Who is the D20 system publisher to watch?

[Nikchick]

green ronin on the other hand have been pretty solid rules wise (bar compaints about their jade dragons and hungry ghosts), but the fact that their freeport hardcover, the first really major project has slipped from novemeber 2001 to march 2002 is a bit of a worry.

Thanks for the vote of support. We weren't too happy about the way Q4 2001 slipped around either, but you'll be happy to hear that once we get through March, it's on time all the time.

I'll cease hijacking the thread now.

Nicole

 

[Zarrock God of Evil]

I've more or less decided to support Mongoose, SSS, FFG, Malhavoc Press and Green Ronin so far - I'll buy most of their products, but priorities are important as I buy almost everything WotC puts out.
Bastion Press seems to be a major prospect as well - the Arms and Armor guide will be a major hit I think.

Generally I choose product lines I like to support rather than the publishers themselves:

Green Ronin: The Legions of Hell, Armies of the Abyss etc. I may consider City of Freeport. Shaman looks very good as well....

FFG: The entire Legends and Lairs line as well as the entire Dragonstar line.

Malhavoc Press: An exception - I buy almost everything this man puts out.... (having Bruce R. Cordell support the psi-line doesn't hurt either - hope it's not the last. A BoEM style book abouit psionics would be marvellous).

Mongoose Publ.: The EA series and the Quintessential series....

SSS: The Relics and Rituals series.....

-Zarrock

 

[Davelozzi]

I voted for Necromancer. I'm looking forward to Tomb and Necropolis more than any other D20 product.

And, Mr. Kenzer, while I like your company's products, I feel that your constant bragging about the D&D logo and the officialness of your products is growing tiresome. Let the material stand on it's own merit, it's got more going for it than the logo.

 

[Hard8Staff]

Points taken.

To fiery Nicole and others that wondered at my post: The original poll stated "non-wotc" d20. So I assumed that didn't mean non-D&D. Perhaps it did.

(Yes the Kalamar stuff is official. Since we pay quite a bit for the license, we mention it often.)

Maybe I was out of line and maybe not.

In any case, we'll do our talking with product (which, incidentally, is why we are infrequent visitors to the boards -- we're either working, gaming or parenting; I've recently taken an interst after our fans complained that we never go here to promote our products on what appears to be a hostile board - not for example, the "D&D product" update that never includes the Kalamar line and this poll. Again, maybe our fans are imagining it and maybe not).

So here's to a successful year of d20 publishing for everyone....and let the best product(s) win.

David

 

[BadMojo]

Thanks for the vote of support. We weren't too happy about the way Q4 2001 slipped around either, but you'll be happy to hear that once we get through March, it's on time all the time.

Nicole

Just to add to my earlier vote of Green Ronin. I think the Freeport HC alone makes them THE publisher to watch. If this book is as good as I think it's gonna be, I won't mind the wait! I think Freeport is one of the most interesting D20 settings out there, and I have a feeling that Green Ronin has pulled out all of the stops with this one!

Arcana: Societies of Magic looks to be an outstanding book (my copy should be here any day now!) that will be instantly useful for almost any campaign. I plan on using some of the groups in Arcana in an FR game AND in a Dragonstar/Freeport campaign.

The GR "class books" are an interesting variation on the theme, and if Armies of the Abyss is as good as Legions of Hell we should be in for quite a treat.

I'm also getting quite interested in the new "Secret College of Necromancy" book written by David "Zeb" Cook. It warms my heart to see something new from Zeb Cook.

Ok, here ends the unpaid endorsement for Green Ronin. Hey, I can't help it, they are my favorite!

 

[ascendance]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Bastion Press. They haven't put out much so far, but I expect big things from them. After all, they have both Peter Adkinson and Ryan Dancey sitting on their board. I expect them to have a close relationship with at least certain factions within WOTC. That political dynamic, if nothing else, means that they should be worth watching.

 

[Kichwas]

I tend to menatally lump all the SSS labels under the same package myself. So I don't see a Necromancer - Sword Sorcery - Fiery distinction anymore.

Especially Since Fiery changed it's cover artists to be more like the SSS / Necromancer ones. On the shelf their products all blend together to me.

I also don't put much stock in anyone who's just doing modules.

Nor anyone who's starting up a new setting.

I think the water's already a bit thick in these two areas.


So...

As far as d20 people are concerned I think Mongoose is the one who will be really shaking things up.

The Quintessential series that just started coming out with the new Fighter book shows some very interesting signs for where they could take things.

They've already completely flipped the tables on the possibilities for d20 magic. Much like Sovereign Press, save Sovereign has gotten a lot less notice for their works (despite being three of the biggest names in the fantasy hobby: Elmore, Weis, Hickman. Interesting how that's panned out).

But who can say...

Before Gen Con 2001 Mongoose was a non entity on the radar screen and I doubt even they thought anyone would know who they were by now.

As an aside; as far as who's products I've really liked, the list has many houses.

Kenzer, FFG, Atlas, AEG, Sovereign, Mongoose and others...

Even finally WotC once Wheel of Time got into my hands.

By chance a few days back when I was buying the latest two Mongoose books I happened upon a book by Archangel Studios called Dramatis Personae.

I don't normally buy NPC collections. But this was was very interesting. It's their only d20 product. The people behind it normally make comic books under another label. However because of that fact the art and graphic design of the book was very well done. If nothing else if this company decides to pursue a d20 line they will make a very strong visual impact with illustrators and graphic designers that can easily rival most of the d20 crowd and all but the best of WotC's artists (WotC's design people can be beat by almost anyone in the d20 market...).

That last bit is just an example to say that the future is highly unpredictable. In a few months we could all be looking at some completely new entry into the field with a product none of us even considered before knocking all of our collective socks off.

Or not.

 

[Nikchick]

After all, they have both Peter Adkinson and Ryan Dancey sitting on their board.

Kathleen Adkison. Peter's ex-wife, not Peter himself.

Nicole

 

[Zarrock God of Evil]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Bastion Press. They haven't put out much so far, but I expect big things from them. After all, they have both Peter Adkinson and Ryan Dancey sitting on their board. I expect them to have a close relationship with at least certain factions within WOTC. That political dynamic, if nothing else, means that they should be worth watching.

Bastion Press will definitely be on the ascendancy this year I think. They've got a great crew and Arms and Armor and Spells and Magic (and to a lesser extent Herbs and Alchemists?) look like they'll be fine products (and full colour no less!!!)

-Zarrock

 

[NeuroZombie]

My vote is for TG, but like a few others who posted here, I am biased

As for other publishers, FFG and AEG seem to be the ones to look out for IMHO. I have not had the fortune to get Dragonstart yet, but that is first on my list as of the moment!