Castles&Crusades: Is this "The One"?

[Jahydin]

I got the PDF of the new version through the Kickstarter. Still the same sloppy editing.

This is unfortunate since one of the major selling points was actually hiring an editor...

I have had discussions online with Stephen Chenault in which he wrote "this is the way I like it - and you'll learn to like it" with regards to changing the format of the spells in a way that is pretty terrible (from many complaints online).

Yeah, I've seen that too. In another place he was laughing about how much his current fans hate a lot of the changes, so they are very aware of the hill they want to die on, haha. Love them dearly, but don't think this is going to pan out the way they're envisioning.

 

[Jahydin]

Do you have a link stating they weren't fixing any typos? I know they do ask for feedback on such things.

For me, I was disappointed in their combined A series Adventures in one hardback book. Finally, the perfect chance to fix all the issues (like an incorrect map), but they didn't....

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Yeah, I've seen that too. In another place he was laughing about how much his current fans hate a lot of the changes, so they are very aware of the hill they want to die on, haha. Love them dearly, but don't think this is going to pan out the way they're envisioning.

Well, maybe.

If they had wanted to be WotC, they would have done a lot of things differently. I think what the Troll Lords want is what they got: They want to be RPG enthusiasts whose passion is enough to sustain them with a full-time living (for 20 years!) but not to conquer the gaming world or anything.

What they've accomplished is pretty remarkable and nothing to sneeze at. Chenault is following his passion and being paid to do so. He'll never be rich, but he'll also never run out of Dr. Pepper. And I think that's plenty for him.

 

[darjr]

Not to mention they got to work with Gary and are probably publishing his castle.

 

[Retreater]

Not to mention they got to work with Gary and are probably publishing his castle.

That stuff was never written. They are reprinting the scant material he created (which is all supplemental to the actual dungeon) - but the all the rest was created by Jeffrey Talanian. And even that is wilderness stuff around Castle Zygag.
It's like Ed Wood putting found footage of Bella Lugosi walking around into Plan 9 from Outer Space.

 

[darjr]

That stuff was never written. They are reprinting the scant material he created (which is all supplemental to the actual dungeon) - but the all the rest was created by Jeffrey Talanian. And even that is wilderness stuff around Castle Zygag.
It's like Ed Wood putting found footage of Bella Lugosi walking around into Plan 9 from Outer Space.

They have quite a bit more than they've originally published.

D&D General - Castle Zagyg is returning! From Troll Lord Games!

From Troll Lord Gemes Castle Zagyg is returning! Straight from the mind of Gary Gygax, one of the most famous mega-dungeons ever written is returning to shelves. Many more details will be shared in the days to come! Sign up to stay updated! What is Castle Zagyg? Their Mission...

www.enworld.org

I'd have to dig out the livestreams for more of their commentary on it. I might do that.

 

[Retreater]

Just from what I remember from the Troll's panel at GaryCon two years ago, it was basically that Gygax did Yggsburgh, Talanian created the environs and Upper Works, and that's all they had.
I doubt that Gygax had written 17 levels of dungeon stuff that was "basically done" in failing health when the Chenaults said he wasn't interested in creating adventures anymore and wanted to create a book about every neighborhood in Yggsburgh.
But hey, if they have it, good for them.
More likely, they might have access to notes that can inspire other writers to create something publishable.

 

[darjr]

Just from what I remember from the Troll's panel at GaryCon two years ago, it was basically that Gygax did Yggsburgh, Talanian created the environs and Upper Works, and that's all they had.
I doubt that Gygax had written 17 levels of dungeon stuff that was "basically done" in failing health when the Chenaults said he wasn't interested in creating adventures anymore and wanted to create a book about every neighborhood in Yggsburgh.
But hey, if they have it, good for them.
More likely, they might have access to notes that can inspire other writers to create something publishable.

The have his dungeon. And other things he wrote for it for them. They've discussed publishing the dungeon as is as he ran it but are reluctant because it wasn't in line with his wishes at the time.

Also I've played in levels of that dungeon that folks have.

And yes, some of this is post lawsuite.

 

[Jahydin]

Well, maybe.

If they had wanted to be WotC, they would have done a lot of things differently. I think what the Troll Lords want is what they got: They want to be RPG enthusiasts whose passion is enough to sustain them with a full-time living (for 20 years!) but not to conquer the gaming world or anything.

What they've accomplished is pretty remarkable and nothing to sneeze at. Chenault is following his passion and being paid to do so. He'll never be rich, but he'll also never run out of Dr. Pepper. And I think that's plenty for him.

Agree. That's why I don't understand the changes being made to the latest edition. They are trying to be like WotC and trying to conquer the gaming world. It's overly ambitious for what C&C is and has always been and I just can't see it paying off for them. If you haven't looked through the latest edition, I recommend it because it's not like previous printings.

Humbly, especially considering they just got the green light to print Gygax material again, I think they should have focused on cleaning up their SIEGE system (mechanics don't need to change, just clean up the explanations and cut out contradictory guidance), cut out all the "extra material" they've added over the years out of the core books, and maintain the tone of "Gary's D&D" they've always had (using Creative Commons). That would have given them an incredible foundation to build on as all this new Gygax material is being released.

 

[GreyLord]

Agree. That's why I don't understand the changes being made to the latest edition. They are trying to be like WotC and trying to conquer the gaming world. It's overly ambitious for what C&C is and has always been and I just can't see it paying off for them. If you haven't looked through the latest edition, I recommend it because it's not like previous printings.

Humbly, especially considering they just got the green light to print Gygax material again, I think they should have focused on cleaning up their SIEGE system (mechanics don't need to change, just clean up the explanations and cut out contradictory guidance), cut out all the "extra material" they've added over the years out of the core books, and maintain the tone of "Gary's D&D" they've always had (using Creative Commons). That would have given them an incredible foundation to build on as all this new Gygax material is being released.

I didn't get the new printings as I thought the changes would be minimal (plus, I was out of country at the time their kickstarter was going on for most of the time and was unable to even access that kickstarter if I had wanted to due to my location), so I wasn't too concerned about trying to find a way to pledge (which would have been a very difficult thing to accomplish at the time).

It sounds that it's more than that?

What has changed in the new printing?