Hard Backs

[Rich H]

I've posted previously that I'd love to see hardbacks of the core books. Using crowd-funding could be an option, maybe even making it a limited edition release. It would be nice to get some consistency in format - they feel kinda weird on my shelf at the moment; corebooks as softback but supplements in hardback! But there is a risk that such an undertaking could impact on release of new TOR product; which I'm not sure I'd be too chuffed about.

I really think this is all wishful thinking though... Or is it?

[Otaku-sempai]

I've posted previously that I'd love to see hardbacks of the core books. Using crowd-funding could be an option, maybe even making it a limited edition release. It would be nice to get some consistency in format - they feel kinda weird on my shelf at the moment; corebooks as softback but supplements in hardback! But there is a risk that such an undertaking could impact on release of new TOR product; which I'm not sure I'd be too chuffed about.

I really think this is all wishful thinking though... Or is it?

That might be a good idea for a second edition, where corrections are incorporated into the text and the more ambiguous rules are clarified. Perhaps the alternative monetary system could be included as well.

[Mordagnir]

Using crowd-funding could be an option, maybe even making it a limited edition release.

That is a brilliant idea, Rich H, since it would reduce, if not eliminate, the element of uncertainty associated with printing books with a higher unit price. Cubicle 7 could lay out the costs and let the community decide if it was worth it. Properly designed and marketed, such a Kickstarter could easily squeeze out some additional profits for the company as well.

Does anyone know if this approach has been tried and, if so, how successful it was?

[Vaeldroth]

At least a hardcover of the Adventurer's book. I'd grab that in a hurry, and I think it'd be an easier sell for my players too.

[trystero]

Using crowd-funding could be an option, maybe even making it a limited edition release.

That is a brilliant idea, Rich H....

Does anyone know if this approach has been tried and, if so, how successful it was?

As I mentioned further up the thread, I've backed a limited-edition hardcover re-release of the core rulebook for another RPG system (whose name I'll omit here out of propriety) on Indiegogo. That re-release incorporated errata and included some newly-commissioned art replacing some of the original pieces: it wasn't a full new edition, but it was distinct from the original release.

I'd definitely be up for any such release for TOR, but it's not as important to me as new supplements are. I'm quite happy with my slip-cased softcovers for the core system; it doesn't bother me to have a mix of hard- and soft-cover books for the game line.

[Mordagnir]

As I mentioned further up the thread, I've backed a limited-edition hardcover re-release of the core rulebook for another RPG system (whose name I'll omit here out of propriety) on Indiegogo. That re-release incorporated errata and included some newly-commissioned art replacing some of the original pieces: it wasn't a full new edition, but it was distinct from the original release.

Whoops. Sorry for missing that, trystero. Do you know if the company made much money off of it?

[Hermes Serpent]

If it's the one I'm thinking of it was a fairly niche product and funded at 304% of target for USD 30,367 with 397 funders.

That said it was a product that has been around for a long time in earlier editions and has a decent sized fanbase so the concept of a hardback with errata and improved art over the recent release was an easy sell even at a unit cost of roughly USD 75.

[trystero]

If it's the one I'm thinking of it was a fairly niche product and funded at 304% of target for USD 30,367 with 397 funders.

That said it was a product that has been around for a long time in earlier editions and has a decent sized fanbase so the concept of a hardback with errata and improved art over the recent release was an easy sell even at a unit cost of roughly USD 75.

That's the one.

[Aiwendil]

I am hoping for more than a cosmetic fix (i.e. soft-cover versus hard-back)... C7 should consider re-releasing a product which is not so maddeningly frustrating to navigate. The release of an index was absolutely necessary...

The user-unfriendliness did not become apparent to me until I started running adventures, and after almost six months of using this rule-set, it still takes me far too much time to find the information I need.

Perhaps I am being a little harsh because I've just received a copy of Runequest 6th Edition (which I HIGHLY recommend); despite the size, its rulebook is the height of clarity. I could say the same of others rulebooks I have had the pleasure of using during my twenty-five or so years of RPGing: Warhammer 2nd Edition, Conan D20 OGL, Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplaying, etc...

Do not take the negativity of this post to mean I wish to see TOR fail. Quite the contrary. I think TOR deserves a second edition, with a cleaner structure and an expanded rule-set (answering the questions brought forth by the community here). This is a product which deserves to grow and mature...

[Rich H]

... Personally, I'd be more than happy to offer my services to reorganising the TOR core-books to make them easier to read etc. I'd do it for free in fact!