The opinion piece...

[KDLadage]

Morrus has posted an opinion piece up on the main ENWorld page. It is a good, well reasoned opinion that you should read. Go ahead, I'll wait.

Back? Good. I just have a few things I'd like to comment on.

I wondered for a while whether to write this short "opinion piece"; eventually, I decided "what the heck!" and so, for better or worse, here are some of my thoughts on current and upcoming events in the D&D/D20 world. I'm sure many of you will disagree, so remember that this is just my opinion and nothing moree.

Note to Morrus: I, for one, am always interested in your opinion. It is not that your opinion somehow holds more weight or value than many others, it is that your opinion (in those times I have seen it in print) is always rational and reasoned. Please feel free to do this (a lot) in the future.

I'm really not excited about the revised editions.

I agree. I do not think the word excited is what would describe my feelings. I, for one, do plan to get the books right away (as a man that wants to ensure that my game world remains fully compatible with the most recent edition of the game, this seems like a natural thing). However, I have been thinking a lot recently about the fact that they plan to release the entire SRD revised and FINAL at the same time. Much more than the books themselves, this excites me.

The "Reviewer" Argument -- this argument was started by Jim Ward of Fast Forward Games with his controversial "900 Words" article, and has continued since on various messageboards, inclusing those here at EN World.

I read the article in question a while back after I went to the site to see teh official notices of his companies breaches of the OGL/d20 STL. I really find it odd that the only company (that I know of) to have had a full cease a desist order placed against them from WotC (for four full products, after many warnings no less) would be the ones that complained that reviewers were being to harsh on their products. Set things straight in your own house before you tell others how to run theirs, Mr. Ward.

Arcana Unearthed -- I'm getting so excited about Monte Cook's upcoming "alternate PHB" that I'm starting to shock myself.

I guess I am interested -- mainly to see how far you can go with d20 and still be d20. I am not sure if I will get it right away... After all, I do have to set asside some money for the Babylon-5 RPG coming out soon... but I will get it eventually.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I was very impressed and pleased to see Morrus speak directly about the issues he addressed. He was very deft in his writing, clearly stating the situation and then going right to the heart of the matter. Good show, Morrus.

 

[JoeBlank]

Didn't Morrus indicate he was going to do more of this a while back? It was hotly debated, and then just sort of died out. Or I missed the resolution.

I believe I said back then, more power to you Morrus. Your opinions are respected not only because of your position and your devotion to d20, but also because they are always well-reasoned and a good read.

 

[kenjib]

I guess I am interested -- mainly to see how far you can go with d20 and still be d20. I am not sure if I will get it right away... After all, I do have to set asside some money for the Babylon-5 RPG coming out soon... but I will get it eventually.

Are you considering products like Spycraft, Traveller d20, and Mutants and Masterminds when you say "how far?" They go much further than it sounds UA will -- by saying which I do not mean to disparage what I am sure will be a great product.

Anyways, I like the opinion pieces, but perhaps the message board here would be a better forum? Either way makes little difference to me though. Just an idea.

 

[JDragon]

I was glad to see Morrus speak his mind, and he should not be so hesitant to, being as this is "his" site as much as it is any one persons.

Also as already mentioned, he had a clear simple rational statment that he wanted stated, and so he did.

Go Morrus, and BTW thanks for keeping this thing going.

JDragon

 

[Pielorinho]

I liked the editorial, too. Not least because I mostly share its opinions.

I agree that 3.5 isn't a big deal, one way or the other: it's nice, but not revolutionary, and certainly the sky isn't falling. Jim Ward's rant struck me as quietly, desperately sad: I get the impresion that his business is really struggling, and he's poured a lot of his heart and soul into it, and now he's doing some questionable things as he looks at worse and worse balance sheets. And Arcana Unearthed? Cool, cool stuff. I don't know if I'll buy it, but it's very cool nonetheless, and I'd definitely enjoy trying out a few sessions in the world he'll be creating.

Daniel

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Well stated, well reasoned opinions. As far as I'm concerned, Morrus can pop off as often as he'd like.

 

[Nail]

.....I went to the site to see teh official notices of his companies breaches of the OGL/d20 STL. I really find it odd that the only company (that I know of) to have had a full cease a desist order placed against them from WotC (for four full products, after many warnings no less) would be the ones that complained that reviewers were being to harsh on their products.

Where could I find more on this?

 

[Henry]

OK, so I've been diligently reporting scoops, compiling information and spreading unfounded rumours (OK, I try not to do that...).

It's O.K. by me, just so long as he does it diligently.

As for the rest, I find myself interested in both AU and 3E revised, though more excited by AU. One thing that strikes me as signatorial of Monte's work (I probably should put this in the other thread) is the pushing of rules boundaries, and the attempt to make fascinating new rules that emulate ideas and themes from certain fantasy and fictional works. The closest products I have ever come across that best emulate Monte's groundbreaking are the Spycraft materials. Departments and MoS's being translated from races and classes was quite new to me, and work surprisingly well.

Similarly, concepts such as Monte's Bard and the bardic spellmusic, and the Soul Magic (the sentient spells from BoEM2) as well as the spell system and the truename system from AU, are the kinds of cutting edge concepts I enjoy. While I enjoy products from other companies, such as Green Ronin, EN Publishing, and others, Malhavoc Press stuff has the kind of "just marely balanced" feel and the innovation that I enjoy as a DM. It's no mistake that my favorite works of the past two years have been authored by him.

With regards to FFE's "Reviewing the Reviewers" editorials: I can appreciate the frustration when work that you poured much effort and time and money into has not been well received; however, my Monte Cook Fanboyism shows again, Monte has great advice on this frustration: Don't respond. Correct, but do not defend. Here's Jim's problem to me: Regardless of whether he is right or wrong, he made many potential customers upset and defensive when he released the editorial that he did. It had an air of unprofessionalism, and professionalism is one of the most important things you can't afford to lose.

 

[Swiftbrook]

By Morrus:
Don't buy it then! [the revised core rulebooks] I'm not sure if I will yet.


WotC have kindly sent me copies of Unapproachable East and Alien Anthology.

Morrus, for some reason I don't think you're like the rest of us and you wont need to buy the revised books.

-Swiftbrook