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Post by stefanj on Oct 26, 2022 15:29:25 GMT -5
Many larger companies are are more like ocean liners. They can carry a lot and can can go very far, but turning on a dime and making quick course changes is not what ocean liners are known for. A big ship has to plan its course, make sure it has lots of supplies, do lots of safty checks and a find a lot of crew members. This is especially true of a brand new ocean liner that is trying to get ready to make its first cruise. New Flying Buffalo is that ocean liner. So we will all have to be paitent and see when they will launch... Webbed Sphere has a LOT of irons in the fire. Maybe several fires. If you look at the other "stores" at their retail site, you'll find things like housewares and a line of pork rinds.
So, they probably have to put a team together, firm up plans, etc before making announcements.
I'm really anxious to see things get going again, if only because I have a bunch of solo adventures I'd like to get published!
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mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 307
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Post by mosker on Oct 26, 2022 18:15:14 GMT -5
Many larger companies are are more like ocean liners. They can carry a lot and can can go very far, but turning on a dime and making quick course changes is not what ocean liners are known for. A big ship has to plan its course, make sure it has lots of supplies, do lots of safty checks and a find a lot of crew members. This is especially true of a brand new ocean liner that is trying to get ready to make its first cruise. New Flying Buffalo is that ocean liner. So we will all have to be paitent and see when they will launch... Webbed Sphere has a LOT of irons in the fire. Maybe several fires. If you look at the other "stores" at their retail site, you'll find things like housewares and a line of pork rinds.
So, they probably have to put a team together, firm up plans, etc before making announcements.
I'm really anxious to see things get going again, if only because I have a bunch of solo adventures I'd like to get published!
Got it. Rather than add another metaphor to the [ no more metaphors, Dave]] a report and a thought: 1. Still no word back from them. 2. No real surprise, it was an open ended question that I asked, nothing to convince them to even invest the time in replying that will take something really sexy, such as list of big names attached to the project, something that involves non-trivial $ (be it a new app professionally done, a project that may involve physical printing and hired art and layout), or... 3. Knowing nothing about the rights, the finances (what they paid and perceived value--inventory vs. the IP) etc. (e.g. is there even a deal involving Monsters!Monsters! given the related mechanics) I have no expectations of learning anything until I might sit down in person with one of Webbed Sphere or Steve or Ken--whose discretion I appreciate as much as my ignorance frustrates me* until there is a plan that might involve elements of #2. [Side note: I'm looking at the KS page for Zimrala. Getting almost half the backers that you did for the main Monsters!Monsters! campaign for an add-on is really impressive. Well done, sscrompton. Makes me think about the dedication, effort for continuing outreach, expansion of the brands] David *Feel free to make your own You must be frustrated a lot, Dave joke. |
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sscrompton
4th Level Troll
One of the members of the Fellowship of the Troll. Worked on dT&T with Ken, Liz, Bear & Rick.
Posts: 305 
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Post by sscrompton on Nov 10, 2022 22:24:53 GMT -5
Thanks David - most kind. We are very pleased that as many of you as did joined the kickstarter! This is probably how we are going to be doing larger projects going forward. Ken and myself will be also doing smaller projects on Ken's Trollgodfather drive-thru page, but I'm going to focus more on doing the more "finsihed" projects. It's my intention to keep the quality of the things I work on, at or above the current level of what you are seeing from the Zimrala Kickstarter and the 2nd edition of Monsters!Monsters! Deb and I are also going to finish the 3rd City of the Gods novel - which at this point is mostly done. It too will connect to Zimrala. Ken and deb and I have agreed to create a larger shared universe and what you are seeing is that. Speaking of whihc - today we just realeased a BRAND New solo that takes place in Zimrala and includes some characters fro the City of the Gods. Here's the link if you want to check it out: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/416362/Mission-for-a-Cat-GoddessI'm sure that WebbedSphere (New Flying Buffalo) will be doing great things going forward and I wish them all the best! Certainly we are more than happy if they need to call upon us when that time may come. Or they may want to start with a whole new fresh approach - either way T&T will live on! |
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Post by bigjackbrass on Nov 11, 2022 4:40:03 GMT -5
Deb and I are also going to finish the 3rd City of the Gods novel - which at this point is mostly done. That’s good to hear. It’s been a long time! |
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mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 307
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Post by mosker on Dec 15, 2022 10:16:00 GMT -5
In publicly accessible forums on FB, there's discussion--from sources I trust--of Webbed Sphere reaching out to licensees, and there's talk of cancelling them as well. I'm erring on the side of vague here.
'
Half tempted to buy a copy of Salkti off DTRPG and ask if I still get royalties...
Can anyone who had a contract with Rick confirm? What was the deal with Trollszine given it was always free? Anyone been contacted who had a deal with FBI and Rick (made SR to resist pushy/tacky/annoying tagging)
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apn
5th Level Troll
Posts: 524
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Post by apn on Dec 15, 2022 15:27:03 GMT -5
Just read through it. It looks like WS are finally doing something with the stuff they bought but people (who already made stuff for T&T with a verbal agreement through Ken and Rick) might not be happy going forward with whatever WS are asking. One guy has said he's pulling his T&T stuff from sale by Monday (presumably 19th December).
We'll have to see what comes next. Some licensing agreement where people pay to put 'Compatible/Made for with T&T' on the cover maybe? Maybe not? Some kind of OGL? It makes sense for them to monetise it as they paid for the game and the rights to it.
From a personal point of view:
1) I have all the T&T books and stuff I'll ever need. Anything else I can maybe cook up myself - hopefully in collaboration with others
2) I think it was last week I wrote a T&T sort of alike system that does things in a different way (the character produces the dice, the weapons supply adds) which works in the same way, just a different mechanic to get the same results. It's easily done and there are a zillion other methods out there in case a retro clone of the oldest retro clone out there is required...
3) The biggest challenge would be the naming and mechanics of spells, but as I showed yesterday (I put a link up in our game thread) a 'Chaos Magic' mechanic might just as easily be used and possibly be more fun. Again, there are lots of different ways to do things.
4) WS might get their house in order and smooth things out, get things producing again and keep the fans onside who've sat waiting for things to come out and had nought but tumbleweed.
I wish them luck with the IP but this could be a missed opportunity to expand and improve the game if they simply sit on the game and do nothing with it. We've seen nothing so far to suggest that WS have any aptitude for producing rpgs...
How about a Trollbridge TnT alike/clone worked on and tested by people in a pop in/pop out basis (because making a firm commitment to sit down and write whilst real life makes demands will never work)?
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mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 307
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Post by mosker on Dec 15, 2022 16:42:49 GMT -5
How about a Trollbridge TnT alike/clone worked on and tested by people in a pop in/pop out basis (because making a firm commitment to sit down and write whilst real life makes demands will never work)? Frankly, last couple weeks of reading and participating in bridge posts have had me thinking there is one more really good version of the game that would be the best of the new and old worlds.[Insert 2000 words on potential headaches and varying opinions] |
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Post by gringnr on Dec 15, 2022 18:08:56 GMT -5
I'd like to see WS continue to allow third-party T&T adventures. Many of them are GREAT! As for the rule set, I have more than enough T&T stuff to keep me busy until I croak. WS may shoot themselves in the foot by not allowing T&T to grow and thrive, but they can't do anything to stand in the way of my own delving!
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order99
7th Level Troll
Coffee-fueled Carrion That Walks Like a Man
Posts: 1,025
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Post by order99 on Dec 15, 2022 18:56:31 GMT -5
Exactly. Webbed Sphere isn't going to break down my door, come in guns at the ready and take my copies...nor are they going to care how many house rules I use in my games. Even if they don't allow Third-party licenses (and they may well do so, it's too early to tell) i'm sure that WS won't care what we do on the Trollbridge. Best case scenario for the fans might be an OGL/Creative Commons, better bet for the Company might be Limited Third Party licenses...and worst case scenario, we do our own thing here, buy what we want and mangle it to our heart's content at home... (bolts T&T 4th Edition engine into MS&PE chassis, adds Stormbringer Magic System and sets sail for 14th Century Portugal).  |
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Karl
3rd Level Troll
Posts: 138
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Post by Karl on Dec 15, 2022 22:02:53 GMT -5
It would be foolish of them to make waves for peoples T&T 3rd party stuff. Frankly the risk of causing a PR nightmare with the existing fanbase is nowhere near worth the small change they might make from it. They have a ready pre-existing market just waiting with money in hands to buy anything new they put out for T&T. I do understand it takes time to create new T&T stuff for us to buy but at this point it's been longer than I would have taken to at least announce some plans for T&T's future.
Not a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you. Especially when we are just ready to hand over a massive amount of Scooby snacks. I am very disappointed at this point that my Christmas shopping cart isn't overflowing with T&T books and games.
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sscrompton
4th Level Troll
One of the members of the Fellowship of the Troll. Worked on dT&T with Ken, Liz, Bear & Rick.
Posts: 305
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Post by sscrompton on Dec 16, 2022 1:52:23 GMT -5
There is already an exsisting alternative (written by T&T Creator Ken St Andre!) - It's called MONSTERS!MONSTERS! I'm a bit surprised that none of you even mentioned it in the above discussion. There is a 2nd edition of the rules that was published in 2020 and now a 176 page book that details a whole new world to adventure in and over 111 new monsters and character types you can play. We've also released several solos for the game and each of those include GM material. More stuff is currently being worked on and we are open to having you contribute adventures to us, or arrange for a licensing agreement to use Monsters! Monsters! for your own published adventures. If you aren't aware of all we have done so farare some links you REALLY need to check out... www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/9559/Trollgodfather-PressSee what you think - we have been busy! |
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mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 307
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Post by mosker on Jan 26, 2023 19:44:07 GMT -5
[Props to ProfGremlin for redirecting traffic] (Insert as many disclaimers as the server will hold) From a little bit of platform searching, and an exponential amount more of unfounded supposition, it seems that WS is cleaning house, albeit in a very hamfisted way, to sell the IP. They're erring on the side of eliminating potential problems (such as happened with That Company or anything they've seen as problematic in licensee social media accounts) even if it means driving away a large chunk of the existing talent and a not insignificant part of the fanbase. Maybe they figure a clean slate is best for the sale? Or potential suitors do? If it backfires beyond all comprehension or turns out to be in sync with a plan that will successfully grow the IP, it wouldn't be the first massive miscalculation on the part of fans/creators/management in industry history. The only thing more massive is what I don't know (see parenthetical) which includes a bunch about personal relationships with creators but Rick Loomis and the WS folk from their respective GAMA days... |
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Post by dwayanu on Jan 30, 2023 12:54:36 GMT -5
Is there any possibility of a TnT CRPG? Back in 1990, New World Computing released Crusaders of Khazan. The developers of that were I think too focused on duplicating the solo game book paradigm, at the neglect of what makes for a great CRPG. Today, the T&T brand does not I think have the license appeal of Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf (which got a new computer game release a decade ago). The status of the paper and pencil game is thus key to the prospect of computer game implementation. |
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mosker
4th Level Troll
Posts: 307
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Post by mosker on Jan 30, 2023 13:20:56 GMT -5
Is there any possibility of a TnT CRPG? Back in 1990, New World Computing released Crusaders of Khazan. The developers of that were I think too focused on duplicating the solo game book paradigm, at the neglect of what makes for a great CRPG. Today, the T&T brand does not I think have the license appeal of Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf (which got a new computer game release a decade ago). The status of the paper and pencil game is thus key to the prospect of computer game implementation. A thought that both feels related and unrelated: I'd been doing a deeper delve into DT&T as part of apn's game, and virtually every rule change (my brain is pretty much hardcoded 5th edition) that made me uneasy or I flat out disliked also led me to think: Yeah, but it's probably a good thing for tabletop GM and vict--er, delvers--play. |
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