d20 Prime Directive

[red freak]

I found this announcement and thought I'd pass it on...

Rich Wishon

Prime Directive d20 Forum

 

[Turanil]

So at least there are plans for a d20 Star Trek! But they plan to base it on D&D 3.5 rather than d20 Modern /d20 Future. It is also considered they could make it compatible with Star-Wars d20: why not, if they do it properly! (same VP/WP system, etc.)

 

[SWBaxter]

That's pretty neat. I have a couple of the GURPS Prime Directive books (the main one, and Klingons), and they're a cool take on the SFB universe. Which, for anyone who's not familiar with the history of the license, is an alternate version of Star Trek.

They've also announced a d6 version, and look like they're primed to do other versions as well. Very interesting business strategy to push their setting material with any rules engine that'll have it, and one I've been kinda surprised not to see tried before. Then again, maybe it has and failed .

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

I picked up the GURPS: Prime Directive book a while back because I had heard their license allowed for the use of material from Star Trek: TAS. Unfortunately it seems that only extended to the use the Kzin race. Instead of Caitians and Edoans, there are a bunch of new races that seem like they would be more at home in the 1st edition D&D Fiend Folio than a Star Trek game.

 

[SWBaxter]

I picked up the GURPS: Prime Directive book a while back because I had heard their license allowed for the use of material from Star Trek: TAS.

ADB's license situation is somewhat odd; as I understand it, their license is based on The Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual, and so the species included are only those mentioned there or made up as part of the SFB timeline. The Kzin from the animated series are apparently allowed, but none of the other species from TAS.

 

[Ranger REG]

Basically it's an off-shoot Star Trek universe. So don't think it will have TNG, DS9, VOY, or even ENT stuff in it.

Heh. I doubt it will appeal and attract role-players to their pretty complicated Star Fleet Battles boardgame, but it does bring nostalgia to old-school wargamers like me.

 

[scourger]

It's a little less exciting to me that is only stuff from the original series, as I liked The Next Generation and loved Deep Space Nine. It might be worth investigating if they publish adventure modules.

EDIT: I really like that they are basing Prime Directive d20 on the core d20 engine (D&D 3.5). I think their reasoning that the most people have a PHB is dead right. This factor certianly makes it more appealing to me.

 

[Ranger REG]

It's a little less exciting to me that is only stuff from the original series, as I liked The Next Generation and loved Deep Space Nine. It might be worth investigating if they publish adventure modules.

They can't. The agreement with Paramount prevent them from accessing contemporary Trek series. IOW, Paramount said they can use certain material from TOS and the TOS Technical Manual by Franz Joseph, but not their trademarks (e.g., iconic characters).

Speaking as a on-and-off SFB wargamer, it doesn't make that universe less exciting. The Klingons are still allied with Romulan and the leonine (or feline) Lyrans.

(Please, no "Thundercats Ho!" war cry.)

EDIT: I really like that they are basing Prime Directive d20 on the core d20 engine (D&D 3.5). I think their reasoning that the most people have a PHB is dead right. This factor certianly makes it more appealing to me.

Purely a business-slash-marketing move. The cold fact is that there are more PHB owners than there are d20 Modern Core Rulebook owners.

 

[trancejeremy]

Cool news. I rather liked the original Prime Directive, being a fan of Star Fleet Battles.

And there is going to be a D6 version, too. Even better. I actually ran the original PD using the D6 rules.

 

[trancejeremy]

Basically it's an off-shoot Star Trek universe. So don't think it will have TNG, DS9, VOY, or even ENT stuff in it.

That's a feature, not a bug.