If you’re a regular reader or a social media subscriber, you’ll have noticed Geek Native is excitedly gearing up for Tabletop Scotland.
Correction 22/08/23 – The original article called Null Signal Games a charity; it is a non-profit. Other tweaks have been made for clarity,
Today, we have an interview with Null Signal Games and Ed. Null Signal and community head Ronan will also attend the three-day convention this weekend. Ed taught me the phrase ‘phoenix game’ and, amazingly, re-introduced me to Netrunner.
I say ‘re-introduced’ because I knew the game back in my student days, but it had slipped from memory. That was the distant past. Today,
A non-profit company manages Netrunner; imagine that! But I’m stealing the interview’s thunder…
Can you please give us an introduction to yourself and Null Signal Games?
Hey! My name is Ed (he/him) and I’m on the Marketing team for Null Signal Games. I’m also one of the hosts of our official podcast – Null Signal Station.
Null Signal Games is a games publisher operating as a registered nonprofit company. Our only current product is the expandable card game Netrunner, which we are continuing following the end of its support by its previous publisher, Fantasy Flight Games.
We do so primarily by creating brand new sets of original Netrunner cards. These are fully interoperable with FFG-era Android: Netrunner cards. We also organise tournaments both online and in-person, with full prizing support. We are 100% volunteers, who love what we do and are passionate about bringing Netrunner to everyone around the world.
Readers might have heard of you and Netrunner, but some might not know the game. What happened, and what happens next?
Netrunner has always had a reputation as one of the great card games. On Oct. 22, 2018, publisher Fantasy Flight Games stopped producing it. It was one of their most popular titles, and the competitive scene was robust. Netrunner was alive and then, all of the sudden, it wasn’t.
Fortunately, a group got together and decided to keep things going, and NSG was born. Lots of folks might see us as a fan-project, but we think at this stage we’ve earned the right to be called more than that, with a host of fantastic artists, colourful worldbuilding, and engaging new mechanics. The Standard meta at the moment is being hailed as one of the greatest the game has ever seen!
Is it too late for people to get started in Netrunner?
Absolutely not, in fact some would say there’s never been a better time to get started. System Gateway, our introductory set, is likely the best introduction to the game that’s ever existed. You’ll start to see our game on shelves in your FLGS as our worldwide distribution improves. We’re also around six weeks away from the world championships, which is set to be the second largest since we took over the game!
Update 22/08/23 – Null Signal Games now believes this could be the largest championship!
If people are interested in helping to make sure Netrunner can keep doing is there anything they can do to help Null Signal Games?
There sure is, we’re at the start of a big recruitment drive. Be sure to head over to our website Null Signal Games – The Future of Netrunner to see which roles we are currently recruiting for. All positions are unpaid, however you’ll gain valuable experience in the industry, meet a tonne of skilled individuals, and have a great time joining us as our journey continues.
You described Netruner to me as a Phoenix Game, which is a fantastic phrase. Are there examples of other Phoenix Games?
We’ve become something of a template for other gaming communities that have had their games discontinued by the publishers and have risen from the ashes. Vampire: The Eternal Struggle were the first to do this, and I know we’ve given some advice to the folks at Legend of the Five Rings.
Why do some games make it back while others fail to?
While Netrunner was always a great game with thrilling decision points and tension throughout, I always consider our greatest asset to be our community. We’ve created a welcoming space over the years, and the fact that the game continues to go from strength to strength is in no small part down to the folks that play the game, teach the game, and get involved in the making and organisation of the game.
Are you seeing any trends emerging in the tabletop space that interest you?
Accessibility is a huge thing for us. Our EDI team do an excellent job making sure that players around the world feel represented in the game, and our translation team continue to amaze with the amount of languages cards can now be purchased in.
What’s in the future for Null Signal Games?
We’re going to carry on as we always have – making the best products we can for the best game ever designed. Over the next 12 months we’re looking forward to the release of part 2 of The Liberation Cycle.
Is there anyone else, company or person, you think might be coming to Tabletop Scotland that you’re particularly keen to meet?
Patriot Games have hosted the UK Nationals tournament multiple times, and are again this November, so it’ll be great to catch up with them.
Where else might people be able to catch up with you?
I’d recommend folks following us on socials, as well as checking our website (link above). The largest discord is discord.gg/glc where you’ll meet a community of folks both new to the game and seasoned pros. And of course, I’m going to take a chance to plug the podcast ;)
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