Terran Trade Authority RPG Released

[morrigan]

Morrigan Press Inc. is pleased to announce the release of The Terran Trade Authority Roleplaying Game, based on the seminal million-selling future history series that began with Spacecraft 2000 to 2100 AD, authored by Stewart Cowley and recently updated and re-issued by Morrigan Press!

The TTA RPG is over 400 pages of new background information, ship stats, and complete RPG rules based

on Morrigan’s critically acclaimed Omni System. Featuring stunning artwork by Spacecraft 2100 to 2200 AD illustrator Adrian Mann and interior illustrations by Vulne Pro Studios, the TTA RPG gives a solid, fleshed-out stage on which to base your TTA campaigns while retaining the air of mystery and wonder that made the original books into the SF icons that they are. Star system backgrounds, complete lists of skills, quirks, and equipment, rules for spacecraft flight and combat, short vignettes, the first look at the mysterious Alphans and Proximans and their cultures, and much more… all content has been reviewed and approved by Stewart Cowley himself.


The TTA RPG is available from DrivethruRPG.com and soon in print format exclusively from Amazon.com and direct from Morrigan Press Inc.

Cheers,
Scott Agnew
Morrigan Press Inc.
www.terrantradeauthority.com

 

[Ghostwind]

Not going to be available through normal distribution channels such as Alliance?

 

[morrigan]

Not going to be available through normal distribution channels such as Alliance?

No sir it will not. With this game, Morrigan is trying out a new business model as the old three-tier system, well... its been causing us several problems (like most small press companies). Our other lines, like Talislanta, continue to be available through traditional channels but with the TTA RPG, we're trying something a little different. We are offering it to any retailer interested in carrying it at standard terms but retailers will need to deal directly with Morrigan Press for ordering.

Cheers,
Scott Agnew
Morrigan Press Inc.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

Out of Industry curiosity, would you guys be willing to keep us more or less up to date on how this model works for you? I realize this is something some people would consider trade info, but it would be helpful in looking into new forms of distribution for the future. Good luck!

 

[kingpaul]

Is this an d20-ish work, or is it a completely different gaming system? I'm asking because I don't see the d20 logo. Thanks.

 

[Ghostwind]

No sir it will not. With this game, Morrigan is trying out a new business model as the old three-tier system, well... its been causing us several problems (like most small press companies). Our other lines, like Talislanta, continue to be available through traditional channels but with the TTA RPG, we're trying something a little different. We are offering it to any retailer interested in carrying it at standard terms but retailers will need to deal directly with Morrigan Press for ordering.

Cheers,
Scott Agnew
Morrigan Press Inc.

That's unfortunate. The owners of the store where I work prefer to go through Alliance only since they can drive over and pick up the stuff. If someone asks for it, we'll order it direct but I doubt we will carry it now.

 

[morrigan]

No this is not a d20 game per se. It uses our Omni System mechanics whose origin comes from the work Jonathan Tweet did on Talislanta 3rd edition. It uses a simple unified mechanic for all resoltuions and uses a single twenty side die. Memorize the 5 line Omni Table and you shouldn't have to open the book during game play.

As to the business questions, yes we know that many retailers will opt not to carry the game because they won't be able to get from their usual distributor. We are aware of that but it comes down to the fact the existing 3-tier dirstribution system used for RPGs is, in our opinion, hopelessly broken. Its unfortunate, but for Morrigan, as a small press, we have to act in the best interest of the company and maximize our revenue as best we can. As everybody knows, few people are getting rich in this industry so this move is our way to maximize the profits we do make to enable us to continue to produce new books and new games.

As to sharing our results, sure, we'd be happy to. Just so everyone is clear on the model, we're essentially looking at amazon.com as our primary distribution source for this game. That offers a few benefits to us as publisher and you as customers while yes, it does tend to cut out the FLGS and the dustributor. There's nothing we can do about the distributor end of the equation but, as I said, we are more than willing to work with retailers who wish to carry the game by offering industry standard terms direct.

For us, we get a higher cut of the MSRP from amazon.com than we do through traditional distribution. That means we make more money from each copy fo the game sold. For fans, amazon.com automatically discounts everything they sell, so while we make X% of MSRP, the customer is actually also receiving X% discount off MSRP so you get the game cheaper and we still make more per unit sold than we would through normal distribution channels.

So, we'll see how this experiment plays out. Our biggest regret is not having the book on shelves of FLGS but, frankly speaking, most FLGS carry liitle more than WOTC, WW and some GURPS and Palladium books anyway. As an example, our recent release, Spacecraft 2100 to 2200 AD was made available through traditional distribution as well as to the book trade and amazon.com. So far, the amazon orders are exceeding the FLGS orders so... as a small press, what are we to do? We want to support the other tiers in our industry but at the same time, we want to stay in business too.

Cheers,
Scott Agnew
Morrigan Press Inc.

 

[Ghostwind]

Spacecraft 2100 to 2200 AD is on our shelf at the store.