WotC Why WotC SHOULD Make A New Setting

[Reynard]

Absolutely. The people who think a modern RPG should be printed like a 70s zine is mind boggling...

Who wants that?

 

[Zaukrie]

Who wants that?

Actually, Nimble is producing it's new classes in small zines. Which is great, because each player can have their own, rather than sharing a book. I love this idea for classes.

 

[Minigiant]

Artwork is basically the thing which makes or breaks a setting for the average buyer. Very few people glance at a giant text wall and want to investigate. But a cool picture can start people reading.

Art is BIG

If you are really going for a new type of setting, the art is what attracts many people and buys them into the theme if they arent simply bought 200% by the elevator pitch.

Especially if the setting is doing something new or lacks a popular reputation.

 

[Tigris]

Actually, Nimble is producing it's new classes in small zines. Which is great, because each player can have their own, rather than sharing a book. I love this idea for classes.

Ah for this I agree this is a good idea, having small booklets per class is cool, but they can still look modern and have good art.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Hmm I am just thinking about myself, how much text do I need in a setting?

• Monster/NPC stat blocks
• "names" of monsters and locations (and maybe important NPCs)
• Maybe mechanics for (sub)classes and or items

But what else as text is needed?

• Location description can be better done with images.
• History of a place can be shown comic like with no text or verry little text.
• NPC description can also be shown as an image (with their most important items etc.)

I feel any attempt to convey those latter three with minimal text is going to end up with either (or both) extremely shallow conveyance of information or taking up far more page space than is required IMO,

Like, sure, put in an image of the local lord with specific shots of his signet ring, his twin scimitar and riding vest, but what does that tell you about who he is as a person? His values and attitude? Priorities and goals? Quirks and habits?

There are simply things that text is better at conveying than images, although the reverse also stands true, but the kinds of dense information desired to flesh out a setting properly is something that text excels at with the occasional image to provide reference or visual clarity.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I guess I took the definition of urban fantasy as the definitions of the two terms that make up the phrase. They take place in cities and they have fantasy. If contemporary is part of it, have you seen Blades 68? Would that count?

Dont let people fool you. Fantasy in an urban enviroment is urban fantasy.

If you look at Sigil or Ravnica, they are immediately unferstood by a casual reader, because they are a city where people act like the casual reader expecta city people to act. Even Sharn can be, but is often too classic dnd in terms of how people dress and act to a point where it doesnt actually feel Urban. Forge of The Artificer does a good job fixing that.

 

[Parmandur]

Dont let people fool you. Fantasy in an urban enviroment is urban fantasy.

If you look at Sigil or Ravnica, they are immediately unferstood by a casual reader, because they are a city where people act like the casual reader expecta city people to act. Even Sharn can be, but is often too classic dnd in terms of how people dress and act to a point where it doesnt actually feel Urban. Forge of The Artificer does a good job fixing that.

Ravncia really does spend a lot of energy on setting the urban mafitech ecumenopolis and everyday life there.

 

[Tigris]

I feel any attempt to convey those latter three with minimal text is going to end up with either (or both) extremely shallow conveyance of information or taking up far more page space than is required IMO,

Page space in the time of PDF for me is just not a concern anymore, but yeah sadly stuff is still made for print first.

I think shallow is also just often enough you dont need too much details its just noise.

Like, sure, put in an image of the local lord with specific shots of his signet ring, his twin scimitar and riding vest, but what does that tell you about who he is as a person? His values and attitude? Priorities and goals? Quirks and habits?

Well you can use cliches etc. what do you expect this person to be?

There are simply things that text is better at conveying than images, although the reverse also stands true, but the kinds of dense information desired to flesh out a setting properly is something that text excels at with the occasional image to provide reference or visual clarity.

Sure some things texts are better, but really not sure we need soo much details in many things.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Ravncia really does spend a lot of energy on setting the urban mafitech ecumenopolis and everyday life there.

Yep! I wish it had more crunch, but otherwise it is great for how well it does bring the setting to life.

 

[Reynard]

Dont let people fool you. Fantasy in an urban enviroment is urban fantasy.

I really wish I understood why folks feel.the necessity to argue against commonly accepted genre definitions.