d20 Prime Directive

[BPIJonathan]

Will you limit yourself to using just the 3.5e SRD, or will you incorporate material from both SRD and MSRD into the product?

Material from the Modern SRD is used where it was needed.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Two different books.

OY!

 

[ecliptic]

So this is technically suppose to take place during the original series? Erm, not sure I like that. I couldn't stand the old series. I prefer Next Generation and further on.

I wish someone would make a normal Star Trek d20, but I think Decipher has the license.

On another note. You would think they could come up with a better designed website and OMG their artwork is horrid.

 

[solomoncane]

To JMT: starship combat other than SFB?

I asked this question of Mr. Thompson on the ADB board, but I'll ask here also:

GPD offered information on using GURPS Space for ship combat in addition to SFB info.
Will PD20 include a starship combat system alternative to SFB?

 

[BPIJonathan]

I asked this question of Mr. Thompson on the ADB board, but I'll ask here also:

GPD offered information on using GURPS Space for ship combat in addition to SFB info.
Will PD20 include a starship combat system alternative to SFB?

Im sorry I guess I missed it over there, but yes it will.

 

[scourger]

You are not the only one that hopes it gets good reviews.

So, the main book is a June release? Man, I've got Christmas gift certificates burning a hole in my wallet! When will the other books released? Most importantly, when will the adventure module modules hit the shelves?

 

[BPIJonathan]

So, the main book is a June release? Man, I've got Christmas gift certificates burning a hole in my wallet! When will the other books released? Most importantly, when will the adventure module modules hit the shelves?

That is unfortunately out of my hands, I am just a grunt on this project. IIRC the book release order will be PD20, Fed 20 and Klingons 20 (those are the only known ones at the moment, as more are known I am sure ADB will announce them). I have made a couple of proposals for additional books, but there has been no decision on those as of yet, but as soon as it is made I am sure they will be announced.

 

[scourger]

That is unfortunately out of my hands, I am just a grunt on this project. IIRC the book release order will be PD20, Fed 20 and Klingons 20 (those are the only known ones at the moment, as more are known I am sure ADB will announce them). I have made a couple of proposals for additional books, but there has been no decision on those as of yet, but as soon as it is made I am sure they will be announced.

Fair enough. Thanks for the reply. I've been looking at the Star Fleet Universe web site and disucssion board and web site quite a bit. Here's what I found in the future multi-system books forum:

We plan to publish 12 books:
GURPS PRIME DIRECTIVE
D20 PRIME DIRECTIVE
D6 PRIME DIRECTIVE
GURPS FEDERATION
D20 FEDERATION
D6 FEDERATION
GURPS KLINGONS
D20 KLINGONS
D6 KLINGONS
GURPS ROMULANS
D20 ROMULANS
D6 ROMULANS

After that, we have an open mind.

Here's my expereince and suggestions. Please pass it along to Steve Cole or your other contacts at Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.

Two things spark my interest in Prime Directive 20 (PD20). First, the name and likenesses are known to me from Star Trek and evoke that genre. Second, and more importantly, it carries the d20 brand. The decision to use d20 rule in lieu of d20 Modern rules is a wise one in my opinion. It will prompt me to buy PD20 whereas I probably wouldn't buy a d20 Modern version. I can't get my players to embrace very much that is too far from D&D as it is. If I just wanted a Star Trek role-playing game there is another slick-looking one at my favortite local game store that has the more recent material in it. I'm interested in d20 games (hence my reading and posting here).

Without adventure modules, I might buy the PD20 book. I may even include some federation characters in a game I'm running. If I'm really, really captivated by the game, I might buy some of the other planned sourcebooks. Eventually, I'll turn my attention to other games that do have published adventures. I've done it with many, many d20 games in the past; so I've learned my lesson. Without modules, I'm probably a one-book sale at best.

With published modules, I'll have a chance to actually run PD20. Then, I'm even more inclined to buy the core book and other sourcebooks, even though I probably will not use them all. I don't like rules inflation. I have done this with a couple of other d20 games. I still have those games on my shelf in hope of running those modules. It may never happen, but now I'm a more dedicated consumer.

You see, I believe that sourcebooks exploit the market whereas adventure modules grow the market. Modules get and keep people playing. Sourcebooks are often just so much extra reading and rules material. A game that is being played will drive sales of books as more people play it. I think Wizards of the Coast has realized this marketing strategy. I believe it explains why Eberron has adventures being published for it.

I have read in the past that publishers avoid modules because they don't sell as well as sourcebooks. That may be true for a one-on-one comparison. My experience has been that usually only one person in the group has the books anyway--the person running the game. I know lots of people with Player's Handbooks, fewer with Dungeon Master's Guides or Monster Manuals, and even fewer with other d20 games.

The only exception is Star Wars, but most of us just have the core book. Only the games master has some of the other books. A few of the rest of us bought core books so we could play the game after he had the game ready to run. The same thing happened with Wheel of Time, but only two core books and one adventure were sold among the seven of us at the time.

I can assure you that I will be the only person in my group to buy PD20 since I would like to run the game. So, I am your target in this micro-market. And what gets me to buy the game is adventure modules. They are like loss leaders in retail and grocery stores. Lower profit or magin sales of those products get customers in the store to buy more profitable goods with higher margins. It is possible that some players might buy the core book if I run the game and it is good. The bottom line is that modules drive sales of other books.

So, those are my opinions and experiences. Thanks for listening and for passing it along.

 

[Ranger REG]

I wish someone would make a normal Star Trek d20, but I think Decipher has the license.

Last time I checked, Decipher still have the license.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Modules only drive the sale of books if you assume at least a significant minority of GMs use modules.

As one who doesn't (and whose worst experiences as a player have invariably come from published adventures), they're so much wasted paper to me. Sourcebooks, on the other hand, routinely see use at my table, whether I'm a player or a GM.

To the best of my knowledge, the group I GM for collectively brings to the table:

Player's Handbook (7)
Dungeon Master's Guide (5)
Monster Manual (4)
Monster Manual 3 (1)
d20 Modern (2)
d20 Rokugan Campaign Setting (3)
Oriental Adventures (3)
Expanded Psionics Handbook (2)
Complete Warrior (3)
Complete Divine (1)
Complete Arcane (2)
Complete Adventurer (2)
Conan the RPG (1)
Arcana Unearthed (1)
Unearthed Arcana (2)
OGL Steampunk (2)

I know all of us own other books. Some may even own adventures/modules, though if so I've never seen them.

I'll probably buy d20 Klingons and d20 Romulans, if only to mine for other games. I doubt I'll buy d20 Prime Directive or d20 Federation, because I'm unlikely to run the game itself (although the military side of TOS Star Trek does appeal to me).