HeroQuest: FIRST LIGHT Leaked....Or Was It?
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- This image is going to be making the rounds on all HQ platforms and social media -- but, but but but....!
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Avalon Hill just dropped their announcement with this actual image! It is a "lighter" version to grab new players but it does have all new quests and is compatible with all expansions. More coming at Gen Con
If this is real I would imagine that this is just a mock-up.
Another great video Ash! Measured and calm as it should be!
The dwarf looks like Brian Blessed of Flash Gordon ilk.
"Squadron 40!"
thumbs up for "Crom Cruise" alone
Krom Cruze is an awesome idea, come on 3D printer sculptors, get on this!!
I want that character Expansion!
@@GeekGoneGiddy It could be a proper update on the Barbarian.
"Fantastic job", well said. I can't wait to see what next AH has in store for us.
I really miss the black & white comic teasers that was produced ahead of Expansion launch.
Yes, 1000% agree. The narration by Stephen Baker sent me into hype overdrive every single time.
I have a feeling this is more like a "lower priced entry point" sort of deal. Will use large cardboard tiles to act as the gameboard(s) like Ogre Horde and Jungles of Delthrak. (Maybe 4+ "outdoor" tiles) Hopefully has new sculpts, but should at least provide a new quest book, with accompanying artifact, item, and treasure cards. (I hope for new monsters, but would be happy with just new sculpts)
I know you can get the Core Box for ~100 USD, often on sale for less from digital/mass retailers, but I see core box for 120+ at LGSs, and 150+ at conventions (3rd party vendors)
As every other expansion requires the core box to play- I think this will fit more into a 40-50 USD "starter set" to make sure new players have a more viable entry point. Like D&D Starter set boxes. They've done at least 3 or more for D&D5E. (Likely more with licensed box sets, Rick and Morty, Stranger Things even?)
While I think a starter product makes some sense, I'm not convinced it's going to be wildly different. I could see carboard figures and maybe a folded paper map, but I just can't see them straying so far from the game that this would not be compatible with every single other product. But even then, you really couldn't use this with anything else because it would look terrible. So while it's possible, I think there's too much assuming and wishlisting going on.
Just a side comment, the dwarf's axe is a pretty straight up copy of the 2021 miniature's one. Including that weird wolf head-y part in the back of the blade. Just scaled down to a hand axe. The symbols are a bit different but similar.
I could see a version of HQ being repackaged with cardboard components, a cheaper board, and trying to hit that $20 USD price point to hook new/younger audiences, but it does seem a weird move when there's already a large active community for the current plastics. I have my own internal biases though and presumably even the 50% off ~$60 USD price point is not in reach for many would-be fans.
Personally, I was hoping "First Light" was an origin story expansion, with 3 solo quests for each of the 4 original heroes, and then a final quest (New Beginnings maybe?) where they team up for the first time. That or the Cleric thing, but I REALLY think a healer-only version of the wizard would completely derail the balance/system, making the already plentiful potions obsolete. A Paladin could work if it was a weaker Knight with party buffs (temporary increases in movement and defense dice kind of thing).
I guess we just wait and see.
This is more or less my thinking as well. It certainly could be for that Walmart shelf price point, but it makes little sense because the whole point should be to onboard new players, not sell them something they can't use with any other product available. First Light sounds like some kind of an origin story to me as well, though it could be a prequel comic or book as well. I joked in my comment that if Hasbro is going full 80's commercialism, this could be a non-game merch item, like bedroom curtains. I weirdly find that more likely than a starter box, unless that starter box pulls something really interesting.
Great video! Love hero quest
whatever first light is going to be, i really hope we will get the dark company and wizards of morcar in Avalon Hills version. Maybe as one combined box?
My stomach is turning whilst I'm looking at the picture...that means it's A.I. All A.I. pictures make my stomach is turn.
Would be nice if the hero miniatures are the 4 heroes of opposite gender from the Mythic pack
yeah, when I saw this pop up on Reddit I assumed it was AI because of some of the weird art inconsistencies.
It says HeroQuest Game System, like the core box - an expansion would say “Expand Your HeroQuest Game System.” I’m thinking this is a repackaging of the core box. Maybe a slimmed down version that costs less and will release around the holidays.
Probably will learn more at GenCon.
I was worrried that this might be the final art but that verdict (delivered in that soothing voice) was a source of comfort.
thank you. Unfortunately....it is the final art, recently revealed through Avalon Hill's Official Instagram. More thoughts to come :[
@@AshQuest Oh boy...
It's AI, I just hope is just concept not final like the did with Jungle.
Also great vid as always!
Soooooo this ended up to be real! and as an entry level game as well for experienced players. So there you go, mystery solved!
when I saw that box shape, where it looks comparable to an expansion sized box, the first thing I thought was would the game board along with the cards, game pieces, zargon screen and everything else in the base game even fit in a box that size?
It's real. Avalon announced it. The decline has begun.
Dragon scales on the edge? don't tell me...
It's also possible that someone got a low-resolution image and used AI to upscale it. Sth like this happened to the box art of Against the Ogre Horde. The box artwork was totally legit but one of the AI-upscaled images that made the round showed AI artifacts.
I don't buy that. There are too many substantive problems to account for upscaling. Upscaling wouldn't change the Barbarian's musculature or how the Elf is holding the sword.
The box is probably a mock-up using AI by someone to grab attention, but, it was just announced today that WotC is going to be starting up "Avalon Hill Nights" at Local Game Stores, where games like HeroQuest and Betrayal at House on the Hill/Murder in Baldur's Gate will be there to be run.
So...its *possible* this could be a "starter entry" but somehow I don't think so. It might be an upgrade kit perhaps? New options and rules? I doubt this highly, but I'm just throwing things out there aside from what most of us have been saying. I mean, unless they really want to push the companion app that badly, I just don't see this being a "beginners box", when the base game already does that well enough as it is.
The only gripe about the Wizard is that you can see the attachments for his cloak, but the cloak isn't depicted on the box.
Makes me wonder if this art was created to peek our interest. If this was a starter set that be a good idea since those are great ways to get into Ttrpg
A nice expansion to the Hero Quest game system would be one that starts breaking off the board system and starts to implement those puzzle like build up rooms and corridors the same way they had in Advanced Hero Quest. The Board is cool, but once you've played +20 quests on it, well... it gets kind of redundant...
I still see good quests that make some unpredictable use of the board, but you're not wrong - it takes effort to craft quests that get the adventurers thinking more about the immersion and content rather than "what's in the center room!"
Wizard looks like David Bowie in Labyrinth.
If this is going to be a new release, I'm totally buying it!
omg.. I think it's Sif and the Warriors Three members, AI imposed as team HQ on the front of this box. Hogun as the Barbarian, Volstagg as the Dwarf, Fandral as the Wizard, and Sif as the Elf.
-Virg
I am holding to First Light being a Starter Set (meant to be a more affordable way to get new people into the game and friendlier to retail stores), rather than an expansion, but one meant to be fully compatible with the rest of Avalon Hill's HeroQuest. Good thoughts. the "fuzzy nipple" on the Barbarian is what got our discussion rolling (don't ask?). the scarier thought is that it's a 100% real legit cover, and this is just another example of Hasbro using A.I. for their art. the inevitable complaints may force them to answer whether it is the real art or not!
The issue with this being compatible with the rest of the game is the size of the box. This box is displayed as the same size as the big box expansions; ogre horde, dread moon, etc.
The board would have to fold differently and be much thinner, and basically every asset in the set would have to be cardboard cutouts to fit. There would be very few miniatures, probably only a single tray.
There just isn't room in a box that size to be a game system that is compatible with the other expansions. You need all of the doors, all of the furniture, all of the monsters, all the cards, and all the tiles.
I just don't see this being a full core set box. The core set we already have just has too many materials that are required to play the expansions.
If this is anything starter set wise, I imagine this being a standalone product with it's own board with a different layout from the standard board.
And that is why I don't think that's what this is. It wouldn't support the existing expansions, requiring that they still have to buy the core game to play the rest of them. It would greatly annoy a lot of potential customers if this is advertised as a game system that you cannot play the expansions with.
@@dudemcfurgusson7179 They could "re-fold" the board into an "x-way (4-6?)" folding board to fit within the "now standard" box size- But I also am hesitant to see how much is actually offered in the box, or how expensive a "2nd core box" ends up being anyway.
Certainly a double-edged sword approach if not handled well. We still have to worry about low-print rates, distribution, and scalpers! I think they could do a "core box" without furniture for a reasonable price point though.
I'm however biased and always excited for new content for my Hero Quest game system. It's the best way to introduce friends, family, and children to RPGs, tabletop games, and miniatures/painting. (IMO) Kid tested, Parent approved. Lol.
The elephant in the room is that I can 100% see Hasbro pulling something like this. A starter set-type product doesn't make a lot of sense (it could be, but I'm not entirely convinced that's it), but I can absolutely see Hasbro releasing an AI art product. 'cause, you know, they keep getting caught doing that already.
Well. Now that we know it's real I guess the question is if it's placeholder or final?
Probably a new starter set with standees instead of minis, small board, cardboard furniture maybe?
Yesss
Hi Ash , do the room plates fit on this Heroquest mat ? i bought one and the mat is to big for the expansion room plates , you got a link were i can buy the mat ?
If you're talking a out the kind of mat I have and use in videos, I got the mat from Ian Schofield's Beautiful Dungeon Mats and it was printed by inkedgaming.com, using their 36x36 mat. All the room tiles fit on the may perfectly 🥰
I’m wondering if this will be card standees, thinner boards, app based cards and stats. Just cheapened AF to get people playing , rather than have to sink a £100 into a base game.
The featured iconography age range is not in-keeping with the theory of this being aimed at a younger audience. Of course the G code is iffy too.
There's precedence for the SKU code starting with G, though; Prophecy of Telor is G0052 and SQT is G0053.
It actually weirdly checks out, though it is a dumb choice. The whole age thing is really strange, since it has to do with toy safety regulations and nothing at all to do with the target market. I could see it being targeted at adults to play with their children, rather than at children directly. But I agree that it is certainly a choice to display that.
Good breakdown. I agree that it has many AI red flags.
I just say “neat” and move along. Maybe real, maybe not. I never get too worked up until I see the actual press releases from AH.
Standee version. All cardboard?
Damn you. Now I'll never be able to unsee Barbarian Tom Cruise.
The rumour that this is a starter game aimed at kids is... an interesting claim. But HeroQuest is already the simple version of HeroQuest. While I could see the rumoured use of cardboard figures instead of models for some kind of department store price point, I just can't see Hasbro remaking the game to any significant degree. It makes no sense that they would make a product that would invalidate every single other product, or that would be invalidated by every single other product. If the game doesn't have the same board, they would be immediately limiting their customer base as well as the health of the product line because anyone who buys this can buy nothing else. If Little Billy got this starter product and wanted to get the full experience, they're SOL because mom and dad aren't going to spend this money only to turn around and spend even more money on what is functionally the same thing. And even if it uses the same board but something like cardboard figures, trying to use any other product would look terrible along side this. Further, it makes little sense to be releasing new products for the game we have, only to turn around and release something completely different and reboot the whole game so quickly.
This named item (even assuming it is a confirmed product name) could be, as you noted, anything at all. It could be a Cleric of the First Light hero release. It could be a full questpack. It could be a flashlight. Hasbro/AH has noted that they want to expand the product line some how, so this could be a book or a video game or something. If we go full 80's commercialism, it could be bedroom curtains for all we know. While the most likely product is going to be a questpack, that doesn't necessarily mean it will be, given that we had seen weird merch releases for the original game.
Thank you for the thought out response. I like the reasoning and points made. Most of all...I'm glad someone else sees Krom Cruise. 😆
@@AshQuest Hasbro/AH should absolutely turn that into something. We need more self-aware media. Maybe Krom Cruise can lead the way for a proper Barbarian update.
Thus far the release schedule has been each year, hero expansions, old expansion redone and a new expansion. On that rotation I expect first light to be a character pack. It just didn't look right to me when I saw it, without doing the analysis, it just looked off.
On that rotation if it continues I expect first light early next year as the character pack. Wizards of Morcar/Zargon spring, something new autumn winter time.
First Light has been rumoured to be a budget introduction to the HeroQuest system. It will likely have fewer miniatures than the base game, and probably some simpler quests that use fewer doors and monsters.
There was also another smaller set rumoured for later this year (it was leaked alongside First Light), which I assume is intended as a companion piece to that set. I am guessing it will probably include the remaining miniatures from the original HeroQuest core box, and will be sold separately from First Light to keep the price of FL down for newcomers.
@@Rocket1377 Rumoured where? I've heard some speculation on what it could be, but not actual leaks, just guesses. I could have missed something of course.
@@crimsonsun2000 Thank you for pointing that out ("Rumoured where?"). I saw this pop up on Facebook today. Every time that happens, there seem to be a million posts across a few groups all about the same thing, with increasing amounts of parroting going on. Classic source monitoring problem: someone said something, and others just kept repeating it to the point where we think it's true when we don't even know where that something came from.
And I like your speculation about the release types. It's entirely possible that Hasbro is dicking with us and is coming out of left field, but if we follow the pattern we've been seeing, it makes more sense that this is something else. As for Wizards of Morcar, I have a feeling they will keep that in their back pocket for another year, as releasing it could signal an end to the product line (intended of not). I see it coming out after more items are released, though not necessarily as the last release. Just not one of the next ones.
@@ScooterinAB They have the crypt of eternal darkness as well as a re-release that could come out, so either or. Of course they could totally change things up, but if they stick to the schedule I'm hoping for Wizards of Morcar, I have a history with that expansion, though while I know Ash wouldn't agree, I feel it very much needs more content and alterations in its new form.
The Fireburst traps need a rework, it needs artifacts, you could expand the new content, especially since we don't need all the men at arms again. 5 quests just isn't enough and they weren't even that great.
Artefacts to make the wizard stronger in later game would be amazing, it still feels currently like the character with the least development, being able to take additional spells and more recasts would be fantastic, for course the original came with additional spells as well, so I'm down with that to.
I hope for some new adversaries, the original wizards, maybe a different type of mercenary, extra artefacts and more quests, at least double with some fine tuning on fireburst traps.
As for the point of your post rather than a ramble about Wizards of Morcar, people get excited and think that someones idea or suggestion fits there own and it becomes easily believed then repeated. I see this in a wide variety of places in the hobby space, so I make my own judgements, firstly on things like schedules, companies do like routines much like neurodivirgent self, and also count on what I've seen confirmed first hand or by a source I know I can trust, like Ash, he's not going to say something is confirmed without having it confirmed, luckily I will say the Heroquest content producers are very good and don't tend to make wild theories without clearly saying they are just that, which means I treat it with no difference to my own ideas.
Could Heroquest do a new starter set, absolutely, however it seems kinda redundant to me at this point, the main selling factor of heroquest is nostalgia, compared with many modern games its pretty limited, it does provide a fantastic amount of room for house ruling and alterations as the systems are so simple, and that's something I did endlessly as a child, but in todays environment and market place the majority buying this don't have that much time. So the only way I could see a new edition is if they were changing the rules, but even then you are killing the nostalgia factor if you move away from the starter box that's so iconic. I think its a huge risk and one Avalon Hill would be crazy to undertake right now given the success of heroquests expansion sales and the troubles at WotC.
@@crimsonsun2000 Regarding any rules change, that's my thinking as well. We're into HeroQuest because it's HeroQuest. Turning it into D&D makes it not HeroQuest, and if I want to go play D&D, I would just go and play D&D. A huge overhaul of the game doesn't really serve any purpose because that game would stop being HeroQuest.
Now, the amusing part in all of this is that Hasbro is terrible and run by bankers instead of toy makers. It makes no sense for the company to do a major overhaul of HeroQuest or to sell an incompatible starter product, but that's all based on the idea that decision makers are Hasbro are acting based on reason and not based on imaginary spreadsheets. I can absolutely see them doing something stupid because we keep seeing things like that happen (same with the idea of them using generative AI art). That this "cover" looks AI generated doesn't mean it's not a real imagine "created" by someone at Hasbro, which is just such a weird situation to be in.
This is AI. Almost good AI.
On a personal note, I'll buy it if it comes out as an expansion or a new smaller version of the core box.
It’s real folks
Even if they used AI as a proxy, the cover art isnt portraying anything. There is no adventure here, no theme, no new monsters etc. Its just the OG heroes posed so its not "saying" anything so it is a frivilous, pointless cover which i doubt will be used in anything from the pre-production side.
Def A.I artwork for me aswell, too many red flags. The barbarians sword, above his hand, the detailing isnt uniform. His held aloft fist appears to have his fore & middle finger melded together aswell as the dwarfs axe weilding hand his fore finger is thick like a sausage. Why would avalon hill do A.I artwork now??
While I 100% believe First Light is a real product coming out, this screams AI image. At least I really, *really* hope it’s just an AI image place holder because that is seriously lower quality than all the impressive art we’ve had previously.
In the end though we got to talk about more HeroQuest, which is always a good thing.
Also, another AI red flag: that shoulder anatomy on the arm with the raised fist is very bad and an actual artist would have referenced that properly.
First time i say probably a fake not even a placeholder . The way it leaked even seems off
If we pronounce ZARGON as "Zar-Gon" why not pronounce JARGON as "Jar-Gon" though? Hm? Didja ever think of that?!
😆 🤣
Zargon's momma determined the pronunciation. Names abide by no rules!
Just maybe… you have the possibility to play the history and origins of the first four legendary heroes…?!
I think the expansion is real and will come, but the cover will be different, just like at Jungles of Delthrak.
I get the whole "we strike at first light" trope, but HQ is not a skirmish game. Unless they want it to become one with this new expansion. I only say that to call attention to the fact that the heroes are in an outdoor environment about to wail on an unseen enemy. HQ is typically in a more indoor environment with monsters charging at the heroes
It would be interesting to see an expansion focused on the Arena mode, I had to homebrew rules to cover all the minis not officially sanctioned by it.
Of course it just ends up being a sloppy mess of dice rolls, but thematically cool- and a way to really try and push the game's rules to their breaking points.
Not interested unless this is the release of a retail version of Crypt of Perpetual Darkness!!!
I have hope. I think we'll get an improved version of it one day.
Just my prediction though...
Make the Crypt of Perpetual Darkness Great Again.
It makes sense that we haven't seen it come out yet. Releasing it would have flooded the market, and I can see them still working on either resolving the rights issue or developing a product that circumvents it. I can totally see them waiting for the right time to reveal it. Hell, "First Light" could be a fake name to hide Perpetual's release, like the Blue Harvest of HeroQuest.
Was the leak assumed to be a full expansion?
No, it is believed to be a cheaper alternative to the base game. It will likely have fewer miniatures and some other simplified elements.
@@Rocket1377 so is it lore or something separate?
So much nitpick. I kinda hope it is real. I think the image looks just fine. In fact it reminds me of a hand drawn metal vinyl album cover ala Manowar. I think a lot of your first light fake ai generation comments could be applied to any of those LP covers.
No nitpicking about the prompted art, just observations about the AI tells. It takes a bit of experience with ai to spot images generated by it.
@AshQuest i create a fair bit of ai using bing i have gigs of pics saved. Yes its possible it is created but there is enough "Right" with the photo that i am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. Hand drawn does not mean perfect symmetrical artwork.
Tom on feking roids
the composition of the artwork is absolutely atrocious, and the stylization is inconsistent not only with previous box artworks but within this artwork itself. if a real artist created this I would be legit shocked, it reeks of a non-artist using AI.
For me it is fake