Decipher's LotR RPG Supported Again!!

[VorpalBunny]

Looks like the life of the Valar has been breathed into the game, but I'm very curious as to the disposition of the Trek RPG (since it's been confirmed Mongoose doesn't have the license).

http://www.decipher.com/content/2005/01/010705lotrrpg2005.html

New Titles for The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game to Be Released in 2005!
Decipher Inc., best known for licensed trading card games, has announced that they will continue releasing supplemental products for The Lord of the Rings™ Roleplaying Game.

"Changes in our internal workings, as well as changes in the current RPG market, caused us to delay and re-evaluate several products that had been scheduled for a 2003 and 2004 release," said Warren Holland, Chairman and CEO of Decipher. "Our roleplaying customers let us know they wished the line to continue, and we're happy to announce today that it will. We understand their frustration and appreciate their patience while we sorted out the necessary details."

Paths of the Wise: The Guide to Magicians and Loremasters will be the first new release in April 2005. This sourcebook will expand upon the magic of Middle-earth and offer new spells and magical items, and will introduce familiars. Language, storytelling, and the penning of history also become important skills to flesh out your adventures in Middle-earth. After Paths of the Wise, players can look forward to a new release every eight weeks.

"We appreciate the loyal fans of Decipher's RPG properties that have made them an instant hit," Holland said, referring to the 2003 Origins Award The Lord of the Rings RPG Core Book received for Best New Roleplaying Game. "We feel that the writing, the art, and the playability of Decipher RPGs create a memorable gaming event for them. The Lord of the Rings is the standard from which all popular fantasy gaming was born so there's a lot of pressure to make sure that we do it right."

Decipher released The Lord of the Rings RPG Core Book in 2003, earning the 2003 Origins Award for Best New Roleplaying Game. Based on the proprietary CODA system, players can play characters or situations from the film trilogy or create their own. Subsequent releases included The Fellowship of the Ring Sourcebook, The Two Towers Sourcebook, Fell Beasts and Wondrous Magic, as well as two Roleplaying Adventure Game boxed sets for new players. There have also been several popular Maps of Middle-earth sets drawn by Weta illustrator Daniel Reeve, which feature beautifully detailed maps of the geography of Middle-earth, maps of the major cities, and even the fallen Dwarf stronghold of Moria.

For more information on Decipher's The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game, visit www.decipher.com.

January 7, 2005

 

[Fedifensor]

Good job, guys! Jump back into the market right as all the hype about the LotR movies is ending...

 

[ssampier]

signs of a healthly industry

Great! I don't play the LoTR RPG, but it's nice to have some signs of the RPG industry health. It is a nice anecdote to the "doom and gloom" in the RPG industry.

 

[Akrasia]

Good job, guys! Jump back into the market right as all the hype about the LotR movies is ending...

Decipher has never been much interested in supporting the LotR RPG. Their main focus has always been the card game. :\

Since they have had a pile of completed manuscripts for the LotR RPG sitting around for over a year now (and still need to pay the writers of those manuscripts!), I guess they just decided to finally publish them. Once that's done, though, I doubt we will ever see anything new for LotR again.

(Sigh. If only a decent company like Eden or Green Ronin had gained the rights to LotR. A Unisystem version of Middle-earth, or a radically reworked d20 version a la M&M, could have been great...)

 

[VorpalBunny]

Good job, guys! Jump back into the market right as all the hype about the LotR movies is ending...

I agree, the timing could be better, but AFAIC, better late than never. CODA is a great system and deserves to be supported.

Decipher has never been much interested in supporting the LotR RPG. Their main focus has always been the card game.

Since they have had a pile of completed manuscripts for the LotR RPG sitting around for over a year now (and still need to pay the writers of those manuscripts!), I guess they just decided to finally publish them. Once that's done, though, I doubt we will ever see anything new for LotR again.

True, Decipher is a TCG company first and foremost, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Of course, I can't see them being too patient with the revived line if the response isn't what they expect right off the bat.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I like the CODA version, even though (or maybe because) it really is very much like a "d20 Lite" using 2d6 as the core mechanic. I ran a two month minicampaign of the game, and it ran quite well. It was fun and interesting, and really seemed to evoke the setting. The supplements actually released were very well done, and the entire line in general seemed to be lovingly crafted. It was irritating when Decipher began acting as if the game never existed, especially after listing a ton of supplements that were in the offing. I'm glad to see this news, and I hope they release a Return of the King sourcebook.

 

[Karl Green]

I'm a mrph... I have the main rule book and while there are parts of it that are cool (Magic), overall I was not overly impressed with the game. Its ok, nothing special... I guess it does not have to be, you can run it. I do really dislike the basic combat setup

BUT I do hope all those writers finally get paid

 

[Starman]

Decipher's business strategy when it comes to RPGs really baffles me.

Starman

 

[Nisarg]

I like how they cite their wining of the Origins award for best new RPG as anything other than glaring evidence of the complete corruption of the Origins award system.

If there was ever an RPG that did NOT in any way shape or form deserve that reward, it was that game.. a crippled setting, a complete hack-job of editing that requires erratta a mile long, and an unimaginative system. Not to mention quite possibly the most ignorant marketing strategy since the White Star Ocean Liner company decided to "just say no" to iceberg-proof hulls.

Nisarg

 

[Ranger REG]

Decipher's business strategy when it comes to RPGs really baffles me.

Frankly, I'm not surprised. They treat their TCG as their favorite child. Their negligence of their own RPG design studio prompted many ex-LUG/ex-WotC designers to leave.