New Star Wars RPG!

[Faraer]

But that does beg the question, why didn't WotC take advantage of the KOTOR exposure and set up a supplement for it?

Wizards fumbled a lot of potential cross-promotion. It didn't release a single book accompanying the release of Episode III, or the Clone Wars micro-series. Even when Paizo ran the Insider it didn't run a 'This is what the SWRPG is about' article. The Neverwinter Nights tie-in anthology was cancelled.

 

[Breakdaddy]

I'm pleased with the fact they are releasing a new iteration of the D20 game, but I've long since converted from D20 to Savage Worlds. I still use my D20 material as reference material, and will buy the new book regardless of whether I will go back to D20 for Star Wars or stay with Savage Worlds.

 

[kenobi65]

It didn't release a single book accompanying the release of Episode III, or the Clone Wars micro-series.

Well, keep in mind that both of those occurred during the time in which WotC wasn't actively supporting the RPG...so while those were certainly missed opportunities, it wasn't merely a case of WotC deciding "hmmm, don't want to do a tie-in." From mid-2004 until sometime next year (when the Saga Edition comes out; I've now read January and March as release dates), WotC didn't issue a single new SWRPG book.

On the other hand, the Minis game, which was being actively supported last year, released a RotS expansion at the same time that the movie was released.

 

[thalmin]

Info from the WotC 2007 January to April Catalog

We just received the new catalog. The following is from said catalog:

Star Wars Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition
Owen K.C. Stephens and Rodney Thompson*

This new edition of the Star Wars Roleplaying Game encapsulates all six feature films while presenting a thorough revision of the rules, making the game easier to learn while improving the overall play experience. The new 288-page core rulebook includes new character abilities and options, a streamlined skill system, a revised combat system, new feats and Force powers, a world gazetteer, statistics for key characters from all six Star Wars films and the Expanded Universe, and guidelines on how to use Star Wars Miniatures and battle maps in play.
*Based on the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook by Bill Slavicsek, Andy Collins, and JD Walker

Key Selling Points:
This is the first official Star Wars Roleplaying Game product to include Episode III content.
The core rules have been revised and streamlined to make the game easier to learn and more fun to play.
This new edition of the [B]Star Wars [/B] Roleplaying Game is more miniatures-friendly than previous editions and includes a battle map and guidelines for using Star Wars miniatures in play.
Fans of the Star Wars Roleplaying Game have been anxiously awaiting a version of the rulebook that includes updated information on all six feature films.

March 6, 2007
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 288
MSRP $39.95/$49.95 CAN

 

[hobgoblin]

more miniatures friendly?! ye gods...

 

[yojimbouk]

more miniatures friendly?! ye gods...

Sounds like it will be a dry run for D&D4e.

I also note that it's 288 pages compared to RCR's 384.

Jim.

 

[Jonny Nexus]

Sounds like it will be a dry run for D&D4e.

Nooooooooo! If people from the main discussion forum read that you will unleash a blizzard of 4E threads the like of which we have never before seen!

[Runs for cover]

Damn good point though.

 

[CrusaderX]

more miniatures friendly?! ye gods...

Not at all surprising. Considering how well the miniatures sell as opposed to the RPG products, I think Star Wars RPG fans were left with two options - 1) A more miniatures friendly RPG, or 2) No RPG at all.

 

[Ruland]

Not at all surprising. Considering how well the miniatures sell as opposed to the RPG products, I think Star Wars RPG fans were left with two options - 1) A more miniatures friendly RPG, or 2) No RPG at all.

This "more miniatures friendly" thing makes me a little bit nervous - the old passionate pen-and-paperist that I am.

But, always look on the bright side of things: Star Wars d20 RPG gets revived. Although I really do not believe that the Saga-edition is going to be more fun than the Revised Core edition, because the latter is already a blast. But hey, since I got recently hooked on True20 as a gateway to all things d20, I will probably use it for Star Wars games as well.

 

[wingsandsword]

"streamlined"

That makes me nervous. I like the RCR a lot, I don't want to see it dumbed down or oversimplifed, and "streamlined" sounds like possible marketing-speak for both doing just that.

Making the game more miniatures friendly also makes me very wary. The game is already incredibly minis friendly. Short of replacing the entire combat system with the minis game, how can they really make it more minis friendly? Now, this part might just be ad copy, and the "minis friendly" part just means they use pictures of the minis in the combat examples and are referencing the minis game as a cross-promotion, we can only hope so.