True20 Sci-Fi?

HinterWelt · April 05, 2007, 03:07:59 PM

So, with the first draft of Roma True20 going through edit right now, I begin to think of Mike's suggestion that Nebuleon get the same treatment. It has potential. The conversion (many thanks to Matthew Kaiser, a true pleasure to work with) went smoothly and would be an even smoother one with Neb since spell magic would not be a consideration.

So, what do you guys think of sci-fi and True20? Good fit or not so much? You don't need to be familiar with Nebuleon but if you are all the better.

Thanks,
Bill

jrients · April 05, 2007, 03:18:22 PM

I would have some interest in a solid True20 sci-fi treatment. If I bought Nebuleon True20 I'd probably hack it for Traveller.

HinterWelt · April 05, 2007, 03:34:46 PM

Quote from: jrientsI would have some interest in a solid True20 sci-fi treatment. If I bought Nebuleon True20 I'd probably hack it for Traveller.

hrm, system or setting? I could see either. Neb would fit in the Traveller setting very well. Hacking it to take out the True20 system...well, seems to defeat the purpose.

Bill

Mcrow · April 05, 2007, 04:21:16 PM

As you already mentioned, I think that True 20 Neb would be cool.

The conversion should be simple.

However, I think it would only be worth the time if you were going to jazz up the look of the book as well. IMO, it needs new cover art and more of Brooks' art inside. Update the layout a bit and you have a winner.

HinterWelt · April 05, 2007, 05:39:29 PM

Quote from: McrowAs you already mentioned, I think that True 20 Neb would be cool.

The conversion should be simple.

However, I think it would only be worth the time if you were going to jazz up the look of the book as well. IMO, it needs new cover art and more of Brooks' art inside. Update the layout a bit and you have a winner.

I would look at dropping the Clvin Camp art in the book. He does the weapons and I might keep those as I think they work but the templates and foes art would go. Mark did some awesome art in that book but he is out of the industry. An artist I am working with now, Herman Lau, is on his level and would be a possible replacement.

I would follow the layout of the PDF.

Did you have any particular points or pieces of art you would want replaced Mike?

Thanks for the comments,
Bill

Casey777 · April 05, 2007, 11:45:25 PM

Quote from: HinterWelthrm, system or setting? I could see either. Neb would fit in the Traveller setting very well. Hacking it to take out the True20 system...well, seems to defeat the purpose.

Be easy enough to hack it from True20 to Traveller d20 (T20) though. :keke: (and from there to CT or MT :haw: )

ConanMK · April 07, 2007, 12:00:57 PM

Thanks for the props Bill!

From a marketing standpoint the only space travel setting for True20 is Lux Aeternum, which has a very different flavor to it, and I'm sure that despite its quality it won't fit everyone's space opera needs.

As for game mechanics, True20 is my system of choice for modern and SF gaming (Though I am probably biased).

HinterWelt · April 08, 2007, 09:46:57 PM

Quote from: ConanMKThanks for the props Bill!

From a marketing standpoint the only space travel setting for True20 is Lux Aeternum, which has a very different flavor to it, and I'm sure that despite its quality it won't fit everyone's space opera needs.

As for game mechanics, True20 is my system of choice for modern and SF gaming (Though I am probably biased).

No problem Matthew. You were great to work with and patient as all get out with my style of "not managing" management.

I think Neb would be an even easier conversion for you as there is no magic except for Psi and that uses the Free Form system (like Druids in Roma). There would be a lot of weapons to convert and we might need to noodle a bit on a ship combat system as it seems my players are impatient for a more detailed system then currently is in the core rules. However, Neb is more about the characters and cultures and good old fashioned ancient tech than space battles.

It seems that True20 would work well for most Sci-Fi settings.

Bill

RedFox · April 08, 2007, 09:48:54 PM

Quote from: HinterWeltSo, with the first draft of Roma True20 going through edit right now, I begin to think of Mike's suggestion that Nebuleon get the same treatment. It has potential. The conversion (many thanks to Matthew Kaiser, a true pleasure to work with) went smoothly and would be an even smoother one with Neb since spell magic would not be a consideration.

So, what do you guys think of sci-fi and True20? Good fit or not so much? You don't need to be familiar with Nebuleon but if you are all the better.

Thanks,
Bill

I'd rather see a regular D20 version.

Aos · April 08, 2007, 10:21:44 PM

True20 works well with pulpy sci fi- very well. I think it would be great for space opera too.

HinterWelt · April 09, 2007, 11:43:15 AM

Quote from: RedFoxI'd rather see a regular D20 version.

We have done d20 dual statted with Iridium for some of the adventures. It is quite doable. True20 just seems more streamlined to me. It is definitely something to consider.

Bill

ConanMK · April 10, 2007, 03:12:29 PM

Going in more of a d20 route could also be interesting. A d20 version would most likely be driven by d20 modern (and presumably d20 future as well), but could also be written to go with Grim Tales or even Spycraft 2nd ed (which is really a generic modern game now rather than just a spy game). Heck you could even go OGL and have your own flavor of d20 specificaly tweaked for Nebulon.

I'm more in favor of a True20 treatment myself, but both options have some merit.

HinterWelt · April 10, 2007, 04:59:41 PM

Quote from: ConanMKGoing in more of a d20 route could also be interesting. A d20 version would most likely be driven by d20 modern (and presumably d20 future as well), but could also be written to go with Grim Tales or even Spycraft 2nd ed (which is really a generic modern game now rather than just a spy game). Heck you could even go OGL and have your own flavor of d20 specificaly tweaked for Nebulon.

I'm more in favor of a True20 treatment myself, but both options have some merit.

The argument for True20 is that we have the license for the TMs and the ability to produce 5 more products. One will, most likely, be a True20 treatment of Britannia. I might consider doing a reissue of Turris since the d20 version sold so well. I think those should be easy. Still, even if we do something like that we would still have three titles for the license. This makes me inclined to do the True20. That said, if we go True20, it doesn't seem to make much sense to do a d20 version.

I could be wrong though.

Bill

RedFox · April 10, 2007, 09:23:57 PM

Well, as I said I'd like to see it. Maybe as an appendix in the True20 version, or a web enhancement or something. If you can do T20, D20 wouldn't be that hard to convert for. And hey, it's a free license.

Of course, I'm only saying this because I personally want it.

HinterWelt · April 10, 2007, 09:30:19 PM

Quote from: RedFoxWell, as I said I'd like to see it. Maybe as an appendix in the True20 version, or a web enhancement or something. If you can do T20, D20 wouldn't be that hard to convert for. And hey, it's a free license.

Of course, I'm only saying this because I personally want it.

Redfox,
Say away man! That is how I ended up doing the True20 version of Roma. I had a lot of Roma fans come out of the wood work and let me know that they wanted just that, Roma True20. I have had a fair number of folks ask for all HinterWelt titles in D20 and that is why I went for the dual statted adventures/source books. Worked out well for HinterWelt and the fans. I truly love Austrian Holiday: A Day int he Country with Super Soldiers. It is one of the most beautiful books I have put together and a pretty good adventure to boot.

So, I always advise bugging your fav companies to work on stuff like this. It helps them know what the gamers want to see.

Thanks,
Bill