What’s the Deal? [Monday Meeting Notes]

Those are three of the Clan cards from the Prince’s Gambit casual Vampire: the Masquerade card game that we will be Kickstarting next week. Here’s a bit of text we’re using in the KS that helps describe the game:

Designed by long-timeย Vampire: the Masqueradeย tabletop RPG developer Justin Achilli,ย Prince’s Gambitย is a fast-paced social deduction game set within the world ofย Vampire: the Masquerade, but which requires no special knowledge to play. Players must cooperate to gain the favor of the Prince while deducing who among them are secretly the traitorous Sabbat infiltrators.

We’re going live at 12 noon, Eastern US time, next Tuesday the 21st and hope you’ll join us for Onyx Path‘s first-ever fantastic card game Kickstarter!

Here’s a link to our Prince’s Gambit Example of Play video, hosted by Justin Achilli himself, with a special guest role by our own Eddy Webb. It’s about 10 minutes long, but goes through the important set-up and highlights how a typical game plays: https://youtu.be/b9SSpeli5JEย 

Since this is our first card game Kickstarter, expect that we’re going to go for a pretty straightforward set of Rewards, and then see where we can go with the Stretch Goals. We’re all pretty excited about it over here, and looking forward to ya’ll joining us!

 

 

M20 Book of Secrets art by Eric Lofgren

 

Next up, some of you might recall me talking in earlier installments of these merely magnificent meanderings we call a blog about how Onyx Path was “shoring up its infrastructure”. Those efforts, made possible by our being able to absorb Rollickin’ Rose and Mighty Matt full-time into the gestalt mind that is Onyx Path and so have the bandwidth needed, are starting to show results.

Going as far back as Rose’s review of her own Vampire: the Requiem 2e game line, and her decision to step away and bring on Dangerous Danielle Lauzon as her awesome replacement, we’ve been reviewing each line and the creative teams involved. Mostly, we’ve been looking for ways to help them bring out their creative vision for the projects while still adhering to a publishing structure we and the creators can agree on.

This is not always an easy path to try and make work, and we’ve had some instances where we can’t make our needs and those of a creator mesh. Other times, external issues mean that the working situation is a bad fit.

(Actually, I really like the phrase “bad fit” for these sorts of situations. I stole it from some HR training back in the day, because it just seems to express a truth about some employees and some jobs and how they don’t go together. The person isn’t a bad person, nor is the job a bad job, overall. It’s just not a good match or fit, at that time, with the way the person needs to be, and what is needed for the job. This has more truth to it and expresses how these situations are more multi-faceted, than our all-too human need to assign blame, IMO.)

By-and-large, we’re going to make any changes without much in the way of announcement or explanation. And if we do say anything it will be to laud new creators coming to the fore. Because they deserve it.

 

 

V20 Dark Ages Companion art by Michael Gaydos

 

Finally, after having said how we’re pushing forward to shore up how we do things and get more projects out to you in time-frames that mean you can better enjoy the lines…I’ve got to tell you that right now, a bunch of our projects are stuck.

If you look down at the At Press section of Mirthful Mike’s part of the progress report, you’ll see a stack of projects uploaded for PoD proofs from the PoD printer. Just sitting there for a couple of weeks now.

Apparently, the servers at DriveThruRPG and those at the PoD printer are refusing to talk together, or so I’m told. Personally, I think that it’s a thinly veiled disguise to mask the birth of Skynet and all the servers are conspiring against us.

Regardless, we’re in a holding pattern for those and any other PoD books that aren’t already on sale.

So, GRRRRR!

Two steps forward and one step back has been the staccato rhythm on the Onyx Path (and at WW before that) for years, so we should be used to it. But I repeat: GRRRR!

Folks are talking. Tech crews are begging the AIs to work (or for mercy). And we’ll get these great projects out to you all as soon as we can!

 

BLURBS!

KICKSTARTER!

Assuming the Prince gives us his Favor, we will be going live with our Kickstarter for Justin Achilli’s Prince’s Gambit casual Vampire card game on Tuesday, March 21st at 12 noon Eastern US time!

Designed by long-timeย Vampire: the Masqueradeย tabletop RPG developer Justin Achilli,ย Prince’s Gambitย is a fast-paced social deduction game set within the world ofย Vampire, but which requires no special knowledge to play. Players must cooperate to gain the favor of the Prince while deducing who among them are secretly the traitorous Sabbat infiltrators.

Next, the Monarchies of Mau KS is scheduled come after Gambit.

 

ON SALE!

Changeling: the Lost is now available as a Bundle of Holding! All offered products are deeply discounted, and 10% of all proceeds go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

 

DTRPGโ€™s GMโ€™s Day Sale is in its LAST HOURS! Check out all sorts of sales and bargains on Onyx Path and White Wolf PDFs at DriveThruRPG.com!

 

 

 

iprlogo

Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Hereโ€™s the link to the press release we put out about how Onyx Path is now selling through Indie Press Revolution: https://theonyxpath.com/press-release-onyx-path-limited-editions-now-available-through-indie-press-revolution/

You can now order wave 2 of our Deluxe and Prestige print overrun books, including Deluxe Mage 20th Anniversary, and Deluxe V20 Dark Ages!

 

 

The Secrets of the Covenants for Vampire: the Requiem 2nd REVEALED this Wednesday on DTRPG! Physical copy PoD version coming to DTRPG: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/199280/Secrets-of-the-Covenants

Vampires gather under many banners. But five have endured the tumult of Western history better than any other. The Carthian Movement. The Circle of the Crone. The Invictus. The Lancea et Sanctum. The Ordo Dracul. Each has its fierce devotees, its jealous rivals, and its relentless enemies. Now,for the first time, the covenants speak for themselves.
This book includes:
  • A variety of stories from each of the covenants, all told in their own words.
  • Never-before revealed secrets, like the fate of the Prince of New Orleans.
  • New blood sorcery, oaths, and other hidden powers of the covenants.

 

 

From the massive Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras main book, we have pulled this single chapter, Dark Eras: Fallen Blossoms (Hunter 1640-1660 Japan). Japan is moving into the Edo Period. New laws and new ways of thinking wash over the land, and with a new order come new threats to humanity. Take a look at the Vigil in a time where samurai transition from warlords to bureaucrats, Japan massively and lethally rejects outside influence, and when Edo rapidly grows into a world power.

Continuing our individual Dark Eras chapters, we offer you Dark Eras: Fallen Blossoms on in PDF and physical copy PoD versions on DTRPG! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/205483/Dark-Eras-Fallen-Blossoms-Hunter-the-Vigil

 

 

From the massive Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras main book, we have pulled this single chapter, Dark Eras: Doubting Souls (Hunter 1690-1695 Salem). Immigrants and tribes struggled to co-exist on the Eastern Seaboard in the ever-expanding Colonies. Violent clashes, supernatural beliefs, and demonic influences spelled disaster for Salem Village and its surrounding towns, while others fought werewolves and vampires on the frontier. With so much at risk, only god-fearing men and women were deemed innocent โ€” and those were few indeed.

Available in PDF and physical copy PoD versions on DTRPG: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/204372/Dark-Eras-Doubting-Souls-Hunter-the-Vigil

 

 

From the massive Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras main book, we have pulled this single chapter, Dark Eras: The Bowery Dogs (Werewolf 1969-1979 NYC). New York City in the 1970s. Crime. Drugs. Gang violence. Vast economic disparity. And werewolves. Itโ€™s a lean, ugly time to be alive, and the lone wolf doesnโ€™t stand a chance out there. In the end, all you really have is family.

Available in PDF and physical copy PoD versions on DTRPG: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/203762/Dark-Eras-The-Bowery-Dogs-Werewolf-the-Forsaken

 

 

cofd_hurt-locker

The Locker is open; the Chronicles of Darkness: Hurt Locker, that is! PDF and physical copy PoDs are now available on DTRPG! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/199275/Chronicles-of-Darkness-Hurt-Locker

Hurt Locker features:

  • Treatment of violence in the Chronicles of Darkness. Lasting trauma, scene framing, and other tools for making your stories hurt.
  • Many new player options, including Merits, supernatural knacks, and even new character types like psychic vampires and sleeper cell soldiers.
  • Expanded equipment and equipment rules.

Hurt Locker requires the Chronicles of Darkness Rulebook or any other standalone Chronicles of Darkness rulebook such as Vampire: The Requiem, Werewolf: The Forsaken, or Beast: The Primordial to use.

 

 

 

Both the Beast: the Primordial http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/198773/Beast-The-Primordial-Condition-Cards & Promethean: the Created 2nd Edition Condition Cards http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/202619/Promethean-the-Created-2nd-Edition-Condition-Cards are now on sale on DTRPG in PDF and physical card PoD versions! Great for keeping track of the Conditions that are on your characters!

 

 

 

From the massive Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras main book, we have pulled this single chapter, Dark Eras: Ruins of Empire (Mummy 1893-1924). Perhaps the quintessential era of the mummy in the minds of Westerners, this period saw the decline of the two greatest empires of the age: British and Ottoman. Walk with the Arisen as they bear witness to the death of the Victorian age, to pivotal mortal discoveries in Egypt, and to the horrors of the Great War.

Available in PDF and physical copy PoD versions on DTRPG. http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/178801/Dark-Eras-Ruins-of-Empire-Mummy-the-Curse

 

 

From the massive Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras main book, we have pulled this single chapter, Dark Eras: The Sundered World (Werewolf and Mage 5500-5000 BCE). At the birth of civilization, in the shadow of the Fall, the Awakened stand as champions and protectors of the agricultural villages spread across the Balkans. In a world without a Gauntlet, where Shadow and flesh mingle, the steady taming of the world by humanity conflicts with the half-spirit children of Father Wolf.

Available in PDF and physical copy PoD versions on DTRPG. http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/202272/Dark-Eras-The-Sundered-World-Werewolf-the-Forsaken-Mage-the-Awakening

 

 

Night Horrors: Conquering Heroes for Beast: the Primordial is available now as an Advance PDF: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/202615/Night-Horrors-Conquering-Heroes

This book includes:ย 

  • An in-depth look at how Heroes hunt and what makes a Hero, with eleven new Heroes to drop into any chronicle.
  • A brief look at why Beasts may antagonize one another, with seven new Beasts to drop into any chronicle.
  • Rules for Insatiables, ancient creatures born of the Primordial Dream intent on hunting down Beasts to fill a hunger without end, featuring six examples ready to use in any chronicle.

 

 

The PDF and physical book PoD versions of Reap the Whirlwind, the Vampire: the Requiem 2nd Edition Jumpstart swirls into being on DTRPG! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/201127/Reap-the-Whirlwind-Revised-VtR-2e

You are a vampire, a junkie. Every night, you beg and you borrow and you steal just a little more life, just a few more sweet moments. But thereโ€™s a guy at the top. The Prince. Heโ€™s got everything. The money, the secrets, the blood.

Tonight, youโ€™re going to take it from him. Tomorrow, thereโ€™ll be hell to pay.

This updated edition of Reap the Whirlwind features revisions to match the core rulebook for Vampire: the Requiem 2nd Edition. Text edits and rules clarifications have also been updated.

Reap the Whirlwind Revisedย includes:

  • Rules for creating and playing vampires in the Chronicles of Darkness
  • The first two levels of every clan Discipline, the dark powers of the dead
  • A complete adventure by noted horror author Chuck Wendig

This new revised Reap the Whirlwind Revised includes an updated booklet, 7 condition cards, and the interactive Vampire: the Requiem 2nd Edition character sheet.

 

 

 

Open the V20 Dark Ages: Tome of Secrets now on DTRPG! Both PDF and physical book PoD versions are now available! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/197358/V20-Dark-Ages-Tome-of-Secrets

The Tome of Secrets is a treatment of numerous topics about Cainites and stranger things in the Dark Medieval World. Itโ€™s about peeling back the curtain, and digging a little deeper. Inside, youโ€™ll find:

โ€ข Expanded treatment of Assamite Sorcery, Koldunic Sorcery, Necromancy, and Setite Sorcery

โ€ข A look at Cainite knightly orders, faith movements, and even human witchcraft

โ€ข Letters and diaries from all over the Dark Medieval World

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONVENTIONS!

Impish Ian Watson will be on a Q&A panel at CAiNE http://www.caine2017.ca/ being hosted in Hamilton Ontario March 16 to 19th 2017!

Discussing GenCon plans. August 17th โ€“ 20th, Indianapolis. Every chanceย the booth will actually be 20? x 30? this year that weโ€™ll be sharing with friends. Weโ€™re looking at new displays this year, like a back drop and magazine racks for the brochure(s).

In November, weโ€™ll be at Game Hole Con in Madison, WI. More news as we have it, and hereโ€™s their website: https://www.gameholecon.com/

 

 

 

 


And now, the new project status updates!

 

 

DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM ROLLICKING ROSE (projects in bold have changed status since last week):

First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)

  • Exalted 3rd Novelย by Matt Forbeckย (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  • Trinity Continuum: Aeon Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)
  • M20 Gods and Monsters (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • M20 Book of the Fallen (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • M20 Cookbook (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Ex Novel 2 (Aaron Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  • C20 Novel (Jackie Cassada) (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Pugmire Fiction Anthology (Pugmire)
  • Monarchies of Mau Early Access (Pugmire)
  • Hunter: the Vigil 2e core (Hunter: the Vigil 2nd Edition)

 

Redlines

  • Scion: Origins (Scion 2nd Edition)
  • Scion: Hero (Scion 2nd Edition)
  • Kithbook Boggans (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • WoD Ghost Hunters (World of Darkness)
  • Trinity Continuum Core Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)

 

Second Draft

  • Theย Realmย (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  • Dragon-Bloodedย (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  • BtP Beast Playerโ€™s Guide (Beast: the Primordial)
  • V20 Dark Ages Jumpstart (Vampire: the Masqueradeย 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • GtS Geist 2e core (Geist: the Sin-Eaters Second Edition)
  • CtD C20 Jumpstart (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Pugmire Panโ€™s Guide for New Pioneers (Pugmire)
  • VtR Half-Damned (Vampire: the Requiem 2nd Edition)

 

Development

  • W20 Changing Waysย (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Signs of Sorcery (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)
  • SL Ring of Spiragos (Pathfinder โ€“ Scarred Landsย 2nd Edition)
  • Ring of Spiragos (5e โ€“ Scarred Landsย 2nd Edition)
  • SL Dagger of Spiragos (Pathfinder โ€“ Scarred Landsย 2nd Edition)
  • Dagger of Spiragos (5eโ€“ Scarred Landsย 2nd Edition)
  • Arms of the Chosenย (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  • Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition, featuring the Huntsmen Chronicle (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)
  • Book of Freeholds (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)

 

Editing:

  • CtD C20 Anthology (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Wraith: the Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition
  • M20 Art Book (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • BtP Building a Legend (Beast: the Primordial)

 

Post-Editing Development:

  • CtL fiction anthologyย (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)

 

Indexing:

  • Pugmire

 

 

 

ART DIRECTION FROM MIRTHFUL MIKE:

Inย Artย Direction

  • Beckettโ€™s Jyhad Diary โ€“ new stuff ADโ€™d
  • W20ย Pentexย Employee Indoctrination Handbook
  • V20 Dark Ages Companion โ€“ Got finals from Osterberger and Leblanc… and two more from Gaydos.
  • Dagger of Spiragosย  โ€“ Finals in progress… and maps are progressing.
  • VTR: Thousand Years of Night
  • Cavaliers of Marsย โ€“ ADโ€™d
  • Monarchies of Mau Early Access โ€“ Prepping notes for artists
  • BtP Building a Legend โ€“ Contractingโ€ฆ
  • April Foolโ€™s thing โ€“ Leblanc should be cranking out the cover for the (REDACTED) thing this week.

 

Marketing Stuff

 

In Layout

  • Princeโ€™s Gambit โ€“ Making the remainder of graphics this week.
  • C20ย โ€“ With Aileen
  • M20 Book of Secrets โ€“ย Layout in progress.
  • Dark Eras Companionย โ€“ย Adding in correctionsโ€ฆ
  • W20 Song of Unmaking – Knocking that out Monday.
  • 1000 Years of Night

 

Proofing

  • EX3 Tomb of Dreams Jumpstart โ€“ first proof.
  • V20 Lore of the Bloodlines โ€“ย At WW for approval

 

At Press

  • Ex 3 Screenย โ€“ Ready to ship, shipping started last week.
  • Ex 3 core book โ€“ Ready to ship, shipping started last week, along with map and bookmarks.
  • Beckett Screen โ€“ Shipped to shipper.
  • W20 Shattered Dreams โ€“ Shipping.
  • Shattered Dreams Screen โ€“ Shipping.
  • Beast Conquering Heroes โ€“ Uploaded and processing. (See above in the blog for all these “processing”)
  • Mortal Remains: Beast- Red In Tooth and Claw โ€“ Uploaded and processing.
  • Dark Eras: Beneath the Skin โ€“ย Uploaded and Processing.
  • Dark Eras: Out of the Cold โ€“ Uploaded and Processing.
  • Necropolis Rio โ€“ Uploaded and processing.

 

 

 


TODAYโ€™S REASON TO CELEBRATE: Today, let’s celebrate this wonderful time of year, when the breezes are starting to warm us, and the trees are starting to bud, and flowers starting to sprout, and AHHHHHHH there’s a blizzard barrelling down on us!

Today, let’s celebrate the beauty of the deep snow, so white and sparkling (like vampires). The way the ice glistens on the downed power lines as they snap, crackle, and pop. But mostly how nice it is to stay inside and see all of it out the window!


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53 responses to “What’s the Deal? [Monday Meeting Notes]”

  1. Brennen Avatar
    Brennen

    How’s the Ex 3 music coming along?

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Slowly, but surely.

  2. Isaac Carr Avatar
    Isaac Carr

    Amazing to see all these posts about Pugmire, Card games, hiring on new folks, etc. and yet there has been no new info on the Exalted arm of OP for months. A kickstarter that brought in over $650,000 and the most we hear quarterly is, “we are working thur some complications.” And that feels like just a copy and paste of the same comment from 3 months prior. Serously, no new ground is being made? DB has been in 2nd draft for a year now? You guies know we want to play the game but I just dont think 1 fatsplat every 4 years is gonna retain player interest, much less give us fuel to try sing the games praises to possible new players. Is there nothing positive in the future of Ex3 beyond the corebook might ship in the next month?

    Like Mulder said, we want to believe!

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      A couple things about Exalted: first, we’ll be saying a few things about the line in the weeks to come that should ease some concerns about releases.

      Second, not sure what the point is in quoting the amount the Kickstarter made.

      1. Dwight Avatar
        Dwight

        Imo most people assume that after a project gets backed and KS takes their cut the artists should just take their payment and only work on that project 24/7 until it comes out and give all sorts of updates because reasons.

        However reality can be quite different. Personally I only back projects that are 100% ready to roll day one after being burned on one kick starter too many.

        1. richt Avatar
          richt

          Maybe, but that’s why I expressed confusion as to mentioning the amount, rather than say, the number of backers or size of the book, or whatever. In EX3’s case, the creative team was working, but not delivering when we all wanted (them included). They had the option to hire more people, but felt that that wouldn’t help. Beyond that, the life issues that came on during the time they were working on it wouldn’t have changed if we somehow threw money at them.

      2. Johnny M Avatar
        Johnny M

        With respect, Rich, I doubt more words are going to change the minds of most Exalted fans. We’ve been fed volumes of mea culpa and elaborate rationalizations for years now.

        No offense intended, but why should anyone believe this newest salvo of “reassurance?” Exalted’s track record on such is spotty, at best.

        Either take action to right the ship or save yourself the trouble of typing more “things.” I’d love to give you money for Exalted, but you have to provide the product, first.

        1. richt Avatar
          richt

          First off, you’ve been given the facts as they became available to us. Yes, we took responsibility and apologized, but now that’s a bad thing?

          Second, I agree about it being a time for action. We have no intention of continuing EX3 as things have gone. However, if you expect us to drop five completed books in your lap this month, then let me tell you right now that that is not going to happen. We can present a plan, and then tell you how that plan is designed to fix things, but work still needs to be done and that takes time.

          1. Dwight Avatar
            Dwight

            Imo I think a good start would be to just drop the hostility towards “we don’t discuss release dates” rather give a ball park window of three months and if you miss the date state the reasons why and give a new window or do a loose mile stone schedule (we expect it to be at step x by x provided things don’t suck). It doesn’t involve a hard date and really improves the transparency beyond a few chosen words in a blurb.

          2. richt Avatar
            richt

            You’re misreading our responses to the “can you give us an estimate for gameX”. If my, or Ian, or Matt’s response is terse, it’s not from anger or hostility, we’re just weary of repeating the same answer over and over again. And no, the solution to that is not to start giving release dates. We just need to remind ourselves that we might hear the question time and again, but the person asking probably doesn’t realize that.

          3. Dwight Avatar
            Dwight

            So your answer is basically don’t give the customer any information about the product they want and don’t be a shitty person about it. Right.

          4. richt Avatar
            richt

            We give lots of information. Far more information than we ever gave back in the day at WW, and we’ve been lauded here and in other social media for how much we are sharing these days. Just not a release date until the project is actually ready for release.

          5. Apromor Avatar
            Apromor

            ” We have no intention of continuing EX3 as things have gone.” I like the 3rd edition core book that I received and I’m pleased with the charm booklet, but if this statement gets put into action it would make me happier than anything done by white wolf in years. I realize that writing the game is challenging, but I’m skeptical that the time that has been put into the game has been done at all efficiently. I’m disappointed that it hasn’t been faster, and I sincerely hope you’ll be quicker. I’m looking forward to it.

          6. richt Avatar
            richt

            Yes, we’d like to have progressed faster, too. That was always the intention of the Dev team, but the realities of publishing smashed into the realities of real life, and things moved a lot slower than anyone wanted or planned for. We’ve worked for several months to find ways to turn that around, and we are close to announcing a plan. Thanks!

          7. Apromor Avatar
            Apromor

            Oops I wrote white wolf when I meant Onyx Path. sorry

          8. Chesh Avatar
            Chesh

            A lot of industries that provide goods seem to be similar in a few respects: those goods don’t appear by magic, unexpected things happen, and the workers are all human.

            I’ve never worked in publishing, so I’m willing to admit that I don’t at all understand the ins and outs and systems you guys use to do what you do. If things aren’t going as smoothly or quickly as expected, then I’m sure there are good reasons. All that matters is that you don’t let it get you down, because when you guys enjoy what you do, that’s what makes these game lines enjoyable for us, too.

            I’d rather you guys take the time you need to pause if you have to, figure out what’s right, figure out what’s wrong, adjust where it’s needed, and come out the other side with a product as great and polished as you clearly want it to be for us. Thank you for your dedication to quality, and I hope the road bumps along the way smooth out for all of you.

        2. Watson Avatar
          Watson

          If no offense is really meant, you might want to avoid phrases like, “fed volumes of mea culpa and elaborate rationalizations,” and putting “reassurance” in quotes. It comes across as passive-aggressive, even if that is not your intent.

          Yes, we are all impatient to see 3rd edition get in its groove. But, think about what we have gotten. The Core is more than twice the size of a fat splat in previous editions. It contains more than half the number of MA styles than we got in the entire 1st edition. It contains enough spells to not only flesh out a Sorcerer character, but also to differentiate them from other Sorcerer characters. Plus, the mechanics actually work.

          Yes, Onyx Path needs to get going with this line, but they have been transparent with what has been happening and why they have made the decisions they have made.

  3. Second Chances Avatar
    Second Chances

    Did those artist shenanigans on the Dark Eras Compainion get resolved? Or did Ian just not meantioned them because of their ongoing status? Thanks as always for updates, they are really helpful. I’m not a WoD fan, so I’m unlikely to back Prince’s Gambit (saving up for Deviant and Dark Eras II) but I’m very excited to see how it goes. I think you could make a super interesting card game around Mummy: the Curse’s memory mechanic!

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Yes, pretty much. Fingers crossed.
      As for the Prince’s Gambit KS, we certainly don’t expect everybody to back every KS. We will use our experience with this KS to judge how other card games for other lines might go, so some feedback in lieu of full-on backing would be helpful, regardless. Thanks!

      1. nifoc Avatar
        nifoc

        I think card games are a great idea for some of your games, even though I am not a fan of WoD, I used to be but CoD is so much more in line with what I wanted out of WoD.
        I might still back the card game, it depends on the price tag, had it been V:R rather than V:M it would have been a sure buy, now it’s a maybe for me.

        It’s nice to see you branching out into card games. I remember a beta for an Exalted card game, maybe that was fan made though, but an Exalted card game, not just a fighting game but you can win by amassing political power and possibly other ways as well, would be fun. Like in the old V:TES where you used blood to symbolize everything from political clout to actual blood. Have one set of HP that can be attacked politically, physically or whatever and start out with a set where you can play Solars and then add the other splats as stand alone expansions like the LCG model used by FFG.

        It may be a bit too big of a project but I’d love something like that. The same idea and mechanics could be used for a CoD game, even a free-for-all Vampires v. Werewolves v. Mages etc.

        1. richt Avatar
          richt

          Like a lot of our projects, we’ll be looking at feedback and response to Prince’s Gambit when determining whether to exert thought and creative effort for other projects for other game lines.

        2. Austin Loomis Avatar

          I remember a beta for an Exalted card game, maybe that was fan made though

          No, that was a WW product, but it never quite cohered enough to be put on the market, and then (as I remember the chronology) came the CCP buyout.

          1. welverin Avatar
            welverin

            Did that morph into the two board games, or is it just a coincidence those came out later?

          2. richt Avatar
            richt

            No, the board games were always planned separately.

    2. Ian A. A. Watson Avatar
      Ian A. A. Watson

      Art Direction is handled by Mike Chaney. I’m not involved.

      1. Second Chances Avatar
        Second Chances

        D’uh, I know that. Had a brain moment.

  4. Julius Avatar
    Julius

    Will there be localized version of the Prince Gambit?

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      We don’t do multi-language versions as a regular thing, and this is our first card game; we rely on translation and publishing partners in other languages. So, if any of them are interested, we’d be glad to talk with them.

  5. Ekorren Avatar
    Ekorren

    Prince Gambit looks very much like Resistance/Avalon. From the video, it basically looked like a reskinned version. There aren’t any issues with copyright?

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Never heard of it.

      1. Ekorren Avatar
        Ekorren

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Resistance_(game)

        G&S’s Tabletop has a gameplay video as well.

        1. richt Avatar
          richt

          Looking at this, plus the various Werewolf and Mafia games, there are similarities through all of them. It’s the genre of games Prince’s Gambit is a part of, that social-deduction style of game.

  6. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    Thanks for the updates and I am increasingly excited for C20!

    Also, the? Shatter Dreams book I received was so freaking gorgeous it made me excited to back more physical books. Thanks folks, keep up the excellent work!

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Awesome! Very glad to hear it!

  7. Yiodan Avatar
    Yiodan

    1. Gambit seems similar to the Battlestar Galactica game and that is awesome. I have absolutely loved playing that, so, count me very much in on Gambit. We didn’t see the clan powers come into play on the video, however. If I may suggest, it would be nice to be able to read them on the KS page so we can see how they can affect strategy.

    2. Otherwise, I wanted to chime in on a topic that was grazed last week. About the prospect of the starts and stops and thinking about no longer giving away information until the books are out.

    I think OP, needs to think about what is good for OP. Drama can be a boon or a curse, depending on the individuals involved. Some people thrive on it, others see their drive sapped by it. And sometimes it’s a little bit of both. I certainly feel like you’ve always been fair and forthcoming with information in so far as you could be and tremendously respect the effort made in that direction. I feel like it is a positive thing, so, of course I would love for OP to continue doing that, but not at the expense of another human being’s feelings or risk of his/her exhaustion.

    Role playing games resonate with its audience in a strong way so there will be strong reactions. Some will be good and can be a tremendous source of motivation; some will be bad but even those come from passion.

    It will never be easy. Whatever path you chose, I assure you, I will continue to follow it.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      1- I’ve heard that from several playtesters, and always with the idea that that is cool. The cards will be more readable with the KS.

      2- Well, I’ve had a few folks speak up about appreciating the info we share, so I’m not thinking we’ll be making a big change right now. But it is a balancing act.

      1. Victor J Kinzer Avatar
        Victor J Kinzer

        I want to chime in and say that I really appreciate the info you share. I know on occasion I’ve asked for more than you’re comfortable sharing and when more isn’t forthcoming I’m really ok with that. I love the more info in large part because I work in a production delivery environment of a different type, so I know the ebbs and flows and hiccups are just part of seeing this far down the rabbit hole. For someone who doesn’t have that perspective I can see how it might be frustrating, but I definitely feel a lot better being able to see what’s coming and it definitely gets me excited for the products. I imagine without this blog I would probably miss some releases and I might not pick them up as quickly or maybe at all unless someone else pointed them out to me. So there’s definitely also a marketing use at least for some of the more involved players.

  8. perverseness Avatar
    perverseness

    Have they sacrificed a case of codefuel in the name of William Gibson before the alter of the great and mighty SERVER?

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      They just did a mighty purge, and we re-uploaded all the files. So we’ll see.

  9. MegaZarak Avatar
    MegaZarak

    Do you guys ever wonder about spreading yourselves too thin? I don’t feel like counting but you guys make so many different games it seems like supporting everything would be a nightmare.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Constantly. We try and plan for projects that touch on each line in turn, so every line gets a little something if they aren’t a big release or rollout. Because most of the creation happens with external creative teams, we can juggle a lot more than we could if we had to hire all our creators inhouse. Circumstances of the WW licenses kind of required that sort of set-up, originally, but it’s a good arrangement for us still.

  10. Unsilent Majority Avatar
    Unsilent Majority

    Looking like there’s a ton of stuff in a wee bit of a logjam, not unlike last year, which was cleared up by you guys.

    You’ll handle it just fine, Rich. : )

    And looking forward to the KS on Tuesday!!!

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Yep, although this logjam is outside our control. We just have to wait semi-patiently.

  11. Tim Flannigan Avatar
    Tim Flannigan

    Looks like C20 is getting closer. Woohoo, can’t wait!

  12. Balbary Avatar
    Balbary

    My group has been playing EX3 for like a year now, and yeah I want the book, but playing the game is the most important part.

    But all I want to say is all complications and Kickstarter junk aside, I still love the game, the setting, the feel, all that stuff. And I love Dragon Bloods and am very excited to see that book eventually to make them more real in the EX3 world.

    People are frustrated, and I totally get that. But personally I’d rather wait years for a product than never have it. Thank you to the Exalted team for sticking with it despite the bumps (and lumps) along the way.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Thanks! Your support is very much appreciated, and enabling folks who have EX3 to be able to play is a big part of our plans.

    2. Victor J Kinzer Avatar
      Victor J Kinzer

      I recently started playing EX3, and it’s actually my first time playing the game and I have to say that book is pretty fantastic. I am very interested to see your upcoming announcements about Exalted because now that I’m in on the game I’m realizing my favorite aspects of the world aren’t lined up to get any love for quite a while (Sidereals/Fair Folk), but what you’ve delivered so far is fantastic and like Balbary I’d rather wait and eventually get a really fantastic product than see books rushed out the door.

      1. Tim Flannigan Avatar
        Tim Flannigan

        Hey, Victor, the Sidereals and fair folk have their own books in either 1st or 2nd edition. The rules won’t match up but you can still learn a lot about them from those books.

        1. Tim Flannigan Avatar
          Tim Flannigan

          1st ed, I checked. Love those two books. I think Fair Folk at least came out for 2nd, don’t know about sidereals.

        2. Victor J Kinzer Avatar
          Victor J Kinzer

          Oh I’ve seen them for the earlier editions. I would just very much like to see how they would look in 3rd edition. I love Graceful Wicked Masques.

          1. Tim Flannigan Avatar
            Tim Flannigan

            I was in the playtest for Graceful Wicked Masques. They were supposed to send us the actual book for free for testing it. That never happened.

  13. perverseness Avatar
    perverseness

    @richt Just got my Lore of the Bloodlines pdf. Please extend my comgratulations to the art department. Sweet jumpin jeebus that book is pretty

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Thanks! I’ll pass on your appreciation to Mirthful Mike and all involved!