Chaos & Catacombs

[threedeesix]

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

Got an image for me?

SGL.

My brother is so deep in other projects right now that I don't wish to bug him. I do have a ton of Larry Elmore art (my favorite artist, no offense bro.) in a file someplace and could use one of those. I'll look tonight. Please include a disclaimer to the effect that "this art is used without permission and if the artist wishes it's removal it will be etc, etc.

Rod

[FunGuyFromYuggoth]

Originally Posted by Ars Mysteriorum

Looking at the tidbits of info out already, now integrated to support epic characters and with a modular system for abilities, as well as the WoW-like terms, such as "tiers," I think D&D4e will not fall flat by any means.

That said, BRP will be for the gamers like us. And I think Chaos & Catacombs is for gamers like us... and the switch to 4e will inevitably create more "gamers like us" as many decide that the game has lost the charm it once had when they were young, and they will turn to BRP.

Like I did.

I should have been more clear. All of the OGL settings/games spawned by 3.5 will be left in the dust. They won't make the jump to the new gaming license unless a D&D/WoW style Epic experience is somehow shoe-horned in. In this regard, I see this a D&D 4.0 as an effort to go back to the core business of WotC/Hasbro and dump the legacy gamers who aren't playing D&D or find that the new set-up, while fine for D&D/WoW style level grinds and those who don't mind getting game-related subscription models. This won't necessarily please the rest. In this case, D&D 4 will see a few survivors left bobbing in the water--hopefully BRP can extend a life preserver and welcome them aboard. Of course, it's anyone's guess now. We won't know for sure, but its incumbent on BRP to at least have a system ready with settings and scenarios ready-to-go in order to capture this slice of the market.

[Trifletraxor]

Originally Posted by FunGuyFromYuggoth

In this case, D&D 4 will see a few survivors left bobbing in the water--hopefully BRP can extend a life preserver and welcome them aboard. Of course, it's anyone's guess now. We won't know for sure, but its incumbent on BRP to at least have a system ready with settings and scenarios ready-to-go in order to capture this slice of the market.

I think MRQ will grab more of those players than BRP. Loads of supplements, OGL and more familiarity for D&D players.

SGL.

[CruelDespot]

In this case, D&D 4 will see a few survivors left bobbing in the water--hopefully BRP can extend a life preserver and welcome them aboard

What about Pathfinder? Looks like the survivors are already downloading the free version alpha of their "life preserver."

I think it will take more than a great system to make a dent into this market. Paizo is gearing up for a major turf war with WotC. To that end they are publishing 2 or 3 items a month. And they look slick. Good original art, smooth layout, etc. They are starting their own version of the RPGA, they have events scheduled at Gencon...And even they have an uphill struggle ahead of them. That is the level of effort that will be required.

I love BRP better. I just wish it it had the resources and marketting savvy worthy of the product.

[Tywyll]

Originally Posted by CruelDespot

What about Pathfinder? Looks like the survivors are already downloading the free version alpha of their "life preserver."

I think it will take more than a great system to make a dent into this market. Paizo is gearing up for a major turf war with WotC. To that end they are publishing 2 or 3 items a month. And they look slick. Good original art, smooth layout, etc. They are starting their own version of the RPGA, they have events scheduled at Gencon...And even they have an uphill struggle ahead of them. That is the level of effort that will be required.

I love BRP better. I just wish it it had the resources and marketting savvy worthy of the product.

Not to mention Green Ronin's True D20, Mutants and Masterminds, et al. If the GSL doesn't change, its unlikely they will kill those lines (at least right now) to join the 4th Ed bandwagon.

I do think that MRQ will grab more players than BRP, just on the basis of greater market saturation. How Chaosium could combat that, I don't know, short of pumping out tons of new material to support BRP (which, from a finanacial stand point, is the best way for a company to stay afloat)

[threedeesix]

Nightlamp, if you read this please read your Private Messages.

Rod

[nightlamp]

Originally Posted by threedeesix

Nightlamp, if you read this please read your Private Messages.

Rod

Email sent!

[threedeesix]

I have big changes happening to C&C right across the board.

The first change is that Chaos & Catacombs is now to be called something else. Why you may ask? Well Dustin at Chaosium is correctly of the opinion that it was too similar to Castles & Crusades.

I have an idea for a title that I really like but before I post it I want to make sure I can even use it.

Big change number two. Parody is gone, Homage is in. After discussing it with Dustin we came to the conclusion that it will sell better as a homage to classic dungeon delves and frankly I think that’s great. I wanted to make this change myself but wasn’t sure how to approach Dustin on it after being given the go ahead on parody. I had a lot of fun coming up with all the parody at the beginning, but now I’m at the “oh my god, how can I make this thing sound funny” and “wow, I cant think of anything funny to say about the frost giant, what am I going to do about the hill, fire, cloud, storm etc” stage.

The Creature chapter has been one long delay just because I was stuck on the humorous stuff. The creatures have been written now for a month. So when I get everything changed on chapters 1-4, I can crank out the remainder of that.

So anyway, I spent the last week rewriting chapter 1 and 2, and have just sent it out to the first group of playtesters for opinions.

Oh, and while it hurt to chop some of the humor out of it, because, frankly, I was proud of it, I did manage to keep a good chunk by using it in a different context.

For instance, in the write-up on halflings I chopped out, “If there’s a halfling in your party check you money pouch, if it’s missing check his” because that implied all halflings are crooks, its now been moved to the write up on dwarves and says, “There is an old dwarven saying that goes, “if there is a halfling in your party…” this changed the emphasis from all halflings being crooks to dwarves thinking all halflings are crooks. It changes the context and I get to keep my joke. Win win.

Well, this should be going much faster now as I can just write and not have to think of a joke for every paragraph.

Thanks for your patience and happy gaming,

Rod

[CruelDespot]

I'm really looking forward to this game.

[Ars Mysteriorum]

Agreed Cruel, once this game is available, I'm buying it.