Yesterday Fantasy Flight Games announced a new product for its promising X-Wing Miniatures Game – the Starfield Game Tile Kit. Featuring twelve 1 foot-by-1 foot matt finished, double-sided fibreboard tiles, it enables players to create their own portable and easy to store gaming surface, something which players have cried out for since the release of the game late last Summer.
Its a nice idea, but not one without its issues. Firstly, a common problem with the X-Wing game is that the slightest nudge of the models or even the table can result in the miniatures sliding out of position, and with the starfield kit that problem will likely still be apparent since the tiles have a smooth finish. Secondly the tiles don’t appear to be interlocking, which, in the absence of a frame to keep everything in position, will also likely mean the tiles themselves will be prone to sliding around. One nudged tile could mean having to restart a game.
Finally, at $40 (so I’m expecting around £30 here in the UK) it also seems a little on the expensive side, particularly when you compare that to similarly priced alternatives such as Gale Force Nine’s ‘Space Game Mats’ (and the range of those is going be expanded soon as well). I’ll reserve judgment until better photos are at hand or I’ve seen one in person but I have to say Fantasy Flight Games do appear to have missed a big opportunity here.
One Inch Rifles 