[BDV] Big News: Thrilling Passages and True20

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Blue Devil Games is excited to announce that the release of Thrilling Passages has been delayed. We're excited because the delay is the result of our decision to submit Thrilling Passages in the True20 Setting Search from Green Ronin Publishing. This was a difficult decision for us. However, in the end, we felt the potential benefits outweighed our personal disappointment in delaying the release.

You can read all about why we made the decision in our recent Design Diary on the product page.

Thrilling Passages is a game of fantastic adventure. The great novels of the day -- Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland, War of the Worlds -- are not works of fiction at all. Rather, they are the tales of those curious and intrepid folk known as Passengers, adventurers who travel to these alternate dimensions to preserve balance and protect our world. But the Book Without End is a powerful resource, and there are those who would use that power for their own mysterious and nefarious purposes. From the protectionist Traum des Gott to the powermongering Sisterhood of Lysistrata to the masterless Blackcoats, it's a wonder a dedicated passenger can subdue the jabberwock, defeat the evil plans of Dr. Fu Manchu, and retrieve his pocketwatch from the Artful Dodger -- all before High Tea.

For those of you who have signed up for our Gen Con events, we've received permission to proceed with them, using the True20 system. For those who are just catching on, we'll have sign-ups for additional demos at our booth.

Feel free to tell the Chris and Nicole how much you want to see Thrilling Passages get the True20 treatment. A little good-natured lobbying never hurt, right?

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Thrilling Passages is a game of fantastic adventure. The great novels of the day -- Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland, War of the Worlds -- are not works of fiction at all. Rather, they are the tales of those curious and intrepid folk known as Passengers, adventurers who travel to these alternate dimensions to preserve balance and protect our world. But the Book Without End is a powerful resource, and there are those who would use that power for their own mysterious and nefarious purposes. From the protectionist Traum des Gott to the powermongering Sisterhood of Lysistrata to the masterless Blackcoats, it's a wonder a dedicated passenger can subdue the jabberwock, defeat the evil plans of Dr. Fu Manchu, and retrieve his pocketwatch from the Artful Dodger -- all before High Tea.

This sounds excellent! Can't wait to see it when it finally sees print.

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Thank you, sir. And just to clarify: It will hit print. Although we have the utmost confidence in the setting search (or we wouldn't bother entering, now would we), we'll be releasing it using our own system (already developed) in the event it's not selected.

 

[Karl Green]

VERY cool... I wish you luck... I really like True20 and I think that Trilling Passages is a PERFECT fit... mano' mano'

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Thank you, sir. And just to clarify: It will hit print. Although we have the utmost confidence in the setting search (or we wouldn't bother entering, now would we), we'll be releasing it using our own system (already developed) in the event it's not selected.

I'm a little concerned. I was really looking forward to seeing the system's rules on 'the better you hit, the more damage you do'.

I love systems like that (Silhouette, HARP, Nexus and Feng Shui), and am fiddling with making a system like it for True20. But I planned to snatch it from Thrilling Tales.

Now, if Thrilling Tales wins the setting search, will we (I) be cheated of the system? Or will you make it an optional rule for True20 (the best IMO )?

At the same time, I wish you the best of luck in the setting search.

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

I'm a little concerned. I was really looking forward to seeing the system's rules on 'the better you hit, the more damage you do'.

I love systems like that (Silhouette, HARP, Nexus and Feng Shui), and am fiddling with making a system like it for True20. But I planned to snatch it from Thrilling Tales.

Now, if Thrilling Tales wins the setting search, will we (I) be cheated of the system? Or will you make it an optional rule for True20 (the best IMO )?

At the same time, I wish you the best of luck in the setting search.

That was my favorite part of the system as well. Principally because it adapted so well to other systems: falling, saving throws, etc. We will almost certainly be releasing the system in some fashion. Right now, I'm mulling over other settings that would be suited for it. If TP wins the search (from your lips to God's ears), we might include it as an optional rule, but I couldn't speculate that far down the road, particularly until I see exactly what the license entails. If TP is not selected, we'll be releasing it using the system for certain.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Aahhhhh..... But the wait, the WAIT!

I want to play True20 now

Would it be possible to get some tidbits of the system at this time, or maybe some ideas for using something similar with True20? Pretty please?

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Aahhhhh..... But the wait, the WAIT!

I want to play True20 now

Would it be possible to get some tidbits of the system at this time, or maybe some ideas for using something similar with True20? Pretty please?

Well, since you asked so nicely...

At its core, the system is quite simple. It still uses hit points. Essentially, a threat (whether its an attack, hazardous condition, etc.) deals damage equal to the amount by which the check exceeds the target number plus any additional modifiers. There's a lot more nuance to it, but that's the gist of it. It's far grittier and more dangerous than standard d20, which in my mind is great; the world's most accomplished warrior should be able to kill someone with a simple dagger. We counteract the lethality somewhat by using an action-point equivalent.

As for using with True20, you could just go back to a hit point system and add it in. Beyond that, we're just diving into the conversion so I can't speak much further on it at this point.

 

[GMSkarka]

Now, if Thrilling Tales wins the setting search

Blue Devil Games product (or entry into the True20 contest, or whatever) is "THRILLING PASSAGES".

Adamant Entertainment's line of D20 pulp products is "THRILLING TALES."

I was afraid this was going to happen.....

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Blue Devil Games product (or entry into the True20 contest, or whatever) is "THRILLING PASSAGES".

Adamant Entertainment's line of D20 pulp products is "THRILLING TALES."

I was afraid this was going to happen.....

If it worked okay for Star Wars and Star Trek, it will work okay for us too. I see no actual overlap between the products. Additionally, TP will be principally a print product, and if I'm not mistaken TT is exclusively pdf.