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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Barrataria" data-source="post: 3817936" data-attributes="member: 47806">That's not really what I said.  What I said was: these d20 designers all have independent, proven track records as professional game designers AND as veteran gamers.  From that hard cold evidence I conclude they would do a good job if they decided to unite to create a SRD-based fantasy gaming ruleset.  And if they could find something they all agree on, I guarantee it would be good.  I think the Trolls did a good job all by themselves with respect to C&C design.  I'm not familiar with Monte Cook's rule stuff, but I know those things have been very well received in the d20 community.  I have looked at Blue Rose and think it's good and interesting.  If, hypothetically, all those folks came up with something, I KNOW it would be good.  I don't know who all is involved in 4E.  Mike Mearls I know mostly from his design work for Necro and Goodman, and he's just fine.  Bill Slaviscek wrote d6 Star Wars, which is a very, very fine game. However, the gods on Olympus at 1,000 keyboards can't write a ruleset in a week much less playtest it.  Clark explained that better than I can, but I'm sure there are enough software designers to know about marketing-driven timelines.  Their work will get emailed to someone who emails it to someone who reports to Hasbro, who makes cheesy marketing videos and negotiates Pirates of the Caribbean tie-ins.  I'm not necessarily bashing Hasbro, it's just a publicly-traded corporation and that means the officers and directors are legally required to make a profit for shareholders.  Short playtesting means speed to market, and that means more revenue sooner.  What I also didn't say: none of the d20 publishers have to go to a Hasbro board of directors meeting and justify their choices or expenditures.  Clark isn't going to get a memo from Renton telling him to use more half-dragon paladin-monks to move a new line of toys.    I think those factors make it more likely that a quality game could be produced by these d20 characters than by Hasbro marketing geniuses.  And I trust artisans and craftsmen more than I trust Ivy League MBAs, particularly when it comes to designing games as opposed to flow-of-funds models.BB</blockquote>

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