Lord of the Rings Roleplaying

[Wolfspider]

I'm sure when the LotR game comes out, it will be a HUGE success, although I'm sure it would have been bigger had it been released to coincide with the first LOTR film. (Then again what do I know about the occult world of RPG publishing?)

I want this game so bad I can taste it...but I've decided not to hold my breath. (Whoah! Mixed metaphor alert!) I'm encouraged to see you post here letting us know how the printing and such is going, but you'll have to forgive me if I don't believe it's real till I see it at my FLGS and get to hold it in my trembling hands.

I'm a pessimistic bastard that way. I just don't want to get my hopes up for nothing.

 

[mmadsen]

The Adventure Game kicks ass and takes names. $30 doesn't seem to be too expensive, since we're selling the hell out of it. But I seriously doubt anyone here is the target audience. . .unless you're 13 and have never heard of RPGs before.

I'm glad to hear that the Lord of the Rings Adventure Game is selling well, even at $30, but I have to say I'm surprised. Even as an adult fan of RPGs and LOTR -- that is, I have money, and I support the material -- I don't see myself picking it up for nieces and nephews at Christmas.

Granted, I haven't seen the inside of the $30 package, but even if it's wonderful, it's seems like a less-wonderful, less-expensive product might be more appropriate. I know I'd pick up an inexpensive version; I certainly picked up the D&D Adventure Game.

 

[Davelozzi]

The Adventure Game kicks ass and takes names. $30 doesn't seem to be too expensive, since we're selling the hell out of it. But I seriously doubt anyone here is the target audience. . .unless you're 13 and have never heard of RPGs before.

Matt, can you tell us what's included in the boxed set?

 

[Desdichado]

Sounds like my retailer was more or less right, then. Good thing the rumored delays panned out to be only rumors!

Matt, how much disclosure can you give us? Is the game complete in one book? What's the supplement schedule like? The Decipher website is... ahh... less than informative.

 

[mmadsen]

So, do we ever get to find out what's in the box set or what the final RPG's going to look like?

 

[qstor]

Last Unicorn games won the awards for the TNG game. A lot of the staff is on at Decphier but it doesnt make it the last company.

I think any LOTR role playing that I do will use the conversions by Col. Hardisson and Wolfspider.

Althought I might pick up the ST Klingon book if it ever comes out from Decphier.

Mike

 

[Wolfspider]

Well, thank you very much for your kind words about our conversion. (I just wish I had more time to work on it right now.) In any case, like I said before, I'll be snatching up the LotR RPG when it comes out (whenver that is). I expect that it will be a truly great game and well-received.

 

[mattcolville]

Last Unicorn games won the awards for the TNG game. A lot of the staff is on at Decphier but it doesnt make it the last company.

I'm. . .not sure what that last sentence means. I hope Decipher isn't the last company! American needs more companies!

 

[mattcolville]

Sounds like my retailer was more or less right, then. Good thing the rumored delays panned out to be only rumors!

Matt, how much disclosure can you give us? Is the game complete in one book? What's the supplement schedule like? The Decipher website is... ahh... less than informative.

I can tell you everything I know, but I don't know much. I haven't been involved at any stage in the RPG design. I'm working on Engage! right now, the Star Trek RPG.

The LotR RPG will be one book, not three a la D&D and not two a la Trek.

Apart from that. . .I don't know much. I'm not even sure when the book is set, i.e. what Age you're playing in, although I believe it's the third age between the Hobbit and the LotR.

The AG contains an adventure: Through the Mines of Moria, which I wrote, a Gazeteer of Middle Earth, which Ken Hite wrote, that explains to someone who's just seen the movie who all these characters are and where they're from and why some of them seem pissed at others for no good reason.

There's a ton of cardboard orc counters, 4 maps, including a nice map of middle earth, fast play rules, 9 full-color doubled sided character sheets.

 

[MerricB]

...and it is hideously expensive.

If the introductory set is that expensive, I shudder to think what the RPG will cost.

Sure, there's plenty of stuff in the set, but I would have preferred less stuff and a significant reduction in price. So speaks the experienced roleplayer with not much need of another introductory set, YMMV.

Last Unicorn Games did some inspired work with RPGs. Their original production - Aria, Canticle of the Monomyth - still fascinates me in concept, although my Greyhawk campaigns keep me from playing it.

As opposed to that, their work on CCGs was deeply flawed. I still play the Dune CCG, but there are many "issues" with that game. Including the worst CCG rulebook ever written. (The second worst I have decided is the Buffy CCG rulebook... oh look, the Buffy CCG was designed by ex-members of LUG!)

[OT: Matt - can Shadow Partnership target Dune. Why or why not? ]

Decipher's a pretty good company. They learn from their mistakes. Compare the Star Trek CCG to the LotR tcg - these are big steps forward.

It'll be interesting to see the LotR rpg. I hope Decipher can solve the big problem: presenting meaningful adventure & campaign ideas for the Games Master. It was always something I had trouble with with the old MERP game.

Cheers!