The trends of 2005

[Nisarg]

Hi all,

I think no one else has thus far started a thread on here about what their predictions are for the upcoming year?

I think that by this time in a year, there will be relatively little changes in the industry. D20 will continue being the industry giant, and WoTC the industry leader.

My personal prediction is that the new WoD will be a disappointment, not because of a personal dislike of it (which no doubt some people here quite clearly know), but because I predict that at least half of the old WoD fans will end up unsatisfied with the changes.

On the other hand, Exalted will continue to sell well.

Eberron's success will depend largely on the success or failure of the MMORPG using that setting.

The new WFRP will have huge buzz.
Paranoia XP will make a lot of movement.
There'll hopefully be some truly excellent GURPS sourcebooks released in the year.
By the end of the year, GoO's new edition of Amber will generate good buzz, both in the new diceless edition and the brand new D20 edition.

Shadowrun will continue to do well but won't generate any new buzz or converts.

Chaosium and Palladium as companies (and their releases) will continue to flounder, the former worse than the latter.

There will be a new D20 release, either a new mega-project a lá WLD, or a conversion of an old or existing non-d20 game, that will generate huge buzz, and at least one new licensed product that will do the same.
At least one of these will be a disappointment.

So, what are your predictions?

Nisarg

 

[Crothian]

Thieves World will be the biggest thing since the use of dice.

Okay, wishful thinking. This year we saw the new versions of old games (Gurps, WoD, Paranioa, Ars Magica). Now, it will be up to them to try to keep things fresh and keep the momentum going.

I predict we may actually get a Buffy or Angel supplement. Maybe, just maybe we will get a supplement for both.

d20 will continue to slowly build back up with 3.5 we have had a few companies reevaluate their d20 books and I think we will see fewer books, but higher quality ones.

 

[Akrasia]

Thieves World will be the biggest thing since the use of dice.
...

I predict we may actually get a Buffy or Angel supplement. Maybe, just maybe we will get a supplement for both.
...

Crothian -- two things we definitely agree upon!

 

[broghammerj]

Well considering I'm the first responder I better write ASAP. I would write my predictions for 2005 but the MRS. is set to get home PDQ. If I don't get the dishes washed I'll end up on KP. There's aDM game I'm running for D20M sitting on my desk which requires my ATN. My friends and I are planning to RP so I had better get to work if the adventure is to be done by XMAS. This module involves the CIA, ATF, FBI, NSA, and SS. Well, this is enough of my thread hijacking.

I read your post with genuine sincere interest and realized...WTF? I don't know half of these #@*^&*^ acronyms. Help a guy out. What does the following mean?

WoD
WFRP
GoO
WLD

Edit: Well IMHO I thought I typed fast enough to be the first responder but wasn't. Don't ROFLOL too much. Thanks for the help

 

[Akrasia]

My prediction: Castles and Crusades will be a huge success.

Yes, I am already a fan, but I have my reasons for this prediction.

C&C, by combining several distinct elements -- viz: (a.) the unified 'd20' mechanic for most task resolutions (the great 'Copernican revolution' of d20); (b.) an 'old school' feel (e.g. classes like 'real' illusionists and assassins); and (c.) a 'rules lite' approach (all the rules you need in 128 pages) -- will be able to satisfy a number of gamers not presently happy with what is available.

It will not 'revolutionize' the RPG scene -- not even close. But it will establish itself in two important niches: (i.) the 'old school' niche (and I think it will easily displace Hackmaster, as C&C will not be legally obliged to make horrible jokes in all of its products); and (ii.) the 'rules lite' niche (a FRPG niche that has been horribly neglected in recent years).

The fact that it will be compatible with most d20 stuff cannot hurt.
The fact that 'Castle Zagyg' is being produced for it cannot hurt either.

 

[Arcane Runes Press]

WoD
WFRP
GoO
WLD

World of Darkness (Vampire, Werewolf, etc)
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying
Guardians of Order (makers of Big Eyes, Small Mouth, and other games)
World's Largest Dungeon

 

[der_kluge]

Gamers everywhere will become frustrated with d20's limitations, and will all switch en masse to a superior system such as HARP.

Ok, maybe not.

 

[broghammerj]

Arcane Runes Press

TY. Now I actually feel like I know what's going on. My post count is not very high, but I'm actually here almost every day. You'd think I'd pick those up by now.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

My prediction: Castles and Crusades will be a huge success.

I wouldn't go so far as to say a huge success, but I bet it will be a big thing. Probably comparable to Arcana Unearthed or another major setting/alternate rules set. Either way, I don't care! As long as I get my hands on it(when I get the money, of course...) and Castle Zagyg, I'll be happy.

Actually, I think its too early to tell what next year will be like. Most of this years major releases seem to have been around GenCon(of course) or later, and weren't announced until a few months into the year.

 

[Starman]

If some of the threads around here lately are indication 2005 will be the year of

Doom and Gloom!