Conan RPG Still Being Published?

[Ichabod]

Am I the only one who thinks it's odd that someone would stop playing a RPG just because supplements cease to come out?

Seems far too much like trying to apply a model like that of a CCG to a RPG. CCGs do stop getting played because of lack of new stuff. CCG materials do normally become worthless because they don't apply to other CCGs.

A RPG book is forever. There's nothing that stops me from breaking out my blue and red D&D books (or even hunting around for my copy of Chainmail) and running a game (I'd rather do that than run a 4e game). Even if I never use the system, many books act as reference materials for ideas to steal to apply to other systems.

So, there are no new Conan books? Money saved. Now, back to whatever you were already doing.

I'm aware that there are people who always have to play whatever is newest. I just don't really understand the mentality when it comes to games like RPGs where what matters is imagination, finding players you want to play with, finding a GM, finding a GM you want to play with, finding time in one's life, and finding the mechanics acceptable.

Somehow, if you need a supplement for everything, I don't know how you ever started playing in the first place.

 

[Azgulor]

I agree. While I WANT to continue to support the Conan line by purchasing future supplements, I certainly wouldn't stop playing it if a period of no supplements has to be endured.

I mean c'mon, there's been a lot of overblow hand-wringing in this thread. The break in publication from 1E to 2E was referred to as the Long Cold Dark or somesuch. While this current cycle sucks, it doesn't appear that it will be as long. I'll admit that appearances can be deceiving but lacking evidence forcing me to succumb to the worst-case scenario, I'll put my faith in Mongoose. They haven't let me down thus far.

 

[warzen]

They haven't let me down thus far.

Who said "maps" !!?? 8)

 

[Azgulor]

They haven't let me down thus far.

Who said "maps" !!?? 8)

Well played.

However, "ability to support the game & RPG line" does not equate to "ability to include useful maps".

While the map quality definintely need to be improved, my #1 RPG pet peeve is the pervasive lack of scales on maps in general. Buildings usually get a 5' or 10' scale, but overland maps... just swag it. It really pisses me off.

 

[warzen]

:wink:

And I agree, no publication is not preventing us to play a Conan game, it's just those "so secret" stuff that is annoying.

W.

 

[zozotroll]

While I can and do sometimes break out my RQ2 or RQ3 stuff, I get no takers. Same with my Rolemaster, or 1sr ed ADD. Just cant get enough players to do a game.

My current Conan group is crewed by old buggers like me that care more about how good a system is than how new it is. But, I would like to add 1-2 more players and that is much harder with a ead system. And at the moment is Conan is not dead, it at least needs CPR.

 

[Padre]

Am I the only one who thinks it's odd that someone would stop playing a RPG just because supplements cease to come out?

As I said, I'm not selling my books because of the wait, at least not directly. Both Long Cold Waits just made me re-think my RPG purchases and habits. It turns out that to run Conan "my way", I only need The Road of Kings and a simple rules set (not d20). Since I didn't like the 2ed. too much and the whole Conan line was IMHO going downhill, I decided to go minimalist - sell the stuff, buy Return to The Road of Kings, add a suitable rulebook (probably Solomon Kane - for the setting and game mechanics) and leave it at that. I just don't believe in "we have something great coming soon!" hype.

And yes, the right stuff

 

[rabindranath72]

Am I the only one who thinks it's odd that someone would stop playing a RPG just because supplements cease to come out?

As I said, I'm not selling my books because of the wait, at least not directly. Both Long Cold Waits just made me re-think my RPG purchases and habits. It turns out that to run Conan "my way", I only need The Road of Kings and a simple rules set (not d20). Since I didn't like the 2ed. too much and the whole Conan line was IMHO going downhill, I decided to go minimalist - sell the stuff, buy Return to The Road of Kings, add a suitable rulebook (probably Solomon Kane - for the setting and game mechanics) and leave it at that. I just don't believe in "we have something great coming soon!" hype.

And yes, the right stuff

I am more or less in the same camp; I use (and own) the Atlantean Edition, Scrolls of Skelos and Ruins of Hyboria for background info, so the wait is not so terrible to me. If they are producing high quality stuff which is not too filled with stat blocks, perhaps it's worth the wait.

 

[kintire]

I think there may be a hint of overreaction here. Can we really not last a few months without a new book without doom gloom and armageddon?

After all, if we've been playing Conan since release without these new books, they can't be that essential can they?

 

[Padre]

I think there may be a hint of overreaction here. Can we really not last a few months without a new book without doom gloom and armageddon?

Maybe I'm overreacting and I could blame everything on the lack of time to re-learn d20 or read non-essential books. I don't know, seriously.

But let's ask us one thing: did the last LCW make Mongoose Conan better?

 

[Rex]

I think there may be a hint of overreaction here. Can we really not last a few months without a new book without doom gloom and armageddon?

Maybe I'm overreacting and I could blame everything on the lack of time to re-learn d20 or read non-essential books. I don't know, seriously.

But let's ask us one thing: did the last LCW make Mongoose Conan better?

Yes, it did. Sometimes you need to let the market pond settle a bit before you start tossing new stuff into water. Sometimes better ways of doing something, especially with licensed product, becomes apparent when you take a bit of a breather.

Besides, it wasn't until DnD 3.x came out, that you really had "NEW PRODUCT FOR YOUR GAME MUST MUST BUY NOW!" Pretty much, little stuff came out in the magazines, once a month. Modules and the like every three months or so, and new GAME stuff, usually once a year for supplemental core rules to even longer for Editions...

Now, you got stuff coming out every three days it seems (4e). You can't carpet bomb a customer base. You just end up overwhelming them and then they don't want to buy all your stuff, especially with the advent of so many Toolkit games out there, like HERO, Savage Worlds, M&M, etc etc etc.......Sometimes you gotta test the winds.

~Rex


~Rex

 

[Sourcerer]

Besides, it wasn't until DnD 3.x came out, that you really had "NEW PRODUCT FOR YOUR GAME MUST MUST BUY NOW!" Pretty much, little stuff came out in the magazines, once a month. Modules and the like every three months or so, and new GAME stuff, usually once a year for supplemental core rules to even longer for Editions...

Sounds like you didn't play White Wolf games.
AFAIK they started the tradition of several sourcebooks per month.

 

[Hervé]

TSR people weren't lazy either, back in the 90'...

 

[Rex]

Besides, it wasn't until DnD 3.x came out, that you really had "NEW PRODUCT FOR YOUR GAME MUST MUST BUY NOW!" Pretty much, little stuff came out in the magazines, once a month. Modules and the like every three months or so, and new GAME stuff, usually once a year for supplemental core rules to even longer for Editions...

Sounds like you didn't play White Wolf games.
AFAIK they started the tradition of several sourcebooks per month.

LOL, used to do demo work for them. Did the demo premiers of the Exalted System (both 1st and 2nd), all supplements, up until Ed2 Abyssal. 2nd ed WoD I was primarily Hunter the Reckoning, Werewolf, and Dark Ages stuff. Then when they did the reboot, I had the Re-Intro's to new Wod, and was primary on Mage, Hunter, Changeling......More Exalted, Scion, etc etc etc .....I was basically the "One Storyteller to Run them All" since I've got so much experience with different systems and genre's, I can jump from game to game to game with no issue what so ever. it was a good time.

Then, we just started having more fun with Mongoose material. Seriously, when Mongoose picked up Conan, I said "This will get me playing d20 again..." Then the RQ stuff hit, and then Traveller.

White Wolf started hammering out the product at the monthly rate, but they also had, 6 Lines within one system more or less, and each of those 6 lines, had at least three subsets. Easy to sling out the material then, and a lot of that material, was just broken filler anyway. Hence, the multitudes of continuity issues that necessitated a NEW WoD....

So when you have a setting as Rich, and as in depth as Howards Conan material, you don't want to hammer out trash just to sell as fast as possible. If you don't maintain the solid continuity, the fans will call you on it, hardcore. Usually with Rocks.

~Rex

 

[tneva82]

:wink:

And I agree, no publication is not preventing us to play a Conan game, it's just those "so secret" stuff that is annoying.

W.

Would you prefer to get hints of "really cool stuff", getting all excited about it and then end up not getting it because Mongoose found out later they couldn't do it?

That's what can happen if they release information too soon. They have done that mistake once already. I know I'm not interested in getting burned like that again.

 

[warzen]

Do you mean "like all the cancelled Conan products so far" ?
Yes, I'd prefered that.

W.

 

[Azgulor]

I think there may be a hint of overreaction here. Can we really not last a few months without a new book without doom gloom and armageddon?

Maybe I'm overreacting and I could blame everything on the lack of time to re-learn d20 or read non-essential books. I don't know, seriously.

But let's ask us one thing: did the last LCW make Mongoose Conan better?

IMO, yes it did.

The improved version of fate points, inclusion of the Temptress as a core class, the expansion of the Temptress & Soldier abilities, differentiation in sorceror abilities (to name a few changes) were all well-received additions in my game.

As for non-essential books, I believe that's why they are typically referred to as supplements. Each GM should choose which books or sections of books will enhance their games. If that means Core rulebook + S of Skelos + RoK, then you're all set. If others want further expansion of the line as a vehicle for enhancing their games, how does that negatively impact those that do not? It doesn't, of course.

Now, if you want to ask, "did you like the LCW leading up to 2nd edition" my answer would be a resounding "Hell no!". I don't like this wait any better, esp. since there's no info to go on. At least with the LCW, we knew 2e was coming.