Campaign World

[Dalakmar]

Hi all,

Back in the days of FF (Fighting Fantasy) I put together a Campaign World for my own gamebooks. Needless to say I didn't get around to actually creating any gamebooks, my time instead went into designing the world and its inhabitants.

I am now thinking of pulling all this material together and bringing it to the web as downloadable products including core books, supplements and modules. Although these would be of a proffesional standard - i.e. as good as those downloadable from RPG NOW etc I would be offering them for free.

There are a number of questions I would like to ask, however, if anyone would be kind enough to answer them.

1. Other than humans, my world does not feature the traditional races. Would you be interested in playing in such a world? Would the fact that you couldn't play your favourite race put you off playing?

2. Do you think there are already too many Campaign Worlds out there and that I'd just be wasting my time?

3. Is the d20 system the most widely played? Or would I be better of using another system?

4. Although everything on the website would be freely downloadable I'd still like to protect my product. What would be the best way of accomplishing this?

That's it for now. Thanks for your time.

Dalakmar

 

[Nellisir]

1. Other than humans, my world does not feature the traditional races. Would you be interested in playing in such a world? Would the fact that you couldn't play your favourite race put you off playing?

No.

2. Do you think there are already too many Campaign Worlds out there and that I'd just be wasting my time??

No. You can never have too much free stuff. 99% of the people that download your campaign world will read it for inspiration, not for actual game play.

3. Is the d20 system the most widely played? Or would I be better of using another system??

D20/OGL all the way. If you want another answer, you'll probably have to ask on a different board. Although if you're a big 1e fan, you could go OSRIC.

4. Although everything on the website would be freely downloadable I'd still like to protect my product. What would be the best way of accomplishing this??

Not sure what you mean by "protect". The OGL provides legal protection.

 

[The Lost Muse]

1. Humans are all you really need to play, although you could set up some regional varieties (similar to Wheel of Time d20), with regional feats and certain skills that are always class skills. And yes, I would consider playing it.

2. Again, I'd have to see it, but yes generally I try to give everything a fair shake, in at least a one-shot.

3. If you are publishing it for free, release it under the OGL, not the d20 licence. There are less hassles involved doing it this way.

4. In your introduction, make sure to declare which parts of your work are open-source (stat-blocks, feats, spells, etc...) and declare the rest your Product Identity. Then, you set aside your intellectual property from being plundered while still protecting your rights. Since it is being released for free, you probably aren't worried all that much about piracy. Also, make sure you add any works you take Open Game Content from into your section 16, AND Add your own title there as well.

 

[kaomera]

1. Other than humans, my world does not feature the traditional races. Would you be interested in playing in such a world? Would the fact that you couldn't play your favourite race put you off playing?

Humans are my favorite race. This would be a "feature" in my book...

2. Do you think there are already too many Campaign Worlds out there and that I'd just be wasting my time?

No I don't think it would be a waste of time. I always like looking at new ideas.

3. Is the d20 system the most widely played? Or would I be better of using another system?

It probably is the most played, and I can't say if you'd be better off using another system or not.

 

[Turanil]

1. Other than humans, my world does not feature the traditional races. Would you be interested in playing in such a world? Would the fact that you couldn't play your favourite race put you off playing?

Yes I could play in such a wold. However, where I am okay with a human-only world, I would be wary of one that features many new and weird races. I don't mind one or two very interesting ones though.

2. Do you think there are already too many Campaign Worlds out there and that I'd just be wasting my time?

I would be glad to download it. However, unless this is brilliant and exactly what I seek, I may not be interested in running games into it. I would probably rather be interested in the read. There is a plethora of settings out there, some of them excellent, just see the link in my sig.

3. Is the d20 system the most widely played? Or would I be better of using another system?

I suggest this setting being system-free. Just add a page or two about suggestions when using this system or that (D&D, other d20, True20, Castles & Crusades, Savage Worlds, Runequest, etc.). Considering the d20 system, there is so much official stuff, as well as quality third publishers' supplements, that the last thing I am interested in, is another set of houserules. I prefer to see suggestion on how using the setting with the core rules, plus a few suggestion on supplements that would fit well in it (i.e.: maybe Magic of Incarnum would fit well in this or that place, so tell it).

4. Although everything on the website would be freely downloadable I'd still like to protect my product. What would be the best way of accomplishing this?

Tell this is copyrighted by yourself and cannot be re-used without your approval. The fact that it is freely available for download doesn't make it free for other to use (as with stuff relased under OGL or under Creative Common license). I don't know how to do that "offiialy" though...

 

[Thurbane]

1. Other than humans, my world does not feature the traditional races. Would you be interested in playing in such a world? Would the fact that you couldn't play your favourite race put you off playing?

2. Do you think there are already too many Campaign Worlds out there and that I'd just be wasting my time?

3. Is the d20 system the most widely played? Or would I be better of using another system?

4. Although everything on the website would be freely downloadable I'd still like to protect my product. What would be the best way of accomplishing this?

OK, here's my answers:

1. A "human's only" fantasy world would have it's own distinct flavor, and I wouldn't be put off playing it at all. Question: are there other sentient races, such as Orcs, Goblins or Lizard Folk? If there are, are they playable?

2. Not at all. I know as a DM myself, I always have an eye out for such material, if not to use directly, then for inspiration. Plenty of people are looking for new campaign settings.

3. I would go with d20.

4. Always tricky, but if you release it in PDF format, some kind of watermark on the text and map pages? I think that if the material is free, your risk of people stealing it and claiming it as their own is fairly unlikely, though you never know. It might pay to get your material copyrighted if you are concerned.

 

[fusangite]

1. Other than humans, my world does not feature the traditional races. Would you be interested in playing in such a world? Would the fact that you couldn't play your favourite race put you off playing?

I prefer campaigns with a maximum of 3 races. One is often ideal

2. Do you think there are already too many Campaign Worlds out there and that I'd just be wasting my time?[?QUOTE]Couldn't say. I never purchase settings.

3. Is the d20 system the most widely played? Or would I be better of using another system?

It is the most widely-played still. But your first priority should be to find the system that fits best with your setting.

4. Although everything on the website would be freely downloadable I'd still like to protect my product. What would be the best way of accomplishing this?

No clue. I hate intellectural property and believe all true ideas belong to God.

 

[Turanil]

1. Other than humans, my world does not feature the traditional races. Would you be interested in playing in such a world? Would the fact that you couldn't play your favourite race put you off playing?

Here is what I would like to have for a change:

I am tired of elves, dwarves, halflings, etc., and moreso by all the other more recent WotC stuff such as half-dragons and psionic races. Now, I would like a world with only humans, as the main race. Then, there would be two or three other secretive races mixed among them, that would be indistinguishable from humns at first sight. Let's say:

1) As in some R. Howard's stories: a few members of a most ancient ophidian race (snake people) who disguise themselves as humans through the use of magic.

2) Humans who have been touched by the supernatural at birth. They have special traits, but also are watched over by supernatural entities, etc.

3) Humans born from members of a cult/cabal/conspiracy who strives to create a different (and of course "better") humanity through alchemy and fantasy genetic engineering.

4) Humans who, at some point in their lives, begin to mutate into something else, such as beastmen or half-dragons, whatever, hafter having been touched by some totem power.

 

[TerraDave]

As someone who has done something similar...all I can say is read the previous posts (but you've probably already done that! )

 

[dpmcalister]

1. Other than humans, my world does not feature the traditional races. Would you be interested in playing in such a world? Would the fact that you couldn't play your favourite race put you off playing?

A human only world would be a big plus in my opinion

2. Do you think there are already too many Campaign Worlds out there and that I'd just be wasting my time?

As others have said, the more Campaign Worlds the better.

3. Is the d20 system the most widely played? Or would I be better of using another system?

I'd either make it systemless, or find a system that fits your concept well. That could be the d20 System or OGL, or it could be Runequest, WFRP, or any other fantasy game. The thing to bear in mind when it comes to system is licencing. With the d20 System/OGL or Runequest, it's easier as they both have open licences (although I can't comment too much beyond that as I'm not a lawyer).

4. Although everything on the website would be freely downloadable I'd still like to protect my product. What would be the best way of accomplishing this?

Use a Creative Commons Licence (someone else has already provided a link).