Edition wars! Games other than D&D

[Ron]

Chaosium is very conservative regarding rules changes. Although the Call of Cthulhu book is in its 6th edition, it still uses the same edition of the rules, with little changes.

Iron Crown definetly missed the spot with RMSS. I hate this version ever more than I love RM1/2, which are not very different one from the other.

Traveller is probably the only game where edition wars are even hotter than D&D. I've changed opinions about it with time. However, I now argue that Classic Traveller is the best edition, although there are some interesting improvements in MegaTraveller.

 

[Wombat]

Wombat has received the Great Revelation. He is now plump and wise.

Rub the Wombat, gain wisdom and good fortune.

Cool bean! I got a Buddha belly

(does his best to disguise himself as Hotei)

 

[SWBaxter]

Top Secret. Most fans of the original game, myself included, loathed Top Secret/SI.

Hmm, I had no idea anybody went to war over that one, since it seems only about five people worldwide have played both. IMHO, Top Secret had a lousy system but some absolutely brilliant spy-type adventure modules, some of which I still use today. Top Secret/SI had a kick butt set of rules, saddled with an inanely stupid default setting with the Web/Orion conflict. So I have plenty of hate for both .

 

[Squirrel Nutkin]

Top Secret. Most fans of the original game, myself included, loathed Top Secret/SI.

Much to SWBaxter's surprise, my players and I would agree with you.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Cool bean! I got a Buddha belly

(does his best to disguise himself as Hotei)

But, do you HAVE the belly, or do we need a prosthetic?

 

[Glyfair]

RuneQuest also has had its share of edition wars. Many fans of the Chaosium editions (RQ1 and RQ2) really hated the Avalon Hill version (RQ3) which added a lot of extra complication and de-emphasized the Glorantha setting (introducing a bland "Fantasy Earth" in its place), and there was also a lot of acrimony when Hero Wars (which has a completely different system and underlying philosophy from RQ, but the same setting -- Glorantha) was released -- many RQ/Glorantha fans felt like they were being pressured to switch over. I personally prefer RQ3 (the version I started with) but can appreciate the appeal of RQ2 as well. I hated Hero Wars at the time but have recently acquired HeroQuest (substantially revised 2nd ed of HW) and am actually liking it quite a bit, but I still doubt I'd ever play it.

I don't remember any "acrimony" from anyone who said they felt pressured to change over. I know a lot of people didn't like it (the change is system is probably comparable to the Dragonlance change to the Saga system, very different base for the two systems). However, if a RPG playable in Glorantha was going to be in print, it would have to be something other than Runequest because of the way Avalon Hill & Chaosium parted company (especially after Hasbro took over Avalon Hill).

I also haven't seen too many RQ3 vs. RQ2 system wars, either. Most people prefered RQ2 as a whole (indeed, a whole myth started that RQ3 was Avalon Hill's changes to the system).

 

[arwink]

Top Secret. Most fans of the original game, myself included, loathed Top Secret/SI.

Preach On, Brother CalrZog.

 

[Geron Raveneye]

Well, chalk me up for being an avid fan of the Shadowrun 1st Edition. Of course, that's because I houseruled most of the problematic rules way before they rolled up 2nd Edition. But all in all, it just has the right kind of feel for me. I don't know why, each time I take a look at SR3, I get the image of high-powered anime instead of low-life cyberpunk. Could be just me, though. And the sourcebooks simply were better for 1st/2nd, that's pretty clear. And any troll catching an assault cannon slug square on better wear some heavy armor, or he'll look like he was turned inside-out. Twinking your character in SR, like in D&D, only works if your GM goes along with it after all.

But Wombat's post said it all. The right kind of GM for the right kind of group and the right game, that's what it always boils down to.

 

[Bagpuss]

I use this one.

[snip] Image of Classic Traveller [/url]

As I don't have the originals. Actually, it was a present to the wife, as she's
the Traveller nut in our house.

Oh man are you gonna hate me I use Traveller: New Era, Reformation Coalition "Star Vikings" and all. Probably the least loved of the Traveller editions. I like the setting more than the rules however.

My real favourite is Traveller: 2300AD, (later renamed 2300AD, as it isn't actually part of the Traveller time line) but that really doesn't count as a Traveller edition.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

I seem to remember some hardcore Battletech guys getting pretty snippy about the newer clicky game.