The Players’ New Republic of Star Wars PT3: The Rebellion is Reborn
The Resistance Fleet has arrived (art by Kevin Jenkins)
12th January 2025
Rosco
5 mins
Most of you reading this are probably well aware already, but in recent years, last year in particular (2024), the Star Wars miniatures wargaming community has been faced with a bittersweet reality - official support for some of its most beloved games is coming to an end. Star Wars Armada and X-Wing are set to lose their official backing from Atomic Mass Games (AMG) in 2025, while Imperial Assault was declared a “complete game” by Fantasy Flight Games (FFG), back in April 2019. Now, instead of fading into obscurity… the passion for these games continues to burn brightly thanks to the tireless efforts of a passionate community.
This is the third and final part (for now) of a multi-part post looking into the current state of play for these three games and where they’re headed in the future…
How does a game survive when the official devs are no longer feeding it new content? Well… of course, the community takes over.
G’day all! Happy New Year!! I hope everyone has managed some time to relax and/or catch up with friends and family (or perhaps even just stay home and go full goblin mode - whatever, you do you mate).
It’s been a busy couple of weeks, with plenty of games played and discussions had. There’s been lots of related news for various different games as well as the start of the Star Wars Armada Vassal World Cup 2025 (VWC) annual online tournament (which I am also playing in!). I’ll get to those soon, but for now I’ll finish off this the last post in the series. To close out, I’ll go over some current successful examples of community-led projects for discontinued and unsupported tabletop games, as well as some of the challenges, advantages and disadvantages for when the community takes over a game after official support ends.
Community-led tabletop game Success Stories
This isn’t the first time the community has taken over the reins for rules updates and/or new content for games after official support has ceased. As you might expect, it’s pretty common for a passionate community to step up and continue playing and promoting a game they really enjoy. Reasons vary, for instance, because the game offers a unique tabletop experience or is from a popular IP. One of the biggest reasons by far though, is because the game fostered a close community of people from all over the world and all walks of life, bringing them together to play and discuss that game. So, with that in mind, here’s a couple of success stories about some popular games that their community carried on long after official support ended:
The Star Wars Customisable Card Game by Decipher, Inc. ran from 1995 to 2001 and is one of the most popular TCG/CCGs of all time, sharing the stage with others like Magic: The Gathering, Netrunner and later, the Pokemon TCG. Interestingly, Decipher also produced the Lord of the Rings TCG and Star Trek CCG, the latter of which is still as popular today as SWCCG is (they’re basically the same game with different skins). The gameplay was always Light side vs. Dark side decks and the art on the cards were all actual scenes from the original trilogy, giving them a cool authentic retro feel. The setting was various internal and external locations that could stretch across many different planets or in the space around them, which created a great sense of adventure and told a different story with each and every game. Overall, 11 full expansions were released for SWCCG and a World Championship has been held every year from 1996 with consistent attendee numbers every year - 2024 Worlds was held in Bochum, Germany. After Decipher lost the licence from Lucasfilm, they themselves introduced a players committee to continue playing the game, as long as it was made freely available to all those who wished to play. Since then, the SWCCG Players Committee has held the fort, running online and in-person tournaments, making new cards and hosting podcasts or YouTube videos - all freely available on their website. The cards are even fully available printed in the SWCCG Store. SWCCG Stands out as just one success story of the community taking over, but also with an actual public ‘passing of the torch’ from the official studio to a player committee.
Story time: I remember in 1997-99 when I was a teenager in Perth, West Aus, every Thursday after school my mates and I would take the bus to pick up our pay from work and jump on the next bus straight to the city into a beautiful musty old underground game store called Tactics. There, we’d spend a great portion of our hard-earned coin on all manner of nerd wares, but my main vice was SWCCG. I’d buy a handful of packs, set up shop on the tiny tables in the store entry and gingerly open each pack, hoping for a Vader, Boba Fett or equivalent badass character card for my deck - which I had with me at all times, of course. I’d then add any cool cards to my new deck and immediately demand that one of my mates play to check it out! I absolutely loved that game and I was really bummed when it was canned, so I’m super stoked that it still lives and is thriving to this day!
Blood Bowl is another exemplar in the world of tabletop games where the community has stepped up to the mark and kicked it ‘into touch’. For those who are unaware, Blood Bowl is a miniatures game by Games Workshop (GW) that is a direct parody of American football and blends it with the violent chaos of the world of Warhammer Fantasy. Since its debut in 1986, it became a beloved classic instantly, with players taking on the roles of fantasy creatures like elves, orcs, and goblins in brutal yet humorous matches. What truly sets Blood Bowl apart is the sense of community it fosters. Whether playing locally or online, the game brings people together through shared excitement, friendly competition, and the joy of throwing tactics (and other players) around with mates. The key point is that GW never actually announced anything about ceasing the game or handing it over to the community - they just didn’t release any new stuff for a long while. So, the very active and boisterous community just ran with the ball.
Then the Blood Bowl community flourished over the years, from local leagues to global tournaments, with players creating house rules, fan-made content, and forming great bonds (sometimes trauma bonds) - even during the 22 YEAR hiatus between official releases. There’s even a World Cup championship held every four years that started in 2007! With the new editions released in 2016 and then 2020, plus the addition of a number of Blood Bowl video games, the community continued to grow with a new generation of players, proving that the game’s heart isn’t just in the rules or miniatures, but in the mateships it helps form. Blood Bowl isn’t just a game—it’s an experience that thrives on the relationships built around it. Actually… after looking into it’s history, seeing it at almost EVERY large tabletop gaming event and watching some gameplay, I’m really interested in this game all of a sudden. It looks like an absolute riot! Needless to say - it’s another great success story.
Netrunner is a collectible card game designed by Richard Garfield, the creator of Magic: The Gathering, and released by Wizards of the Coast (WotC) in 1996. Set in the Cyberpunk 2020 universe, the game pits a global mega-corporation (the Corp) against a hacker (the Runner) in a high-stakes cyberspace battle. The Corp tries to complete secret agendas while the Runner attempts to hack into their systems and steal valuable data. The game’s asymmetrical gameplay—where each side uses completely different cards and abilities—sets it apart from other collectible card games, offering a unique experience for players.
In 2012, Netrunner was reimagined by (guess who...?) Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) as Android: Netrunner, incorporating a Living Card Game (LCG) format that replaced random card packs with fixed sets. This new version expanded the game’s cyberpunk setting, tying it into the Android board game universe. Since 2019, the game has been managed by the non-profit publisher Null Signal Games. Known for its deep strategy and thematic setting, Netrunner remains a cult favourite, with players appreciating both the complexity of its gameplay and the immersive cyberpunk world it creates. There’s still events being planned through 2025 and new players are still joining the ranks against the Corpos… both in and out of game. Another success story then, this time without official handing over and after both WotC and FFG stopped producing new content and supporting organised play.
Where to next? Addressing Some concerns
As exciting as community-driven updates and expansions are, it's understandable if some players feel uncertain about embracing these unofficial modifications. Here are a few considerations and tips for navigating this new landscape for the future of Armada, X-Wing and Imperial Assault:
Quality and Balance Concerns
Apart from managing current content, one of the most common concerns about new community content is whether it meets the same standards of quality and balance as the official products. While many community contributors are deeply committed to creating balanced and well-crafted content, not all additions will be perfect. Rules might need adjustment, some models could be less (or more) refined than official releases, and certain content might unintentionally break the flow of the game. This of course can be mitigated by engaging with the community and reviewing content carefully before adopting it. The main method is adequate testing in casual settings first to ensure that it fits well and then encouraging feedback loops with players and creators to help improve the quality and balance. These are all things we expect to see and have already seen across Armada, X-Wing and, for some years now, Imperial Assault.
Legal and Copyright Issues
An obvious concern that might cross the mind of those interested in third-party miniatures or fan-created components is the potential for copyright infringement. Star Wars is a massive intellectual property and now belongs to a very particular ‘cartoon rodent’s house’, and while fan creations are generally accepted within the community, players should remain aware of the legal limitations, especially when it comes to the distribution and sale of third-party miniatures or cards. Sometimes, the best way is to make sure to respect copyright boundaries. Stick to creating or using fan content for personal, non-commercial use. If you’re unsure about certain content, always check with creators or consult the community for best practices. Don’t reproduce the complete set of the original components; keep it generic and also within the community and we’ll be just fine.
Navigating Community Division and the Importance of Clear Rulesets
As the community takes charge, one challenge that can sometimes rear its head is the potential for division over differing rulesets. With various community updates, players can sometimes disagree on which rules should be considered “official.” This is especially important for organised play, where consistency is crucial going forward.
Where necessary, event organisers should make it clear which rule set and fan modifications are being used for each tournament or event. Transparency ensures that all participants are on the same page and that the experience remains fun and fair. Without this clarity, players might end up at odds, especially when different factions, units, upgrades, points or rules are applied in different events.
While this is a challenge, it’s one that many games have overcome. Take Star Wars CCG or Blood Bowl, both of which thrived through years of community-driven updates and events. These games survived, and even flourished, thanks to the efforts of dedicated players who ensured clear communication and a commitment to consistency.
Why It Matters: The Enduring Legacy of Star Wars Miniatures Games
The future of Star Wars Armada, X-Wing, and Imperial Assault might look different than it did when they were first released, but one thing is clear - these games are far from over. The power of the community has ensured that Star Wars wargames are still a thriving part of the hobby.
In fact, the involvement of fans in updating, expanding, and organising the games has only made them more exciting. While official support might be coming to a close, the creative energy that these communities have poured into their favourite games guarantees that Star Wars miniatures wargaming will continue to evolve in new and unexpected ways.
Celebrating the Community: Player Stories and Contributions
In every corner of the Star Wars miniatures gaming community, there are stories of players who have stepped up to help keep the games alive. Take, for instance, the team behind the Imperial Assault Continuity Project or Armada Legacy & Legends, both fan-driven initiatives that have worked tirelessly to design new scenarios, units, and even factions. Or X-Wing players who organised an Alliance to refine the game’s point system.
These are just a few examples of how fans have actively shaped the future of their favourite games, and there are countless others out there, creating everything from new gameplay modes to incredible 3D-printed models. Their efforts are a testament to the dedication of the Star Wars fanbase.
Have you participated in community-driven content for any of these games? What rule updates, balance changes, or homebrew campaigns have enhanced your gameplay experience? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below. Share your thoughts, or even your own creations with the community!
The Future of Star Wars Miniatures
The good news? These games are not over. There are still countless ways to engage with Star Wars miniatures wargaming, whether through community-run events, fan-made rules, or simply by gathering your mates for a game day. Additionally, leaving a hole in the game space for Star Wars space battle and adventure games just doesn’t make any sense (Wookiees don’t live on Endor - it just does not. Make. Sense), so I hope that they are picked up again by a studio sometime in the very near future (like Blood Bowl). However, until then, the community has shown us that there’s more to these games than just official support—there’s an entire world of creativity and passion to explore… and sometimes beer and pizza too.
Final Thoughts
With the close of official support, this is not a time for mourning. It’s a time for celebration! The Star Wars miniatures games are far from finished—they’re just entering a bright new chapter led by the community!
Lastly, and most importantly, I’d like to thank my lovely partner Kate for proof-reading this and most of my previous posts - I appreciate your corrections, critical eye and, in particular, your attention to detail that I often lack after staring at the same text for hours on end!
Right. Now, we need to set up some devices and book my AdeptiCon 2025 & Armada Worlds ticket today… Cheers & thanks for reading again… time for a well-earned scotch 🥃
- Rosco
