Weapons Locker, d20 Future, then what?

[Psychic Skeksis]

I dunno if a big glossy Shadow Chasers hardcover would be the way to go, just because so much of that ground is covered by Urban Arcana.

Agents of PSI is different enough. Not my cup of tea personally, though.

Hmm...looking at other properties that would work as a d20 Modern hardcover, I'd have to say Top Secret. Yeah, I know Spycraft does the genre and does it well...but just seeing Orion and the Web again would put a smile on my face. Besides, Spycraft has fifty bazillion books already...I'm trying to get away from games that you don't buy, just subscribe to...

True, Shadow Chasers is essentially a stripped down Urban Arcana. Besides, I guess if you really want a separate Shadow Chasers book you can always buy Hunter: the Reckoning.

Agents of Psi and Genetech, on the other hand, would make great glossy hardcovers.

Why, oh why, am I such a whore for glossy RPG hardcovers?

 

[Ranger REG]

Because you're easy. Just kidding.

If anything, they'll probably promote d20 Future with a futuristic setting supplement that utilizes at least 80% of that product's material. At least that's the best way to go from my Ferengi merchant perspective.

 

[Kesh]

The general consensus on the Wizards board was that d20 Future needed at least 3 or 4 'mini-settings', just like the Modern core book.

1) Near-future SciFi
2) Far-future Hard Scifi (ie. real science, like Traveller)
3) Far-future space opera (ie. Star Trek or Star Wars)
and optionally
4) Space Fantasy (ie. Dragonstar)

 

[Psychic Skeksis]

The general consensus on the Wizards board was that d20 Future needed at least 3 or 4 'mini-settings', just like the Modern core book.

1) Near-future SciFi
2) Far-future Hard Scifi (ie. real science, like Traveller)
3) Far-future space opera (ie. Star Trek or Star Wars)
and optionally
4) Space Fantasy (ie. Dragonstar)

Wouldn't you say Star Wars is more Space Fantasy than "far-future space opera"? And I've heard Traveller described by many folks as space opera.

Not trying to be a dink, just making conversation.

 

[LightPhoenix]

They could go backwards - a D20 Steampunk or D20 Dark Ages could be pretty cool, assuming they do it decently.

I'd love to see a seriously researched book (or PDF, depending on size) about world building. Stellar and planetary formation, effects of gravity, theories on life (including the viability of non-carbon lifeforms), evolution and development of species, methods of space travel (and the effect of relativity), a description of basic stellar objects, common planetary and stellar types, just to name a few things. Not that I've thought about this at all...

 

[d4]

I'd love to see a seriously researched book (or PDF, depending on size) about world building. Stellar and planetary formation, effects of gravity, theories on life (including the viability of non-carbon lifeforms), evolution and development of species, methods of space travel (and the effect of relativity), a description of basic stellar objects, common planetary and stellar types, just to name a few things. Not that I've thought about this at all...

you mean like this book?

sure, it's for writers and not gamers, but it's got all the information you're asking about. check out other books in the series as well. good stuff.

 

[Kesh]

Wouldn't you say Star Wars is more Space Fantasy than "far-future space opera"? And I've heard Traveller described by many folks as space opera.

Not trying to be a dink, just making conversation.

Conversation is good.

Other than the Jedi, Star Wars pretty well fits into basic sci-fi "space opera." It's a struggle between rebels and an opressive empire, complete with romance, and just happens to be set in space. Without the Jedi, it's no more fantastic than BattleStar Galactica. And, quite honestly, the Jedi powers are more backdrop than anything else.

Now, the new Ep1-3 changed that focus, so maybe it does fit space fantasy a little better. Still, you don't see any Jedi doing anything more powerful than psionics, really.

 

[Ranger REG]

Well, I have never known any psionic power that emit lightning bolts. Fire, perhaps (remember Stephen King's "Carrie"?).

But is it possible to invent a weapon made of light that extends to a fixed length? That to me borders on the fantastic.

 

[Kesh]

Not light, but there are a few theories on how to make a lightsaber using superheated plasma and strong, controlled magnetic fields.

Okay, Star Wars may be stretching the definition then.

 

[Ranger REG]

They could go backwards - a D20 Steampunk or D20 Dark Ages could be pretty cool, assuming they do it decently.

Personally, someone else should do it. Besides, you already have third-party publishers doing steampunk d20 books, like Sorcery & Steam by Fantasy Flight Games (just ask them to consider doing a d20 Modern conversion notes).