[Adamant Entertainment] THRILLING TALES - Pulp for D20 Modern

[GMSkarka]

Adamant Entertainment has kicked off our pulp-genre D20 modern line, Thrilling Tales with the release of two Advanced Classes: Man of Mystery and Air Ace, detailing two classic pulp hero archetypes.

Coming later this month are additional Advanced Classes (including the Paragon, the Fortune Hunter, and villain classes like the Mastermind and Mad Scientist) and The Gamemaster's Guide to Pulp Adventure (including elements of the genre, an adventure construction kit, and more).

Here's a question for you pulp fans in the audience: What sort of additional releases would you like to see for Thrilling Tales? We're currently considering doing some adventures, but beyond that--what do you want to see?

 

[jaerdaph]

First off, the Man of Mystery and Air Ace advanced classes are really well done - they capture the classic archetypes of the genre nicely without sacrificing game balance with the other existing d20 Modern classes. I'm really looking forward to seeing more!

As for suggestions, I'd like to see a collection of Pulp era equipment - especially weapons and vehicles. I'd also like to see a supplement for "weird science" - item creation and perhaps a weird/mad scientist advanced class.

Other thoughs - a supplement on psionics/psychic abilities, and maybe a campaign setting or location.

Edit: Oops - just saw you have a mad scientist planned.

 

[Krieg]

Here's a question for you pulp fans in the audience: What sort of additional releases would you like to see for Thrilling Tales? We're currently considering doing some adventures, but beyond that--what do you want to see?

I personally would prefer to see a single integrated product rather than have alll the pieces delivered ala cart.

Give me a quality "Thrilling Tales" core book with everything I need to run a good pulp game...Advances classes, occult magic, two fisted fighting rules, tips on running a pulp genre game, and enough plot hooks to choke a monkey.

Do that and you have a new customer.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Give me a quality "Thrilling Tales" core book with everything I need to run a good pulp game...

I would like to see this as weel...in print. I like pdfs, they are easily portable ( thanks to my pda program Acrobat Reader for Palm), but I love print products. The last thing I want is a bunch of binders with printed pdf products.

Basically a Thrilling Tales core rule book. I'd also like to see a book about the various aircraft and how to use and apply them to the game. That is, assuming D20 Past isn't going to iclude this info.

 

[jezter6]

See my sig.

I am currently getting together a pulp game and really could have used it, but since the publisher went forward with putting out one class at a time, causing me to end up having to pay likely 3 or 4 times what the book would have cost whole...I decided to not purchase anything from this line.

It's a shame, too. I am really a big pulp fan and would have purchased product from them. I really hope they reconsider their business model. I just can't support any company that's willing to do this.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

If you will allow me the slight hijack...

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people on the other side of your argument, that they like the short, economical PDFs with targetted material, as opposed to a whole book of which they may use only a small percentage. Trust me, neither Adamant, myself or any of the PDF publishers are doing this just to piss you off, but rather trying out (rather sucessfully, I might add) a new business model for the PDF market.

In any case, don't despair. If Adamant is following more or less the PDF business model that's in trend right now (and I don't know they are, just guessing), what will likely happen is that they'll release a collection of all the products in the line, either as a zip with lots of files, or as a collected edition that could be Printed On Demand, at a reduced price which will be perfect for those, like you, that prefer the larger tomes.

Just don't take it personal. It's a business, and if it wasn't working, there wouldn't be a whole bunch of us following this model.

To bring it all back on topic: Get one of the PDFs as a sample of the writing style and content Adamant is providing. If you don't like it, it's only $2. If you do like it, however, then you know that once the collection comes out, you'll find the book to your liking and use. I bought Man of Mystery, and it's excellent (and I'm not a fan of pulp); I'm looking forward to more in the line, including a (possible) collection.

 

[jezter6]

This is not the thread to entertain a discussion like this. However, if another thread would get made to discuss it, I would happily join in that discussion.

I was, however, pointing out to the original poster that he has lost a sale, and likely a customer of the whole line...as I *was* planning on purchasing from them.

 

[Pbartender]

Gareth...

I'd love to see a Space Cowboy advanced class.

Some sort of Trusty Sidekick advanced class would also be handy.

 

[jaerdaph]

Every single PDF publisher whose smaller PDFs I have purchased has always sent me a substantial discount coupon if they later release a product that contains those previously released smaller PDFs plus new material, so I'm not seeing what the problem is...

 

[Krieg]

Just don't take it personal. It's a business, and if it wasn't working, there wouldn't be a whole bunch of us following this model.

I don't believe anyone is taking it personally at all. We are all just giving you feedback on our opinions as potential customers. Ala cart marketing does not appeal to me...at all. I agree with jezter6 to some extent, I don't see it as being of enough value to justify it to me as a consumer.

Please don't take this personally...If the business model really had that much potential the big boys would be using it. The fact that it is only being used by the struggling small fryes is very telling.

As I mentioned previously, give me a quality coherent whole and you have a guaranteed sale. Until then I will pass.

Good luck, I hope you do find success.