New DC Superhero Game

[WayneLigon]

So, the same company that farmed out the Warhammer FRPG to Green Ronin has acquirred the DC superhero RPG license.

Discuss, rant, fantasize

I have my fingers crossed that we could see an official DC superhero game using the M&M engine. There are several writeups on the M&M boards that show you can do pretty much any DC hero from Jimmy Olsen to Superman with M&M but I think that might be hoping for too much, though.

 

[bolen]

Isnt this the role playing arm of GW?

 

[WayneLigon]

Isnt this the role playing arm of GW?

Yep.

 

[Bretbo]

Naturally, M&M would work. But, almost every comic book-based RPG has been designed with their own system. There has been three Marvel Systems (MSH, Saga, Stones) and two DC Systems (Mayfair's and West End's), all of which could have been done in other proven superhero systems (like Hero). Most comic book companies seem to not want their properties be a sourcebook of an existing system, but rather something of their own. As such, it seems likely they'll do a system of their own.

But, if they do a game based on M&M and publish it as a system AND setting, I'd be very, very happy.

Maybe its' time for a letter writing style campaign to support the idea of a M&M based DC RPG!

 

[Ranger REG]

Hmm.

Not to dismiss MnM but I have to wonder all this time: two great comic industries that try to enter into the RPG market and not one of them have Hero Games Champions RPG -- arguably the premier superhero RPG ruleset -- as their first choice.

Hmm.

 

[arscott]

Thats been true in the past, but given the sucess of heroclix, I think the big two realized that it's possible to make money off of something that isn't exclusive to your own company.

 

[SWBaxter]

Not to dismiss MnM but I have to wonder all this time: two great comic industries that try to enter into the RPG market and not one of them have Hero Games Champions RPG -- arguably the premier superhero RPG ruleset -- as their first choice.

DOJ (the folks who now own Hero) doesn't appear to be particularly interested in sinking money into licenses - whether that's some philosophical objection or simply the harsh business reality for a small company, I don't know. I would guess that the DC and Marvel licenses are pricy enough that no RPG company whose primary focus is superheroes can afford them, superhero RPGs are very much a niche market. Plus the fan support for Hero means that a huge number of Marvel and DC characters are already statted out, often multiple versions of each, so from DOJ's point of view they have the a lot of the benefits of the license already, without the hassle. Same is true for pretty much any popular superhero RPG, almost all are based on Marvel and DC comics so it's not too surprising that Marvel and DC characters can be statted up.

Part of the problem with superhero RPGs in the past has been that Marvel and DC have always had unrealistic expectations as to the value of the RPG license. Maybe now that Marvel's own game has tanked, they'll look for a more realistic licensing deal. Or maybe they'll just ignore the market altogether.

 

[JackGiantkiller]

I hate to say it, but Hero (Champions) is too darned complicated and math intensive for most people. And, in my experience, hideously easy to abuse for a clever player.

I've played Mayfair's DC Heroes, TSR's old Marvel, Champions, Villains and Vigilantes, Brave New World, GURPS Supers, and others...Mutants and Masterminds is the fastest, easiest, and best super-hero system I've ever played. It's also seeing use in our group for other modern genres...and may well get used for other things, in time.


It just feels right. Not to mention combat is so blessedly fast compared to D&D. Or, for instance, Champions, or GURPS. Faster and more in-genre than the old Marvel game, which captured the feel of the genre best until now, IMHO.

So. That would be why the comics companies don't attach their super hero properties to Hero...it's really a dedicated gamer's game, from my POV. Not an entry level game for guys who just want to play their favorite hero.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

WL, your link isn't working. This one should work fine.

 

[Stormborn]

For those interested already a thread here: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=134009.