[GR PR] Mutants & Masterminds RPG To Be OGL Only

[Pramas]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MUTANTS & MASTERMINDS RPG TO BE OGL ONLY
Green Ronin Forgoes d20 Logo on Signature Supers Game

September 30, 2002-SEATTLE, WA: Green Ronin Publishing today announced that its ground-breaking superhero roleplaying game Mutants & Masterminds will be released under the Open Game License only, thus making it a stand-alone game. The game was originally to have borne the d20 logo, as all Green Ronin Products have since the Origins- and ENnie-award winning Death in Freeport.

"The game was so close to being complete on its own," explained Green Ronin President Chris Pramas, "that we decided to go for it and let Mutants & Masterminds' quality speak for itself."

The Mutants & Masterminds core rulebook will now contain all the rules you need to play, from character creation to powers to campaigning. It will be the first non-fantasy RPG to be released using only the Open Game License.

Mutants & Masterminds Fact-File
Author: Steve Kenson
Cover: Ale Garza
Size: 192 glossy, full-color pages, hardbound
Release Date: October, 2002
Price: $32.95

Highlights Include:
· Complete point-based character creation system that allows for maximum customization while retaining important game balance.
· Dozens of feats and super-feats.
· More than 100 pre-designed powers with complete rules for creating countless more.
· Twelve "ready to play" hero archetypes: Battlesuit, Elemental, Gadgeteer, Martial Artist, Metamorph, Mimic, Mystic, Original, Powerhouse,
Psychic, Speedster, and Totem.
· Complete rules for technological devices, weapons, vehicles, headquarters, sidekicks and more.
· An introductory adventure.
· A streamlined system that requires only one die, a d20, to play.
· Stunning art from such comic-industry talents as Dan Brereton, Sean Chen, Kevin Sharpe, and Cully Hamner.

Mutants & Masterminds is a trademark of Green Ronin Publishing.

Green Ronin Media Contact
Nicole Lindroos
nicole@greenronin.com

Sales and Marketing
Osseum Entertainment, LLC
PO Box 1326
Maple Valley, Washington 98038-1326
425-432-2882 fax: 206-374-2955

For additional information contact
Jim Fallone,
Vice President of Marketing & New Acquisitions,
Osseum Entertainment
Phone: 425-271-5308
Fax: 206-374-2955
e-mail: jim_fallone@osseum.com

 

[Horacio]

Really good news!

Thanks a lot for going with the OGL but not d20 route, M&M deserve it

 

[HellHound]

Good Call. This isnt' the forum for it really, but how do you feel this may affet sales? More sales to the vocal (albeit not here) "d20 sucks" community, but less to the "Dungeons and Dragons" community? Or am I reading too much into the value of that d20 system logo?

 

[tensen]

My guess is that a large percentage of people that know what d20 is, know what OGL is.

The population that don't.. have goten a tailored idea of what d20 was from their local gaming store.
If the salesman is trying to sell it. "d20 is D&D by other companies that like it better than WOTC."
or by those that don't like d20 "Oh, d20 its a bunch of fans making their material to look like D&D... you really shouldn't bother."

 

[MEG Hal]

It did sound so solid that that may be a very wise move Chris, either way I am looking forward to seeing this book at my LGS soon. Good luck with it as with all your projects.

 

[Psion]

I have to second the "good call"! I felt that GOO was a little deceptive in marketing SAS d20 with a d20 logo considering that it really didn't deliver the same level of d20 compatability as most customers expect from the label. I was fearful that M&M would fall into the same boat. By shedding the d20 logo, you gain the leeway to make the necessary changes to make it feel like a supers game without the possibility of leading customers astray that are expecting a game closer to the d20 baseline, and you also allow customers to play the game off-the-shelf without additional books! I am looking forward to it!

 

[Pramas]

Good Call. This isnt' the forum for it really, but how do you feel this may affet sales? More sales to the vocal (albeit not here) "d20 sucks" community, but less to the "Dungeons and Dragons" community? Or am I reading too much into the value of that d20 system logo?

I think it will boost sales. d20 fans are familiar with Green Ronin and I think our logo will be enough to get them to look at it (not to mention the jaw droppingly beautiful nature of the game; go Super U!). Any d20 player worth their ten foot pole with realize what they holding in less than a minute.

The boost, I think, will come from comic fans or those who would have been put off by the idea of having to buy another book to use M&M. We've gotten strong interest from the comic trade, for obvious reasons. While I would expect your average gamer to have the PH already, I can't say the same about the average comic fan. The last thing I want to see is a comic fan who is drawn in by the amazing artwork of Dan Brereton or Ale Garza but then feels disgruntled when he buys the game and realizes he has to buy another $30 book to really play. Having Mutants & Masterminds be a complete game is a big selling point.

 

[HellHound]

Then once again I say,

Good Call.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Add my name to the "congratulations" list.

I already own a PH, but I like the idea of not having to lug it around tp play M&M. One complete book is better.

 

[Horacio]

Now the dangerous question... Will it be released in October, as announced, or will be have to wait until November?