As a follow up to last week’s blog (which you can get to in a click here: https://theonyxpath.com/a-pair-of-ducks-bought-white-wolf-monday-meeting-notes/, thanks Monica!), I had a very nice conversation with the CEO of the new White Wolf Publishing, Tobias Sjogren last week. The art above by Brian LeBlanc for W20 Shattered Dreams is the exact opposite of the nature of our call, although I’m sure Tobias would have jumped a Wyrm beast with me if I had asked. So far, there’s not a lot I can share with you folks, because really, this was more along the lines of getting to know each other and hanging out in a coffee shop than a first date.
We did talk a fair bit about Kickstarters and how they have tied into our WW IP efforts, though, and how I wanted to be sure he understood that these are ongoing deliveries and not a one book and done sort of thing for us. Our talk and a couple of follow-up emails with our old friend Martin Ericsson who missed the chat due to a fever from too much Halloween hoopla in New Orleans, and I think we are all on the same page. They’re working very hard to understand the extent of what our amazing crew here at Onyx Path has been able to do in just a few short years. We will have more meetings.
But all the Kickstarter talk made me realize how many great bits of news has come out of our KSs all last month, so I thought I’d recap them here:
Right now, we have the Deluxe W20 Shattered Dreams KS running towards hitting it’s first Stretch Goal and with about 10 days to go. We’re in the slowed down period that happens in the middle of every KS, and we’ll be pushing some advertising about this out to see if we can make a few more people aware of this book. Centered as it is on the pivotal War of Rage as well as some additional conflicts, and allowing play in both the modern day World of Darkness as well as an option to travel back through time to these war-torn Eras, the book is packed with drama for both the Garou and Changing Breeds.
We’ve also included Achievements such as sending us pics of you baying at the moon or your Werewolf tattoos as an added bit of fun during the Kickstarter. If enough folks send these sorts of things in, or if we hit a goal of FB likes or Twitter followers, backers will get added rewards! We did this during the Deluxe V20 Lore of the Clans Kickstarter and got tons of responses. Don’t let the leeches outdo you, Garou Nation!
Speaking of which, Deluxe V20 Lore of the Clans is getting ready to move to the next stage after its errata was gathered for the backer PDF. We were really thrilled by the response to this KS as the community really came together from the Open Dev Process before the KS, and then to commenting and doing Achievements during the KS, and finally with helping out by finding errata. Eddy is continuing work on V20 Lore of the Bloodlines, which was a project that came out of the Stretch Goals during the Deluxe V20 Lore of the Clans Kickstarter due to backer support.
As for the Deluxe Mage 20th Anniversary Edition Kickstarter, well, we’re getting the errata for How Do You DO That?! input and the project is rolling along towards being put up on DTRPG. Again, this was a Stretch Goal project that really took off thanks to backer support (and there are many more additional projects to come). The Deluxe M20 cover, and the Ultra Deluxe M20 cover mock-up copies came in today, and:
Right now, they are just the covers, but this gives you a good idea of the way the Deluxe matches both V20 and W20 (although with a different texture to the black) and the Ultra Deluxe hearkens to all three previous editions of Mage. You can’t see it in one pic, but when you turn the book, the card starts to burn (visually, not for reals, yeesh!). Also, both books have an inset M20 graphic disk on the spine. From this stage we’ll be going to press with the interior this week.
When we’re talking about covers, we’ve got to bring up the cover for the Deluxe V20 Dark Ages as well, as I think it is one of our most beautiful, ever. This was another incredibly fun Kickstarter campaign, with lots and lots of backer involvement, and we have several additional projects that came out of it. Deluxe V20 Dark Ages is in the last stages of shipping out this week (as estimated for those keeping score at home), and here is the finished book:
The Backer PDF for Beast: the Primordial was actually out to its Kickstarter backers before we had estimated, and while that Kickstarter campaign was best described as tumultuous, we’ve had fantastic feedback on the errata and are moving forward with the PDF/PoD versions for DTRPG, and the Prestige traditionally printed versions.
The Kickstarter campaign for nWoD Dark Eras was another amazing ride for us as backers voted on which additional Dark Eras to add to the finished book. There were many strong arguments made for some of the possible Eras that folks really lobbied for, and ultimately the response was so huge that we created a whole ‘nother book of Dark Eras following the one we had the KS for! You can see the progress on both of the DE books in the updates below.
We were able to release another backer preview of a chapter for the Deluxe Wraith 20th Anniversary Edition as Rich DeadGuy Dansky continues to pull together the text for his mammoth labor of love. We won’t be winning any marks for hitting the estimated date on this one, due to unexpected day job responsibilities for poor RichD, but the chapters we’ve been previewing have received a lot of praise.
And then. Of course. There is the Deluxe Exalted 3rd Edition backer PDF. After all the ups and downs, the errata phase for the backer PDF closes on Wednesday this week, and we can begin to compile everyone’s fantastic notes. A bunch of art is being corrected or redone entirely, in particular those pieces that were not completely finished, or which “used reference directly” that we might not have known needed fixing without our community sussing it out. As things start to get pulled together, Holden has reached out to backers in the four Unique Charms reward tiers in order to get their ideas for the Charms that will be created and compiled as per their Rewards.
Finally, KS-wise, we have plans for something before the end of the year, and keep an eye out in January for a KS from Nocturnal Media run by original WW founder Stewart Wieck and featuring a Land wracked by Scars.
Finally, for reals, Impish Ian Watson sent me this capture to remind me that his project, The Trinity Continuum, is coming, even after my first mention of it to him four years ago almost to the day:
BLURBS!
KICKSTARTER!
The War intensifies! We’re approaching the first Deluxe W20 Shattered Dreams Kickstarter Stretch Goal which is for the creation of a W20 Auspice Gift Deck (we’re starting with Auspices, but hope to do others as well). We have a bit more than one week left to go for this supplement detailing the multiple eras of the Wars of Rage as well as how to use the War in a modern Chronicle.
As noted above, for this W20 Kickstarter we’ve added Achievements to our usual mix of Rewards and Stretch Goals, with the idea that you can participate to unlock some rewards that aren’t part of the fund raising per se. We’ve already hit some of the Achievements! So, come pledge and send us pics of you howling at the moon or holding your pet rat(kin)!
ON SALE!
Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition PDF & Standard and Premium PoD physical book editions are NOW AVAILABLE on DTRPG! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/149562/Mage-the-Ascension-20th-Anniversary-Edition
Vampire 20th Anniversary Edition: The Dark Ages is NOW available in PDF and PoD versions at DriveThruRPG.com! This massive full color tome is part of the V20 line but does not require V20 to play and enjoy.
The Pugmire Pamphlet we had available at Gen Con is now ready for PDF download. Read about the world of Pugmire from the enthusiastic and optimistic pen of Princess Yosha Pug, as well as notes from the gruff and worldly hunter Pan Daschund: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/153518/Pugmire-Gen-Con-Brochure
There 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!
We’re one of the Contributing Sponsors at Midwinter Con this year this January in Milwaukee! RichT, Fast Eddy Webb, and Newlywed Neall Raemonn Price will be there at our booth as well as running demo games of Scion and Pugmire. We’re still working out panel concepts with the MidWinter gang, but expect at least one session where we ask for your feedback for Vampire 4th Edition. In the meantime, check out the show here: http://www.midwintergamingconvention.com/
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 anthology (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)
- Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition
- Signs of Sorcery (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)
- Night Horrors: Conquering Heroes (Beast: the Primordial)
Redlines
- Mummy Fiction Anthology (Mummy: the Curse)
- Wraith: the Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition
- Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition, featuring the Huntsmen Chronicle (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)
- WtA Kinfolk (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- V20 Ready Made Characters (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Cavaliers of Mars
Second Draft
- Arms of the Chosen (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- The Realm (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- Dragon-Blooded (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- Beast Ready Made Characters (Beast: the Primordial)
- WtF The Pack (Werewolf: the Forsaken 2nd Edition)
- Beast Fiction Anthology (Beast: the Primordial)
- Beckett’s Jyhad Diary (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
Development
- StoryPath System Rules (Base rules set for Scion and the Trinity Continuum)
- Scarred Lands Player’s Guide: Ghelspad (Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
- W20 Changing Ways (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- nWoD Hurt Locker (World of Darkness 2nd Edition)
- VtM Lore of the Bloodlines (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Dark Eras Companion (nWod Dark Eras)
Editing
- V20 Ghouls (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- V20 Black Hand: Guide to the Tal’Mahe’Ra (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- W20 Shattered Dreams (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Promethean: the Created 2nd Edition, featuring the Firestorm Chronicle (Promethean: the Created)
- W20 Pentex Employee Indoctrination Handbook (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Dark Eras Expansions (nWod Dark Eras)
- Secrets of the Covenants (Vampire: The Requiem 2nd Edition)
- M20 Anthology (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
Post-Editing Development:
- Pugmire Early Access
- Cursed Necropolis: Rio (Mummy: the Curse)
ART DIRECTION FROM MIRTHFUL MIKE:
In Art Direction
- V20 Ghouls – Awaiting text.
- W20 Shattered Dreams – KS underway.
- Mage: the Awakening Second – Just waiting on a couple of stragglers and art is done.
- Promethean: the Created Second – Sketches and finals continue to roll in.
- Scarred Lands PG – contracting… just need to get the “big stuff” dealt with.
- Dark Eras – Working out art buy for new sections.
- Pugmire Early Access – contracting.
In Layout
- Dreams of Avarice – working.
- Demon STG – Working on it.
- Guide to the Black Hand – Working on it.
- NWoD 2 – At Paradox for approval.
- NWoD 2 Cards – Once NWoD 2 is done.
Proofing
- M20 How Do You Do That ?!? – Awaiting Errata.
- Ex 3 Anthology – Awaiting updated text file.
- V20 Lore of the Clans – Making all the errata changes.
- Beast: The Primordial – Backer errata phase.
- Ex 3 core book – From RichT: Backer PDF errata will be closed on this Weds, so there’s still time to use the “Contact Me” link next to my picture on the KS page, and only from that link, to send in anything you note as errata. This is the way we need to gather any fixes needed, it would be impossible for us to keep track of it throughout all the venues that folks are talking about it. Art corrections are in progress. Holden has reached out to the Unique Charm Compilation Reward backers for their ideas for the Charms that the team will be creating for them.
At Press
- V20DA – Deluxe shipping to backers!
- M20 – Deluxe cover proofs OK’d (see above), on press Thursday.
Special- projects on hold in the art and production area until an external factor is resolved
- Dark Eras – Expanded text from the KS has to get through the dev stages above.
- 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: To our long awaited launch from four years to next year (?!?), Ian! (see above).
We need an Onyx path con. It needs to be in the north east. I dunno I feel the need to say this now. But it must be so. #makeitsonumberone
You get it set up and I’ll be there!
Whereabouts in the North East? Washington or Baltimore works best for me, but I can understand that not everybody lives in Maryland.
Hmm…an Onyx Path con might actually be a great idea. We should make this work.
That Vampire Dark Ages book looks so awesome! I can’t wait to get my physical copy! I see so many great projects and I can’t wait to get them all! Every book looks like a must buy!
Thanks! Let me know what you think when you get yours!
The moment I took the book out of the box, I knew I was holding something that could not quite be described, but *experienced*. I am loathe to put it with the rest of my gaming books: It is, so to speak, an entirely different monster.
Awesome!
Here’s hoping that mystery Kickstarter involved the letter C and the number 2 and 0!
Hate to burst your bubble but it’s The Trinity Continuum
Don’t bet your house on _that_ one, Dwight!
Then everything must be steady as she goes if Paradox is letting you go ahead with kickstarters that haven’t been started yet.
Like life, it’s a mystery.
Does everyone have to stand alone?
If you call our names, we might feel like home.
Great recap, Rich! Sometimes it’s easy to forget all of the irons you guys have in the fire. Next time someone gets uppity about the next book for “their” game taking longer than expected to come out, point them at this entry and remind them that your “to-do list” is getting bigger, not smaller.
Keep up the great work! 😀
To be fair, anybody who backs one of our KSs shouldn’t really be expected to worry or even care about our busy schedule. But yeah, that’s sort of what went through my mind when deciding to do this post- context really.
Both sad(about the delays), but still optimistic that whenever Wraith 20 is released, I’m positive it will be good.
Changeling 20 KS is still in the cards for before the end of the year I hope.
So far, I’ve only heard good things about the section RichD has been able to pass my way for posting to backers.
I’ve read the full spectre section and the systems chapter and honestly they are both pretty stellar. The “History of the Spectres” was a little dry for me personally, but that’s an aesthetic that some people might not share. The information in it was excellent,and well developed though. The crunch in the spectres chapter and the systems chapter were both absolutely home runs. I’m very excited about Wr20.
Thanks! I’ll pass your kind words on to RichD.
For me, the great news concerning Paradox is that they didn’t put the approval process on hold, since NWoD2 has been sent to them 🙂
No, they are strongly committed to not bogging us down with approvals, This being the first go at an approval process, I don’t think anybody involved knows yet how it will go.
So what I’m hearing is that everything nWoD is business as usual for the time being, and I should get off my arse and finish my cover letter for Onyx Path?
Yes, yes, that’s exactly what I’m hearing.
Anyhow, it seems everything is going positively with Paradox. It seems like they are receptive to the fact that a lot of us are really invested in OPP and nWoD, and I can’t ask for anything more than that. I hope I’m right!
Getting off arse and doing a thing = always good. Things need to be done to be real. Thanks!
Is NWod 2e the first book you’ve had to submit to Paradox for approval, or was that Beast?
Will us Dark Eras backers (or Beast backers) who pledged for it get our copy of NWod 2e when it’s first released, or will we have to wait for the final version after the errata fixes? I’m really hoping for the former.
It’s our first book to P for approvals. Most likely the latter as I don’t think we should assume that all of the backers want to go through the Advance PDF process for an added PDF.
That’s a shame. I would have liked to get the advance pdf into my hands as soon as possible, and possibly provide errata, instead of having to wait for the finished product.
Well, we’ll see.
I’m of a similar mindset. Having added it on to my Dark Eras pledge I’d be a little disappointed to have to wait while there’s any version out there in the wild.
Will the Mummy Fiction Anthology ever see the light of day? Nearly three years after the Mummy KS and it’s still in redlines, which is the place it’s been in for what, like a year or more?
Until the text comes in from a Dev, we really can’t do anything with it.
Great news, but to be sincere i never doubted that PARADOX would give you the well deserve recognition for your fantastic work this few years -i mean, reinvigorating all the game lines in just 2 years and a half, ¡is quite an accomplishment!-. I think i don’t have anything more to say, except Richt and OPP marvelous crew: keep being awesome and stay with us many many years.
So… EX3 non-backer PDF sooner than i think? :P.
Thanks and since I dunno what timeframe you are imagining, I can’t really say. And we all know what estimating delivery dates has been like for EX3.
Hehe, just messing with you. Take all the time you need, i’m just eager -been writing a chronicle for four months, and sincerelly i’m getting excited for it-.
Speaking of witch, the game still keeps the SAS system right?
Have a nice day!
Should still mesh with the SAS, I would think, but the older ones won’t have all the new system stuff like conditions in there.
I didn’t back the Dark Ages Kickstarter, but I kind of wish I had. That book is slick. Also, I know the OP team has taken a lot of flak about missed deadlines, but these updates help alleviate concerns about that somewhat. It’s always disappointing when things don’t work out, but at the same time, the products ARE being developed and ARE delivered. That said, I’m looking forward to Wraith20.
I actually wouldn’t say a lot of flack. There are some folks who need to have an estimated date be set in stone, and I get that, but we have never been about that here at Onyx Path and I think our projects reflect a high standard of quality because we are willing to take the time to get something just how we want it. And sometimes, like with Wraith20, there is just nothing that can be done with the situation with RichD’s day job (y’know, the one he has done for 15 years and which supports him) other than to yank the project from the developer most dedicated to the game. Not something I would feel right about doing or would think of as a good move for the project.
As with just about anything online, a very loud minority can look like something close to consensus. I was just over at the V20: DA KS page, and there are SOME less-than-happy posts regarding shipping and tracking numbers, but it’s NOT close to ‘a lot flak’ over it. The EX3 delays (or PERCEIVED delays) sadly overshadowed many successes I saw from Onyx Path, but dang is that book lovely! Totally worth the wait, I say.
…I don’t mean to speak for Onyx Path nor for RichT here. This is a fan’s perspective on it. As a fan, I feel that everything has gone surprisingly well, and I’m sure they shall continue to do so!
It’s good to hear that they are interested in what’s going on here.
Btw: what’s the ETA on the other download links for the Beast KS reward tiers?
No ETA as yet, I’d like a couple more of the new versions to happen first, or at least nWoD 2.
I see. I take it those Beast + another splat rewards were very popular. Understandable.
Yes, exactly. Thanks!
There’s a slightly ominous lack of detail about your meeting – fingers crossed, you didn’t botch an etiquette check with the C?a?m?a?r?i?l?l?a? Paradox rep.
That aside, is there any news on the V20 Ghouls front? I’m looking forward to being able to see the sun.
Change can be scary. No way of knowing how things will ultimately work out, but so far so good. Ghouls remains in editing.
I’m really excited about the DAV20 book, it looks beautiful.
Shattered Dreams is also something I look forward to and I hope we’ll get at least $60k there *squeals at the thought of alternate Settings*
Also: Since I couldn’t find the Book of Secrets (DAV20-version), am I right to assume it is not yet being worked on?
Thanks! V20DA Book or Tome of Secrets: If it is not on Rose’s list, then writers are not yet working on it in a contracted capacity. For anything not listed, it doesn’t mean the dev is not pulling things together and putting them down on paper (screen), but we don’t put that stuff on the list.
Nice to hear that there might be something doing on. I think of brain-storming and stuff like that now.
‘Cause that’s a stretchgoal I _reaaaaaaalllly_ like. I might be slightly hyped about that one. Maybe. Just a little.
Did I mention how much I like that particular project? 😉
Always good to hear!
Yup, I hope that people don’t hesitate to back Shattered dreams because of the paradox – WW stuff. Perhaps the book i’ve been the most waiting for. Moreover, i hope that OPP will continue his wonderfull work on the cWod lines: Since what you’ve done on M20, i finally understand this game :-D!
They might be hesitant, but I’ve been assured that Paradox is OK with us fulfilling all our KSs up through Shattered Dreams. So really, not a huge risk.
I’ll be much more comfortable when I hear a solid confirmation that Changeling 20th is still a go. I want desperately to throw my whole check book at that one.
The image of the Mage Deluxe makes me feel like a child at Christmas Eve again!
A Massive Thank You to all the creative team that have made it possible to this point! I look forward to getting it soon – and we have got a bonofide modern Mage campaign now set up in a New Zealand setting (which I note is actually written into the official background now!). Yay! 🙂
Best of wishes for the future!
I second what Shan said in the first comment! (Other than the location; have it in the midwest!)
OnyxCon?
Onyx Pathcon?
OPCon?
Another suggestion for a location:
We are having a very nice autumn in Germany. And I know a few good hotels in my neighborhood 😀
Australia is nice this time of year…
“although I’m sure Tobias would have jumped a Wyrm beast with me if I had asked”
I’m thinking that that’s a very good sign.
Or it’s total hyperbole on my part. I might point at the Wyrm beast and yell “Let’s get it!” and Martin might be of the opinion that I am crazy. 🙂
And probably jump at it anyways. #ThatsGarouSpirit
With all the talk of a new unified World of Darkness in the recent rockpapershotgun interview, is it possible that the upcoming Vampire 4E will tie into this new vision? A post Gehenna world sounds like a perfect narrative to springboard off of.
Too soon to say. Thanks-
I find it very auspicious that the first book in for approval at Paradox is a new core for the World of Darkness. If nothing else, that *feels* right.
Maybe it should have been a Mage20 book, with Paradox involved. 😛
Of course, but that kind of synergy? That’s not even close to coincidental magick…
Has there been any talk of a W20DA Deluxe?
That would be very awesome (and look lovely next to my V20DA).
🙂
Will people who purchased the GMC book get the updated pdf for nWoD 2 like what happened with Requiem/Strix Chronicles?
The two situations are very different. Strix Chronicles to VtR2 was basically a cover change and some interior tweaking. nWoD2 contains info from GMC, updated info from nWoD core #1, and brand new stuff as well, so it’s enough of a new product to be treated that way.
So, the God-Machine Chronicle will remain as a product in the Onyx Path’s catalog?
I understand that the 2nd edition of the nWoD has enough new material to warrant its release as a new product. And I’m fine with that. That being said, I think it would be nice to anyone who has bought the God-Machine Chronicle (or the 1st edition of World of Darkness Core) to get a small discount of the new edition for a limited time at least.
I wish this would be kickstarted as a prestige edition along with the regular PDF/POD release. I’m sure there would be takers.
As with all things good and neighbourly at work between companies, wait until legal gets it all down on paper. 😀
Hope NWoD 2nd gets approved quickly. I don’t know how much extra stuff is in there that I don’t already have, but for some reason I’m still looking forward to it as much as I am for the next Requiem supplements.
It’s probably the best book that could go to White Wolf/Paradox at the moment too. A lovely big book of NWoD rules! 🙂
Dang, still waiting on those art notes for Wraith? Did someone drop them into the Maelstrom on accident, or has the Wraith Curse struck again? (I actually have no idea what art notes entail so I assume that it is a LOT more complicated than it sounds.) Still super hyped for Wraith20 though! 😀
Process-wise, we don’t get art notes until the text is finished and ready for editing. So until the text is finished and handed over by RichD, we have to wait for art notes. Thanks!
Any word on when the next Storypath teaser is coming? I can’t wait to take it for a spin!
I’m curious if the Dreams of Avarice will be out this year.