What's up with Chaosium?

[Vocenoctum]

I think they were badly burned when they tried to get in on the card game craze.

Yeah, they nearly died from the CCG flop, that's when they axed Nephilim.

Chaosium used to be some of the greatest scenario's, but highest price. Now the price has raised in general, but they're still the same price. I think that hurts them too.

But, as always, you can't sell something you don't have. It's a shame.

 

[Ranger REG]

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.

* switches tone *

You want to elaborate on that? :-\

 

[BlackWych]

I already did above

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I just bumped up my review of Decipher's LotR RPG. I liked the game quite a bit. Here's the link to my review:

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29478

 

[Maggan]

WotC buying Chaosium Would be Disaster

If WotC bought Chaosium, the world would implode.

I mean, imagine the conspiracy theories, the Evil Empire threads and the general wailing and gnashing of teeth that would be the result.

The horror! The horror!

Cheers

Maggan

 

[kengar]

re: LOTR & Decipher

No argument on the issue of support for the LOTR game from me.

It sorta remids me of the whole Games Workshop WFB/WH40K v. WHFRP issue that's been going on for years. For Decipher, it's CCG v. RPG support. They pay far more attention to the card games because that's where their money is coming from.

 

[Doctor Futurity]

Sometimes, less is more. While I'd love to see a little more support for CoC, or more quality for LoTR (and heck, any of the promised supplements at all for Star Trek), one thing is certain: too much of a good thing can drown that game in mediocrity or over saturation. CoC/Chaosium are a case of slow release, insuring I will always snag the latest product and be happy to see it. Decipher's problem: near fatal slowness followed by moments of inadequate product support. I do wish someone else other that Decipher was handling the ST/LoTR lisences....I keep waiting for Decipher to go belly up or come to a screeching halt ala West End Games.

 

[JeffB]

Re: WotC buying Chaosium Would be Disaster

If WotC bought Chaosium, the world would implode.

I mean, imagine the conspiracy theories, the Evil Empire threads and the general wailing and gnashing of teeth that would be the result.

The horror! The horror!

Cheers

Maggan

Well if WOTC picked up Chaosium at least WOTC would then have some folks on board who actually know how to write good adventure/story/fluff material. Chaosium excels at that and WOTC cant seem to write anything compelling beyone rules related material.

 

[Gallowglass]

Sometimes, less is more. While I'd love to see a little more support for CoC, or more quality for LoTR (and heck, any of the promised supplements at all for Star Trek), one thing is certain: too much of a good thing can drown that game in mediocrity or over saturation. CoC/Chaosium are a case of slow release, insuring I will always snag the latest product and be happy to see it. Decipher's problem: near fatal slowness followed by moments of inadequate product support. I do wish someone else other that Decipher was handling the ST/LoTR lisences....I keep waiting for Decipher to go belly up or come to a screeching halt ala West End Games.

Spot on, although I'd have a bit more sympathy for Decipher if their prices weren't so ludicrouos - HOW MUCH for a box of maps (when every decnt hardback of the books has a copy of Christopher Tolkeins excellent map already!).

Personally I like Chaosium as they are - although the other Atlases ogf the Young Kingdoms would be cool

 

[Ranger REG]

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.

Not many RPG companies have such web support, and they are still doing fine.

If that is the criteria for buying a game, you got some pretty serious standard for playing a leisure game.

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.

That's pretty good for me.

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.

Don't recall Wizards making the kind of effort with their Screen. Maybe it's a good thing they stopped making more D&D Screen. Wouldn't want to disappoint you.

* gives you a bored look *