D20 Modern in 2007?

[Ranger REG]

Instead, what did they do? They released something like a 90 page softcover designed to cover the entire expanse of human history. They did a poor job of writing it, and they decided that its failure in the marketplace was an indication of waning interest in the entire d20 Modern line.

*ponders*

Yeah, I'm agreeing with Vigilance more than ever. (See earlier discussion in this thread.)

 

[eyebeams]

How will WotC know if it never tries?

Because everyone else has tried and failed to make straight historical or contemporary settings fly. Even SJG, who were more successful than anyone, eventually scaled back their commitment to historical gaming, and the exceptions always had plenty of alt-history and history with a supernatural/SF twist.

Now once you get down to POD, economies of scale change to make this kind of niche material more desireable, but WotC doesn't operate on that level.

Now True20's settings do more than present prefab things to use. They're proofs of concept demonstrating the cool things you can do with the game. This is vitally important for True20, since it's trying to sell itself as the right tools for experienced gamers. Plus, of course, True20 had Blue Rose around to demonstrate exactly what the relationship between the system game and bog standard SRD-gaming is.

D20 Modern set itself up as the natural leader in contemporary RPGs, provided little guidance as to why it should be so except for sheer brand power, and just kind of expected an identity to build itself around it.

 

[Psion]

How will WotC know if it never tries?

Market research and historical performance.

The same argument gets made by the old school fans who wants WotC to print new old school material. They pretty much do know, at least have enough of an indication that it's stupid to take the risk.

 

[Ranger REG]

Market research and historical performance.

The same argument gets made by the old school fans who wants WotC to print new old school material. They pretty much do know, at least have enough of an indication that it's stupid to take the risk.

We do know, but we still hope.

 

[ssampier]

I think Wizards made a huge HUGE strategic mistake with d20 Past. Aside from the book itself being a poor quality release (not just writing, but also size and in paperback) but I think they missed the boat on a potentially huge line of products. Were I in charge of the modern line at that point, I would have turned d20 Past into a line of at least 11 books, hitting every major time period. These would include:

d20 Prehistoric
d20 Ancient Times
d20 Rome
d20 Dark Ages
d20 Renaissance
d20 Age of Exploration
d20 Musketeers
d20 Wild West / Civil War
d20 Victorian
d20 Roaring Twenties
d20 World War II

I don't think that would work for Wizards, but I can easily see as a 3rd party d20 product (probably PDF or PoD). I really want to see the Dark Ages one, but I want FX, darn it

 

[Skycast]

d20 Prehistoric
d20 Ancient Times
d20 Rome
d20 Dark Ages
d20 Renaissance
d20 Age of Exploration
d20 Musketeers
d20 Wild West / Civil War
d20 Victorian
d20 Roaring Twenties
d20 World War II

Ya know, I'm a fan of this kind of concept just because I enjoy reading the books but I don't know if it would be completely viable. The thing about going this route is that you could probably go check out a library book not gear towards RPG's and get what you need.

I think this formula could work but you'd have to give it some sort of "RPG'ish" slant. I know, slap me down here, but something like the supernatural or magic.

 

[kingpaul]

I don't think that would work for Wizards, but I can easily see as a 3rd party d20 product (probably PDF or PoD). I really want to see the Dark Ages one, but I want FX, darn it

Well, its fantasy, but: Legends of the Dark Ages

 

[Nuclear Platypus]

Doubt I'm alone but I'd like to see d20 Spectaculars in print. True, supers has already been done several times with varying success but it'd tell WotC that d20 Modern isn't on life support.

That's the hope anyways. Ooo. Better would be a good supers game that isn't P2P like a Guild Wars version of City of Heroes / Villains or even an RTS.

"C'mon d20 Spectaculars!" not "RIP d20 Spectaculars."

 

[buzz]

Doubt I'm alone but I'd like to see d20 Spectaculars in print.

Heck, I want to see it simply because Mearls worked on it.

They should just release it as a PDF if they don't plan to print it. Pure profit.

 

[ssampier]

Well, its fantasy, but: Legends of the Dark Ages

I forgot about that book. Thanks.