Darksun TSR sales! From Benjamin Riggs.

[DarkCrisis]

Those settings have almost nothing in common.

D&D in space. They both are going for that same spot. One just has space aliens and the other space elves. They both want that same $.

 

[Reynard]

D&D in space. They both are going for that same spot. One just has space aliens and the other space elves. They both want that same $.

No they don't. Starfinder wants the Guardians of the Galaxy $$ while Spelljammer wants the Pirates of the Caribbean $$. Sci-fi and space tech are central to one while for the other they are just a veneer painted over nautical adventures.

 

[overgeeked]

No they don't. Starfinder wants the Guardians of the Galaxy $$ while Spelljammer wants the Pirates of the Caribbean $$. Sci-fi and space tech are central to one while for the other they are just a veneer painted over nautical adventures.

WotC seem to disagree with you. In most of the video interviews they keep talking about sci-fi and what flavors of sci-fi you can use in your Spelljammer game. They name dropped Star Trek a few times. They haven’t mentioned pirates or Pirates of the Caribbean. The aesthetic is clearly pirates in space. But they’re actively pushing sci-fi in the interviews.

 

[Jer]

Starfinder wants the Guardians of the Galaxy $$ while Spelljammer wants the Pirates of the Caribbean $$.

I mean, I'm sure they'd both be happy with either GoG or PotC money

The comparison is okay, but I'd say it's more like Starfinder is more Guardians of the Galaxy while Spelljammer is more Thor Love & Thunder. Sure they're both ostensibly set in "space" - even ostensibly the same "space" - but in one you've got ships and physics that "make sense" and in the other you have a Viking longboat being pulled by giant goats through space.

 

[Reynard]

WotC seem to disagree with you. In most of the video interviews they keep talking about sci-fi and what flavors of sci-fi you can use in your Spelljammer game. They name dropped Star Trek a few times. They haven’t mentioned pirates or Pirates of the Caribbean. The aesthetic is clearly pirates in space. But they’re actively pushing sci-fi in the interviews.

I bet there is a zero percent chance equipment lists will include laser guns and forcefield belts and rocket boots.

 

[overgeeked]

I bet there is a zero percent chance equipment lists will include laser guns and forcefield belts and rocket boots.

You’ve seen the art where they have laser guns, right?

 

[Reynard]

You’ve seen the art where they have laser guns, right?

I assume you mean the space clowns picture? That's the only one I can recall. Even granted that, it doesn't mean "laser pistol" is going to be on the equipment list.

 

[overgeeked]

I assume you mean the space clowns picture? That's the only one I can recall. Even granted that, it doesn't mean "laser pistol" is going to be on the equipment list.

And the alternate art for the Spelljammer actual play campaign. It’s popped up a few times. And again, they keep talking about using Spelljammer to add sci-fi to your games not pirates or nautical.

 

[Reynard]

And the alternate art for the Spelljammer actual play campaign. It’s popped up a few times. And again, they keep talking about using Spelljammer to add sci-fi to your games not pirates or nautical.

That would certainly be change from the 2E era, but I am not opposed to it. I would be pleasantly surprised, in fact, if that were the case. Everything I have seen has suggested more space nautica tho. Do you have a link to the art you are talking about?

 

[darjr]

This looks pirates