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

[rounser]

Survey happened in the last day and a half or so, then it mysteriously disappeared with a silent wail. See this thread:
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?threadid=39832

 

[Mark]

Survey happened in the last day and a half or so, then it mysteriously disappeared with a silent wail. See this thread:
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?threadid=39832

Thanks rounser. I completely missed that thread and the survey. I wonder how a survey does when it is run that briefly. I imagine that when a survey keys on one topic, those interested in that topic spread the word fairly quickly among other like-minded people and make up the majority of respondants. I rarely click early on threads regarding psionics (since I have little input to give) and usually catch up with them after the main or majority folks have had their say. This generally gives me both sides of the reasoning and various schools of thought on a given topic or sub-topic. Even then, I tend to keep my mouth shut on such things. Odd that they pulled the survey so quickly.

 

[rounser]

I imagine that when a survey keys on one topic, those interested in that topic spread the word fairly quickly among other like-minded people and make up the majority of respondants.

Exactly...but then again, maybe they were the people they were trying to get information from. The first question may have been a bit of a furphy. If you want to know how the psionics enthusiasts like their psionics served, then get several thousand psionics enthusiasts to respond in quick succession, and mission accomplished.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I think it's sad that they blow all their powder on campaign settings. What about mega-modules and adventure-series? That's what I want. I know, I know that modules doesn't sell as much as sourcebooks but it's the modules that keep us together. Sourcebooks diversifies the audience. I never use psionics but you do so we have nothing to talk about. However, we've both played through RtTToEE and that module never seizes to be an interesting topic. Do you see what I mean? I want more mega-modules. In fact I'm going to pick up Banewarrens just to support the idea.

 

[Azure Trance]

Swank. I wouldn't mind collecting a new campaign setting like DS at all ...

 

[Horacio]

I hope those rumors are true, I really do!

 

[rounser]

I think it's sad that they blow all their powder on campaign settings. What about mega-modules and adventure-series? That's what I want. I know, I know that modules doesn't sell as much as sourcebooks but it's the modules that keep us together. Sourcebooks diversifies the audience. I never use psionics but you do so we have nothing to talk about. However, we've both played through RtTToEE and that module never seizes to be an interesting topic. Do you see what I mean? I want more mega-modules. In fact I'm going to pick up Banewarrens just to support the idea.

WotC seems too constrained by margins to do that sort of thing these days. It's up to the smaller publishers to provide the sort of infrastructure you refer to...Banewarrens, sure...Dungeon Magazine Adventure Path might be another good place to look.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

*Checks thread. Shakes head*

*Hopes the new setting will have something to recommend it besides psionics.*

Psionics, ptui!


I for one will not be purchasing products that are based heavily on psionics (my own personal bias). I don't mind if it's a small part of the setting that can be excised with little impact, but if it is a major part, like it was in Dark Sun, forget it.

Not that Dark Sun didn't have a lot of flavor, mind you, but there's a reason vanilla is the most popular flavor.

 

[Taren Nighteyes]

Great!

Campaign settings like Dark Sun are unique and have a flavor to them that sets them apart from the pack.

Ravenloft and Planescape are like this as well.

Although I use the FR campaign world when I DM, I love to play in Dark Sun. A revised Psionics Handbook would be nice as well.

Excellent news!

Taren Nighteyes

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

COOL!

I've been itching to talk about this every since I heard about it. Thanks Dragon! I for one am very happy about all this.

Look at it from Wizard's point of view. This is what I would do...

1. Athas.org does all the heavy lifting for DS. They work out the systems and playtest the info. Wizard's (who already owns the license and knows there is a built in fanbase) gets the info from Athas.org and works a little mojo on it.

2. The print the core setting book for DS with a tiny dusting of psionics thrown in. Look at d20 Modern for an example. Like any good drug dealer, they get you get hooked from that little sample.

3. The new campaign setting comes out around the same time with the same tiny bit of psionics info (30 pages?) cut-n-pasted from the Dark Sun book.

4. Now that everyone is hooked, they release a new psionics handbook. The new book has two "sample settings" in it. Both "sample settings" are just tiny samples of the new setting and Dark Sun.

So...

Anyone who buys either of the new settings, both of which where mostly developed outside of Wizards, will have a functioning set of psionics rules, but will probably have a desire for more. They will look to the new psionics book for this.

Anyone who buys just the psionics book will get a taste of both of the new settings and would likely buy at least one of them.

The new psionics book goes to the SRD, so anyone who has the original book isn't forced to update.

Everybody wins. Wizards gets more fans hooked on their new settings and psionics. We get more good psionic treats.

For those of you who don't like psionics..... *shrugs*......sorry.