Video summary

Interview with Will Shick Atomic Mass Games: Gencon 2026

Main summary

Key takeaways

Gaming

Storyline / Setting

The discussion focuses on Atomic Mass Games (AMG) and its upcoming/ongoing products for Marvel Crisis Protocol (MCP) and Star Wars: Legion—not a single narrative campaign.

The “story” framing is largely driven by the Marvel and Star Wars IP tie-ins:

  • MCP Alliances expands skirmish play with Marvel-themed factions and a co-op focus.
  • Starfighters / Flyers (e.g., X-wing and TIE fighter–related content) bring Star Wars dogfighting into Legion’s grounded tactical rules.
  • Mandalorian content is already released and is generating strong community enthusiasm, with future AdeptiCon reveals teased.

Gameplay Highlights & Key Tips

Marvel Crisis Protocol: Alliances (pre-release at Gen Con)

  • Players are trying demos, and feedback in the Gen Con app is described as very positive.
  • The product is positioned as a great entry point for players who weren’t fully into skirmish before, due to:
    • Co-op elements
    • More accessible ways to engage with the Marvel skirmish experience

Star Wars: Legion Flyers / Starfighters (gameplay + design goals)

Integration with standard Legion rules

  • Starfighter units are designed to fit standard Legion rules rather than being limited to “epic” formats.
  • Field Alliance 2 / new unit type concept (in practice):
    • Starfighters function as a distinct unit category that still integrates into Legion.

What matters in play

  • The main strategic emphasis is positioning skill and piloting decisions.
  • Flyers are powerful presence pieces, but you must manage:
    • Keeping them on the table
    • Their tendency to fly off-table, after which they’re lost until they return

Dogfight-style thematic gameplay

  • Playtesters describe fights as requiring:
    • Two-turn-ahead planning
    • Blocking/cutting off angles
    • Getting inside the enemy’s “maneuver circle”

Flyer Base Technology (placement + function)

A major gameplay/placement detail is the flyers’ special spinning base mechanic, intended to preserve firing/orientation while staying grounded.

Key design constraints and solutions:

  • Bigger bases reduce placement options, so AMG worked to increase where flyers can be placed.
  • The base maintains firing marks/orientation, so the unit “knows” its facing similarly to vehicles.
  • A core engineering goal was to reduce the “token” feeling:
    • Flyers should actively impact the board, not just sit at the edges.

Balance / Counterplay Philosophy

AMG’s stated intent for flyers:

  • Flyers should be:
    • Powerful
    • Impactful
    • But not mandatory for every Legion army
  • They discussed ensuring:
    • Flyers remain optional choices, not required meta picks
    • There are meaningful counterplay options if you choose not to bring starfighters
  • Counterplay examples mentioned:
    • An upgrade that provides bonus “Blast” for flyers, plus “a couple more of those” planned

Playtesting Observations (what players gravitated toward)

Multiple matchup styles were observed:

  • Two starfighters on each side (epic dogfight)
  • Two vs zero starfighter games
  • By the end of playtest cycles, some players preferred only one starfighter
  • Specialized builds—especially with Admiral Trench—often favored two, due to synergy with flyers

Product/Model Highlights Mentioned

  • Green Goblin skull sculpt: praised as striking.
  • Sentinel expansion teased:
    • Sculpting/engineering changes aimed at improved “pop” and anatomy mass.
  • Engineering notes:
    • Press-fit miniatures and scaling lead to slightly more “muscle/mass,” affecting AMG’s Marvel style.
  • X-wing miniatures:
    • Extremely detailed paintwork resembling a movie prop.
    • Includes fully detailed interiors.
    • Canopy discussion: “clear canopy” is approximated in-box via after-effects since true clear prototyping wasn’t used.
    • Multiple pilot options and customization choices planned/available.
  • Flyers base engineering:
    • Described as “office chair technology” (spinning/rolling behavior).

Mandalorian (Star Wars Legion) update + community engagement

  • The host team notes the Mandalorian boxes were so popular that many people initially missed out.
  • AMG is doing a reprint, expected near the end of the year (reprint takes months).
  • Community excitement includes:
    • A customization-focused, “create your own clan” mix-and-match approach

Community Communication & Future Plans

Ministrap timing

  • Ministrap (mini reveal stream/event series) timing may not be one single day this year.
  • The approach could involve spread-out info drops, emphasizing more surprising announcements.

Future reveals teased

  • AdeptiCon 2027: a reveal is coming, with internal office bets about whether it can top Mandalorian reception.
  • Example of a “surprise drop”:
    • B2 Super Rocket Droids arriving unexpectedly (similar to Mandalorian surprise strategy)

Key Dates Mentioned

  • Marvel Crisis Protocol character update: August 10

Gamers / Sources Featured (named)

  • Grace Squatching Gaming
  • Will Shick (AMG / Time Mass Games co-head)
  • Rich (Rich Mid Gaming) — reviewed MCP content and played at an MCP tournament
  • Dallas — brought miniatures, supported painting/unpacking, and helped design rocket pod hands
  • Admiral Trench
  • Duram (playtester)
  • Shirley (playtester)
  • Kevin (engineering manager)
  • Marco Evan (engineering team)
  • Pagani (involved in base concept discussion)
  • Dallas CM (expected to meet engineers and help make the base concept work)

Original video