With all due respect, this feels like a bad-faith argument. I think it's pretty clear what has been communicated by multiple people over the past few weeks ... to reiterate: While all models will remain playable (per CB proxying rules), not all game profiles will remain. This means that someone who bought a certain subset of CB miniatures because of the associated game profiles and their relevant gameplay/style isn't happy when those game profiles and gameplay are removed. IMHO, that isn't a particularly controversial or unclear understanding of this situation. Obviously, the angst over this situation could be eased by CB making a simple, firm affirmation that all of the OOP sectorials will receive some minimum baseline of rules to remain playable (with some semblance of their characteristic game style) in N5. The fact that such a statement wasn't made, and the subsequent confirmation that the OOP sectorials (Acon, CHA, etc.) won't receive any rules consideration at the outset of N5 makes for understandably upset CB patrons. The hyperbolic strawmanning of people's (again, IMHO) legitimate concerns isn't helpful. Obviously, no one is concerned that CB is going to smash their OOP miniatures. Ironically, by removing preferred gameplay options from paying customers, CB has smashed some people's game enjoyment. Sunsetting some sectorials might be the best thing for the health of the game. There may not be an easy way to rip off that band-aid. However, I think all of those negatively impacted would be much better served by some level of commiseration and patience. It's unfair to dismiss their concerns out-of-hand. I'm not clear on your role with CB (I know you've had at least a tangential relationship via BoW), but it would go a long way to have an (semi-)official acknowledgment of customer concerns with some minimal effort to address them.
Nah man. No matter what they do it will not be enough. Better to forge ahead. At some point players will have to decide if the play Infinity and roll with it, or if they only played Varuna (or whatever).
I agree—ultimately, affected players will have to decide how to proceed. It won't serve anyone to dwell in the negativity long term. Since N5 hasn't even dropped yet, I'd say folks are still within a reasonable window to work through the stages of grief involved here. My point was just that there have been some pretty dismissive replies to people expressing reasonable concerns. It would behoove CB to manage this communication/transition better.
Dismissive replies is probably just as much due to the toxic environment of the forums (which CB absolutely should take more responsibility for) and also a reaction to the sky-is-falling attitude that has been pervasive during all of the changes CB has made. That reasonable concerns about certain armies future disappear is unfortunate. My main point is that CB have communicated clearly what is happening: These armies are in N5 from the start. These other armies are not. We don’t know if and when they will be back. Can CB do more, yes. Would doing more take precious resources away from something else, yes. Would doing more satisfy players who feel wronged, probably not. Personally I think CB, rightfully adopts a communication strategy that it is better to say little and perhaps surprise people down the road than to promise something that is subject to change (everything is subject to change). Look how they dropped N5 on us with only a few months heads up instead of a year. And STILL there’s a stink when it is delayed a couple of weeks.
