Nakana

I haven't read the new CoC, but I wouldn't want it to become the new *core* BRP. 

This is what I'd like if I had my say on the matter. (Keep in mind this is all just wishful thinking on my part.)

Product Lines:

• BRP BGB (2nd edition?) *I know it's really like 4th edition BRP but I mean a 2nd edition of the "BGB" - updated to include new optional rules and a new fresh look and design. 
• Call of Cthulhu 
• Magic World
• Worlds of Wonder 2nd edition. (Box Set)
  • BRP core system quickstart. 
  • Future World (updated setting book)
  • Fantasy World (because "Magic World" is now something else.) (Based off the original and not Elric)
  • Super World (updated)
  • Horror World (generic Call of Cthulhu)

 To keep it affordable I'd be ok if all the the books in Worlds of Wonder were paperback booklets. If each book averaged 20 pages, you're looking at 100 pages for the entire product.  Sell the entire Box set as the BRP starter box for $20.

Focus on those core product lines, and monographs and additional material to compliment them. 

Awesome! So what do we do if we bought MW from Chaosium's old site? Are we going to have to buy it again?

BTW, I have the emailed receipt to prove purchase.

Haven't played either one. I know that FutureWorld was Chaosium's futuristic setting included with Worlds of Wonder and Ring World was licensed from Larry Niven. 

What are your thoughts? How do they compare? In your opinion which is more fun/engaging? Which is simpler?

Hey everyone, I haven't noticed it mentioned anywhere but I just wanted to point out that I no longer see a download limit at Chaosium's website! 

Now.... if we could just get our previous purchases from the old site restored that would be excellent! (I realize that may be very difficult.)

In case anyone was interested I uploaded hi-res photos of the map. 

You can find them in the downloads section here: 

I'll have either a laptop or iPad to reference sources quickly in lieu of a stack of books. (Even though there is usually still a book or two close by.) 

Everything else is good ole' fashioned pencil, paper, and dice. I just get into it more that way; call it atmosphere, environment, ambience, etc. but it is the overall experience of a PnPRPG. 

Even if I played online over Skype I'd probably still use a character sheet and pencil. 

In my opinion, something is lost if it's all done through an app. I might as well be playing a video game. =\

In short: It kills the theatre of the mind. (At least for me.)

Regarding the artwork:

I really like the cover. I didn't catch the "standing on the shoulders of giants" reference until Ben pointed it out, but then it clicked, and I'm a sucker for hidden subtleties like that.

Throughout the rest of the book is an obvious mix of art with different styles and origins. However, there is one particular style that is noticeable and unique:

Adventurer on p. 4

An adventurer begins their journey... p. 6

Some of the peoples of Magic World p. 19

Where does your allegiance lie? p. 28

Two swords are better than one p. 92

Two sorcerers duel p. 96

A Mage teaches how to guide fire p. 102

...and there are many other examples.

I'm not sure who the artist is although I suspect it's Andy P. Timm due to the similarity of the cover.

Anyway, for future reference I'd like to see a lot more of that style. Full spreads even, and color is a must.

The layout wasn't bad, but could have been better. (Sorry Nick, nothing personal) I'm curious to know what software was used. InDesign? Something else?

Anyway that's my 2¢ worth.

Ben,

 

Magic World is my preferred fantasy incarnation of d100, at least among those in-print. I really hope it will have the support it deserves.

I wish the new Chaosium a great success with this great line, but also with CoC7 - which is essential for supporting the company.

You deserve to succeed in this noble mission!

 

Best,

Smiorgan

 

PS: MW PDF errata are a very important move. A signal that you care about the line and its customers. Kudos for pushing that. There is however a problem related to that: my older orders - including the Magic World PDF are gone from my order history on the Chaosium website. So, I wouldn't be able to re-download the corrected PDF. I think this is a general problem for all Chaosium customers (I've seen it mentioned on the net by others). 

Same problem here. Also to note, until the 4 download limit is removed, I'll probably buy pdf's at other sites. =\

It's like everything that everyone has been saying for years should happen.... is happening. 

I hope that MW can become Chaosium's iPod. (+1 for those of you that get the reference.)

Just when I had written Chaosium off.... :::BOOM:::

Well played....

You have my attention Chaosium.

Hey everyone! This isn't related to the gaming hobby, but I'm working on a project that I've wanted to do for a long time. 

A friend suggested that I try a gofundme before going to the banks for a loan so I did. The basic idea is just to spread the word as much as possible. 

So if you've got time and would like to check out http://gofundme.com/snowconestand for all the details I'd appreciate it! 

Have a great day! 

- Nakana

Out of curiosity, is there a topic anyone would like to see covered in this book?

Does chaosium own the rights to the Southern Reaches since it was in Magic World?

Pretty good! Thanks for the recommendation. I found it interesting the way they pronounced thac0. (In the movie it rhymes with taco)

I've always heard it pronounced with a strong A. 

Miami Vice, 21 Jump Street, TMNT, Thundercats, Stargate, G.I. Joe (like the 80's cartoon)

(I know those are more settings than specific characters, but still awesome worlds to play in. Fairly easy to adapt to BRP, which is why I love BRP, lol.)

No offense to Ben, but I wish it wasn't an official Chaosium product... (at least that way it could have been released already)

I love BRP and many Chaosium products. 

However, when it comes to doing business with them, I'll avoid Chaosium at all costs.

Thanks for the pointers seneschal!

So Saturday night my friends and I somehow came up with the idea to make a movie... 

It started out that we would make a typical hack-n-slash horror movie, but honestly those bore me. =\

I would much rather make a psychological thriller. 

I thought I'd come here to get some feedback for possible ideas? I regard this community as the creative type (obviously) and would like to know what kind of psychological thriller/horror you'd like to see. 

This is all in fun and not to be taken too seriously, and any inspiration from members would receive credit. 

What we're currently bouncing around is this:

I live smack dab in the middle of a forest. Literally, De Soto National Forest, so we clearly have the advantage of location (spooky woods and all). Paranormal/ghost stuff isn't off the table, but I don't want to have to spend a ton of time in post production making ghosts and causing things to levitate. 

I'd much rather focus on the human mind and the transition of someone "snapping" or "going off the deep end." Possibly tie in the workings of a local small town cult? I'd like the strengths of the movie to be acting and dialogue as opposed to camera tricks and special effects. 

Anyway if anyone would like to throw some ideas out there it would be much appreciated!

The Chrinicler's Companion had a chapter on expanding the benefits of Championship, as well as how to use Alegiance to model cults and belief systems. Essentially breaking down the abstract notion of "Light, Balance, Shadow" into a way to create interesting pantheons.

This is what I'm waiting for...

FWIW The old site was mobile compatible as well. Albeit, while the design is very similar, the new site looks much better.

Nice graph

Thanks!

Can't argue with that! Until tonight when I was making the graph I never really thought about it, but you are indeed correct. BRP has been cheating us out of Special successes for decades!

BGB uses a series of ordered numerical ranges to indicate a level of success.

Questbird's example of a visual dice method uses a series of ranges based on visual dice cues.

Both produce similar percentages of results. 

The only mathematical discrepancy is that by using Questbird's example, one gains a 3% increase to roll a special success. (Which is not a big deal in my opinion.)

I think this is probably the best way I could explain why I don't like visual dice mechanics. 

edit: The graph is based on a skill of 60%

edit: I also meant to mention that somewhere in an old BRP system I read that if you roll the same number as your skill it meant something (Can't remember if it was good or bad.) I didn't like that either lol. 

Update: Ok, it isn't an expiration date. It's a maximum download limit, and it is NOT artificial. So apparently any purchases made on Chaosium's site only allows a max of 4 downloads before you are cutoff. 

I sent an email to Chaosium days ago about things related to this matter. Surprise, surprise, I have not yet heard back from anyone.

I'm not too fond of how they are handling previous purchases (old site) either. (Which is basically "by now you should have it on your drive and won't ever need to re-download it")

If that is to be their stance, why would I ever buy from them again? There are many alternatives that are more reliable and stable. 

Sidenote: I understand that restoring purchase histories takes time and if that were the case then I can certainly be patient. However, it IS Chaosium and patience = years, but from what I understand they are not planning on restoring purchase histories from the old site anyway... so make backups!

More specifically to your point, and in an attempt to be more positive towards Chaosium... I'm hoping that the download limit and expiration date is artificial and only reads that way because their new site is based on a script that they didn't code. (In such cases, people tend to manipulate the script to behave the way they want without actually editing code.)

@Questbird I think that may be my problem. I don't like visual dice methods. That also explains why I detest dice pool systems. =\

@Mjollnir I definitely see the advantages to your chart, and stand corrected on reversing it. I'll have to give it a try in play to see if I can overcome the challenge of changing the way my mind is used to doing it. 

This thread has some good stuff!