However, the fact that as long as they don't come to an agreement, they don't get to make sets means something.

We went to two sets a year for a reason, and we aren't getting any DC sets this year for a reason. And the talks aren't done yet. Once they are able to make a set, it will still take quite a while to go from design to actually being put onto the shelves. So, the longer the talks go, the loner it is before another DC set, and at a certain point, they cross the bridge of no return and need to "skip" another DC set to keep on schedule.

While this may not be necessary to make sure they come to an agreement, but making that agreement come as fast as possible is important.

About the visiting DC while at MWNY:
Events start Friday. Say we arrive very early, we could spend time looking for DC's HQ and giving some feedback in person.

...and then the third choice was a spinal tap and now you cant use both your arms and legs correctly.

If they do get the license for DC and it costs VS more sacrafices I will be angry. I would rather play with stick figure art then find out that they cut the sets once per year or had to fire half their R and D staff and now we have unbalanced cards and ####ty sets.

I hate to say it. But I have to say it. If no deal occurs with DC, Vs. will in too.

as sincere as i could possible put it.

You should be on Lewis Black's show ... you definitely have the ripple of evil thing in effect.

Considering we have no idea what is actually holding up talks, we can't know for sure that the license for DC will definitely cost UDE so much money that they need to fire R and D staff, etc.

Heck, going to 2 sets a year has already allowed them to cut down to a single design team for each set [which has been doing great, not to mention allowed for a bit more consistency, especially with added time between sets as well].

Yes, hypothetically, DC could nigh on bankrupt them ... at which point they would just walk away from the table, and say no to DC. And you are assuming that the talks involve Vs. it can also be that they can't do Vs. while they discuss say ... DC Ultimate Battles, since it would involve a new comprehensive contract.

Thanks Walter, that makes sense...

IF the problem is that DC wants original art in all their cards, couldn't we simply make more reprints for DC sets? Like 20% reprints?

I'm pretty sure it is that DC wants more money. DC is notoriously overprotective of their assets and can be at times presumptuous on how much the rights to a given asset is worth.

But this can be a good thing, this means that you do not have
"many" sub-par products based off of DC characters. And Marvel has stepped that notion up by doing things in house.

anyone else having trouble registering at the dc site? It keeps asking me to type in letters from a box, which I do, but it keeps saying I typed it in wrong. must've happened more than 50 times, from different web browsers (IE, FF, Safari, mac FF)

Still, I'd much rather have Superman Blowpops, tooth brushes and underwear AND a DC Vs. set...

Yeah, good luck with that. You can't even get to a receptionist without an appointment.

I don't think anyone has a realistic idea of what's holding up the talks besides the people involved. To cast aspersions on the people involved is probably a bad idea.

Ha! I guess I'll know you when I see you at a tournament, Carlos. Any chance you'll be at Mega NY? I could try to get a friend to be Spider-Man, and if you two play... Universes Will Tremble! (And possibly common sense as well.)

Ironically, one thing that hasn't been touched on is: DC may not be the one wanting to severe the relationship. Marvel sets do far better at prereleases (and even intermittently) around here, and if you recall DC said they were willing to work with the VS crew, only to be told that Marvel had not been willing to negotiate to include both companies in the game. So it may not be DCs fault... it could be that UDE sees an opportunity to make more money while halfing the licensing cost.

Thank you for pointing that out.

Obviously, this is a VS site so people are inclined to back Vs and assume that DC is the bad guy here. But the fact of the matter is that none of us know what is holding up a deal. And anyone who does know isn't about to share that info with the public. So, there's no point looking for a scapegoat.

It's just as likely that UDE is being unreasonable here. We'll never know.

This is a good idea. I may just have to write a letter over the weekend.