WW's "Top Secret" project

[bondetamp]

Ooookey ...

*backs away slowly*

 

[Blackwind]

Why would there need to be any negotiations for a d20 Vampire, or Exalted? It seems like WW would just do it in-house. It seems to me like it would be silly for WotC to do it. I, too, think that WW wants one of WotC's properties. Planescape sounds like a reasonable option, especially with their relationship with Malhavolic.

Because if WW did WoD game using the generic d20 open license, they wouldn't be able to include info for character generation or level advancement. Then anyone who wanted to play, say, Vampire d20, would have to look in the D&D PH whenever they wanted to level up their characters. Not something that would be appealing to most WW fans. If WW had WotC's permission, in contrast, they could print Vampire, Mage, Werewolf, and Exalted d20 as stand-alone games, not requiring the D&D PH.

Despite this, I don't think it's very likely that Vampire d20 is the 'top secret project' since it was already explicitly mentioned in a previous news release, or rumor, or something.

<sarcasm> Now, as for what the secret project really is, I think that's pretty obvious. Given WW (through S&S)'s recent success in the fantasy genre, they're definitely negotiating with WotC for permission to make a new version of D&D using the Storyteller rules mechanics. That would definitely have a huge audience, especially among WW's current fan base. </sarcasm>

 

[Darkness]

... now if you play Vampire AND D&D, don't flame me... I'm just saying that, on the whole, these are two very different groups of gamers.

I won't flame you. Also, you are probably right (although most of my friends - like myself - play both).

Penguinking said:
I don't know if Arthaus would do to well with Planescape. Y'see, PS differs from all their other settings in one key respect - the universe isn't breathing its last.

In Exalted, the "universe" isn't "breathing its last." And I don't think that that's the case in Adventure, Aberrant, Trinity, either (I'm not sure, about Trinity, though; I only have Aberrant and Adventure, but not Trinity. Also, in Aberrant it varies depending on the exact time you're playing in.)

(Damn, just noticed that bondetamp beat me to it!)

 

[Lady Dragon]

That doesn't make any sense at all>Yes I can see what WW would get out of a storyteller D&D but what would WoTC get out of it after all they are trying to sell core rulebooks I don't see how this would work unless WoTC published the core book and WW handled the supplement like they are doing with Chaosism and CoC.

I think it is more likely to involve planescape after all its obvous to me that WoTC is currently selling the rights to all its unused settings to the highest bidder right now.Guess they really are hurting finacially what with the Layoffs and all and now this white sale.

 

[Greatwyrm]

That doesn't make any sense at all>Yes I can see what WW would get out of a storyteller D&D but what would WoTC get out of it after all they are trying to sell core rulebooks I don't see how this would work unless WoTC published the core book and WW handled the supplement like they are doing with Chaosism and CoC.

While I agree that this is not a likely scenario, there are two ways WotC can make a buck if this is what happens.

First, WW will have to pay for a license if they want to sidestep the PHB requirement. WotC can adjust the licensing fee to make up part of what they feel they may lose on that end.

Second, and more likely, WotC would be counting on the DMG, MM, and other add-on books to make their money on the deal. They would be counting on impatient consumers thinking WW doesn't support the game fast enough, so they go out and buy books like that from WotC to satisfy their needs.

Again, not likely, but plausible.

I think it is more likely to involve planescape after all its obvous to me that WoTC is currently selling the rights to all its unused settings to the highest bidder right now.Guess they really are hurting finacially what with the Layoffs and all and now this white sale.

I'm starting to lean towards Planescape as well. Not a bad idea. If you can make money off an asset without having to take any real risk on your own, why not?

 

[PenguinKing]

In Exalted, the "universe" isn't "breathing its last." And I don't think that that's the case in Adventure, Aberrant, Trinity, either (I'm not sure, about Trinity, though; I only have Aberrant and Adventure, but not Trinity. Also, in Aberrant it varies depending on the exact time you're playing in.)

Whatever you say. I don't own all the WW/Arthaus games by any stretch of the imagination, but in the ones I do have, I've noticed that the old World of Darkness "oh doom and gloom the world is decaying to ruin" attitude tends to bleed over even into non-WoD settings quite a bit. YMMV.

- Sir Bob.

P.S. Nih!

 

[hong]

Now, as for what the secret project really is, I think that's pretty obvious. Given WW (through S&S)'s recent success in the fantasy genre, they're definitely negotiating with WotC for permission to make a new version of D&D using the Storyteller rules mechanics.

That reminds me, which clan would Elminster belong to?

 

[PenguinKing]

That reminds me, which clan would Elminster belong to?

Oh, every WW game eventually comes out with a sourcebook for "clanless" characters just so's ye can mix-and-match yer powers.

- Sir Bob.

P.S. Nih!

 

[tsadkiel]

That reminds me, which clan would Elminster belong to?

{snarky}
Malkavian. Of the old-school, "annoying Kender with fangs" variety.
{/snarky}

 

[ColonelHardisson]

D20:The Tyranny

Y'know, I've seen this before, but I always wonder -

Steve Jackson Games has done a GURPS treatment of...well, of everything, and has been doing so for years. Everything from the Prisoner to the Scarlet Pimpernel to the Lensmen to Vampire to World War II to Cops to...well, you get the idea. Why isn't that seen as them trying to take over the gaming world?