New DP and NG versions (was Land of Thunder)

From: glorantha-board_at_rpglist.org <(glorantha-board_at_rpglist.org)>
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 08:22:26 -0800


Hi Paul,

> I really like the idea of a core rule system with individual game
> "extras". This makes updates much easier to handle. I would also like
to
> see the NG production standard at the same level as DP (color map,
etc).
> One issue I have is are the new versions aimed at collectors or
players?
> Ie are the reprints going to the collector type editions (think Divine
> Right 25th Ann. Ed) or a "normal" edition.

That would depend on the licensee. However, the person we have been speaking with markets to hardcore boardgame players, and he prices according to need. These would not be $20 games. They would attract Gloranthan collectors, but a game on the production scale of Dragon Pass is impossible to do nowadays in a way that makes it accessible to the casual boardgame player. Unless you can produce many tens of thousands of copies of a boardgame, and unless you have relatively few, cheap plastic pieces, there's no way to do it. Manufacturing costs are too high.

>I would prefer the normal
> edition as I see this a way of getting new players into Glorantha.
Thus I
> see the emphasis of getting the games out and improving NG rather than
> spending money on redoing the DP map. (could only minor changes be made
> rather than a full rework?)

VERY unlikely. We have the original four-color transparencies of the map, so we would either use them, or have to do all the production work again. Not really possible for the original board itself to be modified, though I think we have that to. We'd love for William Church to do the maps for the other games, too, and he is agreeable, assuming a price can be worked out. Also an issue for the licensee. :)

> For rules the big change I would like to see is more examples.
> There are
> almost none in the (Chaosium) DP rules and some of complex issues (eg.
> multi-hex combat on both sides) would be much clearer with an example
or two.

I agree.

> On the monetary side of things, to overcome the upfront production
costs
> could a preorder system be setup to cover some of the initial costs?
Is
> it legal to allow preorder for a product that doesn't exist?

This is the normal method for the company we've been talking to. In fact, they take preorders with the strict proviso that the game won't be manufactured _until_ they have enough preorders, as I understand it. With the nostalgia value of the game (which it is possible would be renamed back to WB&RM), and the Gloranthan collectors who would be interested, and his normal clientel, he does not anticipate any problems getting enough preorders.

Cheers,

Stephen



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