Describing HeroWars...

From: Kevin P. McDonald <paul_mcdonald_at_ncsu.edu>
Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2000 09:18:23 -0500


Hey all,

I understand the pressures of anticipation, but the game ain't out yet. It is fairly close to release, though, and it is too late for suggestions to have any real effect. Why is there a burning need to know details about it? Just chill and all will be explained in due time.

As for the digest, it is possible to pick up enough info from context to figure out what folks are talking about most of the time. It may seem like this is a snobbish club, but it ain't - really. (I love making up my own words... sorry! <laugh>) Most conversations involving "W"s aren't that interesting anyway... :)

Tim Ellis wrote...

> It was Greg, it might have been to cover up for his unfortunate lapse in
> revealing the password accidentally though, when he didn't realise that
> David had already reset the password !

Partly true, but I suspect that the real reason for secrecy at this point is more a desire not to piss off the folks that paid for access rather than fear that the rules would be too widely distributed. I think Greg's desire to let folks in general read the rules is genuine as long as it is understood that it is a draft version. I think most of the GTA members joined to promote Glorantha. People complaining that some are getting for free what others paid for would be (a possibly vocal) minority.

> I suspect the rules that are made "public" will be the bare bones of the
> system - a HeroWars Lite in the mould of GURPS lite

I agree. I was very impressed with SJG releasing GURPS Lite on the web - it really isn't all that "lite". What is missing is the thousand-and-one additional details that SJG sells in supplemental books. GURPS Lite is playable, but definately leaves you with the desire to spend. It reminded me of Basic D&D. It is quite enough to start, but it won't be long before you begain to miss what isn't there.

Lets face it! Game system rules exist to sell supplements like razors exist to sell blades (and perhaps to shave). Releasing a minimal set of rules for free, and charging for the Gloranthan content makes perfect sense. Especially since Hero Wars rules are so simple. Take out the Gloranthan material and what is left? Not much. After reading the draft version of HW I was *more* desperate for the final release, not less!

As always, the game belongs to Issaries. They can (and will) do with it whatever they feel is best.

Paul


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