KnowTheToe
First Post
Kenzar has my vote. They are too narrow in scope to become the largest player, but they only put out quality products.
Who is the Leader among D20 companies?
- Thread starter Waylander the Slayer
- Start date
trancejeremy
Adventurer
I think Mongoose is probably the leader. Quite frankly, I've never liked their stuff, but they put out tons of stuff. Class splatbooks. Monster splatbooks. Theme books. Magic books. City books. Core class books. And now 2 licensed games. I think the only thing they haven't done is adventures.
I think Polyhedron is the best thing WOTC puts out regularly. Some of their big books are very good, but most of their modules, and their splatbooks are fairly uninspired.
I like the Kalamar setting, but I still don't think it fits the D&D rules. Too low magic, yet there seems to be no reason why that is, in game terms. (It's like that because it was developed under it's own rules sytem, originally).
When Sovereign Stone moved their world over to d20, they also changed the magic system (and many of the other classes). While it seems to be a thing you either love or hate, at least they made the effort to make the rules fit the world they describe. The Kalamar people really haven't.
I also like Green Ronin, but their Freeport book is full of an apalling number of rules errors, especially NPC stat problems. (If you don't believe me, look on their forums, someone posted a list of them.) Usually their stuff is quite solid, rules wise.
I think Polyhedron is the best thing WOTC puts out regularly. Some of their big books are very good, but most of their modules, and their splatbooks are fairly uninspired.
I like the Kalamar setting, but I still don't think it fits the D&D rules. Too low magic, yet there seems to be no reason why that is, in game terms. (It's like that because it was developed under it's own rules sytem, originally).
When Sovereign Stone moved their world over to d20, they also changed the magic system (and many of the other classes). While it seems to be a thing you either love or hate, at least they made the effort to make the rules fit the world they describe. The Kalamar people really haven't.
I also like Green Ronin, but their Freeport book is full of an apalling number of rules errors, especially NPC stat problems. (If you don't believe me, look on their forums, someone posted a list of them.) Usually their stuff is quite solid, rules wise.
gregweller
First Post
A couple of comments: Spycraft is one of the best things I've seen in ages--it really is innovative, and the production values are very very good. I also like their support system--the Shadowforce Archer site is very well done. I also think that their free 'Spycraft Lite' rules was a stroke of marketing genius. I really hadn't intended on getting into Spycraft until I saw those rules, and I was down at the gaming store the next day, buying the main book, and the Archer setting. My gut feeling is that this is just going to continue to sell and sell and sell (and that's a cool chapter of the Modern Weapons book that they put out for free, too).
I also have to agree with the poster that praised the Dungeon/Polyhedron mini-games. Another great marketing stroke--what better way to show just how much you can do with the d20 rules.
I also have to agree with the poster that praised the Dungeon/Polyhedron mini-games. Another great marketing stroke--what better way to show just how much you can do with the d20 rules.
I think none can say Wizards isn't the best company as they have published the best three books for the d20 system (the core rulebooks). But if I ignore these three, I would vote (and so have I) SSS as the best publisher, with Green Ronin and Privateer (a pity they haven't published more stuff).
Well, first I want to say I am a big Kenzer Co fan and I think their products are some of the best out there. But they are not the "leader among d20" . For this I had to vote for SS/White Wolf. While the products don't quite fit my style of play as well as Kalamar does, they are very prolific and the quality is top notch.
Actually, Kalamar was designed to be generic world that could be used with many systems, but leaning towards 2e. Kalamar never had its own rules system.
I might get it too, for not being a fan-boy on this one.
Kenzer is the best d20 publisher for me, but I don't think they are the d20 leader (yet.)
Actually, Kalamar was designed to be generic world that could be used with many systems, but leaning towards 2e. Kalamar never had its own rules system.
I might get it too, for not being a fan-boy on this one.
Kenzer is the best d20 publisher for me, but I don't think they are the d20 leader (yet.)
I love Green Ronin. Every book from them I've read is great. Freeport is superb.
I like a lot AEG's Spycraft, probably one of the best RPG ever. I also like a lot Mongoose's Judge Dredd, Fantasy Flight's Dragonstar and Seafarer's Handbook, and Sovereign Stone (and it's superb magic system).
I like a lot AEG's Spycraft, probably one of the best RPG ever. I also like a lot Mongoose's Judge Dredd, Fantasy Flight's Dragonstar and Seafarer's Handbook, and Sovereign Stone (and it's superb magic system).
TalonComics
First Post
Erik Mona said:
Erik, just a little side info for you which you probably already are aware:
Ever since Dungeon started containing added Polyhedron material it is now totally selling out. Seriously, I can't get extra copies anymore. They're gone!
Count me in the list of Dungeon fans as well. The mini games are awesome.
~Derek
TalonComics
First Post
Right now the leader is still Wizards of the Coast.
Fans worldwide wait and anticipate WotC product more than any other company. They have the best magazines, the best presentation, and plenty settings to choose from.
It's hard for me to say in any given order who follows but I think AEG and Kenzer move back and forth between number 2 and 3. AEG's strong point is their diversity in product. Spycraft, Rokugan and soon Swashbuckling Adventures and Dark Sun. Those cover a large range of material with a professional presentation. Kenzer's Kalamar is one of the best D&D settings out there with a consistant release schedule. I could have easily choosen this setting to game in.
Number 4 for me is Fantasy Flight. I love Dragonstar and the Legends & Lairs line of books. The one thing keeping them from challenging the number 2 or 3 spot is lateness in releases.
Number 5 is the Sword & Sorcery line from White Wolf. Scarred Lands is cool and all but it doesn't translate very well into other fantasy gaming settings. Necromancer Games' "first edition feel" means I don't want to play it. That's just me though so don't take it the wrong way.
Malhavoc stuff is awesome and recommended but isn't released in any great abundance. I love the stuff from Fiery Dragon but they're leaving Sword & Sorcery. :/ When Everquest comes out Sword & Sorcery could possibly shoot up a couple notches to 2 or 3. We'll see.
Number 6 is Mongoose. What hurts them the most is they just put out too much stuff. Four to five releases a month is too much. Slayer's Guide to Girl Gamers? Come on guys.
Number 7 is Green Ronin. Great stuff over all and consistant. If there is a challenger for Mongoose it's Green Ronin. As Green Ronin is releasing more quality stuff I think they can start moving up the list.
It's pretty much a free for all after that. There are some outstanding companies out there that are doing some great things. Mystic Eye and Thunderhead both are carving nitches for themselves. Troll Lord is cashing in on the Gygax legacy.
The trick is to do unique things or do things very well. Hopefully D20 Modern will allow many companies to do some very cool things. Hang in there publishers! It's getting nasty but there's still hope.
~Derek
Fans worldwide wait and anticipate WotC product more than any other company. They have the best magazines, the best presentation, and plenty settings to choose from.
It's hard for me to say in any given order who follows but I think AEG and Kenzer move back and forth between number 2 and 3. AEG's strong point is their diversity in product. Spycraft, Rokugan and soon Swashbuckling Adventures and Dark Sun. Those cover a large range of material with a professional presentation. Kenzer's Kalamar is one of the best D&D settings out there with a consistant release schedule. I could have easily choosen this setting to game in.
Number 4 for me is Fantasy Flight. I love Dragonstar and the Legends & Lairs line of books. The one thing keeping them from challenging the number 2 or 3 spot is lateness in releases.
Number 5 is the Sword & Sorcery line from White Wolf. Scarred Lands is cool and all but it doesn't translate very well into other fantasy gaming settings. Necromancer Games' "first edition feel" means I don't want to play it. That's just me though so don't take it the wrong way.
Malhavoc stuff is awesome and recommended but isn't released in any great abundance. I love the stuff from Fiery Dragon but they're leaving Sword & Sorcery. :/ When Everquest comes out Sword & Sorcery could possibly shoot up a couple notches to 2 or 3. We'll see.Number 6 is Mongoose. What hurts them the most is they just put out too much stuff. Four to five releases a month is too much. Slayer's Guide to Girl Gamers? Come on guys.
Number 7 is Green Ronin. Great stuff over all and consistant. If there is a challenger for Mongoose it's Green Ronin. As Green Ronin is releasing more quality stuff I think they can start moving up the list.
It's pretty much a free for all after that. There are some outstanding companies out there that are doing some great things. Mystic Eye and Thunderhead both are carving nitches for themselves. Troll Lord is cashing in on the Gygax legacy.
The trick is to do unique things or do things very well. Hopefully D20 Modern will allow many companies to do some very cool things. Hang in there publishers! It's getting nasty but there's still hope.
~Derek
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