That is too bad. It was looking good.

XBLA Ratings
User reviews of Xbox Live Arcade game

Sign me up to the "disappointed" list. :(

Bugger. I was REALLY looking forward to this as well...

This was the one single game that I was looking foward to on XBLA more than any other. I sort of expected it to get cancelled after so many delays, but I'm still saddened to hear it officially.

Once again, I have to call on some Capcom contacts for the truth:

The Delay

The reason for the delay - advanced previews of the analog version of the game (the actual BOARD game) were mixed at best. The production quality was being slashed to reduce cost and the initial print was lowered by two thirds. In short: Games Workshop had lost all confidence in the game itself. Also at this time, the first rounds of discussions were being held with several suitors to purchase most of GW's 'non-core materials' and that included Talisman - Capcom was spending money developing a product that potentially was about to get a new owner. So for reasons having nothing to do with their own development and the status of the project, they put it on hold.

The Suspension

The title was then officially suspended and all principle team members were assigned to other projects when it looked like the sale was going full steam ahead with Fantasy Flight Games (who at present time, now own Talisman). Uncertainty about what the new owners of the property would expect and demand from the game caused them to halt all development. While time was running out on their ability to actually make the game (contract with a firm expiration date), at that time, nobody was concerned - all parties were confident something could be worked out.

The Meetings

Fantasy Flight wanted a pure and direct translation of the board game whereas Games Workshop wanted a video game translation. Basically to compare to other products, the initial project called for a Blood Bowl type adaptation, and the new owners wanted more of a Ticket To Ride treatment of the property. Capcom insisted that a total restart to make the game more (i.e. entirely) a translated board game, would force them to start all over again, and that they would need a longer window of opportunity under the current contract.

The Cancellation

Fantasy Flight Games, as is within their right, opted to allow the video game rights to expire from Capcom so that they could fully explore their options. But more and more, the lack of sales for the board game itself cast a dark shadow over the entire project - if people weren't buying the board game, what would compel them to buy the video game? Games Workshop knew this would be a problem, which is why they wanted more of an 'adventure styled game with strong Talisman elements' because they knew that the board game wasn't going to be a big seller (not because it isn't a great game, but more because they weren't interested in marketing it and promoting it. You couldn't even BUY THE GAME in THEIR OWN STORES!!) Fantasy Flight is a board game company first and foremost, so this plan wasn't an option for them. And while they are currently attempting to update the game ONCE AGAIN (you can buy a boxed game that updates your GW version to their new version), and once again we're in a 'wait and see what the market bears' - if the board game sells well, we'll see an arcade version.

Given the recent economic struggles largely in the US but felt in most parts of our world, its not likely we'll see a tremendous demand for a somewhat pricey board game.

anyway, thats what I was able to dig up with 5 phone calls and four emails. Im no longer holding my breath on this one.

Thanks for that info DelSol. I was really hoping that the success of Catan and Carcassonne would open the flood gates for more board game translations on XBLA. I realize that board games aren't the most popular genre for video games but I really think these companies are missing an important factor when trying to project sales of these games... Many people, like myself, who enjoy board games, don't buy them very often because I just don't know anyone in real life that enjoys them as much as myself. The fact that I can play these games with other people on XBLA would all but guarantee my purchasing dollars. I can't possibly be the only one out there that feels this way.