In a major blow to Star Wars tabletop gaming, Atomic Mass Games has announced the end of development for the beloved Star Wars: X-Wing and Star Wars: Armada miniatures games. This decision comes after years of rising production costs, global manufacturing challenges, and pandemic-related difficulties that made producing high-quality, pre-painted miniatures increasingly difficult for the company.
The End of an Era
Star Wars: X-Wing, which revolutionized the pre-painted miniatures game upon its release over a decade ago, had been a staple in the tabletop gaming community. Its innovative gameplay mechanics and meticulously crafted starfighter models captured the essence of epic Star Wars space battles. However, the game’s transition to a second edition and subsequent 2.5 edition caused fractures within the fanbase, leading to a decline in new product releases from Atomic Mass Games.
Similarly, Star Wars: Armada, which allowed players to command massive capital ships and fleets, had been on “autopilot” since 2021, with Atomic Mass Games providing only “print and play” support. The game’s last major release was in early 2024, focusing on recreating classic Star Wars battles.
Community Reaction and Future Plans
The announcement has been met with disappointment from fans who have passionately supported these games for years. While development is ending, Atomic Mass Games has pledged to continue supporting tournaments and organized play for both X-Wing and Armada. The company plans to host the Open World Championship for these games at AdeptiCon in March 2025, providing a final grand stage for dedicated players.
Asmodee, the parent company of Atomic Mass Games, also weighed in on the decision, acknowledging the rising costs and challenges faced by the industry. This move follows a similar pattern of Asmodee allowing popular but undersupported Star Wars games, such as the line of Star Wars RPGs from Fantasy Flight Games, to go out of print or be scrapped entirely.
A Shift in Focus
With X-Wing and Armada’s development coming to a close, Atomic Mass Games is expected to turn its attention to its other Star Wars miniatures lines, such as Shatterpoint and Legion. The company recently revealed the “Not Accepting Surrenders Squad Pack” for Star Wars: Shatterpoint, indicating a continued commitment to that game line.
Additionally, Atomic Mass Games has been actively supporting and expanding its Marvel: Crisis Protocol miniatures game, with plans for new releases and organized play events. The company has teased upcoming content, including character expansions like Namor the Sub-Mariner, Black Panther, Silver Sable, and Vulture, as well as painting competitions and timeline events.
A Bittersweet Farewell
As the Star Wars gaming community bids farewell to X-Wing and Armada, the decision by Atomic Mass Games highlights the challenges faced by miniatures game companies in maintaining high production standards amidst rising costs and global supply chain issues. While the end of development is a disappointment for fans, the company’s commitment to supporting organized play until 2025 provides a final opportunity for players to celebrate these iconic games
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