07/31/2019 Update: Things are coming together
about 7 years ago
– Thu, Aug 01, 2019 at 02:37:14 AM
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to hop in and give an update on everything and get some feedback on some decisions I need to make about the organization of the book, and a few other issues.
Plot Point Campaigns: I have all three plot point campaigns in and editing/proofing has begun.
Races: We have the races finalized.
Edges and Hindrances: These still need more work.
Hacking Rules: The hacking rules are being revised. Nothing huge, but I’m trying to balance out the need for simplicity and the desire to be comprehensive. Many of you want something quick and easy to pick up and run. But there are also quite a few of you who want some meat. To be honest, I want both.
The Hacking rules in SWADE are perfect for a modern-day game, but when developing for a cyberpunk game, you have to take a lot of things into account, not to mention writing specifically for the setting, so it’s been hard to find the proper balance. I have a lot of ideas, but the document I shared with you in the last update is about as far as I wish to go in terms of crunch in the main rules.
I’m going to take other ideas I have and put them in an advanced hacking PDF/POD document so those of you who wish can use them, and those of you who want to stick with what’s in the Player’s Guide can ignore them completely.
Firearms creation rules and Armor rules: These are going through their 3rd draft. I’ve been getting good, critical feedback that is going to make them much better, but people have lives, and I can’t rush these things.
Vehicle creation rules: I’m on the fence about vehicle creation rules for the main books, simply because there’s a time element involved, so I might just put them in the Malmart Catalog.
World Material: Both world sections are completed; one chapter for the Player’s Guide, and a slightly larger Chapter for the GM’s Guide.
Savage Tales: I think I have something like 12 right now, but I might get more done. These still need edits.
The Introductory Adventure: I have the manuscript, but it needs to be edited.
Art: I haven’t ordered a ton of art yet. It’s crazy to do it right now, when I don’t even have a decent idea of how many pages will require it.
Graphic Design: To be honest, I’m on the fence about the current design. It’s interesting, but I almost want to do something stripped down; something that pushes the focus more to the actual content. Theme is important, too, because IZ is a cyberpunk game, and right now the design feels more sci-fi.
OK. Now I need some feedback.
Basic Gear: Our focus has been on the meat of the equipment chapter, but I also want to have a nice array of basic gear as well. I don’t want to override what’s in SWADE, but I do want to add a good list of cyberpunk-specific material. So, what do YOU want to see?
Organization: I’ll be honest. Every one of the writers and proofers who have seen the weapons/armor and augmentation creation rules have flat out told me that these really need to be in the GM’s Guide to 2095, so I’m probably going to do that. The same thing applies to savage tales, and Threats like biohorrors and your average npcs. I tend to agree with them.
What that means though, is that the Page count for the Player’s Guide will drop dramatically, and the GM’s guide will increase in page count. Because I advertised the opposite, I’ll find some way to make it up to you with more content. But I really want to know what you think, as some of you only ordered the Player’s Guide.
Content: Lastly, I’m wondering about commentary for the world chapter and other places in the book. 2.0 had a lot of this, primary in the world section. I got mixed reviews, and a few people even said I ripped off Shadowrun *sigh*, so I’m wondering if this is something you want to see?
OK. That’s it for now. Take care.
