Cardinal Reese is the leader of the Starlight Crusade in New Angeles. A modern-day evangelist, the Cardinal has the financial and spiritual influence he needs to be a member of the conspiracy. If Reese is indeed a member of the conspiracy, then the detectives must be sure to keep their own houses in order (represented by avoiding sad outcomes for their personal demons) or he will use his power to discredit them.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Mayor Wells - The political leader of New Angeles, Mayor Wells is the ultimate authority in the local government. Should he prove to be a member of the conspiracy, the detectives will need influence in the government (represented by Political favors) to root out the corruption he has spawned. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Commissioner Dawn - The leader of the New Angeles Police Department (the NAPD), Commissioner Dawn is in a position that would allow her to conceal many of the conspiracy’s activities. If she is in fact doing so, it becomes vitally important for the detectives not to accuse any innocents of the murder in order to avoid the stain of scandal that rocks the Department.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The Media - Owned by a few shadowy magnates, the local media can be twisted by the conspiracy to downplay the importance of the murders that are being committed. If this is what’s actually happening in New Angeles, the detectives may well be better served to focus on their personal lives (i.e. reach positive outcomes for their personal demons). The Mining Bosses - Mining Helium-3 on the moon is big business, and the business moguls profiting from it certainly don’t want anyone snooping around in their affairs. If it turns out that the mining bosses are involved with the conspiracy, then the detectives must concentrate their efforts in the business community (represented by Corp favors).As you can see, depending on which groups are involved with the conspiracy, the landscape of the Greater New Angeles region can be rocked to its very core. Detectives must stay alert to avoid getting buried in this shifting political landscape.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Next time I’ll discuss one of the most unusual parts of Android – the personal demons and the twilight cards.</p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/12/2/uncovering-the-conspiracy/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/11/26/the-mystery-of-android-begins-to-unfold/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 26 November 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>The Mystery of Android Begins to Unfold...</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>The rules for Android are now live...</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p style="text-align: center;">Dig deeper into mystery and follow the link below to download the rules for Android.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/media/ffg_content/Android/android-rule-book.pdf"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Android_Thumbnail.jpg"></a></p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/11/26/the-mystery-of-android-begins-to-unfold/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/11/25/murder-101/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 25 November 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Murder 101</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>A Beginner's Guide to Murder Investigations</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p><b>by Kevin Wilson</b></p><p>The ARG, the video trailer, and the website have done an excellent job giving everyone a first look at the world of <i>Android</i>, but now it’s time to talk turkey (appropriately enough, given the time of year) and start delving into game mechanics.</p><p><i>Android</i> is a competitive strategy game for 3–5 players and is playable in 2–4 hours. In it, players take on the role of one of five unique New Angeles detectives investigating an important murder. However, just solving the murder won’t always win you the game. The detectives also try to uncover the conspiracy behind the latest rash of killings and deal with pressing issues from their personal lives as well. The player who best juggles those three things – in effect making the best ‘movie’, wins the game.</p><p>For now, let’s talk about solving the murder.</p><p>At the start of the game, each detective is dealt a guilty and an innocent hunch card. These cards represent your hunches about the case, and for each of your hunches that turns out to be correct, you’ll receive some points at the end of the game.  So, for example, you might receive Mark Henry’s innocent hunch and Vinnie the Strangler’s guilty hunch. If Mark Henry turns out to be innocent, you’ll receive 5 VP. If Vinnie the Strangler turns out to be guilty, you’ll receive 15 VP. It’s possible that you’ll receive both the guilty and the innocent hunch for the same suspect, but that’s okay. It just means that you’re obsessed with that suspect. In that case, if you can prove the suspect not only guilty, but really guilty, then you’ll receive points for both of your hunches, and a small bonus besides.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" vspace="3" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/article-murder101/hunch_guilty.jpg" hspace="3" alt=""><img align="middle" vspace="3" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/article-murder101/hunch_innocent.jpg" hspace="3" alt=""></p><p>But how, you may ask, do you prove that a suspect is guilty? Well, to explain that, I’ll have to talk a little bit about the turn structure first. On a player’s turn, he receives a certain amount of Time that he can spend to do things. The two most common actions are moving around the board and following up leads.</p><p>Now, if you’ve looked at the pictures of the game map that have been floating around, you may have noticed that there are a number of locations on the map, but only a couple of them are actually connected in any way. So how do you move between unconnected locations? Well, in the world of <i>Android</i>, most non-cargo vehicles fly, so the detectives don’t have to worry about following the roads. Instead, each detective receives a vehicle ruler. These rulers have a picture of the detectives’ vehicles on them and show how far a detective can move by spending 1 Time. Here’s an excerpt from the rulebook explaining how that works.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" vspace="3" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/article-murder101/movement.jpg" hspace="3" alt=""></p><p>Ok, that explains how to get around, but what about following up leads? Well, there are three types of lead markers in the game: documentary, physical, and testimonial. These are placed at various locations around the map and represent different types of evidence the detectives can find. Documentary evidence includes paperwork trails, security videos, and so on. Physical evidence includes DNA remnants, footprints, fingerprints, etc. Finally, testimonial evidence includes any testimony given by witnesses. By moving to a lead’s location and spending 1 Time there, a detective can follow up a lead. The lead is then moved by the player on the detective’s right to a new location of the same color while the detective draws a piece of evidence from the evidence pool and places it on a suspect of his choice.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" vspace="3" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/article-murder101/suspect_noise.jpg" hspace="3" alt=""><img align="middle" vspace="3" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/article-murder101/suspect_vinnie.jpg" hspace="3" alt=""></p><p>As you might expect, not all evidence is created equal for all suspects. Testimonial evidence is much less effective against Vinnie the Strangler than documentary evidence, for instance. After all, would YOU want to testify against someone named Vinnie the Strangler? To represent this, there are 3 areas on each suspect’s sheet called ‘files’. One for each type of evidence. The evidence type at the top of the sheet is strong against that suspect, while the evidence type at the bottom of the sheet is weak against that suspect. When you follow up a lead, you place the evidence you get from it in the corresponding file on the suspect of your choice (i.e. if you follow up a testimony lead, the evidence from it must go in a suspect’s testimony file).</p><p>On top of that, each individual piece of evidence ranges in importance. This is represented by its value, which ranges from –4 to +5 (there are also some special pieces of evidence, but I won’t get into that). The higher the value, the more incriminating the evidence (with negative evidence actually working against the case against a suspect). Since evidence is normally placed facedown on a suspect sheet, this helps the players conceal which suspect they’re trying to convict. Why does that matter? Well, the players can arrange for suspects to be killed, and if a suspect gets bumped off, neither of his corresponding hunches pays off!</p><p>At the end of the game, the murderer is the suspect with the highest total value of evidence placed on him. This is modified a bit by strong and weak evidence, as shown in the example from the rulebook below.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" vspace="3" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/article-murder101/guilt_part2.jpg" hspace="3" alt=""></p><p>Investigating the murder adds an important bluffing element to <i>Android</i>, and provides a framework for everything else that goes on in the game. But the question remains, since you’re controlling where the evidence goes: Are the detectives discovering evidence, or are they planting it? Well, that depends on what you want to believe about your detective. In <i>Android</i>, there’s no easy black and white answer – only shades of grey.</p><p> That’s all for now. Thanks for reading!</p><p><i><b>Next time, join me as we piece together the conspiracy behind the scenes...</b></i></p><p> </p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/11/25/murder-101/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/11/25/android-video-trailer-added/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 25 November 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>Android Video Trailer Added!</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>Watch the Trailer Now</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p>Fantasy Flight Studios proudly presents the video trailer for Android, a new board game of murder and conspiracy in a dystopian future. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media/app.fantasyflightgames.com/android_trailer.mov"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Android_Thumbnail.jpg"></a></p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/11/25/android-video-trailer-added/https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/11/19/the-seedy-underbelly/ <div class="blog-detail"> <div class="blog-header"> <img class='blog-visual device-break' src='https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fc/46/fc466de0-b7a4-47d5-978d-ffa3cc8a3c68/ad01_preview.jpg' /> <div class="blog-head"> <div class="blog-meta"> <span class="meta-date float-left"> Published 19 November 2008 </span> <span class="visible-desktop" style="padding: 5px;">|</span> <span class="meta-productline"><a href="/en/products/android/">Android</a></span> </div> <div class="blog-titlelead-container"> <div class="blog-titlelead"> <h1>The Seedy Underbelly</h1> <div class="blog-lead"> <p>A Faction Guide For Android</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-content"> <p><i>The city is built on a web of corruption and lies. Murders happen every day, but this one. Man this one is something special. No one saw it coming, no one was able to stop it. I planned this for years, and I made sure I took my time. Once I had him there, the screams were better than Beethoven. I dragged it out, enjoyed it so much I almost went too far too fast. Then it was done, and I was gone. I had it all figured out. How did you find me? There were no traces, not even a freakin' hair! How did you find me? Answer me!-Taken from the NAPD report filed by Agent Nisei</i>Android puts players in the role of detective in a futuristic world, a world dominated by rival factions. The Jinteki Corporation seeks to place their clone models in as many different areas of society as possible. Their slogan, When you need the human touch, has rallied many to their side. Their counter-parts are Haas-Bioroid. While Jinteki focused on the organic, Haas-Bioroid looked to the cybernetic. Their bioroids are the finest example of the fusion of metal and flesh. Together these companies produce androids, artificial humans, at a rapid rate, and both are looking for new markets.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/media/ffg_content/Android/Broadcast%20Square.jpg"></p><p>As the Androids fill the labor and different blue collar jobs, many a person has been put out of a job. The anger at losing their jobs to something less than human has fueled the creation of Human First. Human First seeks to end the android production and doesn't care at what cost. They are known for getting a group together, armed with sledgehammers, and roaming the city looking for "golems," the insult of choice.Standing between these three factions are the beleaguered forces of the New Angeles Police Department. The men, women, and androids of this organization do their best to prevent crime, but with so many different players in this game, many agents on the force have found ways to supplement their income. Small crimes overlooked have a way of lining someone's pockets, and no one is above a little spending cash now and again. The androids on the payroll are a new addition. Jinteki has provided their first psychic clone, Caprice Nisei, as their potential contribution if they can land the very lucrative NAPD deal. From Haas-Bioroid comes Floyd. Floyd is an artificial construct, immensely strong and able to move quicker and process things quicker than a normal human. Both Jinteki and Haas-Bioroid are fighting to get the contract, and Human First is determined not to let the golems into the force. So goes a day in the life of New Angeles.</p> <div class="blog-end"></div> <a href="/edge_foros_temas.asp?efid=77"> <div class="forum-btn"> <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> <div class="forum-btn-txt">Discuss this article <br class="hidden-tablet"/>in our forums!</div> </div> </a> <div class="legal-text"> <p>The copyrightable portions of <i>Android</i> are © 2008 Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. <i> Android</i> and Fantasy Flight Supply are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.</p> </div> </div> </div>https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2008/11/19/the-seedy-underbelly/