NEW D&D Player's Guide info!

[GrimJesta]

I cant wait...I cant wait...I cant wait...I cant wait...I cant wait...I cant wait...I cant wait...I cant wait... [ad infinitum]

Though I must admit that Im nervous about the subraces. These arent some cracked out-high fantasy dealies, are they? Because the FR already has the Genasi and the Plane-Touched and stuff. And such creatures seem a little out of place in Kalamar...
Still, everything else has me excited, and the subraces only has me nervous, not filled with dread or anything.

-=Grim=-

 

[kenjib]

Re: Hmm

Ok, I'll sit on my mountain till then and wait. Darn, no vacations this year.

Kenjib! Get ready to convert all PrClasses to feat chains!

*adopts an Ernest Borgnine voice*

Yes Master. I await your command, Master.

*rubs his hands together fiendishly*

 

[Berandor]

Originally written by Psion:
This is important in understanding what I am talking about. And actually, I am somewhat astonished that there is someone working at a high profile d20 publisher that isn't aware of it.

I think that's the point.
Kenzer is no d20 publisher. It is a D&D publisher.

They don't really care whether other publishers will be able to make money off their ideas because they think they are up to the task of fully supporting their own product line.

Looking at the number of products they've released since the start of Kalamar 3E, I can understand this opinion, even though I might not support it.

But it's simply a different standpoint, and one that shows a lot of self-conscience and conviction to their products.

I think it is a little like the "Linux vs. Windows" discussion, some people being for total open content, where veryone can contribute, and the other side deeming it better if a product was developed and refined by one company alone... even though this comparison is a little off (Kalamar has nowhere near as many flaws as windows )

Berandor

 

[Dristram]

Psion,

I will admit that your arguement is way over my head. I really don't see the issue. But, there must be one. I assume you have the same issue(s) with FR stuff?

 

[Mark Plemmons]

Wow... lots of discussion going on here.

Psion, it sounds like you and we will just have to agree to disagree.

I've got a few comments and queries, as follows:

It's true, we're not adding to the SRD ( yes, I do know about it ), but it doesn't affect the quality of our product. And, to me, that's the most important thing - putting out quality products for gamers. We're certainly contributing to the gaming world, even if not specifically to the OGL.

And we're not only publishers, we're gamers and consumers just like everyone else. We're not some corporate giant by any stretch of the imagination. Only a little over a year ago, the whole company was four guys working out of a basement. (We've tripled in size! Woo hoo! )

You said that many publishers collectively working together strengthens the whole. Ok, I can't disagree with that statement, but I wonder if it really applies. If all d20 publishers were working together on one campaign setting, I would definitely agree. But they're not - they're working on their individual worlds and settings, pulling whatever they feel is appropriate from the SRD and OGL. So you've conceivably got several different versions of the same rules. To the average consumer, not the d20 publisher or avid follower, that surely must be confusing. And what happens if the OGL disappears next week? (No, I don't have any inside info, I'm just saying that you never know).

I'm not against d20 or the OGL at all, by the way. I have Fantasy Flight, Iron Kingdoms, and other d20 books gracing my shelves at home.

Also, I can't speak as to the exact legalities of our contract with WotC, but the OGL didn't even exist when we first made our agreement with them (to make Kingdoms of Kalamar an official D&D world). It wasn't even an option.

We could be having the same product as a d20 system product for much less.

Ok, I really have to question this one. Do you mean that if our products were simply d20, they would be cheaper? If so, that's certainly not the case. We give our fans the best we can, packing our products full of text and info, and keeping them all as affordable as possible.

All rightly, hope that cleared up a couple things.

Mark

 

[Razuur]

Here is my 2 cents. I have bought a lot of stuff from a variety of publishers.

There is only one publisher that I have bought EVERYTHING from. And that is KenzerCo (Not even WOTC). Why you ask, because after perusing the core rulebook and the first few adventures I realized that these guys are doing it right. Everything they have put out has been so well ade that It is the standard I gauge all other D20 products.

If I wanna purchase an adventure, I compare it to Kalamar adventures. So far the only adventures that have stood up in sheer all around quality (IMHO) are WOTCs.

If I see a campaign sourcebook, I compare it to Kalamar.

And I haven't even read all of the adventures that I have bought. After the third one I just sat back and said - "quality". I will read them when I need to.

So while I respect your theories Psion, I really don't see that much sharing going on between the comanies yet. Maybe that will come, but it is few and far between.

And quality is the most important detail to me. Have you even seen Geanavue? Holy crap. THAT is what I am talking about. That is one of the best supplements I have ever purchased in my 15 years of gaming. (FYI - The Kalamar setting is on this list as well). That matters.

Everything I have seen from them has been at the quality level that all publishers should strive for. No one, not even WOTC has been that consistant with useful, intriguing stuff.

Heck, I buy all of their stuff, and I don't even play in their world right now.

What does that say?

Kalamar Players Guide? Bring it the heck on. I can't friggin' wait.

Razuur

 

[Psion]

I think that's the point.
Kenzer is no d20 publisher. It is a D&D publisher.

D&D is a d20 system game (just look at the logo on the cover! Whee!) Ergo Kenzer is a d20 system publisher.

More to the point, D&D player will buy D20 system products whether or not it has a d20 logo on it. And those who are finnicky enough to draw a distinction draw that distinction based on the WotC logo, not the D&D one.

They don't really care whether other publishers will be able to make money off their ideas because they think they are up to the task of fully supporting their own product line.

That's fine. Their business. Their call.

I'm just saying that I would not be surprised if this leaves the concept of using their material at a disadvantge. I'll still buy it. But there are those whose pockets aren't as deep as mine.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

Now, back to the Player's Guide itself...



GrimJesta: No, don't worry, there aren't any silly humanoid subraces.

Just the Adurek, Aralarai, Azravan, Dalgul, Doulathan, Durvalk, Fulmaran, Gurin, Guruk-vra, Lathlani, Mythar, Rurok, Seleeris, Sil-karg and Tel-lathlan.

What? You thought I was really going to tell you in ENGLISH?



Mark

 

[Psion]

I will admit that your arguement is way over my head. I really don't see the issue. But, there must be one. I assume you have the same issue(s) with FR stuff?

Well, yes and no.

World specific things like prestige classes I could really care less about. Generally, those belong to FR.

However, there are some FR things -- like ECL and the FR XP method and the more general creatures in Monsters of Faerun -- that are of general use to all gamers.

However, as recently as yesterday, I heard rumblings that such things could either directly or indirectly become OGC. The ECL method could make it to another book in which it is OGC, and I heard a hint yesterday that parts of MoF could make it to the SRD.

 

[Dristram]

Now, back to the Player's Guide itself...



GrimJesta: No, don't worry, there aren't any silly humanoid subraces.

Just the Adurek, Aralarai, Azravan, Dalgul, Doulathan, Durvalk, Fulmaran, Gurin, Guruk-vra, Lathlani, Mythar, Rurok, Seleeris, Sil-karg and Tel-lathlan.

What? You thought I was really going to tell you in ENGLISH?



Mark

Yes! Yes! YES!!!! I am SO glad to see that you all have given the subraces Tellene names!! It was one of the biggest things I was worried about when I playtested the PG.

Thank you!!

So, which one was the Durellan? I'm guessing the Doulathan