T20 Release Schedule!!

[hunter]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ged:
I am actually really curious if anyone can say it will be out this Summer for sure.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can. And it will

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>[/b]We used to play Star Frontiers a long, long time ago and it was okay. I believe Alternity is dead as well.[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Alternity is dead, but there is supposed to be a mini-game for Star Frontiers in an upcoming issue of Dungeon/Polyhedron.

Hunter

 

[hunter]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Reginald:
That should be "Originally posted by dafrca" inside the quote.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gack. My ineptitude tonight continues!

Hunter

 

[AndreaV]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ctuttle:
Not to sound negative - but the T20 book seems to have missed its publish date... I posted in another thread asking for some clarification. It states on the release schedule that it will be out March 2002.

It is now April...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Given that Hunter et al are basing their production estimates on a sample of zero, I wouldn't be too worried. They'll probably get the next estimate wrong too; if they're still getting it wrong after 20 products, then there's something wrong.

 

[hunter]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ctuttle:
Well of course I would rather have the quality of a thoroughly tested product. That is not what I am saying in my post - nor do I ever think I stated I wanted them to rush.

I was simply asking for an update on the release schedule. Since on the official T20 site it STILL lists it as coming out in March...

I still think it is a fair question. *shrug*<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It is, I apologize if I made it seem otherwise.

Right we are trying to finish the playtest and rough editing. I just posted revision 22 of the rules this afternoon, and we are focusing on editing and clean-up. Once that is done, it has to go to layout and the rest of the interior artwork will still need to be complete. Then we can send it to the printer.

When will that be? Just as damn fast as I can push it there, without making any of what I would consider to be compromises in quality.

There isn't anyone out there who wants T20 on the shelves more than I do. Trust me!

Hunter

 

[hunter]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Falanor:
"d20 Star Wars...hmmm I seem to remember that The Star Wars Errata Core Book is to be released here soon. You know the one they are having to print less than a year after it was released because they rushed it to print without proper playtesting." -- Hunter (I think)

You mean the one that they are producing that is coming out a year and a half later?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ok, the one they started working on 6 months after the first release and have been playtesting for the past year.

But thats my point.

Hunter


[This message has been edited by hunter (edited 02 April 2002).]

 

[Falanor]

"Yeah the one they started working on 6 months after the first release and have been playtesting for the past year. Thats my point." -- Hunter

Yeah, that's the one. Though you did say that they were producing it only half a year after, not playtesting it, etc. It sounded as if you meant that the Star Wars game has only been out for a six month stint.

As it is I'm just glad that they are making sure that the changes and upgrades to the rules and what not are going to be free material as well.

 

[hunter]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Falanor:
"Yeah the one they started working on 6 months after the first release and have been playtesting for the past year. Thats my point." -- Hunter

Yeah, that's the one. Though you did say that they were producing it only half a year after, not playtesting it, etc. It sounded as if you meant that the Star Wars game has only been out for a six month stint.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It did, sorry about that.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>
As it is I'm just glad that they are making sure that the changes and upgrades to the rules and what not are going to be free material as well.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh don't get me wrong, I use SW as an example of rushing a product out. Complaints about SW began almost immediately and fairly widespread. Some of the gripes I didn't agree with (I liked the starship combat rules they had myself!), but it was loud enough to make WotC take notice pretty quick.

On the free part for SW, they are definately doing the right thing. It is still annoying though. I'll go ahead and spend the extra cost for the new version rather than have to deal with a ton of sheets of errata!

Hunter

 

[Reginald]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ged:
There are plenty science-fantasy games but few strictly sci-fi (no magic) still alive and kicking. If anyone knows of a good one please let me know. We used to play Star Frontiers a long, long time ago and it was okay. I believe Alternity is dead as well.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Would Gamma World fall under the science fiction genre? It may appear as d20 mini-game in a future issue of Dungeon/Polyhedron.

I thought someone has acquired the right to publish Star Frontier ... or was it Metamorphosis Alpha?

** shrugs **

BTW, just to tease us, Hunter, would you mind posting T20's TOC?

------------------
Anyhoo... just some random thoughts

 

[hunter]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Reginald:
I thought someone has acquired the right to publish Star Frontier ... or was it Metamorphosis Alpha?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Metamorphosis Alpha. Jim Ward who did the original is doing it again. I think it's pretty cool myself. I remember playing the original (still have a copy)

.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>
BTW, just to tease us, Hunter, would you mind posting T20's TOC?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Working on some possible 'teaser' stuff. But if you want to ask about specific stuff being in, fire away.

Hunter

 

[Kentares]

Well... let me try...

Could you give us some numbers about the book (i.e. how many classes).

 

[hunter]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kentares:
Well... let me try...

Could you give us some numbers about the book (i.e. how many classes).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

16 classes of various types including the obligatory Army, Navy, Scout, Marine, and Merchants!

6 races not including Humans: Aslan, Vargr, Luriani (minor human), Ursa, Sydite (minor human), and Virushi

A unique (to d20) Prior History system. Traveller characters tend to start around 5-7th level, although you can of course play a 1st level character if you wish.

Rule for combats involving people, creatures, vehicles, and starships. Combat, particularly with firearms is VERY dangerous, though armor can be particularly effective.

Design systems for creating custom vehicles, starships, worlds, and animals.

Any particulars? I won't divulge everything, but I'll answer most questions.

Hunter

 

[Simon Jester]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hunter:
Rule for combats involving people, creatures, vehicles, and starships. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Including hybrid combats? That is, dealing with characters getting strafed by a air vehicle, or run over by a truck (it's happened to my PCs before). Or air-fighters attempting to intercept a starcraft trying to lift out of a planet's atmosphere?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Combat, particularly with firearms is VERY dangerous, though armor can be particularly effective.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Design systems for creating custom vehicles, starships, worlds, and animals.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

How gearhead-ish will they be? I've always liked the MT construction system, but I understand I'm one of the relatively few who do.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Any particulars? I won't divulge everything, but I'll answer most questions.

Hunter

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Simon Jester

------------------
Good. Fast. Cheap.
Pick two.

[This message has been edited by Simon Jester (edited 02 April 2002).]

 

[dafrca]

Reginald, never mind. I have just realized you are correct. If you and the other fanboys will accept this level of performance then that is all that matters. I was wrong to ask for better planing or realistic dates from a publisher.


dafrca


[This message has been edited by dafrca (edited 02 April 2002).]

 

[dafrca]

Hunter,

I am sorry if my post seemd so hostile. I accept that somehow the company did not plan well enough to meet the published release date. For what ever reason you felt you needed to take extra time to make an acceptable product. I got it. You and Reginald say had you published on time the product would have been substandard. I accept your call as I have not seen it.

Continue with your testng, publish the product when ever you feel it is right for you, and good luck with it.

dafrca



[This message has been edited by dafrca (edited 02 April 2002).]

 

[tjoneslo]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Simon Jester:
Simon Jester
----------------
Good. Fast. Cheap.
Pick two.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is a particularly appropriate sig in this debate. Hunter and crew have chosen Good and Cheap.

 

[Simon Jester]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tjoneslo:
This is a particularly appropriate sig in this debate. Hunter and crew have chosen Good and Cheap. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

By far the two I prefer.

Simon Jester
------------
That which does not kill me had better run damn fast.

 

[Reginald]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dafrca:
Hunter,

I am sorry if my post seemd so hostile. I accept that somehow the company did not plan well enough to meet the published release date. For what ever reason you felt you needed to take extra time to make an acceptable product. I got it. You and Reginald say had you published on time the product would have been substandard. I accept your call as I have not seen it.

Continue with your testng, publish the product when ever you feel it is right for you, and good luck with it.

dafrca

[This message has been edited by dafrca (edited 02 April 2002).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Trust me, dafrca. I would like nothing more than have a company honor their release date. Really.

But a lot of things can happen that can throw the proverbial "monkey wrench into the gears of the machine." Material rewrites, playtesting that will involve more rewrites, proofreading a 300+ pages of material, and trying to meet with the scheduled appointment at the printers.

I mean this is not a fictional novel they're writing. This is a set of rules that have to work together to make for a playable game.

Personally, I am skeptical when a company says they're going to release their game within a year or less. That is not enough time, IMHO. I prefer they add six month to the tentative release date, something like Sovereign Press/WotC did when they're going to develop the new Dragonlance campaign sourcebook (scheduled for Fall of 2003). That would give them plenty of time to ensure product quality. Even moreso, if they are ahead of schedule, then may release it early to everyone's surprise.

Again, I ask that the company honor the release date. But if for some reason, the product is currently substandard when the release date is drawing near (you have to send the material to the printers), postpone the release until the final product is completed and satisfied by all.

I hope this message is not too wordy to understand my sentiment.

P.S. FYI, I'm not a "fanboy" of Traveller. I have played one session of this game and that was a looong time ago. Considering that they're doing a d20 version might make me want to play it again, but only if the product is of high quality. Trust me, I'm a very frugal gamer. I don't drop $30 for cheap stuff. I drop a penny for cheap stuff.

Only a "fanboy" would be camping outside of the FLGS on the eve of the product's release date, only to be sorely disappointed and whine all over the internet, like those N'Sync groupies who just realized the boy band canceled their tour concert in their city.

------------------
Anyhoo... just some random thoughts

[This message has been edited by Reginald (edited 02 April 2002).]

 

[T. Foster]

Missing scheduled release dates is a long-standing tradition in the world of RPGs, and T20 being 2-3 months late is barely a drop in the bucket. Among the more infamous late releases:

AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide (1st Ed): released ~1 year late (and at the time this was the biggest rpg release EVER)
Module T2 -- The Temple of Elemental Evil: released ~6 years late
HeroQuest (from Chaosium): currently scheduled for summer 2002 -- 22 years (and counting) late!

Really, as far as RPGs go, I'd say the only prime release dates are GenCon and XMas shopping season (~Oct-Nov) -- other than those two I can't see how a March release is substantially different from May or June to anyone except impatient consumers.

 

[Vargas]

Yeow! I remember waiting for the DM's Guide and yes, it was a biggey!

 

[GypsyComet]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by T. Foster:
HeroQuest (from Chaosium): currently scheduled for summer 2002 -- 22 years (and counting) late!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The item with this name due in Summer 2002 is actually the 2nd edition of Hero Wars, though the material relating to the HeroQuests of the name is MUCH more common in this game (either edition) as Greg finally has mechanics that work for such endeavors...