Iron Kingdoms (aka RPG Vapourware)

[Bagpuss]

I've just noticed that the

Iron Kingdoms: Campaign Guide
D20 System reference, 240 pp.+ hardback, $29.95 US
Release Date: Second Quarter 2003

as still listed in Privateer Presses Books section

Has become...

Iron Kingdoms "Full Metal Fantasy" Character Guide (IKCG)
360+ pp., hardcover, $39.99 US
Release Date: Second Quarter 2004

and

Iron Kingdoms "Full Metal Fantasy" World Guide (IKWG)
360+ pp., hardcover, $39.99 US
Release Date: Third Quarter 2004

according to the "schedule" section of the website.

So great a 240 page book has become 780+ pages over two books and has been pushed back another year, but arn't we about to enter the third quarter and the Iron Kingdom Character Guide is still not out.

This setting won the Ennie award for Best Setting in 2001, it is now 2004...

Is this setting ever going to be published? And when it comes out will there be anyone left who cares? What with all the other technology and magic stuff thats already come out.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Check out this thread.

 

[Carnifex]

The IKCG has already gone to the printers, so we'll see it soon.

 

[Bagpuss]

The IKCG has already gone to the printers, so we'll see it soon.

You'll forgive me if I don't hold my breath. Besides that's still only a character guide book and its a whole quarter late, if the world book is that late it won't be out until September/October 2004 (only 3 years late).

 

[barsoomcore]

What's your point? You'd rather have not so good stuff sooner? The folks at Privateer have been pretty upfront about why it's so overdue and what their reasoning has been for delaying it.

You can't rush spaghetti sauce, and you shouldn't rush Privateer Press. I'd rather they took all the time they need to make it perfect. It'll be just as useful to me in October as it would have been three years ago.

When companies put out books quickly, but those books disappoint, the company doesn't get from me a nod for being timely -- they get a slap for being shoddy. I stop considering books from publishers who don't seem to take enough time to get things right. I don't stop considering books from publishers who take a long time to release stuff -- any more than I stop reading books by authors who write slowly. Or filmmakers who take a long time between projects.

Sure, I want things fast, and I want things good, but if I HAVE to choose, I'll choose good. Especially for something like RPG aids, whose value doesn't depreciate over time and which are, when all is said and done, purely luxury goods.

What I've seen of the IKCG makes nonsense any use of the word "only." It looks magnificent. Check this story at 3rdedition.org:

http://www.3rdedition.org/articles/viewer.asp?id=70

All I know is I'm buying it. Damn straight. And kudos to them for doing it right and not taking shortcuts.

 

[La Bete]

nope. theres merit in ensuring that you ar putting out a quality product, and then theres what PP have done.

"Hey it'll be out soon"
"really"
"honest"
"we are finishing the layout"
(a month or so later) "well, its actually 800 pages, so its 2 books now"

etc.

its not so much them taking the "master craftsman" approach, which I can respect, but the "inability to tell when youve bitten off more than you can chew" factor.

Plus the fact if they had put out something they would OWN the Steampunk genre. (yes, its not actually steampunk, but you know what I mean.)

 

[Blue_Genie]

On a side note, if you check out the Privateer Press website you'll see that a few preview copies of the Iron Kingdoms Campaign Guide have shipped to Origins. Oh you lucky Buckeyes!

 

[barsoomcore]

nope. theres merit in ensuring that you ar putting out a quality product, and then theres what PP have done.

What exactly does that "nope" apply to? You don't think the book looks good? You rush your spaghetti sauce?

I just do not understand this, "It's no longer new so it's not as interesting," attitude. Why do you care when they release their books? Why is a book more valuable in 2002 than it is in 2004? It confuses me. If a book is cool, it's always cool. The Monsternomicon is just as cool today as it was when I bought it. If it came out today, I'd buy it just as quickly as I'd bought it then.

I don't get it.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

On a side note, if you check out the Privateer Press website you'll see that a few preview copies of the Iron Kingdoms Campaign Guide have shipped to Origins. Oh you lucky Buckeyes!

Somebody pick me up a copy! PLEEEASE! ( Where is the begging smiley? )

 

[Eridanis]

This was the one book I wanted my brother to pick up while he's at Origins. I hope he gets there before they're all gone ...