Goodman Games embracing 4e!

[catsclaw227]

Well, EN publishing is currently working on a 4E version of the 12-part War of the Burning Sky campaign saga, along with the Campaign Guide and Player's Guide. That's 14 products... although we haven't officially announced anything yet.

Well, that sounded "semi-official".

I have the 3.5 version and only got a chance to do a PbP for a couple of months before a couple of rotten apples ruined the barrel.

I was thinking about porting it for 4e, like i am with Age of Worms. Its a really good arc, with entry and exit points at various levels. Very good idea for those that have mid level PCs, yet want to start an AP.

 

[Filcher]

Well, that sounded "semi-official".

I have the 3.5 version and only got a chance to do a PbP for a couple of months before a couple of rotten apples ruined the barrel.

I hope this is done well. It isn't a 1:1 conversion between the rulesets ... a lot of thought needs to be given to maps (gotta have room to move!) the make up of foe groups, the expectations around magic, play testing new monsters, etc.

It's lot of work, and the adventures will only be worth it if it is done well and with a lot of attention and intention.

(Which isn't to say ENworld Pubs. won't get it right, just that it might take longer than we hope.)

 

[Pinotage]

Well, EN publishing is currently working on a 4E version of the 12-part War of the Burning Sky campaign saga, along with the Campaign Guide and Player's Guide. That's 14 products... although we haven't officially announced anything yet.

I never got round to playing it with 3.5e even though I really wanted to, so maybe I'll give it a swing in 4e. I guess it's not official enough to know if those that own the 3.5e version will get the 4e version at a discount.

Still anxiously awaiting #12.

Pinotage

 

[Morrus]

I guess it's not official enough to know if those that own the 3.5e version will get the 4e version at a discount.

No, they'll be pretty much rewrites, and we can't possibly afford to sell them for less than the dirt-cheap price the 3.5 versions were at!

 

[catsclaw227]

I hope this is done well. It isn't a 1:1 conversion between the rulesets ... a lot of thought needs to be given to maps (gotta have room to move!) the make up of foe groups, the expectations around magic, play testing new monsters, etc.

It's lot of work, and the adventures will only be worth it if it is done well and with a lot of attention and intention.

And these are excellent points. I have had to make some minor and a few major concessions to get AoW to work. Swapping out monsters, modifying encounter areas, "spreading things out", also re-jiggering the treasure and rewards. Some things I converted to Skill Challenges, some I made traps and hazards, some I made quests.

It can be complicated, but I think you can retain the spirit of the campaign arc without difficulty.

Now, if 4e had some good mass combat rules..... maybe wrapped around the skill challenge subsystem.

 

[Jack99]

It's 4e compatible, not GSL. For example, instead of using words like Soldier for monsters and stuff, they use Sld. Or Lrk for Lurker. M1, Dragora's Dungeon, is published under the OGL, with OGL license attached and everything.

Pinotage

Why would they write 4e(GSL) next to the product, then? Seems quite a bit misleading, opening them for all sorts of trouble. I know the stuff released before October 1st is not GSL (obviously) but it looks like what comes after will be, which fits with what Mr. Goodman has said on his boards...

 

[Filcher]

It can be complicated, but I think you can retain the spirit of the campaign arc without difficulty.

Definitely. I'd just hate to seem some slapdash "find/replace" job done. But I think Morrus addressed this when he said it was a "total rewrite." The arc deserves to be brought to 4E, so I'm glad it is being done right.

All that said, I wonder why they are rereleasing the arc? Folks that have bought it have played it, and won't be purchasing the new 4E version. If ENworld Pubs. is really doing a true re-write, it seems like the would have gotten a larger audience by simply writing up an entirely new arc.

*shrug* (I bet they know what they are doing. I'm just curious, is all.)

OT: The more Goodman Games produces, the more I will buy. Looking forward to October and the next installment!

 

[Filcher]

Why would they write 4e(GSL) next to the product, then? Seems quite a bit misleading, opening them for all sorts of trouble. I know the stuff released before October 1st is not GSL (obviously) but it looks like what comes after will be, which fits with what Mr. Goodman has said on his boards...

I bet they did a small print run (OGL) for pre-October sales, with the next rn (GSL) done in time for October. Interesting that Wizards didn't call their bluff. We could have had all the other big 3pp onboard (via OGL) at August, by the looks of it.

 

[Pinotage]

Why would they write 4e(GSL) next to the product, then? Seems quite a bit misleading, opening them for all sorts of trouble. I know the stuff released before October 1st is not GSL (obviously) but it looks like what comes after will be, which fits with what Mr. Goodman has said on his boards...

You're probably right. I've been under the impression they were going copyright all the way since they didn't want to lose the 'rights' to their campaign setting. Everything so far has been copyright.

But, wouldn't they have to take the current Master Dungeons, released under the OGL, off the market if they wanted to do Master Dungeons with the GSL? I think that's how it currently stands.

Pinotage

 

[Jack99]

You're probably right. I've been under the impression they were going copyright all the way since they didn't want to lose the 'rights' to their campaign setting. Everything so far has been copyright.

But, wouldn't they have to take the current Master Dungeons, released under the OGL, off the market if they wanted to do Master Dungeons with the GSL? I think that's how it currently stands.

Pinotage

I think it is the way it works (but I am by no means anything near an expert on such matters). Maybe they plan to continue the Master Dungeon serie under the OGL?