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Author Topic: Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.  (Read 8203 times)

happyhermit

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I didn't see a prior thread on the subject, hopefully I didn't miss it. Seems to be a lot of oldschool guys around here so I thought there might be some interesting opinions. For those who haven't seen it, Matt Colville is writing a 5e D&D book about strongholds, followers, downtime stuff etc (and it's apparently already the biggest ttrpg kickstarter ever). It doesn't sound particularly granular in some ways, but I am not really sure what it looks like (maybe there's more in his videos, don't know);

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This product will not turn your game into a 4X game, or an RTS. It grants new character options and opens the game up to a more political arena where nearby local powers, both good and evil, take an interest in the PCs and what they're up to. Nor is this product about buying 10' squares of wall or individual doors. You don't create a PC by buying organs!


So, basically I just really can't decide if I want this. These kinds of activities have always been available to players in my games (at least D&D type games) but more often than not I haven't used any particularly "official" or codified rules. I haven't really felt the need for it but I considered trying out some more formal rules for 5e. I also think it's pretty cool that there seems to be so much interest in a playstyle that seemed to have almost been written off in the past two editions.

Everything I've seen about Colville points to him being a very professional and aboveboard guy, so I'm not worried about it delivering and yet I'm still not sure I need this book. Is there some other book that you think I should get instead (specifically for 5e) that you don't think this one will beat? Opinions?

Greentongue

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2018, 06:57:14 AM »
Is this something along the lines of An Echo Resounding?
AER is quite useful so I assume "Strongholds & Streaming" would be as well.
=

happyhermit

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2018, 10:48:10 AM »
Quote from: Greentongue;1027183
Is this something along the lines of An Echo Resounding?
AER is quite useful so I assume "Strongholds & Streaming" would be as well.
=


I guess so yeah. It expands on the rules for strongholds, followers, etc.

S'mon

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2018, 10:49:17 AM »
@OP I'm in the same position as you. I decided not to back because the Kickstarter includes minis, which is always a huge red flag when it comes to fulfilment - even professional minis companies struggle, for others it often sinks fulfilment.

I run a lot of 5e domain/stronghold/rulership stuff currently in my Wilderlands sandbox; I can't say I've felt much need for more rules but I expect to buy Colville's book when it goes on sale.

Dr. Ink'n'stain

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2018, 10:59:47 AM »
What's the 'streaming' part of the title?
Castle Ink'n'Stain < Delusions of Grandeur

Bren

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2018, 11:28:50 AM »
Quote from: Dr. Ink'n'stain;1027197
What's the 'streaming' part of the title?
A treatise on the game mechanics for how to rechannel a watercourse or drain marshland to create new farms?
Currently running: Runequest in Glorantha + Call of Cthulhu   Currently playing: D&D 5E + RQ
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happyhermit

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2018, 11:30:17 AM »
Quote from: Dr. Ink'n'stain;1027197
What's the 'streaming' part of the title?

He has done tons of GM advice videos on Youtube, now he is going to do some livestreaming of games. A big part of why this kickstarter blew up is surely due to his fans, at least at first. I've seen a couple of his videos and they were fine but I am not exactly clamoring for more otherwise I would just buy the book to support him. I like hardcovers and fancy ones are even better, so I am still deciding.

Dr. Ink'n'stain

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2018, 01:26:05 PM »
OK, had to check the KS. The book and contents itself seem OK, the rest screams 'Vanity Project!!!'.

Quote from: Bren;1027201
A treatise on the game mechanics for how to rechannel a watercourse or drain marshland to create new farms?
Well, that would be an improvement. I wonder why it was included in the KS title, as it only comes to effect on the more expensive pledges.. oh well.
Castle Ink'n'Stain < Delusions of Grandeur

Haffrung

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2018, 03:46:42 PM »
This project was the most successful kickstarter in RPG history, and its success was based entirely on Colville's youtube following. The time's they are a-changin' in the RPG world.

Quote from: happyhermit;1027202
He has done tons of GM advice videos on Youtube, now he is going to do some livestreaming of games. A big part of why this kickstarter blew up is surely due to his fans, at least at first. I've seen a couple of his videos and they were fine but I am not exactly clamoring for more otherwise I would just buy the book to support him. I like hardcovers and fancy ones are even better, so I am still deciding.


I enjoy Colville's DM advice. There's nothing especially ground-breaking for an experienced DM, but he presents it in an enthusiastic and engaging way. And it's nice to see a DM who takes an old-school approach to D&D attract such a following of new gamers.

However, I have no interest in the book, and even less in the streaming. On the extremely unlikely chance that PCs in a campaign I run make 10th level, I have a pile of adventures I've never been able to run that are moving to the front of the cue, not stronghold and domain play. And I just don't get live streaming of D&D play. I find even a highly polished and produced stream with voice actors, like Critical Hit, to be dull, pointless, and vaguely embarrassing. I can't imagine anything less appealing than watching Colville and his co-workers play D&D for four hours.

But to show how prominent and influential D&D streamers are today, a couple guys in my group have pledged for the book. And they're not even DMs.
 

Ras Algethi

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2018, 04:26:55 PM »
Quote from: Dr. Ink'n'stain;1027197
What's the 'streaming' part of the title?

He is raising money for streaming games along with selling the book.

remial

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2018, 06:41:01 PM »
I backed it, but I only pledged a buck.
that way I can at least get news about it, and if it ends up being something I'm interested in I'll bump up my pledge and get the book via backerkit

Dave 2

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2018, 07:40:20 PM »
First kickstarter by the creator.

Stretch goals with stickers, shirts and minis.

Stretch goals commit the creator to writing new content:
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We're printing a book and we need money for art and layout and printing costs. The core release is 128 pages, hardcover, but the content and page count increase with each stretch goal!


I wish him the best, but it looks like a wait for retail situation to me.  With $1.5 million gross you'd think he couldn't fail to fulfill at a profit, but the history of kickstarters suggests it's an open question.

Aside:  720 backers paid $500 each for "all the swag: stickers, shirt, PDF, five dragon minis and a SIGNED copy of the Kickstarter Exclusive hardcover!"  There's one born every minute, isn't there?

mAcular Chaotic

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2018, 07:43:37 PM »
I backed it. I love Colville and would have done it regardless.

But I'm only after the book. I don't need minis. The stream might be OK.

I just hope he resists the temptation to keep adding extra goals until it sinks him.
Battle doesn't need a purpose; the battle is its own purpose. You don't ask why a plague spreads or a field burns. Don't ask why I fight.

Steven Mitchell

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2018, 07:44:49 PM »
Interested in the book, but zero interest in the rest of the package.  Sounds like a wait and see to me.

mAcular Chaotic

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Anybody backing the "Strongholds & Streaming" book? I'm still undecided.
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2018, 07:50:54 PM »
Can't you just make the minimum donation necessary to get the book then?
Battle doesn't need a purpose; the battle is its own purpose. You don't ask why a plague spreads or a field burns. Don't ask why I fight.