So I finally tried to upgrade my X-Wing minis to X-Wing 2.0, and after finally finding all the conversion kits I needed, (not like you can get just the ships you need and nothing else,) I put them together and... Something was missing.
The conversion kits modify maneuvers, correct text, and even convert everything to a new (and arguably worse) design style, but they also remove the unit cost and upgrade slots from all the pilots. Elements that are absolutely necessary to build your force before the battle.
These elements are bound to an app now, instead of the cards. This is presumedly done so that Fantasy Flight has the flexibility rebalance the units at any time, without having to reprint cards or publish errata.
Thing is: This doesn’t work.
On my end, I can’t just pick up and play the game casually, because crucial information is missing. On their end, the effort to remove errata has failed because there are still corrections to card text. So if you want to play tournament rules, you can’t use the cards because what is there might be wrong, and if you want to play casually, you can’t use the cards either because they’re missing information.
I’ll be honest, I was looking forwards to converting and getting back to collecting ships again, but that passion instantly fizzled once this became obvious.
Now the volume of app-based or app-supplemented games has only grown over time, and some people are probably thinking “so what? You have a phone.” And yes, I do. But beyond the convenience factor - which is big - I also have another miniature game in my collection: WizKids Mechwarrior.
Now this game has been out of print for fourteen years. It is well out of service. But I can still pull out the mechs and infantry and play a game because all the info I need is on their dials. I have a game made in 1932 that I can play at any time because the rules are all in the box.
I might be exaggerating the issue a bit, but the fact of the matter is: Printed rules and online errata can coexist. There is no reason to print only half of the game.
Basically, a lot of complaining to say; there will always be errata. Don’t leave rules out of your game that people need to play.