| From: | Simon and Fiona sfuller@******.com.au |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Source Vs. Rule (was... MM on SOTA somesuchcrap) |
| Date: | Tue, 31 Oct 2000 21:50:42 +1100 |
From: NightLife <NightLife@********.com>
To: shadowrn@*********.com <shadowrn@*********.com>
Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 3:08 PM
Subject: Re: Source Vs. Rule (was... MM on SOTA somesuchcrap)
>>So get a map or three. Hell, this is the Internet Age.
>You're telling thing fellow that to run his game he needs to have
>Internet access, in addition to that he needs a computer with a >printer or
to somehow remember every tidbit photographically.
Helpful hint, maps of most cities worldwide are availably from the
right stores. If you live in a city, a lot of book stores either stock the
maps or can order them. There are also specialty stores that are more likely
to stock them. Maps of London enhanced my games greatly way back when (I'm
the sole fan of the London sourcebook on this list). Otherwise, most
libraries have Internet access for quite cheap rates, they also have
printers. Tourist maps are a role player's friend.
>Jeze Louise. You have us. I've been around the block since 1st edition
too but >this is ridiculous. You don't need source material because the
veterans have >had to make it up. The veterans didn't have a source book and
got along just >fine without it. As for their release schedule. They go
ahead and push products >back because they know that every Fasacist will
rally to their defense and say >hey give them some more time they're working
hard and they're just human. >Sure deadlines get missed but as a paying
customer you should be allowed to >raise some hell without everybody and
their mother jumping on your back a >force feeding you a piece of their
mind. If you late to work expect to get >docked. But because of the general
opinion Fasa doesn't. I don't care if you're >Mike's best bud or something
like that. They're a company it about time they >started to act like one.
The sad thing is, missing deadlines is good company business. If consume
rs are told that the next product will be released in one year, they are
likely to go somewhere else with their money because a year is a long time
to wait, and that Deadlands book looks interesting. If you promise the book
will be out in 6 months, then the consumer is less likely to stray. Even if
you know full well that it is pretty unlikely that the book can be done that
quickly. So, if 4 months down the track you postpone the book by two months,
well 4 months isn't too much longer to wait. Then when it gets postponed
another two months later, well, 4 months isn't too much longer to wait, and
so on. It's cutting waiting time down into bite-size chunks so they're more
appetising. Not really defensible behavior, but you're free to vote with
your feet any time you like. This is an important thing to remember, Fasa
supplies merchandise, not an essential service.
As for relying on veterans, well this doesn't really work. Anyone can
stick any old thing on the net, and it isn't easy to use your discretion
unless you are blessed with a stable group that runs a regular campaign with
a single GM. Otherwise, each GM has a different ruling on each subject and
you end up with one big mess of a game. Much better to only accept canon,
and for that you need official sourcebook information.
>but in the
>end, I made shit up that worked for the games I was running and
>could keep
>my players enjoying themselves (my personal goal as a GM).
>That's great for you. Not everyone is capable or has the time to do all
this.
The best thing you can do for your games is to do this, even if you
don't do it well at first. Of course, once again, a stable campaign group is
a plus. I remember with a cringe how my lovingly crafted Greek D&D world had
purple worms and umber hulks introduced into it by another GM who just
didn't understand the importance of solely classical monsters. But then,
sourcebooks sometimes ruin your idea of things just as much. Bloody
cybertorso with hardened armour.
>K as somebody who has met you I can say I'm surprised. This fellow has
a >valid opinion and one that I happen to back whole heartedly. As some who
>watched this list develop into factions and what not. The Fasacist over
here, >the newbies over their, the friends of the Fasacists right next to
them, the >writers for SR one row of seats above, old timers under Gurth's
stairs etc........ >Now it a place where sides decide what get talked about,
who can or can't say >something in particular. It's become who buddy buddy
with Mike this month or >who's got their submission printed to Fasa who's
accorded more say and >lienency. I can remember when Spike would tear into
somebody without out >fear of retribution because he was friends with this
group over here and they >where on the DLOH Christmas card list. I can also
remember when things >where somewhat fair, before this elitist attitude
overtook the whole list and half >of those who used to be here left. It's a
sad thing. I also realize this will >probably get me banned but I don't care
anymore.
I've been on this list about 9 months now, and I have to say I'm not
aware of any factions as such. Possibly because I don't participate in any
other simmilar lists. When I first started, there were a few argumentative
souls who'd clog the list with endless repetitions of their opinions, but
they seem to have left or settled down. Now it seems peaceful and friendly
here, and a few times when newbies have brought up subjects that have
already been covered, people happily go over the subject instead of an old
guard saying "Check the archives, dickhead" like I half expect. I might be
blind to a glaring problem, but I really think you have overreacted.
