SC2.0 Style NPC Generation For Modern

[beverson]

4e hasn't "killed it", but it has put a delay on it.

We're currently trying to decide whether to just release the d20 Modern portion, and wait to do the Fantasy version until we see how 4e shakes out. Opinions?

My 2 cents, with the uncertainty of when we might see an official d20 Modern update from Wizards, I say fire off the modern portion and let people get some use out of it. It might even feed the desire for the fantasy version and make it "fly off the shelves" once it's finally ready. Or not.

 

[Psion]

I'm honestly more interested in seeing the fantasy version. I use Spycraft for most of my modern gaming needs, but at this point I am not forseeing moving on to 4e, so a 3.5 version would be welcome.

 

[buzz]

We're currently trying to decide whether to just release the d20 Modern portion, and wait to do the Fantasy version until we see how 4e shakes out. Opinions?

A hypothetical d20 Modern 2e won't see light of day until 2009 at the earliest, so it's probably a safe bet to publish what you have for the current d20M. You'll make a bunch of sales now, and then more when it's time for the upgrade.

 

[Gundark]

We're currently trying to decide whether to just release the d20 Modern portion, and wait to do the Fantasy version until we see how 4e shakes out. Opinions?

I would release the d20 Modern version. 4e is promising fast prep time, so I'd say that a fantasy version would be less useful. Since it's gonna be a while until d20 modern 2 (2009?), I would just release the modern.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Release both, then release an updated version when 4e becomes available - not everyone is going to upgrade. (I am most likely not upgrading for example, too much time and money invested in 3.X. 4e might be wonderful, but I am set right now in regards to what I want. And what I have read about 4e does not make me salivate at the thought of upgrading, though others may have different views.)

The Auld Grump

 

[Flynn]

I'd agree with the majority here: Release them both for the v3.5 crowd, and then release an update at your convenience once 4E rolls around. This way, you get paid for the work you did on the fantasy side of things, and you might not have an option later if 4E turns out to have something similar already as part of the core books or something. (I'm sure the designers do, based on comments about monster creation in 4E playtests early on, but I don't know if they'll release it or not.)

My Two Coppers,
Flynn

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

4e hasn't "killed it", but it has put a delay on it.

We're currently trying to decide whether to just release the d20 Modern portion, and wait to do the Fantasy version until we see how 4e shakes out. Opinions?

What are the costs associated with releasing the fantasy version?

If it basically won't cost you any more - if, say, you already have art lined up, it uses a standardized layout and the work is complete - then why not release both? Best-case scenario, you get people hooked on the concept and they buy both the current fantasy one now and the 4e one when it comes out. Worst-case scenario, this one doesn't sell well, but still gets another product on rpgnow's front page for a little while, potentially leading to links to other Adamant products.

On the other hand, if you'd have expenses you don't think you would recoup on the fantasy one, I'd say release the d20 Modern one and be done with it. I know I'll buy the Modern one, since if nothing else it's likely to be ready-to-use for a SWSE-based game, whereas the fantasy one will require a little more conversion.

Whatever you do, please, please release at least the d20 Modern version!

 

[GMSkarka]

There are still some additional development issues pending on the Fantasy version -- that's why it's been put on hold due to the 4th Edition announcement.

However, based on the comments received here, we'll go ahead and release the Modern version. We'll release it later this week. (I'll drop a note here when it's out.)

 

[jezter6]

Shweet.

Gareth, while you're debating it - how about hitting up True20 as well?

 

[Gundark]

There are still some additional development issues pending on the Fantasy version -- that's why it's been put on hold due to the 4th Edition announcement.

However, based on the comments received here, we'll go ahead and release the Modern version. We'll release it later this week. (I'll drop a note here when it's out.)

sweet.