Same here. As much as I'd like a game that is fully playable solo/co-op as well as PvP (if that is definitely the way they're going - they haven't actually come out and said the words yet...), if it is first and foremost a PvP game, then I hope for an official variant right out of the core set for solo/co-op as well. Largely because I'm too lazy to think for myself, but still!

Overall, co-op definitely fits Lord of the Rings better than it does Star Wars. There is SOOO much potential for a star wars games that allows players to use the light or dark side (1 v. 1 v. 1 v. 1, 2 v. 2, 3 v. 1, or even solo or co-op play) that limiting it to light side only from the beginning does nothing but restrict this game from the start. If FFG is going to spend what they inevitably spent on licensing Star Wars, this game has to be something beyond co-op. This has the potential to be a huge, huge game with a strong organized play presence and a humongous following. Co-op definitely makes it a great game around the house, but it wouldn't ever become the kind of title it has the potential to be.

Again, just because they might be redesigning it to be PvP doesn't mean there can't be co-op versions or options. I actually really like the idea of 3 v. 1, with either three rebele or three imperial players versus one of the other (obviously getting some severe benefits to make it equal). 

Making the game Co-op would be good if they don't want to have a competitive scene or tournament play. I mean how would you do a co-op competitive tournament? You just can't and that's why FFG did not have a LotR tournament at GenCon this past year.

 Having the players limited to only playing the Rebels will alienate a bunch of players that just want to play the Dark Side(me!). Plus it limits the game from the start which is not something they should be doing with Star Wars.

zachbunn said:

I'd have to disagree with you there. George's films - most particularly the first one - are about a rag-tag bunch of friends who go up against a (largely) faceless evil. You're meant to invest in the fortunes of Luke, Han and Leia, but Vader and the stormtroopers are just there as the obstacle to be overcome. Granted, the subsequent films of the trilogy complicate matters and deepen the story, but it still remains a story of the rebels trying to make the best of the material they have to overcome the unbridled evil of the Empire.

On this basis, I'd say co-op is perfect, and definitely the way to go.

spalanzani said:

I feel like a move to make a co-op Star Wars game focused on the Rebel Alliance really takes Star Wars back to its roots. Like Spalanzani said, the original concept for this game really makes the player feel the excitement of the original movies where the focus was on the heroes.

I understand the sentiment that there is a lot of Star Wars that you miss by making it so one-sided, but I would argue that those elements represent what Star Wars has evolved into, and not what it originally was. My first impression from the two Star Wars announcements last August was that FFG was really trying to take Star Wars back to the nostalgia of its first release. To me, a co-op game does that much better than a PvP game. 

 I just want to echo what you both have said. Like, in the movie, the destruction of the Death Star was designed as a 'stand up and cheer' moment - not a 'damn, I lost' moment. And the whole medal ceremony, well... there you go.

Believe me, I understand the appeal of bringing out the walkers and snowtroopers and stomping your enemy, but we've had that. And as the others have said, I was really attracted by the idea of a game that felt like me and the other players could be the 'heroes'. Alternatively, imagine an Indiana Jones game where one player plays as the nazis... not as much fun.

I'm not saying a good/evil pvp Star Wars game shouldn't exist (it should), but this could have been really new and exciting, and brought us back to the original spirit of Star Wars.

I think both have good reason to want PvP or Co-op.
I can understand why some people prefer co-op or to play hero,... but i don't wan't it.

I like Vader persona since the first time i saw A New Hope, when i was 4 years old (luke never interest me).
So for me it's important to play with.
And Palpatine is a good friend, i can't attack him... ;)

I buy LotR (3 coreset and complet first cycle). And i rarely play alone, i don't find any interest. When i'm alone i prefer play video game,...
Generaly, when i play it with friend, we use basic deck or deck i make. Friend don't buy the game and don't build. Why they do this, i have already all card.
So for me, when a pass a quest a first time, there is no surprise after. So i just look like the game start and i often know what will happen... 
I don't hate Co-op game but i really prefer a boardgame in this way than a LCG. Because finally, we don't really build.

Another point, i like going to tournament, permit to know my level and to learn combo or strategy...
But it's just impossible to make tournament in Co-op. There is so many way to cheat and no acceptable system to determinate the winner (in LotR).

Just to say, we have already give all arguments for Co-op and for PvP. Affinity is different for each of us. We have just to way now...
And i think, FFG will not make the best game (according to different point of view) but the best solder gamer...

Doc9 said:

You think I wanted to? Desperate times, friend.

It's just occurred to me that I'm actually really glad the game is back in development for one definite reason - I hope they come up with something better than those Arkham Horror sliders for the tracking element.

 I haven't seen this idea posted yet, so I'll give it a shot.

With the recent push for FFG's Organized Play and Regional/World Championships, it makes perfect sense for them to make the switch to pvp. Star Wars games have drawn in pretty big crowds, and if you combine that with competition you're likely to get even more sales. It makes sense that when the announcement came out, they new they were getting ready to implement this organized play campaign and it was clear that a pvp Star Wars card game would really bring in the dough. Sure, the co-op LCG would have been a great game, but given the current direction of the company, it seems like it would have been a lost opportunity.

[disclaimer: as always this is pure speculation and I have no inside sources to confirm the statement above.]

Budgernaut, you may well be right. 

spirit said:

I'm afraid he is.  There's no way there's a cooperative element if the game is now designated for exactly 2 players.  I for one am real disappointed it won't be co-op.  This was the number 1 game I was looking forward to this year.

 Someone help! I'm falling toward the Dark Side!

I have been one of the biggest proponents of a cooperative Star Wars LCG and was heart broken at the subtle clues pointing toward a move to player vs. player. But after having time to think about it, I find I'm still getting super excited about this game. I still won't have anyone to play with, so the cards will simply be a collector's item for me, but I can't wait for it to come out, nonetheless. I guess I truly am one of those sniveling Star Wars fan-boys that will buy anything with the Star Wars brand name on it.

lol. Don't worry. I'm the same :) 

Me too! I was prepared to lavish all of my money on this game - well, I was assuming they'd stick with the usual core set distribution of cards model, so was preparing myself to get those three core sets, at least. But, while I'll still be getting it, maybe even getting the subsequent Force packs as well, it'll most likely be just as a collector thing, and not with the intention of actually playing it.

That said, I did spend a portion of the weekend going back over all the pictures of cards that I could find, and all the game descriptions post-GenCon, with the vague idea of seeing if it could still be played along similar lines when it finally appears. I have very low hopes, but there're hopes, nonetheless!