| From: | Bob Tockley zzdeden@*******.com.au |
|---|---|
| Subject: | DRAGONS Available |
| Date: | Wed, 17 Mar 1999 09:10:13 +1000 |
>hit the shelf. The series of (unfinished) novels were the only true
>crossover, everything else was left as similarities so you were
>completely opened to use (or not use) that any way you see fit.
> The Immortal Elves behind every significant event in history on the
>other hand was a bad idea. Since that is primarily only supported in
>novels, it can easily be ignored and brushed off.
> Of course you entire post has no real basis so it can be ignored as
>well.
Actually pretty much everything about Immortal Elves, after the release
of Earthdawn has well and truly sucked. Coincidence? I think not.
IEs being every key historical figure and being behind who knows how many
significant historical events are defnitely a rather large problem with
Shadowrun of late. Not to mention the number of <grumble grumble> Elven
Nations <grumble grumble> that have seemed to have popped up because of
said IEs backing/planning/whatever.
The majority of the problem, however, has arisen from Earthdawn and the
gamers/writers who play both games. Not content to leave the
Shadowrun/Earthdawn similarities alone, they began to try and interweave
them. No longer were SR and ED two games that had similar concepts about
certain things (with the obligatory hints that there might be something
more to it). Instead, the two games became one universe at different
points in time (which I might add caused severe problems for Shadowrun
authors who didn't necessarily like some of the ED writing but were forced
to adhere to it because it was "history").
Earthdawn, initially designed to ride some of the popularity of Shadowrun
with the hints about the two being intertwined somehow, became a gaming
leech. Though it was a game system of its own right it only really managed
to hold in as a seller because of its ties to Shadowrun. Finally, even
that couldn't sustain it (you can only go so far with the IEs before you
run out of interesting historical figures) and it died. End of story. Now
I hope everyone can forget half the stupid IE ideas and ED crossovers with
half-horror IEs and so on, and get on with a decent game.
As for my entire post having no basis. Well, it's what's known as an
"opinion". If you're of a mind to ignore any opinion that doesn't mesh
with your nice little, neat version of the universe, go ahead. You're the
only one you're hurting by doing it.
(>) ARKHAM
"There are three types of people in this world - those that can count,
and those that can't."
