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Greetings Starfinders,
Two weeks ago, we implemented tech that successfully fixed a number of issues with the Achievements Points system. While there are still some tweaks we’d like to make, the system is at a stage where we are ready to introduce Achievement Points for Starfinder Society. We’ve got a few other changes in the pipeline as well, so read on for a full explanation of what’s coming for the Starfinder Society!
New Guide to Organized Play
Approximately two weeks before PaizoCon Online, we intend to release the new version of the Guide to Organized Play: Starfinder Society. This will be a digital guide hosted on the OPF website, much like the Pathfinder Society version. This will enable us to make changes and clarifications more rapidly, as well as make it more searchable. At this point, there are no major rules changes planned for Year 4, though we have several program changes we’ve outlined below.
Introduction of Starfinder AcP
Beginning May 28, 2021, all reported Starfinder games will earn Achievement Points (Starfinder) for the boon store. These points will be earned at the same rate as the Pathfinder Society: 4 points for players and 8 points for GMs in a 4-hour scenario. These will also be granted the 1.25x multiplier at conventions and locations under the Regional Support Program, and a 1.5x multiplier at Tier 1 conventions and Paizo-sponsored/licensed events.
AcP (Starfinder) will be used to purchase Starfinder boons in the online store, available on the Boons tab of the My Organized Play page. We’ve started publishing boons that will be ready at launch to give an idea of what will be available, and will continue to add to this list until launch.
Achievement Points for Starfinder Society will not be retroactive to the start of the campaign. If you played prior to this date, you already earned Fame for those scenarios, as well as additional boons for certain events. We will include an online version for each chronicle boon going forward, though paper boons in circulation are valid for use.
Removal of Fame for Starfinder Society
With the introduction of Achievement Points, we will be saying goodbye to the Fame system. Here are the important dates for this process.
Today: This information is posted. Nothing changes; games played after today still earn Fame until May 28.
May 28: Games played on or after this date do not earn Fame. GMs should not award Fame, though players may still spend Fame on the boons listed in the Year 3 Guide.
November 4: In our monthly update blog, we will share information on how to convert any remaining unspent Fame to Starfinder Achievement Points.
December 31: Any unspent and unconverted Fame is lost.Any Fame boons that are purchased between now and December 31 will function in perpetuity. We’re not taking away anything that’s already been purchased, and you will be able to use those boons as long as the SFS campaign exists.
Why Are You Doing This?
There are several reasons for our switch to the Achievement Points system, for both Pathfinder and Starfinder Society, and we wanted to talk about a couple of them with you.
The first reason is to encourage reporting of games. To be very frank: we rely a lot on the data we get from the reporting system. We’ve used it to influence the story of our living campaigns over the years, but lately, we’ve also been doing a fair amount of analysis on what games the community is playing, as well as when and how you all are playing them. We have found that the AcP (Pathfinder) system encourages reporting, which ensures our data is as accurate and complete as it can be. This ultimately lets us produce a better game, and it’s extremely important to Organized Play.
The second reason is equality. In the past, there were many boons that you could only get by going to a certain convention or event, which is not possible for everyone. In a global campaign, we can’t ask our Australian players to fly to Indianapolis just for the chance to play their favorite species. Even closer to home, going to a major convention is a significant expense that many can’t afford. The Achievement Points system lets everyone earn points at the same rate and spend them on what they want most. It’s another step toward being the most inclusive version of the Society that we can be.
I Have Questions/Comments/Concerns!
Great! That’s what this post is for.
The comments section below is open. Please treat this as an open thread for questions, because we’ll be reading and answering as many as we can. Remember the forum rules as you do so: be respectful and civil in your questions, and understand that while elements of the plan may change, there’s no argument that is going to make us totally change course. Any answers we give will be folded into either the Guide for Year 4 or the Starfinder Society FAQ page as appropriate, so you’re not having to cite random forum comments for clarifications.
Alex Speidel
Organized Play AssociateTonya Woldridge
Organized Play Manager
Starfinder Society Update: Year 4 Program Changes
Thursday, April 29, 2021