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Message: <blockquote data-quote="AscentStudios" data-source="post: 2453241" data-attributes="member: 11548">Hey folks, I've come to answer some questions/concerns expressed here re: 2.0 - and maybe dispell some rumors <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> YMMV. Yes. These are built into the core book. IIRC, there are a dozen different treatments, ranging from Westerns to Near-Future, using the core classes and manipulating play using campaign qualities. This book is a much stronger toolkit for modern games of all stripes. As for sci-fi...we don't plan to disappoint <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />That model has changed in 2.0. We now have a "two book" setup - all official books use 2.0 + another book to work, rather than the "collectable rules" model some have accused us of <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> Spycraft 2.0 has precisely zero metaplot - it is a toolkit only. World on Fire, the first supplement, is set in the world of the CCG, but is really the espionage topic book, covering tradecraft and genre appropriate material, plus an alternate history using the CCG world. No metaplot outside that book, either - the CCG storyline is almost entirely absent in WoF because, as Patrick Kapera has noted, that storyline is about characters not the world. So fears of metaplot on the level of Shadowforce Archer are pretty much unfounded - we learned our lesson on that one.  This ain't your daddy's d20 <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> 500 pages of serious, ground-up re-examination of what worked for us and what didn't went into this one. I daresay that this is a pretty new entry into the d20 market. I think you will be pleased with Spycraft 2.0's direction. This is what we hope to do, and I know there are 3rd parties following suit. I am finishing up the first 3rd party supplement for 2.0, which is definately NOT espionage-based, and the engine works quite well <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />You'd be happy with our approach, then, too. "License to Improvise" was a team motto going into this book - we fully expect players to build their own campaigns and tweak to their table's desires. There are many many tools that allow you to tweak and change as you like, while retaining the core mechanics - campaign qualities, for instance, let you modularly (and easily) shift most aspects of the game to fit the scene, mission or campaign as you like. A balanced yet freeform NPC creation system lets you make baddies as weak or badassed as you like. Gamemasters are definately empowered in this edition.Gods, I hope so too. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> To say we re-evaluated from the ground-up would not be an exaggeration. I don't expect anybody to relieve WotC of their gaming crown - indeed, 99% of the companies out there simply could never afford to compete - but I think there will be a little more wiggle room for y'all to try something different with Spycraft. Frinstance, there is one real dedicated "spy" type (the Snoop) who works equally well as a surveillance expert, creepy voyeur, or terrorist. And as for 3rd parties interested in doing work with the system, I would suggest contacting Patrick Kapera (pkaperaATalderacDOTcom) - I think you might be surprised at his willingness to accept new and cool ideas for products.I agree 100%. I'm a closet fanboy of Grim Tales, myself - one day, if I can break my players from Spycraft, we'll actually get to play <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />I agree that this is likely the case. The CCG is the new and shiny product compared to a 3 year old RPG. And in simple economics - and this follows with all game companies - CCGs simply outsell RPGs. By a LOT, typically. I believe this is right where Spycraft sits at default - the threat of death is actually here, thanx to VP/WP - but it's not likely. With the campaign qualities you can certainly make combat much deadlier, quick. And that's a very simple plug in from the GM chapter.You want bonus feats in every class? OK. We'll do it just for you (don't tell anybody I said so) <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> We addressed the dearth of feats in some 1.0 classes because the fans told us that's what they wanted. There is a *lot* more choice this time around as far as "archetypes" go - every class has bonus feats in 1-4 trees, many have 7-10 selectable abilities that appear around Levels 5 or 6 to let you further customize. The result is you can take 2 10th level characters, with the same class and same stats, and have them look quite different in specialties and abilities, while still having a "class" to work from as a platform.We made unarmed combat - the equivalent of standard d20's Improved Unarmed Strike - a proficiency (which all characters receive 2-6 of at 1st level and gain as a level-dependant benefit). That means you can get it if you want it, no questions asked. Don't even get me started on the new version of Martial Arts - you can hold your own against a standard pistol-user most any day. This is what happens when you have a black belt on your design team <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />Thanks for getting to the end of this post. Needless to say, the 2.0 Design Team is painfully excited by the product. We know it won't be for everybody but I think there's a fair share of things we've changed that should excite the fanbase and address the things you have brought before us over the last few years.</blockquote>

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