Henry
Autoexreginated
I received it yesterday, and I must be slipping -- because I only got to read 2/3 of it in 5 hours. 
I must add my opinion on the positive side - I liked it very much. If could adress some of your problems with it, Albert, I would like to. I don't beleive I'll persuade you, as it seems you are made up on this, but I would like to explain some of the reasoning behind what you see - it was explained in the book, as well.
PRICE - I am one of those freaks who agree with Ryan Dancey that many gaming materials are underpriced given the current market, because many RPG designers give away their product for very little profit. For the amount of labor that goes into it, many RPG companies sell their product for very little profit because they simply love the game. As a result, so many companies go out of business due not necesarily to lack of sales, but due to lack of profit for what they do sell. Bargain basement pricing is great for a chain store, but RPG's will never on average sell hundreds of millions of units a year.
"Hackthulhu" - it's still pretty deadly. I have yet to play a round, but that should soon be rectified. When accounting the Massive damage rule, the hit points are much less irrelevant.
Artwork - I do admit I liked the artwork for the Chaosium edition better; but since the focus is more on modern age than past age, the artwork is actually more in keeping with the current era.
Elder God stats - I actually agree with the stats as is, simply because we have on other indication of the power levels of the two, save titles. Since Nyarlathotep is a GOD, and Cthulhu is not, one would naturally make an assumption between the two. I am not sure where all of Nyarlathotep's "Voltron" Powers came from, but I am happy with them, since no PC in their right mind would cross either of them physically.
As I said, I don't intend to convert you, but I am satisfied with the options given, and plan on starting a game as soon as I can.
I must add my opinion on the positive side - I liked it very much. If could adress some of your problems with it, Albert, I would like to. I don't beleive I'll persuade you, as it seems you are made up on this, but I would like to explain some of the reasoning behind what you see - it was explained in the book, as well.
PRICE - I am one of those freaks who agree with Ryan Dancey that many gaming materials are underpriced given the current market, because many RPG designers give away their product for very little profit. For the amount of labor that goes into it, many RPG companies sell their product for very little profit because they simply love the game. As a result, so many companies go out of business due not necesarily to lack of sales, but due to lack of profit for what they do sell. Bargain basement pricing is great for a chain store, but RPG's will never on average sell hundreds of millions of units a year.
"Hackthulhu" - it's still pretty deadly. I have yet to play a round, but that should soon be rectified. When accounting the Massive damage rule, the hit points are much less irrelevant.
Artwork - I do admit I liked the artwork for the Chaosium edition better; but since the focus is more on modern age than past age, the artwork is actually more in keeping with the current era.
Elder God stats - I actually agree with the stats as is, simply because we have on other indication of the power levels of the two, save titles. Since Nyarlathotep is a GOD, and Cthulhu is not, one would naturally make an assumption between the two. I am not sure where all of Nyarlathotep's "Voltron" Powers came from, but I am happy with them, since no PC in their right mind would cross either of them physically.
As I said, I don't intend to convert you, but I am satisfied with the options given, and plan on starting a game as soon as I can.
