What's up with Chaosium?

[BlackWych]

Hi All!

Does anyone know what up with Chaosium and there constant late products? Not to mention pitiful support of the d20 line. Heck that Pulp Cthulhu setting was due out since last year and has again been set back to fall.

Is this company done or what?

 

[jaerdaph]

The Arkham reprint (with d20/BRP dual stats) is coming out next month. Says so right on the En World home page.

 

[kengar]

Chaosium is -and always has been- a pretty small operation, people-wise. The industry in general is notorious for late releases and Chaosium is no different (though they are probably one of the worse offenders in that area).

As far as their d20 support, remember that COC is a "dual-platform" game. The "d100" or "BRP" version is still very much alive. Chaosium has -as far as I know- only promised to support d20 CoC with new releases of material.

 

[buzz]

There was a thread about this just a few weeks ago in the d20 System & OGL forum.

Summary: Chaosium is a shadow of its former self, a company run by dedicated gamers who also happen to be fairly poor businessmen. If it weren't for Cthulhu, they'd cease to exist.

Anyway, you just need to be patient. When they do put out products, they're generally very good (though often simply reprints of classic products). They also seem to be slowly improving the business; I hear they're moving to new offices and upgrading the Web site. One can only dare to dream that they someday recapture the glory of the 80s.

But don't hold your breath.

 

[WayneLigon]

There was a thread about this just a few weeks ago in the d20 System & OGL forum.

Summary: Chaosium is a shadow of its former self, a company run by dedicated gamers who also happen to be fairly poor businessmen. If it weren't for Cthulhu, they'd cease to exist.

I think they were badly burned when they tried to get in on the card game craze. Also, the deal with Avalon Hill seemed to hurt them a great deal. At least, that's when I started to notice products slipping or not showing up. Sigh. Makes me yearn for the days of Different Worlds, when they had several game lines going: Elfquest, Ringworld, RuneQuest, Superworld and others.

 

[Ranger REG]

Sounds like they're in some kind of financial crisis. Deja Vu.

I wonder if White Wolf is going to acquire them. Then again, Decipher is in desperate need for an IP of their own. By acquiring Chaosium, they get Stormbringer and Call of Cthulhu, the same way Wizards have D&D and Forgotten Realms.

 

[BlackWych]

Well I sure hope someone aquires them. I realize books get delayed but come on again and again? Arkham was suppose to be out in September then November then December and just now it's "at the printer".

As for Decipher they've made a disgrace out of their Lord of the RIng RPG license I don't see how they'd do anything for CoC.

 

[kengar]

As for Decipher they've made a disgrace out of their Lord of the RIng RPG license I don't see how they'd do anything for CoC.

I'm not looking to start an argument or hijack the thread, but I am curious as to what you dislike about the Decipher LOTR RPG? I think it's a pretty good game. It could stand a revised reprint that includes some errata, but what game couldn't?

 

[buzz]

I'm not looking to start an argument or hijack the thread, but I am curious as to what you dislike about the Decipher LOTR RPG? I think it's a pretty good game. It could stand a revised reprint that includes some errata, but what game couldn't?

I think it's more that Decipher are just as much kings of vaporware as Chaosium. Buying the company wouldn't serve any useful purpose.

 

[BlackWych]

I'm not looking to start an argument or hijack the thread, but I am curious as to what you dislike about the Decipher LOTR RPG? I think it's a pretty good game. It could stand a revised reprint that includes some errata, but what game couldn't?

That's ok no need to argue just opinions. and feel free to hijack my threads anytime it's always fun to see were a thread will go.

Now...


I've really got no problem with the game itself or the rules (though those rules have their own issues). My problem with them begins with exactly what were talking about with Chaosium. The core rule book was months late with everything from left out text to the afore mentioned rules issues.

No true web support. It took them months to post errata and collective rulings. No product support items such as the maps and the GM screens released with no show of it on their site.

Now the maps boxed set. I'll say some very nice maps but the booklet contained nothing but a reprint of the lands chapter of the core rule book.

The GM Screens were again months late. The picture on the players side is grainy and not inspiring at all. The big issue I have with these screens is the tables were printed without the errata corrections. What the heck is that?! It's not like I can download a patch. For $20 I want the corrections. Then the character sheets are printed on glossy paper. Hard to right on with anything. Missing grimmoie sheets. All in all a bad product.

OK end of rant.