That’s a lovely illustration by Bryan Syme for the V20 Tal’Mahe’Ra Black Hand book, and also a visual metaphor for this day of leaping.
We stand here on the edge of February looking out over a promising March, so let’s jump into some hints about the coming month.
1- Very good chance, almost 99%, that the Demon Storytellers Guide PoD and PDF versions will be on sale on Weds. March 2nd.
2- Also a good chance that Beast: the Primordial will go on sale in PDF and PoD versions.
3- We expect at least one announcement about Onyx Path entering into a new sales venue.
4- A flood of projects going to the new White Wolf Publishing for approvals.
5- A different flood of new project pitches from our kooky cadre of consummate creators, because it is Pitch Season.
6- A big finish for the Pugmire kickstarter. Can we hit the Monarchies of Mau Early Access Stretch Goal we haven’t even announced yet?
I also think that this rare extra day is a good time to add an extra layer of responsiveness to what you need from the blog. I write this every week with the idea of an inside look at stuff that Onyx Path is doing (without stepping on the Open Dev Process blog posts the developers post during the week), and with updates to our projects in production and the sales, kickstarters, and conventions that are happening.
Sometimes I throw in some personal philosophy or other insights, even.
But now, on February 28th 2016, howzabout you tell me what you like and don’t about the Monday Meeting Notes?
More actual notes from the meetings I have earlier in the day? More random pieces of artwork just to share them? What I really think about Satyr Phil Brucato?
Let me know, and we’ll tawk.
BLURBS!
KICKSTARTER!
Tails are waggin’ and tongues are lollin’: it’s the Pugmire Kickstarter! Pledge to enable us to create a beautiful full color, hardcover, 180+ page, 7? x 10? core rulebook that we can also get into game stores. We’re at over 1100% and about to kick into high gear in the last week of this Kickstarter!
Backers can download the Pugmire Early Access PDF and get playing right away on the basic version of the game so check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/200664283/pugmire-fantasy-tabletop-rpg
When will be adding the Monarchies of Mau Early Access PDF as a Stretch Goal? Soon, cat-lovers!
And here is a very in-depth interview that Pugmire creator Eddy Webb had with The Gentleman Gamer where Eddy also answers all sorts of questions about Pugmire, Sherlock Holmes, his work with EarPlay, and Vampire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8ePtKD54Bg
And here is a video about how to make a character in Pugmire from super-fan Tercio2002: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXPrldy5sDs&feature=youtu.be&a
ON SALE!
The Demon Storyteller Guide has dropped its cover and will be on sale as a PDF and a physical copy PoD on DTRPG this Wednesday! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/170165/Demon-Storytellers-Guide
The Chronicles of Darkness Core Rulebook looms out of the shadows, and is now on sale with PDF and PoD versions on DTRPG: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/168428/Chronicles-of-Darkness
The Pugmire Early Access book is for sale in both PDF and PoD formats! Backers will still get the PDF for free and a discount on the PoD versions until the Kickstarter is over!
Gauntlet of Spiragos is a 5E D&D adventure for the Scarred Lands and is now available free as a PDF and as a physical book PoD. http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171523/Gauntlet-of-Spiragos-5E-OGL-adventure
Condition Card PDFs for both Chronicles of Darkness http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171574/Chronicles-of-Darkness-Condition-Numina-and-Dread-Power-Cards and Werewolf: the Forsaken 2nd Edition http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171573/Werewolf-the-Forsaken-2nd-Edition-Condition-Cards are now up dealt up at DTRPG, with PoD cards soon to come!
If you are into the Pugmire KS, here are also six Pugmire posters available as free PDFs or $.99 physical posters, suitable for framing:
- Spike Mutt: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/150845/Spike-Mutt-Pugmire-Poster-6
- Pan Dachshund: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/150844/Pan-Dachshund-Pugmire-Poster-5
- Jack Rat-Terrier: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/150944/Jack-RatTerrier-Pugmire-Poster-4
- Sgt. Leo Bulldog: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/150843/Sgt-Leo-Bulldog-Pugmire-Poster-3
- Princess Yosha Pug: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/149750/Princess-Yosha-Pug-Pugmire-Poster-2
- Sister Picassa Collie: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/148516/Sister-Picassa-Collie-Pugmire-Poster-1
Start spreading the Code of Man!
CONVENTIONS!
Gen Con 2016 planning has started. We booked our rooms in record time, so we are sure of a place to sleep to recharge our tired Onyx brains!
Here are some cons Fast Eddy Webb will be attending! Talk to him about V20 and Pugmire and Sherlock Holmes and Oxford Commas:
- Cleveland ConCoction (March 11-13, 2016, Cleveland, OH)
- AggieCon 47 (April 1-3, 2016, Bryan, TX)
- ECGC (April 19-21, 2016, Raleigh, NC)
- MomoCon (May 26-29, 2016, Atlanta, GA)
And now, the new project status updates!
First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)
- M20 Book of Secrets (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Exalted 3rd Novel by Matt Forbeck (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- CtL fiction anthology (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)
- Ring of Spiragos (Scarred Lands)
- VtM Endless Ages fiction anthology (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- BtP Building a Legend (Beast: the Primordial)
- Scarred Lands Player’s Guide 5E: Ghelspad (Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
- Trinity Continuum Core Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)
- DA V20 Dark Ages Companion (Vampire 20th Dark Ages)
- Trinity Continuum: Aeon Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)
Redlines
- Mummy Fiction Anthology (Mummy: the Curse)
- Wraith: the Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition
- Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition
- Dagger of Spiragos (Scarred Lands)
- EX3 Quickstart (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Second Draft
- Arms of the Chosen (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- The Realm (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- Dragon-Blooded (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- Signs of Sorcery (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)
- Cavaliers of Mars
- Night Horrors: Conquering Heroes (Beast: the Primordial)
Development
- W20 Changing Ways (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- V20 Lore of the Bloodlines (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Beast Ready Made Characters (Beast: the Primordial)
- Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition, featuring the Huntsmen Chronicle (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)
- Beckett’s Jyhad Diary (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- W20 Pentex Employee Indoctrination Handbook (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- CofD Hurt Locker (Chronicles of Darkness)
- DA Tome of Secrets (Vampire 20th Dark Ages)
- Scion: Alpha (Scion 2nd Edition)
Editing
- Dark Eras Companion (Chronicles of Darkness Dark Eras)
- WtF The Pack (Werewolf: the Forsaken 2nd Edition)
- V20 Ready Made Characters (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- W20 Shattered Dreams (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Shattered Dreams in-book stretch goals (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- W20 Kinfolk (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
Post-Editing Development:
- Scarred Lands Player’s Guide: Ghelspad (Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
- EX3 Backer Charms (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Indexing:
- Beast: the Primordial Core Book (Beast: the Primordial)
ART DIRECTION FROM MIRTHFUL MIKE:
In Art Direction
- V20 Ghouls
- W20 Shattered Dreams
- Promethean: the Created Second
- Scarred Lands PG
- Dark Eras Companion
- The Pack
- Secrets of the Covenants
- Necropolis Rio
- W20 Kinfolk
- V20 Ready Made Characters
In Layout
- Mage: the Awakening Second
- V20 Black Hand
- V20 Ghouls
- Beast Anthology
Proofing
- Ex 3 core book – From RichT: Indexing.
- Dark Eras
At Press
- M20 Deluxe Edition
- Chronicles of Darkness Cards
- Gauntlet of Spiragos 5e
- Forsaken 2 Condition Cards
- Beast Screen
- Lore of the Clans LtD Edition
- Lore of the Clans Screen
- Dreams of Avarice
Special- projects on hold in the art and production area until an external factor is resolved
- Wraith 20 – Can’t go further until art notes come in, still being developed by Rich Dansky.
- Pentex Employee Indoctrination Manual – Some added and amended text needs to come in.
TODAY’S REASON TO DRINK: Drink like the ancient nuts who created a calendar that has one extra day every four years. If we put that into a fantasy game world, you’d never accept it as anything but bad editing.
Comments
113 responses to “Looking & Leaping In Any Old Order [Monday Meeting Notes]”
What? What did you say? Monarchies of Mau stretch goal? I have no words…
Uh, I’ll read the rest of it presently, but that little outburst NEEDED to be, you know, burst out? I hope you announce soon. Sooooooon!
I can’t imagine what you are talking about. ?
So if the Beast book is about to go on sale, backers will be getting their copies soon? 😀
We need the index to finish the PDF, from which we’ll create the PoD printing files, get them approved as proofs and then set the book on sale. Backers will get their discount coupons for the PoDs. At the same time as we create the PoD printing files we’ll create the traditional printing files and get the book out to that printer. Then we have printing and shipping and backers gets their books.
Out of curiosity, approximately how long after the process you describe will the Beast Delux edition be in our hands?
Sorry, no estimates.
Query: With regards to PoD coupons – How many copies can you buy at “cost” with the coupon? one? As many as you want in a single order? As many as you want… period?
The coupons are to order one copy per code, unless you are a Kickstarter backer who pledged for multiple copies.
Dark eras are coming…
When’s M:tA 2nd Edition? I feel like it’s been in layout for forever.
Seriously. I could have swore a previous update said it was going into layout in front of Dark Eras.
Found it. And yep…
> Wyrdhamster
> February 1, 2016 at 8:32 pm
> Mage: the Awakening Second Edition is listed over Dark
> Eras – is it mean he got higher priority? 🙂
> richt
> February 1, 2016 at 8:44 pm
>Absolutely.
Sadly, I’ve pretty much given up hope on it at this point. 🙁
I’ve also been keeping an eye on this one.
Second Edition ploughed through a great deal of open content and has a very strong list of topics to read through yet has been in layout now since December.
We’re all ok with delays, but the concerning point is just how quiet WW and OPP have been on the subject.
Funny, it seemed to me that all I talked about was Chronicles of Darkness for over a month. Which Mage2nd is, of course, a part of.
Are you seriously saying you don’t think Mage2nd is coming out because it has taken longer than you expected?
I think it’s more that he’s given up hope of it coming out anytime soon rather than it coming out at all. I think there’s more of a worry about this going the Exalted 3e route than actually being canceled or anything of the like.
The lack of any solid update information and the implication of it definitely not coming out in the coming month is definitely not helping things.
I’m certainly not going to suggest that it’ll be out next month while it is still only in layout. Lots can happen. At the same time, this isn’t a thing where we are changing much for M2nd’s layout except the font, vs an entirely new layout style like EX3.
Look, we’re all eagerly anticipating it (Mage), but rules are rules bureaucratically speaking and we’ve got to have faith in the final result which they’ve worked so bloody hard to make ready for the big day of debut. I know we all want to tell stories pretending to be Wizards n such summoning representations of our Vices (or anchors now), praying to the dice Gods for 8s, 9s, and 10s will each trembling fist of ten-sided dice we throw at one another…but like I said, rules are rules! Be grateful (lawl)
I should clarify. I’m sure it will come out eventually, but I’m starting to give up hope that it’s coming out before myself and others I game with lose interest.
I know these things take time. And I know you don’t want to commit to a date. But from my perspective as a fan on the outside (and other posts, here and elsewhere, indicate that I’m not alone) Mage 2e’s development has seemed particularly erratic, seemingly taking a step back (or sideways?) for every step forward.
And as it stands right now, I have no idea if it’s coming out next month or next year. The last definitive thing we heard, that it would be prioritized over Dark Eras, clearly turned out to be untrue. And that’s fine. I get that priorities get shuffled. But does that mean it’s next in line? Guide to the Black Hand has been in layout for 5 months now. And if that math were to stay consistent, it could literally be next year before Mage 2e gets released.
That’s why we’re concerned.
I know the frustration for Mage. I remember it (at one point) being slated for Fall 2015, here it is March 2016 and it’s still only in stage 8 of 10. Once CoD rules started going live I held off on starting a new Mage game because I didn’t want to have to redo everything when the new rulebook dropped. But at this point my players have definitely lost interest.
That being said, I take all the staps back and sideways as a really good sign. There was a lot from MtAw that needed cleaning up and improving. I’m hoping the expanded time means some killer content, so I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation. I do hope we see some solid rules for enchanted item creation (something my players constantly complained was lacking from the first edition).
There is no line. The books are generally worked on simultaneously, either all by Mirthful Mike, or with freelance graphic designers. Yes, Black Hand was in layout longer than normal because sometimes during proofing of the layout we discover issues with the writing or editing as well as layout issues. Black Hand had some of those and so there was only some progress the Mirthful One could make while waiting for text revisions. And like any project being worked on during the CCP=>Paradox=>WWP transition, there were several multi-week stretches where things slowed down or stopped as we got the approvals process figured out. Mage2 had a similar slowdown but it was not yet in layout and so it’s time finishing development took longer. But we have worked out most of those kinks (I say knowing that the moment I say they are fixed completely a new monkeywrench will get thrown in) and really don’t expect the same circumstances of new owner and new process to hit us again the same way.
Sorry, that’s the process. When we post that it has gone to proofing or whatever, you’ll see the progress.
To me, it’s Werewolf 2ED situation, all over again. In short – it means “it will be ready, when it will be ready”. Even year later than first estimations.
Basically, yes.
What’s the chance of pre-index PDF update for backers on Exalted?
None. We’ll use the absolutely finished version of EX3 including the index as the update to the backer PDF, and be creating the PoD version printing files and the Deluxe printing files from that.
Not that I want the Ex3 Core book to have to go through another editing pass, but are you going to wait a week or two between posting the final pdf and setting it up for PoD, just in case someone spots a big error?
That was the purpose of the advance PDF. Once the finalized PDF is done, it’s… well, it’s final.
There will be time, but it will have to be one earth-shattering big error!
Like how half a page of the text in the backer pdf ended up hidden behind some of the art?
That would be a really big one, yes indeed!
Concerning Exalted, its currently listed as Indexing. Once that is done, what’s going to happen? Is it going to go out to backers for a bit before its going on general sale (as it was before it was redone) or what? I (sadly) didn’t get into the kickstarter when it was being made and I want my mits on it:)
Indexing finishes the project and we will go on to create the PoD version and will tweak those same files to send to the printer for the Deluxes. When the PoD is OK’d we will put that and the PDF on sale to the general public.
On a more prosaic note, I really do quite like these updates just the way they are, which is to say a little random, I guess? That ‘what-so-ever falls out of RichT’s head’ structure isn’t everyone’s brand of tea (and not precisely what we get week-to-week, mind), but for me it gives me a glimpse into the HOW and WHY of things that dry meetings minutes cannot.
More to the point, I like how much these notes show that the ‘man behind the onyx curtain’ – so to speak – is really a bloke not too unlike the rest of us. Again, maybe not everyone digs that like I do, but it’s fun to share in your (and everyone’s there at the Path) victories and defeats. More than anything, it really helps me be less of a prat on forum boards when I know that ‘they’ aren’t faceless monsters who keep me from getting my books about OTHER monsters!
That’s really been my hope by kind of rambling on week after week.
Dark Eras in prrofing? Let me start drooling…
Will the final book for Pugmire be in digest form, like the pdf? I really like that format!
Pugmire is described on the Kickstarter page as 7″ X 10″, so the final version will be a bit bigger than the Early Access.
DOH! I see it now (sorry). I originally was not that interested in it, but when I saw that the early access was $1.99, I thought I would try it out. It has been a fun read and NOW I am VERY interested in it (I keep mentioning it to my 5th edition friends). Thanks and cheers!
Awesome! Thanks for spreading the word!
I like the way it is! I just miss the way the Layout section was more detailed, like contracting, waiting a few sketches, etc.
And Dark Eras back in Proofing again! Perhaps in a couple of weeks, we will have our awaited “Historical-Chronicles-pocalypse”!
DE is a-comin!
Funny, you’re the first person to mention that they noticed that Mirthful Mike dropped the more in-depth comments to his update.
I’m sure I’m not the only one to notice it, just assumed it was something to buy time in writing these. But I really liked seeing it. 🙂
Oh, forgot to add. I love when you add art pieces, especially from Chronicles of Fucking Darkness, as it’s the games I play.
So the unfortunate reality is, we dropped the in-depth part of the art/layout stuff because Mirthful Mike was less mirthful about being accused by some folks of disrespecting Mage2nd. It was more stress than he needed on top of art directing and doing the layout work for almost all of our projects. We try and be as transparent as possible, but in the end if community response attacks a creator, then I’m going to be OK with them pulling back and doing their work without accusations. It’s up to him when and if he puts in more info again.
And just to be clear, and I’m talking in general to any reader here, Max- not to you specifically, please don’t respond to this with further attacks. Forum rules apply on the forums, and “this is my house” rules apply on this blog.
I’m planning on adding more art- we really have some of the best in the business and I’d like to show it off more.
Poo, I really miss Mike’s commentary, it helped me understand how things were progressing. People need to get the sticks out of their butts. I totally understand though. Hopefully one day they can come back
Whats the difference between indexing Beast and Proofing Exalted(Indexing)
In terms of the process, they are in the same phase. We’ve had EX3 in proofing so long, I just left it there so folks can find it easier.
Oh God, please tell me the new sales venue has something to do with selling things in Canada. It’s like the looney doesn’t even want to be a real currency anymore, and I’m kinda committed to getting the Ex3 books in physical form.
Speaking of which, how are the Ex3 Storyteller Screen and cloth map doing? I can’t remember if we had any updates on them.
Haven’t been any because the Screen is, you know, a collection of charts on one side and art on the other all based on the core book, so we needed that finished, and the map is the map art printed on cloth. So the first update will be to say we are sending them to press along with the deluxe book.
As for the economic issues between the US and Canada, I don’t think even we mSters of reality shifting can make that situation change!
Oh, that sounds more straightforward than things usually are around here. Thanks!
Many things that derive from the core rulebook, which was excruciatingly complicated, are simple once the core has been finalized.
I enjoy the Notes as they are, for the most part. I would echo Max in liking when Mike put more information in his art notes, though.
I have become increasingly curious about Pentex Employee Indoctrination Manual. How much text is being added and amended? It’s been like that for a long, long time now.
A bunch of text. Stew Wilson is another developer whose daytime job has expanded this last year, causing a few periods where he slowed down his progress on phases needing his direct work like the Pentex changes.
Ah. I was actually going to post a question asking about the Pentex Indoctrination Handbook. I’ve never been as invested in Werewolf as some of the other properties, but I love the Fera and I LOVE Pentex, so I’ve really been looking forward to this one dropping. It’s good to know a little more of the context around that text. I hope that even if it’s slowed down Stew has been able to keep poking at it some here and there. I am very much looking forward to having that text between my Deluxe Book of the Wyrm and my old Pentex Guide to Subsidiaries.
Stew mentioned that the Pentex Guide work was slowed, but he didn’t say stopped. It’s coming along-
Come on, the Pack! Also Secrets of the Covenants.
I feel like a gambler betting on the worst dog race ever. Fortunately I win every time something crosses the DTRPG finish line.
As for the blog, I like it.
Hey Rich,
Forgive me if this has been asked and answered already, but I realized today that I’ve seen the Trinity and Scion Alphas in various sections of development now but I haven’t seen the Story Path system in the updates in a while. Does this mean that the system is complete and now Scion and Trinity are progressing in their respective systems and books? Or has Story Path just kind of been folded in with those two since that is the primary system they are using? Just curious, and super excited for the new version of both of those game lines!
As per the comments in the Feb 8th Notes, “Storypath” isn’t a product, it’s a ruleset, so once it was completed it was removed from the list.
I guess both the options you give are true. The base system is pretty much complete, and it has been folded into the development of Scion and the Trinity Continuum to be added to as those two games need it to be. That being said, if we discover that there are tweaks to the base system that really help it because of more playtesting or the Scion and Trinity Continuum development, we’re going to go ahead and make those changes so that when those games come out the base system is as robust as we can make it.
As Rich said, I’m on both Team Trinity and Team Scion. I’ll be making improvements and notes. That said, Scion and Trinity are going to look VERY different on the system level, even as they’re using the same basic engine.
Thanks guys! That’s kind of what I thought happened but glad to hear it confirmed and that the individual game lines are progressing. Can’t wait to see what the finished products look like!
Me too! 🙂
What’s with the “Tal’Me’Rah” stuff? Isn’t it called “Tal’Mahe’Ra” anymore? I thought you were misspelling it, but it seems to be consistent…
Mike usually posted it as “Tal Me Rah” but then settled on “Black Hand.” Sometimes the pronunciation we hear all the time during meetings catches on. I’m about 99% certain that the actual book is still “Tal’Mahe’Ra,” though. 😉
I included that variation exactly as Ian notes because of “Black Hand” in Mirthful Mike’s notes seemed to confuse some folks and yet his short-hand version of the title didn’t. Was an attempt at humor. Switched it to the actually spelling in the blog now.
Thanks! I guessed that was the reason, but you never know… 😀
Show us more artwork and give us a lot more details about the current state of any RPG, especially the “hottest” ones and please a lot less personal info. You can create miracles but please more info about them. You could write whole articles about upcoming new titles. Keep our interest up! Don’t let the steam to go away.
I’d love to see more details about what’s going on with the products. More art, more comments from the authors, more about the problems and logistics involved with Onyx Path. I feel emotionally and financially invested into Onyx Path, but my itch to see how it’s going sits quite unfulfilled at times.
Less generic notes, and more substantial updates! Give us stuff! Tell us what’s going good, what’s going bad, we really do care!
I’m quite thrilled with some of the other companies whose work I’ve been Kickstarting as I feel much more the part of the process with them.
To your point, that’s one of the harder aspects of writing this thing every week – I have the feeling that the logistics are flat out boring for most folks. “Today our Business Manager sent out 14 checks and I played phone tag with a printer rep about a project we haven’t revealed yet, followed up with a Dev on including a backer name but I can’t tell you who or for what because they just plumb forgot to include it and we don’t want them to look stupid, and read three pitches for projects we may or may not do and reviewed a PDF.” Plus, there’s the financial info that I am flat-out contractually unable to reveal except in the most general sense because the WW IPs are a license.
I would also like to show more of the amazing art we get in, and I have been trying to bring more into this blog each week, so that can certainly be accelerated.
Oh, I never expected you to show us your financial stuff. And I expect that some stuff is blocked by the fact that you cannot talk about it without consulting the licensor.
But I’d love to hear more about approvals, changes, art notes, what goes wrong and right. What makes certain books take so long in an individual step. I would have loved to hear why Wraith took so long, or what led the Ex team to scrapping the book at one point and starting from scratch.
I trust that you will get me the best stuff you possibly can. I’d just like to know more about what’s going on.
For instance, I pledge a lot for Modiphiuses work (they have a lot of licensed properties as well), and their updates are loaded with things you can munch on – book chunks, art as it progresses, commentary on what the licensor wants and how they cope with those demands.
I know there’s very few of you and that you’re running a tight ship. You have a million products at once and it’s hard to juggle PR on top of that. I also know that we will get the best books you can make for us.
I’d just love to see more. Maybe you could employ someone in the community to help out. As it stands you’re spread thin and the info is very curt and to the point, unless a specific dev is doing blog articles or you’re doing kickstarter promotion.
I think that looking at Mophidius’s communication as a goal for where we could grow to is a good thing, so long as nobody thinks we are their size as a company. Yet. I appreciate the specific examples, too. In terms of Wraith or Ex3’s development, are you a backer of either of those KSs? Because I have explained those things you asked about, a good couple of times, in Updates to backers.
I’m hoping you’ll find our outreach less information-based (curt) and more involving in the months to come as one of our initiatives in 2016 is to show off and engage you guys with more of the fun. In some ways, adding in “asking” instead of pushing the “telling”.
Indeed I am. I’ve backed most of your work as I really think you folks do great stuff.
I mentioned Wraith because I was thinking of the delays, but that was handled so much better then Exalted. I was quite aware of Deadguy’s troubles and the Wraith curse (wanted to type Rich, but that might get confusing), and I feel that you covered this quite well compared to Exalted. You were even kind enough to give us a number of previews of the the text as it was coming along.
Exalted on the other hand felt like a mess, and I’ve found out more about the progress before early 2015 from scouring half a dozen forums then I did from the Kickstarter. It was tiring and stressful.
If Wraith is what we can expect and you plan to keep us better informed, I can only say that’s the better way to go.
Modiphius also started out very small, they have only gotten proper offices a couple months ago, and only started hiring full time comparatively recently.
I think there is room to communicate more and you’ve been improving, but damn I’ve rarely been as sour as I was about being clueless abour Exalted 🙁
Well, I really appreciate you continuing to back our other projects after the debacle with EX3. I _did_ inform backers as soon as I could after the Gen Con the Devs talked to me about redoing the Charms and thus more other rules than I ever anticipated, I apologized and took full responsibility for delays but I think the confusion at that point about messaging was already hard to get past. I could certainly have handled that expectation better and our response to it with more regular Updates> Which is one of the things you learn after doing a bunch of these things.
Rich, Thank you for taking the time to respond. It’s really nice to be heard on something like this.
My pleasure!
I just wanted to thank the whole krewe for sending out these Monday Meeting notes. It really makes waiting for the new products to come out a lot less beastly than it may otherwise be. I really appreciate that you are willing to show the magic that goes on behind the curtain. Overall, this is one of the fairest companies I have ever had the pleasure to support.
In response to the inquiry among the MM Notes, I personally would like to see more insight to the ongoing projects, more details regarding the status of these projects that seem to have been trapped in torpor for a while. I know that the current active projects run through quite a long gauntlet before they are ready for release, but more awareness is always appreciated.
Cool, thanks! So what kind of details are you interested in me talking about?
Something compact is probably best for this medium, but just something giving a little more info as to the current status of projects. It has been difficult waiting for the most recent bestowments, especially when it looks like no progress is being made. I would like to know more about the processes embedded in the project, and following a project through the whole creation process would be a fun way to gain that insight. This is the first time in my memory that I’ve followed a company like this, so I am deeply curious about the whole pitch-to-product process.
Well, barring anything huge I need to announce next week, how about I walk us through that very process next week? It is timely with it being Pitch Season!
That would be awesome! Thanks so much.
He shoots. HE SCORES!!!!
I like the monday meeting notes the way they are in all honesty. About the only thing that could make them better is a Mummy/Geist 2nd edition confirmation. 😉
Yes, I know you can’t tell us yes or no. Yes, you have told me I need to enjoy what is available now rather than neeeeding those to have a proper 2nd edition. I got a problem. I think it’s a good problem though.
I love the quality and genius changes I see with the 2nd edition OPP versions and quite frankly… im addicted. I blame you guys for making such good products. lol Also, hyped to hear more about Deviant because that also sounds pretty awesome. Essentially I just want more CofD settings compatible with the 2nd edition ruleset. Mummy and Geist just stand out so heavy in my mind because they are referenced in the already existing CofD products.
TLDR: Keep up the good work. Gimmie moar stuff to feeds my addiction.
Yes, clearly you are addicted past the point of listening to reason. 🙂 We should be getting some Deviant info posted in the coming months as Dashing Dave Brookshaw really gets the project kicked up.
Sounds awesome. Also, I should be able to suppress my hunger for those two game-lines when beast comes out. I’ve been fleshing out a long term campaign idea for it that will keep me busy for quite a while.
I think the book im most excited for has to be hurt locker though. The ideas in there should be able to fuel a good number of long lasting campaigns. And Scion… and Trinity… and Pugmire… honestly any game made with the OPP design philosophy.
Hopefully I can get to the next convention OPP is present. Haven’t had the opportunity with previous ones.
Scion’s being made with a slightly different philosophy. But I do plan on making a lot of blog posts about it!
Yea, I played the 1st edition as well and loved the concept and its heroic powerscale sort of feel. Mainly it all comes down to me wanting to move my group in the direction of playing SP style games exclusively. Been fairly easy actually as different friends have enjoyed different games from OPP. Scion was probably the most unanimously loved among all of us in concept but the 1st edition system had a bit of stability issues that seemed to show themselves quickly that erked a few of my rules centric players.
Read a few things about the new Story Path system and it seems that Scion 2nd edition is going to be a absolute dream to play. Origins has me very excited since I enjoy having the tools to run lower power games in a setting or really flesh out normal characters. Just need to get some time to be able to read the entire ask Neall thread on the forum. Once again, its always great to see devs willing to communicate with their fan base. Awesome stuff.
Come onnnnn Dark Eras and Mage2! And. . .almost everything else!
Generally, I love more information, whether the thoughts of the developers, more detailed statuses on projects, or spoilers on said projects. Obviously you all can’t tell us everything about everything, but it’s still nice when you can give us scraps!
Trinity Continuum: Aeon Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)
Is the plan still to have the core book for TC be a modern book and then do setting specific titles from there? Could swear that some time previously that was mentioned as the timeline for 4 books (3 previously published with the core, a modern action/adventure based, as the fourth).
Yes. As seen on the Current Projects page, among other places, the Trinity Continuum core rulebook contains a modern-day action-adventure setting and rules for playing Talents. Aeon, Aberrant, and Adventure! will follow.
when referencing Modern-day Action-Adventure, leaning more Clancy-esque technothriller or Remo Williams, The Destroyer or somewhere in between?
I’ve been posting teasers to the blog every Thursday for about a month. Please feel free to have a look at those to get an idea of where we’re going.
Mmmm, pitch season. Sounds delicious. I hope Rose pitches her idea for a Chronicles of Darkness Wraith game again.
Reminds me though. Do you ever take pitches from out of the blue?
Yes, with a signed Submission Form from the Onyx Path site. Good pitching!
Hi! Long time reader &c. My partner and I are planning to start a small press by the end of the year, if all goes well. We aren’t really sure entirely what we’re doing, but if you wait until you’re 100% ready, you’ll wait forever. This blog (plus a few internships) has helped me to get an idea of what the structure of our business side should be, especially in terms of production chains. I’m very grateful that you have been so open with your process, both in terms of being a fan and being an Impending Professional. I’ll be very interested to read the pitch entry next(ish) week, but, for whatever my two cents are worth, I’d like to keep seeing structural stuff. Nothing particular to your company, of course – I understand you have secrets you want to keep – but anything to help a two-person operation be a little closer to 100% when we ger off the ground.
You can also reach out to me at richt@theonyxpath.com if you want to talk about more specific start-up issues. Thanks and good luck!
I’m sorry if i sound like a bit of a broken record…but…I feel like I’ve been waiting quite a while for V20 Ghouls. I see that it’s listed in Art Direction and In Layout – am I correct in thinking that this means laying out the book with the art? How is progress going on this?
Apologies again, but I am antsy about it, because it would be very helpful for an upcoming game I’m trying to start with some friends.
Would also like to thank all of you for the hard work you do, it shows, and I’ve loved the classic world of darkness since I started playing in ’98 🙂
You are correct, that’s where it is. We don’t expect that the progress on V20 Ghouls will stop at this point. And, you’re welcome!
What would I like to see in the Monday Meeting Minutes? Less dog posters, more actual deadlines and dates.
The former is going to happen once the KS is over, the latter is not likely.
Any news on the Ex3 music?
Nothing besides the last post about him working on Lunars or I would have posted it to the Backer Update.
Would like to see more art.
Deadlines and dates would be great, but I know Onyx Path’s views on those sorts of things.
Otherwise, the blog is fine. Just keep the interest up, Rich. Keep the releases coming.
You guys got a backlog made from hellfire and brimstone, with some of those books scheduled to be released over a year ago. No one is saying “rush,” but maybe keeping up the interest in them is the way to go.
No, I don’t know how to do that. That’s your job. Tee hee.
So beast and demon tomorrow? And if so backers get their discount for the former?
Demon Storytellers Guide tomorrow. Still need index and PoD proofing for Beast, so I’m really hoping this month. Not this week.
Fair enough. I haven’t finished cofd anyways. I don’t need my queue that big. I was just hoping soon for beast meant really soon. A man can dream.
Also on the Monday meeting. I like them as is with your musings. If like them earlier in the day. But well. I assume that can’t be helped. But they’re my favorite part of Monday.
DEFINITELY more pics! They’re the things that get me through the long, cold nights without all the pretty books I’m waiting for. 🙂
(Although truth talk: I live in Australia. We don’t HAVE cold nights.)
Not even in the interior desert?
Not what you guys would consider cold. Record minimums are around -6 Celsius (21 Farenheit) overnight in winter.
Our lowest ever temperature across the entire country was -23.0 C (-9.4 F).
Hi Richt,
First i really enjoy the blog, it makes me feel like i’m part of your enterprise. Second, i would like to see in this blog some lines on a specific product each week. A kind of things like: “And this week, we talk about W20 Kinfolk, authors have just finished the chapter 2 which is about…. Next is chapter about…”
Something like that. I would also like to have some lines about new product like the Dark ages companion which appeared in the list whithout any comment.
But these are wishes, i already enjoy blog as it is currently.
Right now, I’m trying not to post only to push projects- that’s why I added the Blurbs! section. If there is something that isn’t what a developer might post, like in your example of the description of projects you might not be aware are coming, then I’ll try and work it in. Thanks!
In the spirit of pitch season I just want to say I have seen many many Mage fans talk about how much they want to see a Sorcerer’s Crusade 20th anniversary line. I know Werewolf the Wild West isn’t getting a 20th line, but VDA did, and SC so desperately needs a Lore of the Traditions SC style and a Lore of the Conventions Order of Reason era. There is just SO MUCH THERE! I am running the hell out of SC right now with the M20 mechanics, but I just so much want more to dig my teeth into with that content.
Historically speaking, we really want to do a Victorian Age Mage first. Glad you are enjoying SC though, it was one of Satyr Phil’s dream projects and I had a blast designing the symbols.
Oh and my current plan is to bring my chronicle forward in time through the technocratic reorganization during the Victorian era. So I definitely want Victorian Mage first. I would just love to see the Renaissance traditions and conventions get the attention their modern counterparts have received eventually. I definitely wouldn’t want to pre empt anything already on the projects timeline.