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Found this little nugget of info in Game Trade Magazine #198's product listing.



Hope to see a prerelease at GenCon, I'd buy it for sure!

Probably it is for a different post but...

Some people in this thread argues that they find difficult to find and keep people playing TOR, and these people hope or know that this is not the case for games based on D&D. That is easy to find and keep people playing D&D. I wonder why is that?

Just FINDING a store that carries or has heard of TOR is a challenge (in Chicago and Los Angeles Areas anyway). D&D has a fantastic network of organized play, brand recognition, years and years of settings development (albeit mostly "lifted" from LotR). D&D is in your FACE as soon as you walk into any LGS or Comic store. It's why I got back into it. It's so accessible right now in this edition. But, whenever I read any info about Forgotten Realms or Dragonlance, I'm always like...this is just rehashed from LotR. Why wouldn't I play the SOURCE MATERIAL.

Personally, I strongly believe the way of the Pen and Paper RPG is in it's final days and will fade into the west with ours, or the next generation. D&D and a little bit of Pathfinder are the most recognized games out there and both have well oiled organized play machines. But believe their days are numbered as well. Kids want video games, and parents and adults (like me) who like these game simply don't have the time anymore. Now, there are even psudeo-rpg board games to occupy this space. Plug and Play RPG's like Descent, Imperial Assault, D&D Adventure Game System, Warhammer Quest.

While video games plateau, and boardgames become more popular again, the RPG will fade out again.

Finding a group to play TOR has been a challenge for years, to do it in person anyway. I had little success in Chicago, but here in LA, it's been nigh impossible (not that there aren't a MILLION other things to do in So Cal, right?)

...also, if anyone is in So Cal...PLEASE let me know!!!

However, when I mention D&D, people are intrigued or get pumped about getting a game started. I get a little pumped too, until I read the books and look at the Politically-Correct-Pre-Steampunk-Why-Haven't-These-Cultures Invented-Modern Culture When You Use Magic to Turn On A Light Switch... kind of universe setting.

Nothing wrong with being Politically Correct by the way...I'm just saying it's clear there was a shift from the 1980s/90's D&D to it's current edition. I think it's great, but it's not my preference

RPGs have been "dying" since 1986 or so, when the D&D fad faded. Or at least since 200x, whenever the d20 bubble burst. I don't actually see them dying out ever, but I doubt we will see another fad/bubble unless it's something radically different (smartphone augmented reality gaming in a world much like our own, but with a secret societies that move along us, trying to accomplish their own obscure goals* ).

D&D has a lot of cachet now; especially with the current crop of teenagers/young adults. You can always find a group if you look hard enough and 5e is broad enough that you push it towards a variety of play styles. My 13-year-old only wants to play D&D now; other games aren't "cool" but D&D is cool, so says the teen zeitgeist.

* If anyone wants to throw money at me to turn this into a real game, PM me.

mirkwoodfalcon wrote:Found this little nugget of info in Game Trade Magazine #198's product listing.



Hope to see a prerelease at GenCon, I'd buy it for sure!

So, much for a "summer release".

Yepesnopes wrote:Probably it is for a different post but...

Some people in this thread argues that they find difficult to find and keep people playing TOR, and these people hope or know that this is not the case for games based on D&D. That is easy to find and keep people playing D&D. I wonder why is that?

A big part of it brand recognition and familiarity for those that have been playing it for 20, 30, or more years.

Also, TOR is very specialized. It was designed to do one particular thing: emulate the style and tone of the books. Not everyone wants to to that. Some people want to have combat heavy games in ME. Some people want to fight Sauron and Saruman. Some people want to raid Smaug's treasure. Some people just don't care about sticking to canon. D&D is designed to be more flexible.

Beran wrote:

mirkwoodfalcon wrote:Found this little nugget of info in Game Trade Magazine #198's product listing.



Hope to see a prerelease at GenCon, I'd buy it for sure!

So, much for a "summer release".

There could still be a PDF or a limited print release in the summer.

How far out from the main print release does C7 usually make PDFs available?

Err in the publishing world Summer last until October and then it's Fall until Christmas.

fjw70 wrote:

Yepesnopes wrote:Probably it is for a different post but...

Some people in this thread argues that they find difficult to find and keep people playing TOR, and these people hope or know that this is not the case for games based on D&D. That is easy to find and keep people playing D&D. I wonder why is that?

A big part of it brand recognition and familiarity for those that have been playing it for 20, 30, or more years.

Also, TOR is very specialized. It was designed to do one particular thing: emulate the style and tone of the books. Not everyone wants to to that. Some people want to have combat heavy games in ME. Some people want to fight Sauron and Saruman. Some people want to raid Smaug's treasure. Some people just don't care about sticking to canon. D&D is designed to be more flexible.

Hear hear.

That's not me; I like sticking to canon (more or less) but if bringing those people to the table (get it?) makes the ecosystem stronger I'm for it.

You know, I don't think it's about TOR being more specialized to remain more canon and emulate the style of the books, though I do respect your opinion and see your point of view.

In my opinion, I think TOR is just a superior Roleplaying Game. I think it's mechanics and character design options are superior to D&D or Pathfinder. I think a few tweaks could be made to the to put it over the top, but I genuinely feel that this game is an amazing production as it stands.

I feel like number crunching tank builders of D&D and Pathfinder want to play a tactical boardgame/miniatures game, and not a "role" playing game, and therefore are just fooling themselves, or just to do what their friends are doing. Besides, isn't that Shadowrun is for?