Per a request I had, I'd like to invite you to opine on revisiting it.
I am considering a $6 PDF only version, and it would be an art free, just the facts ma'am version of the player's portion of the HOW rules.
Alternatively a print version of the first section,with art, at a higher price is also a possibility.
Thoughts and opinions are solicited and welcome.
I don't know if there are enough rules to justify a print version, maybe a cheaper PDF one-page reference sheet would be better - a full size character sheet that had the rules on it for char gen and doing stuff, with tickable equipment pack options ?
ReplyDeletei'm thinking most of the people checking this blog on a daily basis have already bought the HOW core, so asking here would only serve one purpose: find out if it would upset those that have already bought the HOW core rules.
ReplyDeletejust do it! no reasonable person would be upset by it. it gives you a chance to get people hooked and lead to other purchases. instead of GMs lending or photocopying the PHB section of their rules, they can tell players to get the PHB.
excellent idea, if i do say so myself hehe
'no reasonable person would be upset by it'
ReplyDelete- until they realise that the basics are covered in a free PDF already (Cauldron #0)
If the aim is to entice new players, ease them in and support them during play I still think the best option is a char sheet (A4, two sided - combat options and space for spells on the back). Charge $1, referees may buy one, then photocopy at will. The key is layout - I'd stage a competition to design one - with a copy of Cauldron for the prize.
The steps between being a new player and being a referee (who is more likely to buy Cauldron, settings, adventures) would only be added to by having a PHB. The more core rulebooks bought, the greater the likelihood of fanmade material.
[Gosh I seem opinionated -sorry]
The core rules are fairly short and fluff-free as it is. I really don't see the need for a seperate set of players rules.
ReplyDeleteI can only see that appealing to players who want to play solo-adventures like the Dark City games stuff and they could just use the free LAW rules for that.
"I can only see that appealing to players who want to play solo-adventures like the Dark City games stuff and they could just use the free LAW rules for that."
ReplyDelete...or they could buy the HOW PHB for $6.
"'no reasonable person would be upset by it'
- until they realise that the basics are covered in a free PDF already (Cauldron #0)"
...as i said, no reasonable person would be upset by it. the PHB has stuff not in Cauldron #0.
i don't know how the lulu.com stuff works. if there's some financial risk to it, then it probably doesn't make sense to release a $6 PHB. if there is no risk, the PHB is already written...
ReplyDeleteA PHB that only has the basic spell list is going to look a poor option when the Magi Carta comes out. The type of player who needs more than the basic rules, pregens, and templates that Cauldron#0 offers is probably going to want more spells.
ReplyDeletesounds like a win to me! buy PHB. "hey, i like this. i want more!" buy Magi Carta. buy whatever else.
DeleteIn a bid to be convinced I've started a design thread on the HOW forum:
ReplyDeletehttp://heroworlds.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=30&page=1#301
geordie, don't you already own the PHB and Referee Guid (HOW core rules)?
Deleteif so, you are not the target audience. not sure why you want to be convinced to buy something you already have.
P.S. i already own the core too. this is not for me. this is for Chris and the fence-straddlers trying to decide if the $20 Core Rules is worth their money. if i paid $20 for the Core and didn't see some value in it, i would feel cheated and be likely to pass-on harsh, word-of-mouth reviews. if i paid $6 for a PHB and didn't like what i saw: "oh well. it was only 6 bucks. i didn't like it but you might."
ReplyDeleteI'm sure any fence-straddlers could make a decision based on Cauldron #0. With the amount of free stuff on the net spending $6 for a PHB then $20 on top of that if you like it means you've made the buy-in for HOW $26 FOR duplicate material. The PHB needs something extra in its prsentation or utility to remain useful.
ReplyDeletewell, my intention was to split the Core rules down the middle. $10 for PHB. $10 for Referee Guide. so, going forward, there would be no duplication.
Delete...but you are right about the fence-straddlers and Cauldron #0. i was trying to help Chris make some more sales. i'm truly sorry this idea was so offensive to you, geordie.
Delete'Instead an Adventurers focused intro book (no magic at all) might be a better starting place. My goal at this point isn't to create a true PHB, instead its more of a system into that allows you into the system but would not replace nor short cut owning the full rules'
ReplyDeleteThis quote from the forum thread sounds better than a straight-up cut-n-paste PHB.
sounds to me like what's already in the Cauldron #0
Delete