Quote from: Werekoala;358254Wow.

Ok, then.

IIRC, the powers and mutations in the original edition(s) were random anyway. I seem to recall having to roll for number of each, then roll on tables to see what you got. That's not much different from drawing cards from a deck. I love Gamma World, and would love to see it's return as a successful game, so I'll read reviews and whanot when it comes out and make my decision then. I really don't see the problem with that.

And let's be honest - how many NEW players do ANY of these games draw in? Mostly it's word-of-mouth, older gamers, and their kids who grow up around it, unless there's some magical place I'm not aware of.

I don't think anyone minds randomness in character creation. In fact, for many this is one of the most cherished aspect of older editions of Gamma World.

What they object to is the sale of product with random content.

Random content and roleplaying games do not match - at all.

When I played Magic and D&D mini, I didn't mind the randomness of content of booster packs. In fact, I enjoyed it because it was a built-in component of those games; it was a large part of what made the games enjoyable.

When I want to buy minis for my D&D game, randomness of content is shit because I need orcs or goblins right now and I might not even get what I'm looking for after buying three packs since I have no idea what's in the pack. Same goes for Gamma World.

QuoteI don't think anyone minds randomness in character creation. In fact, for many this is one of the most cherished aspect of older editions of Gamma World.

Maybe for you and me.

We're not exactly the 4e/WOTC demographic though.  

It boggles me honestly that it's even still in there.

Mark my words, the 4e kids are going to hate that with a passion.  Really throws a wrench in the whole "build" mentality.

Quote from: MarionPoliquin;358257I don't think anyone minds randomness in character creation. In fact, for many this is one of the most cherished aspect of older editions of Gamma World.

What they object to is the sale of product with random content.

Random content and roleplaying games do not match - at all.

When I played Magic and D&D mini, I didn't mind the randomness of content of booster packs. In fact, I enjoyed it because it was a built-in component of those games; it was a large part of what made the games enjoyable.

When I want to buy minis for my D&D game, randomness of content is shit because I need orcs or goblins right now and I might not even get what I'm looking for after buying three packs since I have no idea what's in the pack. Same goes for Gamma World.

Well, needing a half-dozen orcs for an encounter in D&D isn't exactly what we're talking about. I got the impression that the boxed set comes with 40 or so mutations and a like number of powers? You'll start off with some (like in earlier versions, only determined by cards I guess) and then you can buy the packs for other powers and such later if you want. The only way I can see that scheme even working is if there is some ongoing and frequent need for new powers, mutations and tech. Otherwise, most of it would only be useful at character creation, or as loot from encounters.

Or am I missing something?

Quote from: Werekoala;358261Otherwise, most of it would only be useful at character creation, or as loot from encounters.

Or am I missing something?

Depending on the rules--mutations can be obtained by further exposure to radiation. Sort of the only "level up" scheme of early editions.

FYI for the discussion:

In first edition GW, there were 49 Physical mutations (including defects) and 49 Mental mutations (also including defects).

This aggression will not stand, man.

But everytime someone says "cards" in the contexts of roleplaying games, I assume they want to cultivate a new hobby.

Regards,
David R

Quote from: David R;358268This aggression will not stand, man.

But everytime someone says "cards" in the contexts of roleplaying games, I assume they want to cultivate a new hobby.

Regards,
David R

Indeed.  Once upon a time I would've shrugged off something like that as just a handy game aid, like the character cards that came in my DC Heroes box.

But the angle and direction of much of big game design at this stage makes it hard for me to take such announcements as being in good faith towards what I recognize as a roleplaying game.

The cards aspect leaves me a little cold, but I have to admit to being curious about a new edition of GW.  If it sells well, this may open WOTC up to the idea of releasing new editions of other "classic TSR" RPGs like Boot Hill and Gangbusters.

Decks of cards as a resolution mechanic a la Savage Worlds, Falkenstein, or the upcoming Freemarket?  Sure.

Booster packs to indefinitely expand a game?  Not so much.  At least, it's not my cup of tea.  For me it's a parallel to treadmill splats, which I don't like, either.

This rocks!!!

http://wizards.com/dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/254600000
•160-page book with rules for character creation, game rules, and an adventure
•2 sheets of die-cut character and monster tokens
•2 double-sided battle maps
•Cardstock character sheets and mutation power cards
•Mutation power card deck
•Loot power card deck

What a terrific box set!  It actually looks like a game.  Cards / tokens / maps / cardstock sheets are all game components that people can recognize as part of an actual game that you play.  

Awesome!  Too bad WotC didn't think of this a decade ago.

So... it's basically 4E with a battlemat but without character sheets.



Richard Baker playing Gamma World at D&D Experience 2010. Source of image here.

WTF?  So your characters are literally hands of fucking collectible cards?

How in hell is this even an RPG anymore?

Quote from: Windjammer;358339So... it's basically 4E with a battlemat but without character sheets.

Heh.  :rotfl:

"5E D&D:  The Fleecing"

:pundit:  :banghead: :rant:

Wait... what?

So, is this the merger of TTRPGs and Magic: The Gathering?  The Card-Crack paradigm is ported over to RPGs?