Pramas said:
D20 publishers have discussed this sort of thing for years. [...]I've also had conversations with several other companies about doing a joint project.
I have never participated much here in large part because I don't really like the 3E ruleset at all. However, I have quite a few of the module/flavor books from many of the makers posting here. And I would like to say:
If Clark and Bill W., Messrs. Mona and Pramas, Joe Goodman, and maybe that Cook guy got together and managed to make a SRD-based ruleset that appealed to 3E folks, it might just appeal a bit to the old geezers to and re-harness some of that original feeling from 2000 that WizBro was going to right the ship. The quality of work done by those publishers is completely outstanding, and I have no doubt at all that a "3.75e" would do the trick. Maybe it would be an "Advanced Blue Rose", or "Advanced Castles and Crusades" under a group trademark (although I doubt the Trolls would sign on, who knows?), but I don't want to inject my view of what I would like the game to look like. I'm sure these publishers know better than me what their fanbase wants in a ruleset.
I have seen enough of Clark and Joe's work to know that it would be extensively playtested, and the stable of writers that usually produce content for those companies would be a very, very effective force to put together definitive, seminal game support materials that would drive folks to your banner. The united fanboys of all these companies are nothing if not loyal and vocal, and if that power could be used for good.... How about a campaign setting that includes Rappan Athuk and Bard's Gate, Freeport, Ptolus, and Castle Whiterock? (I guess it needs to be a BIG f'n world
I have absolutely no doubt that the individuals named above, and their excellent contributors, would produce a product completely superior to whatever Morgoth... uh, Hasbro is going to produce. I have no doubt that the fanboy playtesters of the above group, to the extent they aren't playtesting 4e (since apparently no one is, really), would do a superior job of vetting the ruleset and making it appeal to 3E fans without alienating new players.
And I think that the appearance of Necromancer/Green Ronin/Goodman/Paizo/Malhavoc trademarks on a SINGLE ruleset would be a very powerful marketing force. Better yet, rather than scratching for crumbs from Hasbro's table, you would be making your own market. You won't be able to sell as many breakfast cereals or licensed soft drinks, but you might be able to unite what seem to be a whole gaming nation full of petty states unsure how to proceed in the face of another metric ton of rulebooks and splatbooks from Hasbro.
I don't like 3E, I can't imagine 4e, and will probably never pay cover price for another game book from Hasbro, but I'd DEFINITELY take a long, hard look at a ruleset designed by this kind of team of veteran gamers with proven track records of quality production and imagination.
Although I'm sure each individual company would do a fine job with its own ruleset, as GR and the Trolls at least have done, I think the collaboration and agreement of these fine gaming minds would produce a superior product and have a remote chance at making a viable market.
BB
