Who do you love and who do you hate?
Mongoose - I really like their supplements especially the Quintessential series.
Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) - I am really into the Path series of supplements.
Bastion Press - Good supplements but horrible artwork, bad editing and layout (at least in the beginning), and way too expensive.
Privateer Press has my manbabies.
I used to really be into Malhavoc but the relationship has cooled - I'm just not into that style of play right now. I might give them a call on some future lonely night but I doubt that it will ever be a steady thing again.
Green Ronin is my favorite right now. They are doing lots of interesting things and have a good standard of quality with content and art/layout.
Privateer Press and Fantasy Flight Games are my two top loves right now.
Although I've never gotten into the Malhavoc products too much (too many fu - err... anthropomorphic animal races), I think the Ptolus mega-book has great promise.
I have to admit to buying lots of WOTC stuff. With the exception of novels and adventures, my Eberron collection is complete.
I also have lots of Malhavoc stuff, and I'm hoping they release more things for Iron Heroes. Ptolus is intriguing, but I'm wary of the pricetag. Arcana Evolved seems fun, but I haven't had a chance to run it.
Green Ronin has been getting some attention from me lately, with me buying M&M 2nd ed and some of their Advanced line.
Love: Green Ronin, WotC, Malhavoc, Privateer. All four of them put out solid material.
Hate: FFE: Nothing but crap. Every last bit of it.
I confess to a love for WoTC, but I also really like Necromancer Games, Goodman Games, and FFG.
I haven't bought enough from anyone else to have an informed opinion about other publishers. I certainly can't think of a publisher that I actively dislike.
M|F
Quote from: PWDPrivateer Press has my manbabies.
That's why I like you, PWD...
I just started an Iron Kingdoms campaing (mentioned in another thread). Best setting I've ever played. (Not like I've played them all, but still...) And Privateer Press puts out a quality product. Amazing artwork, too.
White Wolf, Green Ronin, Guardians of Order, in no particular order. White Wolf primarily for the Exalted line, but I also really dig the re-vamped World of Darkness. Green Ronin...I can't really say any particular reason, they just give me good vibes. And GoO just has a tendency to publish exactly the things I'm interested in...
Quote from: Dr_AvalancheAnd GoO just has a tendency to publish exactly the things I'm interested in...
Speaking of them, I happened across a used copy ofEx Machina. Can't wait to give it a try.
I like Steve Jackson Games. They put out a lot of small quirky stuff.
Green Ronin can do no wrong. The Mythic Vistas line is my big favorite from their catalog.
Mongoose had my hate when they got the Conan license, because so much of what they'd done was shit, and I love Conan...then they redeemed themselves.
Malhavoc does a lot of things right, from affordable, stylish pdf's to really solid books. Iron Heroes alone would be enough for me to love them.
Necromancer Games puts out all kinds of good stuff. Love the City State, love the Wilderlands...but I may be biased because I did a bit of work on the Wilderlands. Then again, I love both Necromancer and Judges Guild enough to do volunteer work for them, and that's because of the quality of material Clark and Bill put out.
Bastion did what I felt was real yeoman's work in the beginning of the d20 era.
WotC puts out a lot of books I really like - DMGII and UA at the top of non-core books. Plus now Red Hand of Doom makes me hope they follow up on it and make more cool-ass modules like this.
Hate? Nobody, really. FFE put out suck-ass books and Jim Ward, one of gaming's "founding fathers," really came off as unprofessional by both not acknowledging problems with the material, and condescendingly dismissing critics as knowing nothing. Avalanche put out some decent material, but then went for cheesecake on the cover. Nothing really wrong with that - the furor over it was stupid - but the art was never really very good.
Goodman Games' put out some oddball stuff, like Broncosaurus Rex, and the Dungeon Crawl Classics are fun, fun, fun.
Quote from: VarajI like Steve Jackson Games. They put out a lot of small quirky stuff.
Yeah, SJG does great work. I'm always proselytizing about their GURPS sourcebooks, and with good reason. I don't like the game, but love the resource material. Plus, they revived Traveller after the demise of GDW. And then there's OGRE...
Like:
Green Ronin: Good stuff. Especially like Thieve's World, Mystic Vistas stuff
Necro: Wilderlands, Grey Citadel
Mongoose: Conan d20
Malhavoc: I like Iron Heroes, but don't care for the rest of the stuff Malhavoc has done, due to sylistic preference, it's just not my cup of tea. I did like Monte's first net.ranger.
RPG Objects: I like Darwin's World and Excalibur
Goodman: I love most of the DCC modules.
Monkey God: Loved Stone to Steel.
World Works: I love their cardstock fold'n'glue dungeons and caves.
Level 9: Kobolds Ate My Baby! is a hoot every once in a while.
Hate:
Gamma World d20
Quote from: ColonelHardissonYeah, SJG does great work. I'm always proselytizing about their GURPS sourcebooks, and with good reason. I don't like the game, but love the resource material. Plus, they revived Traveller after the demise of GDW. And then there's OGRE...
I have many source books from them for reference purposes as well. I am glad I am not the only one that does that.
Quote from: VarajI have many source books from them for reference purposes as well. I am glad I am not the only one that does that.
Hey, Teflon Billy also raves about how good they are as general sourcebooks.
WotC, Necromancer Games, Green Ronin, White Wolf's Warcraft D20 stuff.
I also quite enjoy the "Powergamer's Strategy Guide" series from Goodman Games. There are always a few good ideas in there. I'd really like to see more in the series.
Like: WOTC, Malhavoc, Green Ronin, Expeditious Retreat
Loathe: Chaosium (a pox on them for Dragon Lords!), Bastion, most Mongoose (Conan is admittedly very good)
Chaosium I love and hate at the same time. Dragon Lords of Melnibone was an early d20 effort, so I don't fault them for it - I fault them for not even bothering to try to revise it or really support it beyond, what, one adventure? They tried half-heartedly with Call of Cthulhu d20, so I can't give them too hard a time about that - at least the big book and the GM screen are good.
Call of Cthulhu stuff is uniformly good. That's what I love about 'em.
What I hate about 'em is the way they have fantastic games and then kinda let them slip away from them. I also hate them for having licenses they have a death grip on and seemingly refuse to do anything with. An example of the former (two examples, actually) - Pendragon and Runequest. An example of the latter - the Elric license. I also wish they'd either get the license back for Ringworld or someone else would get it and republish some of Chaosium's material for it. From what I gather, the Ringworld RPG was a very well-done adaptation, but that was, like, 25 years ago. Let's see some of that stuff - the eBay prices are fucking ridiculous.
I enjoy stuff put out by Malhavoc, Privateer Press, Green Roninn, FFG, WW, WotC, Chaosium & Pagan in no particular order.
I really dont have a love hate of anyone, the only thing i dont like is book designes with tons of fluff that has nothing to do with the rules...think of it like all the fluff is about cyborgs, and the rules are about cowboys...
I forgot to mention PDF publishers that I like: Ronin Arts, RPGObjects, Silverthorne Games, Blue Devil, LPJDesigns
Like: Judges Guild, Goodman Games, Necromancer, Emperor's Choice, Paizo, Kenzer, Paradigm Concepts.
Dislike: Mongoose, WOTC.
Like...
- Mongoose
- Green Ronin
- Guardians of Order
- White Wolf
- FFG
Dislike...
Quote from: ColonelHardissonI also hate them for having licenses they have a death grip on and seemingly refuse to do anything with. An example of the former (two examples, actually) - Pendragon and Runequest.
Poor examples. I'm pretty sure I read that some company (Green Knight or something like that) had bought the rights to Pendragon from Chaosium, and I know that Mongoose are making a new edition of RuneQuest.
I'm currently running an Arcana Evolved game, so Malhavoc has my love. It runs smoothly and gorgeously.
Other than that, I confess to hardly ever using anything non-WotC. I may own it, but haven't used it.
GoO deserves kudos for Game of Thrones, however.
-O
Quote from: ColonelHardissonYeah, SJG does great work. I'm always proselytizing about their GURPS sourcebooks, and with good reason. I don't like the game, but love the resource material. Plus, they revived Traveller after the demise of GDW. And then there's OGRE...
And then there is Car Wars!
I own half a shelf of FFG books. I guess I'm their bitch. :)
Like:
Eden Studios - Nice production values, great ideas, reasonable system.
AEG - L5R 3rd Ed looks sweet, shame they have dropped Stargate SG-1, etc. as their production values and ideas have always been pretty cool, although most things could do from more play testing.
Green Ronin - True 20, M&M, Skull and Bones, best D20 publisher by far, including WotC.
Dislike:
Eden Studios - What the hell happened to "Welcome to Sunnydale"?
AEG - Not providing a PDF versions of their books.
Green Ronin - Mutants & Masterminds 2nd Ed before I'ld even had a chance to play the first.
Couldn't care less about
WotC
Quote from: DackePoor examples. I'm pretty sure I read that some company (Green Knight or something like that) had bought the rights to Pendragon from Chaosium, and I know that Mongoose are making a new edition of RuneQuest.
Err, how are they poor examples? I said those were examples of the former, not the latter. Given that I said they are brilliant games that Chaosium has done nothing with, and your reply is that other companies are doing something with them, it makes no sense to say they are poor examples. If anything, you just supported my point!
Ah, I thought you meant they were hogging them and keeping them from having anything being done with them at all.
Quote from: DackeAh, I thought you meant they were hogging them and keeping them from having anything being done with them at all.
Not to be insulting, but assuming English is not your first language, let me explain. When someone says something is "the former," they are saying it is the first of two examples; "the latter" refers to the second example. If you knew this already, sorry to be pedantic.
I honestly never pay attention.
I hardly ever buy RPG stuff anymore, though I am loving Green Ronin's second edition of M&M.
But basically I buy stuff on the recommendation of people I have come to believe have similar taste as I do and when I do it is on a title by title basis not a by company basis.
Except for WotC, I would not be able to tell you which company put on the books/games I own except for M&M (which I only remember b/c it was mentioned in this thread), and stuff by Steve Jackson because I love Cars Wars with an unholy love.
Okay I'm going to have to find something else I don't like about AEG as they have at last started selling PDF's via http://www.drivethrurpg.com
Green Ronin, Bad Axe Games, and mongoose.
Quote from: ColonelHardissonNot to be insulting, but assuming English is not your first language, let me explain. When someone says something is "the former," they are saying it is the first of two examples; "the latter" refers to the second example. If you knew this already, sorry to be pedantic.
It's not, but I do know "former" and "latter". It was more a case of reading too fast, I think.
Green Ronin, WotC, and Wizkids/Fanpro.
AEG/FFG has put out some good stuff but I just don't like the feel of it, and have used very little.
I like Malhovic stuff a lot, but haven't been able to get anyone into the system or world, so I haven't purchased any of it.
Well, Malhavoc has plenty of generic D&D (sorry, d20) material in addition to the Arcana Evolved and Iron Heroes stuff. Things like the Book of Eldritch/Hallowed/Iron Might, Beyond Countless Doorways, Chaositech, and the like.
Quote from: DackeWell, Malhavoc has plenty of generic D&D (sorry, d20) material in addition to the Arcana Evolved and Iron Heroes stuff. Things like the Book of Eldritch/Hallowed/Iron Might, Beyond Countless Doorways, Chaositech, and the like.
Yeah I own the Eldritch MIght and Hallowed Might books. I haven't tried Iron Might, but more and more of their products appear geared toward Arcana Evolved these days.
Quote from: franciscaRPG Objects: I like Darwin's World and Excalibur
Woot!
And as for me, well, besides the company I work for of course, I have to say Steve Jackson. I ran GURPs for years before being lured away by d20 and still buy GURPs books for the sheer readability.
GURPs books taught me everything I know about game design.
Chuck
I like the above poster. I don't think I would have fallen in love with d20 Modern if it weren't for RPGObjects' excellent products for it.
I really can't say much else. Most publishers who I buy or don't buy from, I've either developed a good working relationship with them (in a couple cases, I've developed strong admiration and respect) or I've had negative personal experiences with them. Thus, I'd be pretty biased to state who they are.
Quote from: RoudiI like the above poster. I don't think I would have fallen in love with d20 Modern if it weren't for RPGObjects' excellent products for it.
I really can't say much else. Most publishers who I buy or don't buy from, I've either developed a good working relationship with them (in a couple cases, I've developed strong admiration and respect) or I've had negative personal experiences with them. Thus, I'd be pretty biased to state who they are.
RPG Objects has given us the most extensive, and in my opinion, the best post-apocalyptic RPG to date. Yes, I'm even including Gamma World here. It started with a reasonably well produced PDF and they've done some truly incredible things with it.
I feel a bit of guilt over not having the time to do a short project for them, but Darwin's World is my favorite non-D&D or standard D20 fantasy game on the market.
Heck, Ive worked for Chris for years now and still salivate over the rare opportunities I get to cut loose on a DW book. Since my side of the gig is more general d20M, the opportunties aren't often, but I always love the chance to write something for it.
In fact I recently did the section of the twisted earth where I've run my home campaign for DW, the "fertile crescent" (its marked on the map) and its one project I cant wait to see the light of day.
Chuck
I like Hinterwelt,PIG, and Green ronin
Right now Mongoose because of Paranoia and White Wolf becasue of the nWod. But I've never been one to be a big fan or a hater of publishers.
Quote from: Tuatha de DanaanRight now Mongoose because of Paranoia and White Wolf becasue of the nWod. But I've never been one to be a big fan or a hater of publishers.
Actually this is true. I don't know of any that I actually hate. Just ones that I like less. Even a badly done product with often have good item sin it.
Quote from: KnightcrawlerActually this is true. I don't know of any that I actually hate. Just ones that I like less. Even a badly done product with often have good item sin it.
Even if they do something bad, I don't hate them. I might not buy anything they ever put out again but that's not hate.
Hey All
I love Mongoose for Conan. I've only played in one actual Conan game, but I love a lot of the mechanics.
I love Green Ronin for Black Company. I would have hated them if they had screwed it up, but they didn't, they did a great job.
No hate for anyone. I can't even say there is a publisher I wouldn't buy from, because if the idea sounded good enough and the presentation looked acceptable, I'd probably give it a shot, no matter the publisher.
Right now, i'm really enjoying Malhavoc's product line.
Mongoose turned me off early with the quintessential books - I never really liked them.
I havn't done much with any of the million other publishers out there yet, though, so my opinion is rather limited.
I am really starting to warm up to Better Mouse Trap games and especially Clash and Flying Mice (part of Better Mouse Trap). StarCluster is a strong game.
Bill
Like: Mongoose (soley for Conan), Green Ronin, Necromancer Games, Guardians of Order
Dislikes: Malhavok. Nothing against Monty personally, but his adventures and sourcebooks just smack of Teflon Billy's "sorcery is as mysterious as plumbing" mold. No, it doesn't always have to be as dark as in Conan and Song of Ice and Fire. But it gets pretty gay when you use it to do mundane, household things - even if it does make sense in the context of the world.
I haven't really seen a lot of Malhavoc stuff that does that. In fact, some of it - specifically my favorites, When A Star Falls and Requiem For A God - deals with some really awe-inspiring stuff.
Eh, I have some adventures of his that are pretty twinkish. Some are good, for sure. But too many put me in the mind of the original D&D movie.
Quote from: King_StannisEh, I have some adventures of his that are pretty twinkish. Some are good, for sure. But too many put me in the mind of the original D&D movie.
I dunno man. I used one of his adventures for my homebrew system that combines elements of FATAL, GURPS, and parcheesi and I thought it was great. :p
Quote from: Vermicious KnidI dunno man. I used one of his adventures for my homebrew system that combines elements of FATAL, GURPS, and parcheesi and I thought it was great. :p
I like your avatar - very controversial. :D
Quote from: King_StannisI like your avatar - very controversial. :D
It gives me the willies.
Quote from: King_StannisI like your avatar - very controversial. :D
Just waiting for a bigger palette to paint on. :)
I love IDA for putting out my goofy "Modern Advances" booklets. (I've gotta get back to writing some more of those. They were fun!)
I don't really love or hate anyone else, though. Not even FFE, as uncool as that may be. (Can't... too many people I like have worked with them...and they published some stuff of mine, too.)
Malhavoc is the shit, man. Iron Heroes is *so* cool, just for the skills.
Green Ronin has been hit and miss for me -- if the Advanced Players Manual hadn't reprinted the Psychic's Handbook, I would have really been pissed at buying it.
I've got half a shelf of Fantasy Flight Games, so I have to give props to them.
I love the setting of Exalted, but they seriously need to get some editors on their rules design. I had to totally redo Sidereal astrology to make it workable. And Mad Hatter has talked to the designer of the rules, and the designer doesn't understand them! He thinks they can create powerful curses, when they really just produce minor (but useful) effects.
Hmm. Nobody that I really hate -- I've just avoided most bad products 'cause of their reviews. I'm not a fan of the Scarred Lands stuff -- it's just not a setting that interests me. But I don't really hold it against them; it's not so much that it's bad, it's just not for me.
Who do I love? Well, I'm a RPGObjects and The Game Mechanics fanboy, er, so....I guess them. I also like a lot of things - d20 Modern - that the freelance writer Rodney Thompson does. There are other, individual authors that I like, that haven't hit the "big time" like Rodney, but that might be too long of a list and it could be seen as bias (cause it is).
Hate? Hmm. No one, really. While there are those that I dislike, its for purely professional reasons, and normally nothing due to their work - some of which that is completely top-notch.
Peterson
Mongoose's business practices are abominable. Know how they keep hiring to "expand?" Guess how many of those positions were once filled by people I've spoken to. Mongoose has offered penny a word contracts and jobs whose expected pay per word works out to about the same. So fuck them. And avoid Silven and Dark Quest, too, for cheap treatment of creatives.
Green Ronin seems to run itself nicely and I like WFRP and Blue Rose. Malhavoc has pretty books, but I don't like Ptolus. It's kind of like selling tickets to the freakshow. "Look how big the book is!" AU and Iron Heroes are both worth owning, though.
FanPro is a bit, er, "fannish," for me in some of its properties, but at the same time SR4 is a step forward and they do experiment.
White Wolf gets most of myfreelancing and have usually treated me well. I haven't read a real home run from them in a while, but then again, it's been a while for any company.
WotC needs a new edition of D&D to egain my interest. I have everything I need from them now.
FanPro puts out good products and, from personal experience, treats its writers quite well. The current Shadowrun team is a good mix of veterans and new blood.
Malhavoc has Iron Heroes and several weird books that I like (Chaositech being one).
I don't play any of White Wolf's WoD games or Exalted, they just don't look interesting enough to me. I also wish they had never published the Shoah sourcebook. Ravenloft 3E was very neat, though.
Fantasy Flight has Midnight and several good sourcebooks, and their Horizon minigames line is cool.
Malhavoc gets a good rep from me, despite the Roguish Luck thing.
I don't care for Wizards, at all; their stuff is high-quality, but not to my liking.
All the other publishers get judged on a product-by-product base.
Quote from: shooting_diceAnd avoid Silven and Dark Quest, too, for cheap treatment of creatives.
I haven't had any problems with Neal at Dark Quest, quite the contrary.
I'm a fan of RPGObjects (worked with them a bit, doing data entry for their Modern Character Generator), the Brood, UKG Publishing, Clockwork Golem Workshop, and Sleep Dep Creations (where's SFX Skills: Enochian Theurgy already?) I've worked with most of these folks, know they're good people, and like what they put out.
Most people who keep up with ENWorld know Gareth-Michael Skarka and I don't like each other. It's tainted my view of Adamant Entertainment. I know it's actually a good publisher to work for, but I'll never work for that man or give him any of my money.
Also, never work for those Gallantry Productions jokers. I hear the whole thing is run by just one guy who hasn't a clue what he is doing.
Quote from: RoudiAlso, never work for those Gallantry Productions jokers. I hear the whole thing is run by just one guy who hasn't a clue what he is doing.
Yeah, I've heard that about that company. That's what you get, I guess, for using Maple Leafs instead of Bald Eagles....:p
If there's one thing I can't stand from a publisher, its gotta be "Thou shall do my bidding for thou are not a publisher" stance I've noticed from a few companies. Thankfully, I get to ignore them. I do like the publishers/authors that take the time to visit any forum in a constructive manner, answer questions, and in general - just hang out. Those guys will get my impulse buys more than the ones that don't.
BTW, Roudi, I've heard a rumor about the next SFX Skills...
Peterson
Quote from: Technicolor DreamcoatMalhavoc gets a good rep from me, despite the Roguish Luck thing.
Roguish Luck? What is that? :confused:
Quote from: JongWKRoguish Luck? What is that? :confused:
Book of Roguish Luck, published by Malhavoc Press.
It's generally considered one of their lesser products - and i'm rather inclined to agree - it's just not as good as the Eldrich Might books, or Arcana Evolved.
That being said, I think it's still a satisfactory piece of material overall.
Yeah, Book of Roguish Luck. I've yet to use anything from it, when I plunder all other books I have (even Complete Divine and such klunkers).
And I would have put Guardians of Order up there as a publisher I liked, if they actually published something.
Well, I like a lot more companies than I dislike, but a shorter list of likes (aside from the usual suspects like Mongoose and Malhavoc) would include Politically Incorrect Games, Privateer Press, Dark Matter Studios, Atomic Sock Monkey, Cumberland Games, HinterWelt, Flying Mice, and AEG for their d20 products. I'm usually pretty solid with Green Ronin, but I haven't enjoyed much of their more recent releases of the past year or so (with the exception of the newly-released d20). I've also been really happy with the source material Wizards has been providing for D&D as of late.
Dislikes might include Adept Press, Mayfair Games, White Wolf (though I did find Werewolf to be fairly well-done), Decipher (even before everything crapped out), and R. Talsorian. EOS Press seems eager to please and to rectify any book errors, but I don't like what they've produced thus far. I also dislike Games Workshop, but that not quite squarely in the publisher category.
Quote from: ThjalfiBook of Roguish Luck, published by Malhavoc Press.
It's generally considered one of their lesser products - and i'm rather inclined to agree - it's just not as good as the Eldrich Might books, or Arcana Evolved.
Notably, the Book of Roguish Luck was not written by Monte Cook or Michael Mearls (who wrote the Eldritch/Hallowed/Iron Might books), but instead by Wolfgang Baur - probably because Monte was too busy with Ptolus and Arcana Evolved. I'm not sure how much other d20 stuff he's written.
Quote from: BagpussEden Studios - What the hell happened to "Welcome to Sunnydale"?
Or Tea and Crossbows? Or The Initiative Handbook? Or Beyond Human? :)
I love Eden, big suprise I'm sure. But damn will you do some waiting for books. And it's not like they were lying, Welcome to Sunnydale will be the next Buffy book. That there hasn't been a new Buffy book since 2003 (unless you count the corebook revision) is beside the point :p
But yeah - good production values, good system, great games, but you'll pass a couple of birthdays waiting for the next suppliment for you favorite game to come out.
Also a big fan of White Wolf these days. The revisions to their system are top notch, and I've been meaning to look into more of them.
Good god, I'd best not even bother.
However, I will give a big thumbs up to Necromancer. Wilderlands is one of the best products I've seen in ages.
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPunditGood god, I'd best not even bother.
However, I will give a big thumbs up to Necromancer. Wilderlands is one of the best products I've seen in ages.
RPGPundit
C'mon Pundit, I know you have to like some of AEG's d20 stuff! Mearls had a hand in quite a bit of it, as I'm sure you know.
Quote from: RPGPunditGood god, I'd best not even bother.
However, I will give a big thumbs up to Necromancer. Wilderlands is one of the best products I've seen in ages.
RPGPundit
Oh, is that out now? I got City-State and loved it, as much as my original copy.
-SJ
Quote from: Zachary The FirstC'mon Pundit, I know you have to like some of AEG's d20 stuff! Mearls had a hand in quite a bit of it, as I'm sure you know.
The Mike Mearls stuff I like, that I've read, is Cityworks, Portals & Planes, and Iron Heroes. Probably a couple of other things that I've forgotten just now.
RPGPundit
Quote from: SmokestackJonesOh, is that out now? I got City-State and loved it, as much as my original copy.
-SJ
It is out, and its sexier than nudity on toast. Run, don't walk, to get it.
RPGPundit
GDW. There is no successor. WoTC and Paizo are my Methadone during the interregnum.
Quote from: SettembriniGDW.
GDW is dead, and therefore irrelevant. Why waste bandwidth talking about it?
EDIT: Actually, I'm a huge fan of GDW. I have tons of their stuff, from Traveller to Dark Conspiracy. Their absence is sorely lamented.
Quote from: ColonelHardissonEDIT: Actually, I'm a huge fan of GDW. I have tons of their stuff, from Traveller to Dark Conspiracy. Their absence is sorely lamented.
Space: 1889 rocked.
RPGPundit
Quote from: ColonelHardissonGDW is dead, and therefore irrelevant. Why waste bandwidth talking about it?
EDIT: Actually, I'm a huge fan of GDW. I have tons of their stuff, from Traveller to Dark Conspiracy. Their absence is sorely lamented.
Played a lot of Twilight2000, Merc2000, and Dark Conspiracy in my time. The system was a bit wonky, but overall a good set of games.
QuoteTheir absence is sorely lamented.
That´s what I wanted to say.
Quote from: VarajWho do you love and who do you hate?
Well...
While I don't really hate any them, I do think a number of them pander to the lower elements of modern culture. White Wolf, whatever lame name chosen by the publisher of Little Fears, Adept Press, etc. If they were all sucked into a black hole tomorrow I would take some degree of enjoyment out of it- but not much. There are more important things I'd like to see sucked into black holes.
On the love side of the question...
Nope. Not much there either.
Love Hero System, but IMO the current 'owner' of that game system is a hack even if he is a worthwhile editor.
Oh I know. I like Macro, the writer of JAGS. He's cool. So is his game but sadly I don't have a need for it.
Quote from: gleichmanOh I know. I like Macro, the writer of JAGS. He's cool. So is his game but sadly I don't have a need for it.
Hi Gleichman:
That's Marco Chacon, a damned fine guy and a brilliant game designer. He's also a rockin' GM and player. :D
Besides my stablemates at Better Mousetrap - Timeless Games, JAGS, Chine Games, Daemornia Studios, Karmatech, Goshu Otaku and Silverlion Studios - my favorite publishers today are Politically Correct Games and Hinterwelt, both of whom have never let me down with solid, kickass games which are very well supported and beautifully presented.
-mice
Like
Troll Lord Games and Good Man Games: There product is solid and they
getting better at production.
Green Ronin: I Love WHFRP
Fan Pro: Kepping Shadowrun Alive
Dislike
WOTC, Mongoose, Kenzer, Avalanche, Anything by Monte Cook,
Quote from: gleichmanWhite Wolf, whatever lame name chosen by the publisher of Little Fears, Adept Press, etc. If they were all sucked into a black hole tomorrow I would take some degree of enjoyment out of it- but not much. There are more important things I'd like to see sucked into black holes...
Ca you expand al ittle on why you dislike
Little Fears?
This is the first negative comment I have ever heard about it.
Little Fears compares to real RPG-Systems like the Card Game UNO to Magic: The Gathering.
For that matter even the most thought out Forge Game never went further than "Bohnanza" (don´t know if this german cardgame made it over) in this comparison.
Those are just small, in-between games, with no need to either be angered or enlightened by them.
Quote from: SettembriniLittle Fears compares to real RPG-Systems like the Card Game UNO to Magic: The Gathering.
For that matter even the most thought out Forge Game never went further than "Bohnanza" (don´t know if this german cardgame made it over) in this comparison.
Those are just small, in-between games, with no need to either be angered or enlightened by them.
So it's not as complex, and to you this is a bad thing? I'd rather play in a good game of Uno than M:tG these days.
Quote from: Teflon BillyCa you expand al ittle on why you dislike Little Fears?
This is the first negative comment I have ever heard about it.
Let's just say I find the subject matter itself to be questionable in a rpg. Toss in some interesting features of the mechanics and where they take that subject matter, and it becomes something that I think nicely defines what has gone wrong in rpgs (and is a reflection of a ethical and spiritual sickness that has infected western culture as a whole).
In short, it's not my kind of game.
I'll likely do a full blown review some time soon. Just to get it out of my mind and off to 'paper'.
QuoteSo it's not as complex, and to you this is a bad thing?
Yes. I became a gamer, because I got sick of simple games. I can play them with my Mother in Law, not during my valuable Country-Conquering, Feat Stacking quality time with my buddies.
QuoteI'd rather play in a good game of Uno than M:tG these days.
More power to you.
Especially that you find nothing wrong with my comparison I find it more and more being a very neat fit.
Thus it is with the differences in taste.
Quote from: gleichmanLet's just say I find the subject matter itself to be questionable in a rpg. Toss in some interesting features of the mechanics and where they take that subject matter, and it becomes something that I think nicely defines what has gone wrong in rpgs (and is a reflection of a ethical and spiritual sickness that has infected western culture as a whole).
Unfortunately I don't have much baseline info to paste that onto.
QuoteI'll likely do a full blown review some time soon. Just to get it out of my mind and off to 'paper'.
Let me know when it's posted would you? jeff underscore ranger at yahoo dott com
Quote from: Teflon BillyLet me know when it's posted would you? jeff underscore ranger at yahoo dott com
Ok. I'll make a public note of it here. Someone can carry the new to RPGNet for me.
It will be good for restarting the gleichman witchhunt in all its fury.
Nah, it couldn't possibility do that. I'm too old news. At best I get a nice long thread of there of them calling me names. And oddly it will get by their moderation policy as always...
Quote from: gleichmanOk. I'll make a public note of it here. Someone can carry the new to RPGNet for me.
It will be good for restarting the gleichman witchhunt in all its fury.
Nah, it couldn't possibility do that. I'm too old news. At best I get a nice long thread of there of them calling me names. And oddly it will get by their moderation policy as always...
that bad huh?
Quote from: Teflon Billythat bad huh?
From my PoV.
But I'm a throwback, so it's to be expected.
I write and play pervy indie games. Behold my wrist: It is so limp it is like unto a piece of overcooked spaghetti! The publishers here are all just folks: Matt, Matt, Ron, Vincent, Emily, Joshua, Clinton, etc. They all have names for their companies but whatever.
I also love D&D 3. The best material I've seen for it comes out of Monte Cook and Mike Mearls, although mostly I just write my own. Most d20 designers have no concept of how to write for the game. They wouldn't know mathematical balancing if it hit them in the face.
yrs--
--Ben
Quote from: SettembriniGDW. There is no successor. WoTC and Paizo are my Methadone during the interregnum.
They did a bunch of good stuff, especially Traveller. But they don't deserve sainthood. They had their share of lousy products and broken rules. Poor copy editing was usually a problem as was confusing layout and organization. I've bought games from them that had neither a table of contents nor an index.
Quote from: KrishnathWotC, Necromancer Games, Green Ronin, White Wolf's Warcraft D20 stuff.
Here I thought I was the only WoWd20 lubber in the world.
And, of course, Green Ronin is an old favorite (but alas, True20 does nothing for me.)
RPGObjects is great, with their Legends and D20 Modern stuff.
I'm just waiting to love Crafty Games, if they ever release anything... ;)
Goodman has really been churning out some good stuff these days.
Green Ronin is the best out there I think. I have spent a ton of their books and have most either in print or pdf. Same with Malhavok. AE and Iron Heroes are my favs.
As for dislikes, Mongoose. Some of their products are good but most seem to be poorly edited and poorly playtested. That said I have still bought several of the better books like Conan.
Like:
~ Green Ronin: I like both 'WFRP' and 'True20'.
~ Troll Lord Games: I like 'Castles & Crusades'.
~ Necromancer Games: The 'Wilderlands' is very cool.
~ Goodman Games: I dig many of their 'Dungeon Crawl Classics' (e.g. 'Legacy of the Savage Kings', 'Lost Vault of Tszathar Rho', 'The Mysterious Tower').
~ Eden: I like the 'Angel' rpg. Too bad they don't publish more.
~ Iron Crown Enterprises: 'HARP' looks interesting, and I still like 'Shadow World' after 20 years (!).
Apathetic:
~ White Wolf: none of their games have ever appealed to me, but I don't know enough about them to really dislike them (though the very idea of 'Exalted' annoys me).
~ Wizards of the Coast: I dislike the aesthetics and game philosophy of most of their products. However, I do own the 'core' 3.5 books, and use them regularly (I'm no fan of 3.5, but it's the easiest game for which to find other players). Few of their additional 'crunch' books appeal to me (notable exceptions: 'Unearthed Arcana' and 'Heroes of Horror', both of which are good). I moderately dislike their two official campaign settings ('Forgotten Realms' and 'Eberron').
~ Mongoose: I like the Conan game, but everything else is pretty 'meh' IMO. If they do a good job with 'Runequest', though, I may change my view of the company.
Dislike:
~ Malhavoc: all their products seem to appeal to a kind of gaming (emphasis on 'crunch', ubiquitious magic, etc.) that I actively dislike. I'm sure Monte Cook is a decent guy, but I just don't like his style of game at all.
~ Palladium.
~ Obvious: FFE and Avalanche Press (are these still around?)
Quote from: ColonelHardisson... Necromancer Games puts out all kinds of good stuff. Love the City State, love the Wilderlands... but I may be biased because I did a bit of work on the Wilderlands.
Cool! What parts of the Wilderlands did you work on?
Quote from: AkrasiaCool! What parts of the Wilderlands did you work on?
Well, this is the updating of the Wilderlands I'm talking about. I was one of the people who volunteered to straighten up and add some detail to the files - stuff like NPC names and adventure hooks. I covered castles, towers, and villages for Lenap and the Desert Lands. It was a long time between doing that the release of the Wilderlands box set, so it's hard for me to tell how much of what I did made the cut. I know more of it than I expected did, though, and I'm still jazzed when I read through it and recognize old PC and NPC names from my campaigns of years gone by, and see an adventure hook I know is mine. Fun stuff.