Stance on Fan-Made Supplements

[carthaginian]

What is Mongoose's stance on fan-made supplements for VatS 1.0 now that VaS2.0 is coming out? I've been working on my submarine rules and trying to get them into a coherent form and get the campaign worked into something that people who aren't me can understand.

So, is it kosher to produce a pdf that does not reproduce any existing rules but which does add new rules and ships?

 

[rcbecker1]

Complete it and submit it to Matt to be published in S&P that way everyone can enjoy your sub rules or send me a copy it might be worth working into the new rules since the sub rules arent complete yet.

 

[carthaginian]

My only question with either situation is what happens if it is 'submitted' but not 'approved and published?' If it is not, I would still like to present them for use by people with VaS1.0 who might not choose to 'upgrade.' Is the content still technically 'mine' to distribute as long as I do not try to do so for profit or publish any preexisting rules? And on the off chance that it IS published, what happens then?

I'm sorry, but I'd like to know what I'm getting into before I hand it over; I'm sure you understand.
I've already PM'ed you a few of the ideas I have used; if they are something that you think might fit into the new rules or look good in S&P, let me know.

Also, is there some kind of "Policy for Submissions" in existence I could read through?
I can't seem to find one on Mongoose's main page- it's a pretty site, but not very functional.

 

[Da Boss]

I would agree that first step is to email M Sprange - MG usually allow publicaiton of fan made supplements if they don't want to do them...

 

[DM]

If not "approved and published" I could always post it on my VAS variant page on my website.

 

[carthaginian]

I would agree that first step is to email M Sprange - MG usually allow publicaiton of fan made supplements if they don't want to do them...

I appreciate the post from someone that is apparently as high up the ladder as one can get.
What is the e-mail address of the person in question so that I might get in touch with him?
If there is the possibility of being included, I'm interested- and who wouldn't be. :shock:

I don't know if what I have in mind will be publishable for VaS2.0 for one primary reason:
I'm kind of 'March At Own Pace/Distance' on this project; I'm a full-time RN and can only devote time to it in fits and starts. So far, I have done just about everything I want to with the USN subs in the PTO... but that's all I've done. I started there because it was the 'simplest' of the theaters. American submarine technology didn't advance by any great leaps during the war, nor did their torpedo technology. Likewise, the Japanese ASW weapons and tactics were fairly static as well, lacking the dynamic developments of the Battle of the Atlantic.

I have only just begun the additional rules needed for the German subs and the Atlantic theater; I can think of at least two necessary rules- both regarding torpedoes- and a couple of optional ones, again mostly regarding torpedoes. I haven't gotten started on the German (save the Type XXIII), Italian, British, Japanese or Russian subs.

My initial file- which started simply as stats for the major classes of US subs- has slowly spiraled out of control, turning into a full-fledged rules supplement. As this process progressed, I began to see this as something of a serial project- releasing a small pdf containing rules and subs for each individual navy over a long period of time... perhaps the rest of the year. It has taken me most of a month for the US sub project, and I still haven't gotten the campaign right- my ultimate goal is to emulate the kind of campaign system that you would get out of a video game like the Silent Hunter series. It may well be mid/late-June before this sees the light of day.

I just wanted to ask about policy/procedures so I could know where I stood.

Thanks guys.

 

[carthaginian]

If not "approved and published" I could always post it on my VAS variant page on my website.

8) I would consider it a high honor, Sir. 8)
Your Victory on the Rivers supplement introduced me to VaS in the first place.
I actually found it long before I found any information on the main game.

 

[rcbecker1]

Well I have been stating out subs for a while now since I started on the new project. Things are being done different than before. What I was saying is if you have any good ideas for sub rules let us see them if you dont mind, because we are getting near working on them so we are open to any suggestions as I want a good coastal and convoy system so we can play those as well as ship battles. So far your suggestions are good which is why Im interested. As for a supplement check with Matt but I dont see any reason there would be an issue since VAS 1.0 is being replaced. As he has said to me in a previous discussion. He has talked about a way to release the formulas but doesn't want them to allow people to not puchase the rules and make there own game to give others. At least what I got/assume out of the discussion.

 

[carthaginian]

Ok... so where do I find Matt's email address. :wink:
I'll send up what I have so far so they can have a look.

 

[Da Boss]

I would agree that first step is to email M Sprange - MG usually allow publicaiton of fan made supplements if they don't want to do them...

I appreciate the post from someone that is apparently as high up the ladder as one can get.
What is the e-mail address of the person in question so that I might get in touch with him?
If there is the possibility of being included, I'm interested- and who wouldn't be. :shock:

I don't know if what I have in mind will be publishable for VaS2.0 for one primary reason:
I'm kind of 'March At Own Pace/Distance' on this project; I'm a full-time RN and can only devote time to it in fits and starts. So far, I have done just about everything I want to with the USN subs in the PTO... but that's all I've done. I started there because it was the 'simplest' of the theaters. American submarine technology didn't advance by any great leaps during the war, nor did their torpedo technology. Likewise, the Japanese ASW weapons and tactics were fairly static as well, lacking the dynamic developments of the Battle of the Atlantic.

I have only just begun the additional rules needed for the German subs and the Atlantic theater; I can think of at least two necessary rules- both regarding torpedoes- and a couple of optional ones, again mostly regarding torpedoes. I haven't gotten started on the German (save the Type XXIII), Italian, British, Japanese or Russian subs.

My initial file- which started simply as stats for the major classes of US subs- has slowly spiraled out of control, turning into a full-fledged rules supplement. As this process progressed, I began to see this as something of a serial project- releasing a small pdf containing rules and subs for each individual navy over a long period of time... perhaps the rest of the year. It has taken me most of a month for the US sub project, and I still haven't gotten the campaign right- my ultimate goal is to emulate the kind of campaign system that you would get out of a video game like the Silent Hunter series. It may well be mid/late-June before this sees the light of day.

I just wanted to ask about policy/procedures so I could know where I stood.

Thanks guys.

I have no official status - just post a lot

I know exactly how it goes - you do a bit here and there and you end up writing loads of pages - great stuff

When I did Darkness Rising for B5 ACTA I just pmed Matt and asked him - not something they could do but he was fine with me doing a free version Likley to be the same with yours - senda synopsis / samples and see what he thinks.

hopefully he might see this thread and respond

 

[carthaginian]

Twenty-Five Pages.
*twitch*
The core book is only 96 pages!
Make it stop, somebody... MAKE IT STOP!
*twitch*

But, seriously, ya'll... I'm using a 16 pt font. That's why there's a high page count.

However, what started out as a simple 6 page pamphlet is now a dead-to-rights sourcebook- complete with six new submarine classes (including their most common refit versions), three new escort vessels, two new 'coastal force' vessels, three small merchants (two so small they use 'coastal force' rules), variant rules for torpedo ranges and types, new special traits, and a random scenario generator.

Once everything is wrapped up, I'll be sending it to Matt... hopefully no later than tomorrow night.
If he likes it, I don't know what happens.
If he doesn't, it should be properly credited for images and references by no later than the 17th.

 

[Greg Smith]

Ok... so where do I find Matt's email address. :wink:
I'll send up what I have so far so they can have a look.

msprange@mongoosepublishing.com

 

[carthaginian]

OK, the supplement on American subs has been in Matt's hands for about a week now, and I've got most of the bugs that rcbecker1 was kind enough to find worked out as well. I'm just waiting for some kind of word from on high to let me know what I can expect.

As a taste of things to come, here is a little something on the German boats I'm working on.
This version uses VaS torp rules; the version in the supplement would use the special rules for acoustic homing torps.

Type XXIII Coastal Electroboot

Speed:				2/3				
Armor:			   2+		
Special Traits: 	Agile, Submersible, Silent	
Turning:			 2
Target:			  6+					
Damage:		    2/1			
Crew:				2/1
In Service:	  1945		

Weapon:			Fwd Torpedoes (2 x 533mm/G7es')					
Range:				10"	
AD:					1
DD:					4
Special Traits:	OS

Among the smallest operational submarines in any fleet, the Type XXIII was much like a honeybee- fast and agile, but only able to sting once. Carrying only two torpedoes in external tubes (which had to be loaded in port), the Type XXIII was not very successful due to its short operational life and light armament.

 

[rcbecker1]

Interesting. keep up the good work.
ray

 

[carthaginian]

Interesting. keep up the good work.
ray

Thanks.
Next up... Walter boats.