Howdy y'all, Being very new to this mailing list, and this
being my first post to it, I feel like I'm butting in here, but I've been with
other lists with various other systems and what many of you are feeling is being
felt everywhere. I think the biggest fear is many companies have sunk a
lot of money into the D20 system. This system has absorbed almost every
game out in the market, almost like a corporate takeover, just not as
official. I'm sure that this was not an easy decision for Pinnacle to make
and even more sure that they worked tirelessly to put this new system out.
The fear is that should D20 fall by the wayside, what happens then? Do the
companies have enough to go back to the "old way" or are they going to fold
because so much money got tied up into the new system? The best way to
insure longevity is to keep playing; keep the demand high. As was said
before, no one is holding a gun to your head to play D20, but keep playing
regardless. Another system I play is 7th Sea (Now Swashbuckling
Adventures) and they are continuing with the old system as well as the new but
this won't go on forever I'm sure. The creativity of the old system is
there and will rely on the imaginations of the gamers to keep it alive.
That's the way of the world as it stands right now, but you really can't blame
Shane and other companies doing what they can to keep the gaming
market alive while generating revenue at the same time. The old saying
is that "change is good...even if you don't like it". I, for one, don't
really like it, but I understand it.
I will now take cover as I feel like many
irons may turn in my direction. :)
Hope I didn't step on any toes
here.
"He looks dead to me, pa."
"I reckon...but he looked dead yesterday,
too."
-----Original Message----- From:
owner-deadlands@gamerz.net [mailto:owner-deadlands@gamerz.net] On Behalf Of
PEGShane@aol.com Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 10:01
AM To: deadlands@gamerz.net Subject: Re: [DL] RE:
deadlands-digest.20031207
Well said, Brett.
My decision remains, but know that you're being listened to (and were
previously).
Shane
In a message dated 12/8/2003 10:59:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,
balance@tubas.net writes:
On Dec 8, 2003, at 12:21 AM, Phalen, Pat wrote: > Let me
state my views more clearly. > NOBODY is forcing you to stop playing
"Classic" and making you play > "Savage" > If you have run out
of "canon" material, congratulations. > That's all I'm saying.
There are 40+ books/supplements and various > Web Archives that can
keep you playing Classic until the cows come > home. > If not,
the compendiums should give you more than enough inspiration > to
keep your game going and going and going. > Be happy that Shane is
doing whatever he can to keep interest in the > genre and keep the
setting alive (ok harrowed) > But what do I know, since we're still
stuck in 1873.
I have an issue here: No printed books means that, to
many gamers, the system is dead. Yes, no one is taking away my copies,
but convincing a new group to play is difficult. A lot of gamers I know
dislike playing in a game where they don't own the core rules, and PDF
rulebooks requiring printouts to make an inferior version just aren't
the same.
Some groups just won't play Savage Worlds... Some don't
like the loss of fine detail in the mechanics [1].
I've argued
against this decision because I do feel it is a bad idea. I'd like to
see Shane do well, and I think putting all his eggs in one basket on
something that has, unfortunately, already taken some hits due to other
management issues[2].
Still, I feel I've done what I can. I admit I
don't see every side of the story. I don't know the financial issues, or
the actual sales numbers, or a lot of other behind the scenes
stuff.
I do know it would be wrong to not let Shane, who I respect,
know that disagree.[3]
[1] And, note, I'm talking about
the basic resolution mechanics, not things like the arcane background
system that may change when Reloaded ships.
[2] Don't read too
much into this, but I think the multiple versions of the Deadlands rules
(Classic, d20, GURPS, and Savage Worlds) has fragmented it and damaged
the games 'reputation.' Additionally, the Cybergames fiasco and other
events haven't helped. he books are still good, but the brand is
tarnished, and I think that a ultra-revised Classic rerelease would help
more than porting to yet another system and doing a 'Deadlands Lite'
version of the setting.
[3] As a final note, I try to keep these
discussions civil. No personal attacks, no flames,
etc.
-- Brett
LORD, WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT
FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN? (Reaper Man, Terry
Pratchett)
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