[SCOOP] Psionics 3.5, The New Setting, and Dark Sun!!

[Graf]

[ot]

In fact I'm going to pick up Banewarrens just to support the idea.

I don't think you will be disappointed. The Banewarrens is definitely a worthly adventure. It has structure so you can take things in and out without it collapsing.....

 

[Neo]

Person participating in development or playtesting that material usually signs NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) or something similar in electronic form. And that shouldn't be broken, there is no excuse whatsoever. Sometimes company leaks information just to advertise, but this is done with concent of the people who are responsible for it. If player/playtester does this by himself, he has broken the agreement and doesn't deserve to be a player/playtester. So if you participate on anything like this, remember that all information is considered secret until company makes official announcement about it.

Z.

An NDA isn't just a verbal agreement not to release details it's a legally binding contract "not to". Breaking such a thing birng s all sorts of possible complications, such as all playtesting being done in house from then on, projects being cancelled, people being sued....

As much as people may feel the need to "share" they information they are given while playtesting, its also expected that those in that position can show a bit of self restraint.

If Dark Sun or Psionics 3.5 or whatever doesn't get released because of this leak, i for one will be seriously unimpressed.

 

[FireLance]

Just to add fuel to the fire of Completely Wild Speculation:

[wild speculation]
I seem to recall most of the final few setting search proposals dealt with "Golden Age" scenarios. Wouldn't it be interesting if the "new" setting was actually (or was set up so that it could be) Athas during the Blue or Green Age? Even more reason for fans to pick up *both* settings!
[/wild speculation]

As for the other issues: Yay to the return of Dark Sun and Epic level transformational prestige classes! Wonder what would be the pre-requisites for the Avangion PrC?

Yay to the revision of Psionics especially if it acquires a flavour different from Arcane and Divine spellcasting and revises psionic combat so that it actually becomes useful instead of a liability!

As for the new setting, I'll just wait and see.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

I just hope that they don't use Athas.org info as is. They did some neat stuff, but I could think of a few things I'n like to see done differently.

And yes, the original box set had a better feel to it than the revised. I hope they keep the original's look and feel.

Come on Brom!

 

[Taren Nighteyes]

Trance & NDA:

Yes, I have participated in play testing of a published product.

Yes, NDAs are binding and can result in all sorts of legal action should it be violated. (NO, I have not violated my NDAs)

Not once have I supported the breaking of a NDA. In my original post, I said it was part of the game. Meaning, certain individuals play the game of "leaking" or creating rumors about things coming down the pipe.

Are they bound by NDA's? probably. But are they asked/told/expected to throw little tidbits of information out there? I would think so.

If the person broke their NDA without any such expectation or permission, then I do not doubt Wizards MAY want to fix that "leak". Then again, they may not care all that much. It isn't that a trade secret was leaked....how to make coca cola or such....

They (WOTC) already own the Dark Sun license, and they may or may not produce the rumored product.

Needless to say, unless WOTC lays the smack down or releases a statement condemming the leak, I see no reason to condem the individual myself.

Thanks,

Taren Nighteyes

 

[Orias]

I personally dislike psionics in any other setting other than Dark Sun, I just feel it takes away from the mystique of magic if common players can use them.

The only thing I ever use my Psionics Handbook for is creating a very foriegn-feeling type of villian, & unless Dark Sun is published, I would not buy a 3.5 Psionics Handbook.

But here's to hoping that Wizards rereleases one of my favorite setting.

 

[Simplicity]

I just hope that they don't use Athas.org info as is. They did some neat stuff, but I could think of a few things I'n like to see done differently.

And yes, the original box set had a better feel to it than the revised. I hope they keep the original's look and feel.

Come on Brom!

Well, there's a difference between a professionally produced product and a fan created ruleset. I'm hoping that if WotC
were to do the book, they'd do some serious look & feel work and make sure the rules were good.

Otherwise, what's the point?

 

[Dinkeldog]

I personally dislike psionics in any other setting other than Dark Sun, I just feel it takes away from the mystique of magic if common players can use them.

The only thing I ever use my Psionics Handbook for is creating a very foriegn-feeling type of villian, & unless Dark Sun is published, I would not buy a 3.5 Psionics Handbook.

But here's to hoping that Wizards rereleases my favorite setting.

Just curious, but do you think that having clerics and druids takes away from the mystique of the divine?

 

[Neo]

Trance & NDA:

Yes, I have participated in play testing of a published product.

Yes, NDAs are binding and can result in all sorts of legal action should it be violated. (NO, I have not violated my NDAs)

Not once have I supported the breaking of a NDA. In my original post, I said it was part of the game. Meaning, certain individuals play the game of "leaking" or creating rumors about things coming down the pipe.

Are they bound by NDA's? probably. But are they asked/told/expected to throw little tidbits of information out there? I would think so.

Taren Nighteyes

Taren

If you have indeed playtested as you say you have, then I would think you would know better than to assume an NDA isn't binding... and certainly doesn't allow for disclusure of tidbits of information. In fact in most cases the wording and subtext of them tends to specifically state just the contrary.

Non disclosure..means just that... it isn't a conditional thing. It is down to the companies themselves to announce releases, or "hints" at what is coming down the line, not the playtesters.

Playtesters are there for one reason and one reason only, to "playtest" they are not the ad hoc PR machine for the relevant company.

And as I said before the fact that dragon felt it necessary to assume an alias before releasing this "leak" tells me he knew full well he was releasing info he shouldn't have been.

I just hope we as a community don't get stung by his poor actions by missing out on some releases we would for most par have really looked forward to.

 

[Taren Nighteyes]

Neo: If you read my post, it said that I know NDA's are binding and all sorts of legal action can result from breaking them.

I am just stating that OFTEN in this media centered world (including the internet) "leaks" are intentional and/or expected.

Am I suggesting that everyone go out and break their NDA's? Nonsense. I am saying that certain authorities within organizations make those decisions, and receive no penalty for doing so? In fact, they have hyped/helped a products development or launch by providing those "tidbits".

Does this mean the average playertester should spout off all he/she knows? Of course not. I never called "The Dragon" a playertester - I was responding to the post Trance had made regarding my involvement in NDA's.

So in closing, if you believe all NDA's should be followed and never broken, I am not arguing. But I should think these boards would never have come about (or remain as popular) without some NDA breaking tidbits. Which is only to the advantage of WOTC - this place a plethora of market research and market opinon. Especially the opinion part - which I and you are entitled to.

Thanks,

Taren Nighteyes