D&D (2024) Heroes of the Borderlands

[Micah Sweet]

If we can't reuse a name because the new version is different, then we shouldn't be playing D&D. The old 20th century modules are not somehow sacrosanct or particularly important historically.

If you're really serious about using these old modules as a learning experience it seems to me the best way is to compare and contrast the old versions with the new.

I didn't say it couldn't be different, I said that "Why not?" is not a good enough reason to re-use (I'm also not a fan of "people will pay us" as a good reason). You know that's what I was objecting to in your post. Give me a creative reason to expand or update, and respect what's come before (including maintaining the originals availability either physically or electronically when possible). I don't feel that is too much to ask, and I never will.

 

[Oofta]

I didn't say it couldn't be different, I said that "Why not?" is not a good enough reason to re-use (I'm also not a fan of "people will pay us" as a good reason). You know that's what I was objecting to in your post. Give me a creative reason to expand or update, and respect what's come before (including maintaining the originals availability either physically or electronically when possible). I don't feel that is too much to ask, and I never will.

Because there are fans of the concept but not of the implementation is good enough reason for me. It will be interesting to see how they redo it and if they can pull it off without the colonialist overtones.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I agree. For example, some of the most famous songs were covers, remakes of the original. Aretha Franklin wasn't the first one to sing R-E-S-P-E-C-T, but if people recognize the song it's likely what they think of, not Otis Reding. I see nothing wrong with remaking something from 40-odd years ago.

A lot of the most memorable covers did something new and interesting with the song, not just tried to sing the original as close as possible with a new singer.

This sort of thing is one of the reasons that (for example) I greatly prefer the 4e Dragon Magazine version of the Against the Giants series to the Tales from the Yawning Portal version. The former cleaned up the original with more named NPCs, more variety to the encounters, added a whole location for the Stone Giants, improved the maps, and gave the DM more guidance on what the motivation was for the entire plot. The TFtYP one just updated the original to 5e, warts and all.

I would have loved the 4e one updated to 5e, with some thought given to improving it another step. But c'est la vie.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

I take it from the thread title change that they are changing Keep on the Borderlands to Heros of the Borderlands, for reasons unstated?

I would hazard a guess that it's not the same adventure, rather an expanded reimagination, like Curse of Strahd isn't just a reprint of "Castle Ravenloft".

It likely focuses on the early, wider adventures of new heroes adventuring in the region in question, which is more than just a Keep on the Borderlands.

Just my 2 cp

 

[Parmandur]

A lot of the most memorable covers did something new and interesting with the song, not just tried to sing the original as close as possible with a new singer.

This sort of thing is one of the reasons that (for example) I greatly prefer the 4e Dragon Magazine version of the Against the Giants series to the Tales from the Yawning Portal version. The former cleaned up the original with more named NPCs, more variety to the encounters, added a whole location for the Stone Giants, improved the maps, and gave the DM more guidance on what the motivation was for the entire plot. The TFtYP one just updated the original to 5e, warts and all.

I would have loved the 4e one updated to 5e, with some thought given to improving it another step. But c'est la vie.

Well, the recent example of Quests from the Infinite Staircase, which is extremely relevant as Justice Armin seems to be heading the Starter Set too, gives me optimism thst this will be a worthwhile update. The modules in thwt book got some major reworking that were smart.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I can still buy it on Drivethru

The OAR versions of the TSR modules are not available in PDF, under the terms of their WotC contract.

The original TSR modules are still available, but Goodman added a ton of stuff in each OAR book, each of which is big enough to easily kill a small animal if needed.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

"OD&D(1974) is the one true game. All the other editions are just poor imitations of the real thing. ."

- diaglo

That's a name I have not heard in a long, long time.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Well, the recent example of Quests from the Infinite Staircase, which is extremely relevant as Justice Armin seems to be heading the Starter Set too, gives me optimism thst this will be a worthwhile update. The modules in thwt book got some major reworking that were smart.

I really hope Justice Armin gets to do his version of Dark Sun. Not long after it started to look like WotC wasn't going to ever bother (and I think that they really did give up), Justice posted/tweeted that he'd like to take a stab at it. He's only had more WotC work since then, so I could see them taking a look at what he came up with. Maybe he convinced them to give it a shot?

I'd also love to see him tackle Kara-Tur or Al-Qadim. Frankly, give him anything he wants that has "problematic" elements, I think he can handle them!

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Because there are fans of the concept but not of the implementation is good enough reason for me. It will be interesting to see how they redo it and if they can pull it off without the colonialist overtones.

I might buy a remake. I will not buy the original again, I have a copy somewhere, possibly a pdf version also.

 

[Micah Sweet]

A lot of the most memorable covers did something new and interesting with the song, not just tried to sing the original as close as possible with a new singer.

This sort of thing is one of the reasons that (for example) I greatly prefer the 4e Dragon Magazine version of the Against the Giants series to the Tales from the Yawning Portal version. The former cleaned up the original with more named NPCs, more variety to the encounters, added a whole location for the Stone Giants, improved the maps, and gave the DM more guidance on what the motivation was for the entire plot. The TFtYP one just updated the original to 5e, warts and all.

I would have loved the 4e one updated to 5e, with some thought given to improving it another step. But c'est la vie.

See now, that is an example of good update that actually adds something valuable to the original. It can be done.