Fantasy Sex Roleplaying Game Releases October 2003

[Geoffrey]

I for one definitely hope that the photography in the book is mostly of female models. Why? Two reasons:

1. Most gamers are heterosexual males.
2. A majority of females would rather look at unclothed women than unclothed men.

 

[NiTessine]

Whoa... Whoa... WHOA!

Umm... I'm not sure if I should be worried, weirded, or amused. I compromise by being all three.

I think I'll just pass on this one...

 

[Belen]

Well, now we know why AV asked us about a "mature" line of products, although this hardy counts as mature. I'm betting that they use a token male and have an all female extravaganza! Like it is not already hard enough to recruit women to the game.

I had asked AV about his definition of mature content. It appears as if he'd rather go for immature gross-out (BoVD, although I am glad that Monte set us straight on his true intentions for the book) and sex rather than tackle really mature content.

What's next "d20 jokes that you shouldn't tell your mother?"

Sex and gore, mature? I think not. It's only labeled mature because kids shouldn't see it. <sigh>

Dave

 

[Voadam]

The sample art in the press release looks cool, too. I've often wondered why some company or other didn't use altered photography instead of drawings or paintings for interior art for a fantasy RPG or setting. (Though indeed, someone may have, and I just missed it.)

Regards,
Darrell King

The pdf book of Eldritch might had photo altered art originally as well (It no longer does). Bastion Press' Lore of the Gods Book Two: Norse Gods does too (and probably the other two in that series).

So as a real confirmed product, anybody know if this will be just in print or pdf as well?

 

[Voneth]

Hmmmm....
The sample art in the press release looks cool, too. I've often wondered why some company or other didn't use altered photography instead of drawings or paintings for interior art for a fantasy RPG or setting. (Though indeed, someone may have, and I just missed it.)

sigh, yet another bit of proof that no one ever gave the Changeling RPG a real look.

They used photos, illustrations and photo shop to set up some surreal pictures in a lot of their supplements. The LARP version leaned more to enhanced photos, as did another game Nobils.

And before both of those games, White Wolf used enhanced photos for a lot of their Mage covers.

On the other hand, products like Digital Burn make for a good case that photos shouldn't be used!

(Poor, poor Changleing. It was a game that could be taken in many directions, from Disney to savage folklore. But it seemed that a lot of people assumed it was the one thing they weren't interested in. It didn't help that power gamers couldn't lay a finger on regular humans who didn't belive in magic.)

 

[bramadan]

OK, I'm more likely to get this then the book of prestige classes #73

BUT

I am not sure we realy need the photoshoped photographs. Fnatasy art through the ages seems to have been quite sufficient. We are counting on the demographic that is supposed to have some imagination after all.
Also, if the emphasis is placed on the girlie pictures at the expanse of the written content the great opportunity will be lost.
Now if the book contains the feats dealing with seduction, magical uses of sex (and not, please not, sexual uses of magic), Courtesan and Enchantress prestige classes (done well for a change) Adventure seeds rooted in sex-related situations. Sex related abilites of assorted mythologicl crittes (of which there are quite a few), then it just may be an interesting title.

 

[The Sigil]

It is real, AV is doing it, the PR is true.

I have talked with a few people about this but I was not allowed to say anything.

What Hal isn't telling you is that HE will be the token male appearing in the book... now we know why Hal is known as "the man without pants."

And he's the only one that won't need to be Photoshopped.

...

Seriously, I must admit that I am SHOCKED by the tone of this thread. I thought I would see a lot more "Huzzahs!" Instead, it's been, for the most part, one big indifferent shrug, with almost a resigned sigh... and it appears to be something that not a lot of people feel they want and/or need.

After being hammered on numerous "Vile" threads, my faith in the gaming community is a little stronger today... I guess gamers may want some "mature/peurile" (depending on the view point of the observor) material , but not "blatantly pandering" material. This reminded me of the line,

"It's not child porn - they're elves, see? Pointy ears!"

Once again, thanks for restoring my faith in the gaming community.

--The Sigil

 

[ForceUser]

I won't pretend to understand occultism or fetish fantasies. I went to the website of the photographer listed in the blurb and his work is more revolting than interesting. That said, it takes big stones to stand behind that kind of product and open oneself to the ridicule an alternative lifestyle d20 book could create.

Would I buy such a product? Probably not. Will I want a peek? Probably.

 

[Tyler Do'Urden]

Let me get this straight: A D&D Sex Manual written by an occultist and bondage enthusiast that will feature elf and nymph porn? Good golly, someone call Jack Chick before this one hits the market!

This is sick and wrong!

Which is exactly why I MUST PRE-ORDER MY COPY!!!

 

[Bulletproof]

AV has confirmed to me that this is for real. He's offered to do an interview, so I'll try to set something up.

To repeat Eric's warning earlier - please be careful and ensure that these messageboards remain a family-friendly place. Thanks!

I find it difficult to comment on a product that is not family friendly in a family friendly manner, especially since I would personally prefer our hobby to be thought of as family friendly. Difficult, but not impossible, and I hope others can keep it clean too.

During the interview, can you ask a few of these questions:

Why is Valar Project, Inc. allowed to advertise compatibility with a trademark (Dungeons and Dragons) when that is normally forbidden by the OGL?

From the OGL FAQ at http://www.wizards.com/D20/article.asp?x=dt20010417g :

"Q: Why can't I indicate compatibility with a Trademark or a Registered Trademark?

A: The Open Game License expands the control a Trademark owner has over your ability to use that Trademark beyond the restrictions normally allowed by trademark law. The explicit reason this clause is included in the Open Game License is to stop people from saying that their Open Game Content is compatible with Dungeons & Dragons, or any other Wizards of the Coast game, without getting permission from Wizards of the Coast first. Of course, the clause is generic, so you can't indicate compatibility with any other company's trademarks either unless you get their permission first."

I assume that someone other than Anthony himself at WOTC has given them permission as outlined above, since A.V. is the one guy at WOTC who should know the rules, so here are a couple of follow up questions, if that is the case:

Isn't there a conflict of interest in his ability to get the permission to do this?

If WOTC gave permission, doesn't that mean that WOTC, and therefore Hasbro, is endorsing the product to some extent?

At the very least it gives the appearance that WOTC endorses this product more than the products of other publishers. If such permission isn't considered the same as endorsement, then shouldn't there be a disclaimer to that effect?

Other questions:

Has he considered that this product will attract bad press for the hobby as a whole, when it comes from an employee of the premeire publisher of RPGs?

[Edit: Actually I meant to ask "Is he concerned that this product will attract bad press for the hobby as a whole, when it comes from an employee of the premeire publisher of RPGs?" It's obvious that he would have considered it. ]

What makes him think that his experiences in setting up a church (of any religion) give him qualifications for such a product?

Edit: Just so people know: I'm not really against the product, and I certainly don't care what AV does in his personal time. But I am concerned that he may be abusing his employment with WOTC at the expense of the RPG industry, and he did bring up the personal stuff, not me.