Stand-Alone sourcebooks.

D

Dan True

Mongoose
I was just thinking of a RuneQuest/Wayfarer sourcebook for Game of Thrones (i.e. A song of Ice and Fire). and it got me thinking about something more general:

If Mongoose should do sourcebooks for well-known settings that might get people to buy the sourcebook simply because of the logo on the cover - wouldn't it be a good idea for them to make them stand-alone? I.e. include the Skills, Game System and Combat chapter, so that people buying the book won't have to buy the Wayfarer core rulebook also?
It might be easier to get people to buy "The Game Of Thrones Game" than "Game of Thrones for Wayfarer".

I just thought it might sell better if Mongoose ever got great licenses like this one. Any thoughts on this?

- Dan
 
Dan True said:
I was just thinking of a RuneQuest/Wayfarer sourcebook for Game of Thrones (i.e. A song of Ice and Fire). and it got me thinking about something more general:

If Mongoose should do sourcebooks for well-known settings that might get people to buy the sourcebook simply because of the logo on the cover - wouldn't it be a good idea for them to make them stand-alone? I.e. include the Skills, Game System and Combat chapter, so that people buying the book won't have to buy the Wayfarer core rulebook also?
It might be easier to get people to buy "The Game Of Thrones Game" than "Game of Thrones for Wayfarer".

I just thought it might sell better if Mongoose ever got great licenses like this one. Any thoughts on this?


- Dan
Click to expand...

Computer says no...I don't want any of my setting or supplement book taken up with base rules, just new juicy goodness!

Perhaps a free pdf with basic rules online, so people can play it with any setting at a basic level?
 
I agree with taxboy. Mongoose should stick to its current format: One generic core rule book applicable to any setting and separate setting books containing only material pertinent to that setting.
Including the game system with every setting book creates redundancy and uses up valuable space that could be used for more setting material.
I suppose including the game system in a setting book could be desirable for those who are only interested in that setting, but those interested in more than one setting would essentially be forced to buy the core system more than once. Moreover, those who are only interested in one setting won't really be saving that much money buying a setting book with the core rules versus buying the core rules and setting separately. Assuming the authors don't skimp on setting material to make room for the core rules, the final product would necessarily require a higher price than just a setting book without the core rules. Besides, in the new "reader's digest" size, a comprehensive setting book that includes the core rules would be pretty thick.
 
master of reality said:
Besides, in the new "reader's digest" size, a comprehensive setting book that includes the core rules would be pretty thick.
Click to expand...
I can't help thinking that that is a catastrophically bad idea. Art and maps are going to suffer, for a start.
 
master of reality said:
I agree with taxboy. Mongoose should stick to its current format: One generic core rule book applicable to any setting and separate setting books containing only material pertinent to that setting.
Click to expand...

Oh, I did by no means mean that it should be for all setting books. Setting which are specific to the game already, should be as it is - which will include most settings. The books where including the core rules could be a good idea, could be the settings/market where the setting - not the fact that it's MRQ2 - will sell the book.

For example, if Mongoose had the Game of Thrones license. If a GoT fan who's played around with p&p before sees a GoT book, then he might pick it up as it is. However, if the GoT book requires also to buy the MRQ2 Core Rulebook, the setting will no longer be the selling point, but the system will - and then we will be back to square one as it is now.

When buying a Game of Thrones book, the selling point is the setting. Some people might evne buy it without intent of playing it...
When buying a Game of Thrones book and a Core Rulebook, the selling point is the system.

But, as of now Mongoose has no large licenses like GoT or DragonAge, so it's really a moot point. However, if they did get one, this might be an idea.

- Dan
 
PhilHibbs said:
master of reality said:
Besides, in the new "reader's digest" size, a comprehensive setting book that includes the core rules would be pretty thick.
Click to expand...
I can't help thinking that that is a catastrophically bad idea. Art and maps are going to suffer, for a start.
Click to expand...

I'm not happy about the new "reader's digest" format, but I understand why Mongoose is doing this. Presumably the new format will be cheaper to produce, allowing Mongoose to charge a lower price and, hopefully, sell more product. There could very well be a large untapped customer base of people who are interested in the MRQ2 system but are reluctant to shell out $40 for just the rule book, and then another $40 for a setting book, etc.
Personally, I'm perfectly happy spending $40 for nice hardback rule book when the quality of the content is on par with the RuneQuest II core book or the Elric core book, but apparently I'm in the minority. In fact, since learning that the current hardback books would be pulled when Wayfarer comes out this winter, I've already spent a few hundred dollars on RuneQuest stuff and plan to spend a couple hundred more. If there's a going out print sale this Fall, I may buy duplicates of books I already own.
 
I'd like to have a 'readers digest' size in hardcover. I would definitely go for that. Maybe they could do a limited edition like that.
 
Game of Thrones is a great setting for roleplaying - plenty of rich bacground and settings. I have managed to pick up the Guardians of Order rpg book of Game of Thrones - just beacuse it is so lovely and has a real wealth of background. Not interested in the system but as its a proper size (some 500 pages) not a problem.

Not got the Green Ronin version as yet - does not look as lavish.....

Mongoose hardbacks tended to always look the poor relation..........

If the books had enough generic information and were splendid enough be happy to but wahteevr the system. IF the system took up half or more of thebook thats a turn off for me.
 
I also prefer the source rules separate to give more space for setting books to add other content.

One thing Mongoose is really bad at though is maps, I still use a Stormbringer 1st Ed map for my Elric game as the Mongoose supplied map is dire.
 
IMO the core rules should be completely separate from the setting supplements. The only rules stuff in supplements should be variations to the core rules that suit the supplements theme, e.g. Elric, Age Of Treason, Wraith Recon and so on. Otherwise there is far too much duplication. A "Quick Start" guide along the lines of the one available for Chaosiums BRP could be useful, particularly when used in conjunction with the products above.

As far as production quality goes, from the little I've seen, Mongoose has a lot of catching up to do. To me, the D&D products and Pathfinder range top the list for artwork and quality, especially maps. The Savage Worlds Explorers Edition is also well made for a 'digest' book with appropriate artwork and Mongoose should use that as a model for Wayfarer.
 
DamonJynx said:
IMO the core rules should be completely separate from the setting supplements. The only rules stuff in supplements should be variations to the core rules that suit the supplements theme, e.g. Elric, Age Of Treason, Wraith Recon and so on. Otherwise there is far too much duplication. A "Quick Start" guide along the lines of the one available for Chaosiums BRP could be useful, particularly when used in conjunction with the products above.

As far as production quality goes, from the little I've seen, Mongoose has a lot of catching up to do. To me, the D&D products and Pathfinder range top the list for artwork and quality, especially maps. The Savage Worlds Explorers Edition is also well made for a 'digest' book with appropriate artwork and Mongoose should use that as a model for Wayfarer.
Click to expand...

Agree with this 100%
 
I agree - keep world/campaign setting material separate from generic/core rules. Ok to add a few extras (heroic abilities or whatever) that a world setting specific, but don't introduce redundancy/duplication. That would tend to make the majority of players feel they're getting less for value/£.
On the format, for me jury is still out. Key thing though that @ value is the longevity of the book. i.e. I hate it when pages fall out/spine gives up the fight, etc. My experience with soft cover books is mixed. I'm happy to pay a few £ more for a decent hard cover with a good spine...
 
Morgan d'Barganfore said:
It was an abbreviation of Laughs My Ass Off (or similar wording).
As in, I thought your previous comment was very funny.
:)
Click to expand...
Very good. Glad you liked it. As you can probably tell, I don't text much and I've never used twitter, so I'm not up to speed on abbreviations used these days. One of my group sent me an email with "afaik' somewhere in it and I wrote back, type in English man, not Arabic!
 
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