People said the same thing last year, and weren't.

They should really make a Speculation Pirates game! Toss in a monkey mech in place of Johnny. All targets are different bids for an older model. Etc.

....an EVEN higher price!

That's always a weird automatic putdown on this game, that I never get. The rule minutiae for different characters effects gameplay as much, or as little, as a player can or wants to digest.

If you had anyone step up and play randomly, it makes no difference. If you have an established player have a go, they can craft their gameplay based on character usage.

How in any way is that awful? And in so many compelling ways, it is amazing!

Thinking in hindsight, I'd have to think characters = photos here, and asset buying was notoriously fuckered in that deal. So I'm guessing for the appearance of theme integration, they blew up this idea to this degree.

Doesn't affect gameplay if you really ignore it.