Anyone know when D20 Modern/Future Might Be Out?

[Turtlejay]

Did anyone miss the earlier post about Saga? I played a little Saga, and think it would work great for a Modern campaign. Add in some of the 4eisms and subtract the spotlight hogging jedi and you would have a solid game. The thing about 4e that I don't think translates well is modern combat. How many ways are there to fire a gun/throw a grenade? 10? 100? How many classes can you have with 3+ powers a level every odd level up to 30? You would tend to run out of creative powers when the only power source is martial.

Alternatively, you could make powers all somewhat more like Utilities or Stunts, with at wills and paragons focusing on different unique ways to attack.

I enjoyed the time I spent playing d20 modern and would welcome a new take with 4e's emphasis on streamlined preparation and combats.

Jay

 

[buzz]

I think the main problem is that the d20 system is dead.

The d20 STL is dead, but there's still a d20 brand. The logo is on WotC's RPG and mini products. d20M is itself a brand, and I'm not sure I see any reason why WotC would not want to capitalize on that.

I don't see that there's anything WotC needs to distance themselves from.

 

[justanobody]

The d20 STL is dead, but there's still a d20 brand. The logo is on WotC's RPG and mini products. d20M is itself a brand, and I'm not sure I see any reason why WotC would not want to capitalize on that.

I don't see that there's anything WotC needs to distance themselves from.

Because anyone could continue to make a modern d20 game as the OGL was d20, and doesn't prevent people from making their own games in whole form it. So WotC would probably want to distance from that if THEY are going to make a new edition for modern?

Otherwise they might as well release more d20 related D&D material, ie 3rd edition....

So I am just thinking they are done with d20, even though everyone else can still use.

:twocents:

Also we don't know what is one their minis products anymore, as they were just canceled and the new product packaging isn't anywhere on display yet.

 

[rowport]

I, for one, am in love enough with the changes to 4e that I would like to see a new d20M that incorporated them. It would definitely increase the likelihood that my group would actually play some d20M.

I agree with your second point (!) but would much rather see d20M based on the SW SAGA rules than on D&D 4e. It just seems better suited to me.

 

[rowport]

Did anyone miss the earlier post about Saga? I played a little Saga, and think it would work great for a Modern campaign. Add in some of the 4eisms and subtract the spotlight hogging jedi and you would have a solid game. ...I enjoyed the time I spent playing d20 modern and would welcome a new take with 4e's emphasis on streamlined preparation and combats.

Jay

Yup, I agree, especially for a straight-up modern game, like a military scenerio for example, without funky stuff like magic, psionics, etc.

The Jedi do not bother me in SAGA, though, and I understand that at higher levels their "showboating" does diminish, as the other classes catch up in abilities. (I personally have only played low-level, and Jedi are definitely attention hogs there.) Anyway, perhaps with minor tweaks, the Force concept could translate easily into the funky stuff.

 

[buzz]

So I am just thinking they are done with d20, even though everyone else can still use.

I guess I'm confused.

As far as I can tell, every RPG they currently make is a d20 RPG, branded with a d20 logo. d20M was a consistently good-selling product line for them. The d20 fanbase is, arguably, the biggest in the hobby. How is it in WotC's interest to "distance" themselves from any of that?

And, FYI, no one can use the d20STL any more. They can use the OGL, but there is no branding or logo associated with that license.

In fact, I believe WotC is the only company right now that can stamp a d20 logo on their products. This is obviously deliberate.

 

[buzz]

I agree with your second point (!) but would much rather see d20M based on the SW SAGA rules than on D&D 4e. It just seems better suited to me.

There are aspects of 4e that I would want to see present. Primarily, the ease of use of NPC/monster stats and encounter creation. Right now, SWSE is too close to 3.5 in these regards. Statblocks are ginormous and require lots of cross-referencing, and the encounter design rules suck, quite frankly.

I think you could take 4e, dial down the powers (or just make them dial-able), dial up the skills, add in the condition track, and have a pretty cool modern RPG.

 

[justanobody]

I guess I'm confused.

As far as I can tell, every RPG they currently make is a d20 RPG, branded with a d20 logo. d20M was a consistently good-selling product line for them. The d20 fanbase is, arguably, the biggest in the hobby. How is it in WotC's interest to "distance" themselves from any of that?

And, FYI, no one can use the d20STL any more. They can use the OGL, but there is no branding or logo associated with that license.

In fact, I believe WotC is the only company right now that can stamp a d20 logo on their products. This is obviously deliberate.

d20 was the system the OGL and sRD was made for. They moved away from the OGL and ended the STL for the GSL.

That is why I feel they are done with the d20 system that was the OGL and SRD and STL in favor for the new system.

SO.... if they are not going to support the d20 system anymore, then updating modern may require writing a new game for it.

I don't think they will print more d20 system books as that goes against them wanting to move away from the d20 system in the first place.

They might use it more, but I seriously doubt it is all.

A gut feeling if you will.

Nothing wrong of course with them making a new game for modern, but I think that would be on hold while working on building up D&D more.

EDIT: With all those funky license, you are not the only one that is/was confused.

 

[buzz]

Are you saying 4e and SWSE are not d20 games?

It's very obvious that they are done with 3.5. But 3.5 != d20. 3.5 is one of many d20 implementations.

And, iirc, WotC never released any products under the OGL or the d20 STL; they are the licensor, so there was no need. The open-content monsters in UA may be a possible exception.

 

[justanobody]

Has WotC released any new material for ANY d20 system game since the announcement of 4th edition, that was not already near completion of the product or "promised" to the public and consumers prior?