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...is apparently the first company to have mailed the Statement of Acceptance to WotC or at least the first to announce it on the interweb.
Spotted on the D&d Gsl (new Ogl) Is Live... thread on the Privateer Press forums.
The press release is also viewable on the Earth Dawn home page.
The company home page is http://www.redbrick.co.nz/
Ooooh the guys who do Earthdawn now. I'm not sure I've seen any of their stuff before. Any good?
Ooooh the guys who do Earthdawn now. I'm not sure I've seen any of their stuff before. Any good?
Very good. They take a lot of pride in their work. When Earthdawn was initially sold from FASA, there as a company between them and Redbrick, who did a terrible job. Redbrick picked it up and put a lot of love into it.
Disclaimer: I'm not an expert in their version of the game. They took a step away from the original mechanics, just as Shadowrun 4E is a step away from 3rd. I have read the Player's Compendium and flipped through the Game Master's Compendium.. and then I played a little.
A good friend of mine, who is also an M&M Freelancer, loves Redbrick's version of Earthdawn, and ran it for just a short while.. I know it mostly through playing with him. He feels there's a resemblance to (their version of) Earthdawn and 4E. No conspiracy theory here, just that there are some general similarities.
Redbrick might have felt that, because of that, this might be a good thing to pursue.
If they came out with a campaign setting... Well.. I'd be encouraged after my initial disappointment with the GSL.
Ooooh the guys who do Earthdawn now. I'm not sure I've seen any of their stuff before. Any good?
I do not know of this companies work but I loved the FASA earthdawn back in the day, if they 'merged' the setting with 4e that would be cool but I suppose it is more likely they will make generic adventures?
Edit: i see they support several different systems so I suppose it will most likely be generic dnd products or their own campaign setting.
Ooooh the guys who do Earthdawn now. I'm not sure I've seen any of their stuff before. Any good?I do not know of this companies work but I loved the FASA earthdawn back in the day, if they 'merged' the setting with 4e that would be cool but I suppose it is more likely they will make generic adventures?
I had the same train of thought jones. A 4E Earthdawn would be cool, but they probably don't want to risk not being able to publish it. Bummer.
Still, I'm interested in seeing what they will be popping out.
Cheers! :)
Ooooh Earthdawn 4E would be the icing on the cake!!
If they go 4E even if they get the GSL revoked later they can still publish under the old Earthdawn system, right?
Ooooh Earthdawn 4E would be the icing on the cake!!
If they go 4E even if they get the GSL revoked later they can still publish under the old Earthdawn system, right?
::scratches head::
Good one! It's not like they'd be going back to the OGL!
I got the impression from their press-release that they weren't going to do 4e Earthdawn. Still, its another 3PP company that is going to support 4e in some fashion, so I'm happy.
Actually, unless WotC changes the terms of the GSL, they can do old Earthdawn and 4e Earthdawn at the same time. The conversion clause only applies to OGL games/systems. Moot point, though, since their website seems to indicate that they're developing a separate product line for the GSL.
Actually, unless WotC changes the terms of the GSL, they can do old Earthdawn and 4e Earthdawn at the same time. The conversion clause only applies to OGL games/systems. Moot point, though, since their website seems to indicate that they're developing a separate product line for the GSL.
Indeed! Now this thread will have visions of 4E ED dancing in my head ...
(And ED would fit well into the 4E rules spectrum too! ah, how I loved FASA's old stuff ...)
Moot point, though, since their website seems to indicate that they're developing a separate product line for the GSL.
They are a pretty good comany though, it's good news for 4E fans that they're interested in doing this.
Actually, unless WotC changes the terms of the GSL, they can do old Earthdawn and 4e Earthdawn at the same time. The conversion clause only applies to OGL games/systems. Moot point, though, since their website seems to indicate that they're developing a separate product line for the GSL.Indeed! Now this thread will have visions of 4E ED dancing in my head ...
(And ED would fit well into the 4E rules spectrum too! ah, how I loved FASA's old stuff ...)
I hate to rain on your parade by contradicting myself, but I totally blacked out about the provision that WotC can change the terms any time. Theoretically, they could come out with a new version that forbids conversion of GSL products to any other system and declare that that clause survives the termination of the contract. Under those circumstances, it would be risky to do 4e Earthdawn.
BTW, Earthdawn 4e announced here.
BTW, Earthdawn 4e announced here.
Holy smokes! Dream upon dream! They just sold many many books! Whohoo!
They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...
Hiya!
What Hank said. The regular Earthdawn crowd isn't our target audience, it's the D&D players we're catering to here. If you love Earthdawn the way it is, www.earthdawn.com and it's associated products won't go away (and development won't stop there either). Smiley
Why we are doing this? Because people are asking for it almost constantly and both Wizards and FASA were with us on the idea.
Best,
Dammi
That's from their message boards (which I'm still reading). Dammi seems to be an official type person so I take what they're saying as the company line. Looks like Wizard knows and is down.
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They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...
Microsoft vs. Wotc
Hmmmmm... Why does this seem familiar.
Could it be: The Blood War.
They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...Microsoft vs. Wotc
Hmmmmm... Why does this seem familiar.
Could it be: The Blood War.
Fixed. :)
BTW, Earthdawn 4e announced here.Holy smokes! Dream upon dream! They just sold many many books! Whohoo!
Very good news, actually.
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Fixed. :)They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...Microsoft vs. Wotc
Hmmmmm... Why does this seem familiar.
Could it be: The Blood War.
:-D
They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...
Hi,
The Earthdawn property is owned by FASA Corporation. And yes RedBrick can do this (which is why we are).
Kind regards,
JAMES FLOWERS
Managing Director, RedBrick Limited,
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, http://www.redbrick.co.nz
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They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...Hi,
The Earthdawn property is owned by FASA Corporation. And yes RedBrick can do this (which is why we are).
Kind regards,
JAMES FLOWERS
Managing Director, RedBrick Limited,
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, http://www.redbrick.co.nz
sweet.
They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...Hi,
The Earthdawn property is owned by FASA Corporation. And yes RedBrick can do this (which is why we are).
Kind regards,
JAMES FLOWERS
Managing Director, RedBrick Limited,
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, http://www.redbrick.co.nz
They do what they must, because they can. ;)
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They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...Hi,
The Earthdawn property is owned by FASA Corporation. And yes RedBrick can do this (which is why we are).
Kind regards,
JAMES FLOWERS
Managing Director, RedBrick Limited,
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, http://www.redbrick.co.nz
As an old FASA fan (ED and Shadowrun) that's horrifying. Fourth editions have not been kind to FASA properties, and mixing ED with D&D (of any edition, but especially 4E) just seems somehow blasphemous. And I say that as someone who almost exclusively plays d20/OGL games these days. The slightly wacked out rules set, for me, is intrinsically tied to the setting -- losing it, as SR4 illustrates so well, totally kills the flavor.
They do what they must, because they can. ;)
*laugh* Indeed...
Kind regards, James
As an old FASA fan (ED and Shadowrun) that's horrifying. Fourth editions have not been kind to FASA properties, and mixing ED with D&D (of any edition, but especially 4E) just seems somehow blasphemous. And I say that as someone who almost exclusively plays d20/OGL games these days. The slightly wacked out rules set, for me, is intrinsically tied to the setting -- losing it, as SR4 illustrates so well, totally kills the flavor.
Hi,
Just as well RedBrick is continuing to develop the core Earthdawn property as strongly as we have to date. Gotta keep those wacked out rules confined to their setting. *grin*
Off-topic: Isn't '4' a bad number in Feng Shui? *chuckle*
Kind regards, James
I'm not familiar with Earthdawn. What's so cool about it?
Not being snarky - I really want to know. Trying to find a cool setting for 4E since my homebrew world won't work and I hate FR. Was going to try to convert Iron Kingdoms, but I figured 'why bother, I'll just keep playing that in 3.5 along with Pathfinder.
Steerpike, check out this Wikipedia entry:
Cool Shroomy. Thanks!
This sounds very interesting to me. One question: I really think the magic system (particularly looking into the history etc. of magic items to unlock their powers) and the approach to skill tests sounds cool. How are those going to translate into 4E? Seems like you might lose something in the transition...
I'm not familiar with Earthdawn. What's so cool about it?
Not being snarky - I really want to know. Trying to find a cool setting for 4E since my homebrew world won't work and I hate FR. Was going to try to convert Iron Kingdoms, but I figured 'why bother, I'll just keep playing that in 3.5 along with Pathfinder.
Hmm, where to start. First of all, ED is very strongly PoL right from the start. The world is just recovering from a magical cataclysm, where an ever increasing level of ambient magic in the world reached a point where Cthuluh-like Horrors were able to manifest within the world and wreck havoc. The civilized races built giant underground cities and lived their for generations as the level of magic in the world peaked and then began to decline. Once it reached a point that they felt was safe, they left their underground cities and returned to the mostly ruined world.
Several cities were breached of course, and some of the weaker Horrors still lurk about. Built in dungeons, and PoL ... very yummy for 4E.
Dwarves were the most populous race, there was an offshoot of Elves who realized that the Horrors fed off the pain and suffering they inflicted so the Elves performed a Ritual causing painful thorns to constantly grow from their skin, making them unappetizing to the marauding Horrors. To the south is an antagonistic and corrupt Human Empire as well. Very cool!
The default "classes" were called Adepts. If you've ever played SR, you'll have a good idea of whats going on. Everyone uses magic to pull off amazing martial and magical feats. There is also lots of cool ritual magic, used to bond with weapons, teammates, or entire groups.
Wheee! I'm excited. :)
Wheee! I'm excited. :)
Thanks, David. Your enthusiasm is contagious. What do you think of the questions I posed above? This sounds like a setting I'd like.
They... can't... do the GSL can they? The GSL forbids a 'relicense' arrangement, and Earthdawn is owned by Microsoft-FASA, last I knew...Hi,
The Earthdawn property is owned by FASA Corporation. And yes RedBrick can do this (which is why we are).
Kind regards,
JAMES FLOWERS
Managing Director, RedBrick Limited,
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, http://www.redbrick.co.nz
okay but this brings up an interesting potential problem dealing with WOTC claiming ownership of anything under GSL or however it was worded, It seems like licensed stuff is kinda dangerous in that regard.
okay but this brings up an interesting potential problem dealing with WOTC claiming ownership of anything under GSL or however it was worded, It seems like licensed stuff is kinda dangerous in that regard.
Hi,
Please, I don't want to divert this thread with the FUD about the GSL that's been doing the rounds lately.
Lawyers were invented to consult on license agreements like the GSL; which is we use them. My advice to anybody looking to publish content under the GSL: consult a lawyer.
Oh, and our 4e product line is Age of Legend, not Earthdawn. *smile*
Kind regards, James
Off-topic: Isn't '4' a bad number in Feng Shui? *chuckle*Kind regards, James
No, 4 is a bad number in Chinese, period. Or at least Mandarin. And Japanese. Mainly 'cause 4 is pronounced the same as death in either language. Japanese gets around this by saying 'yon' instead of 'shi' for 4 in most cases, but in Mandarin they're both pronounced the same all the time. This is why you never see a 4th floor in buildings in either China or Japan, it's considered bad luck the same way we don't have 13th floors in our buildings.
Thanks for that Panda-s1!
It had been niggling on my mind and I haven't had a chance to actively look it up today. (My youngest boy's seventh birthday party took precedence... *grin*)
Kind regards, James
Thanks, David. Your enthusiasm is contagious. What do you think of the questions I posed above? This sounds like a setting I'd like.
Wheee! I'm excited. :)
This sounds very interesting to me. One question: I really think the magic system (particularly looking into the history etc. of magic items to unlock their powers) and the approach to skill tests sounds cool. How are those going to translate into 4E? Seems like you might lose something in the transition...
It's hard to say what will and will not translate well. I've thought of trying to use ED with d20 rules before but never felt the underlying structure would support so much extra system. Now though, I think it may be able to hold ...
Between the concept of Skill Challenges, and the use of Rituals, I think you could create a fair sense of ED's magic system. I think any conversion of a setting from one system to another ends up losing something in the conversion, but if the spirit is retained, and it means I can finally strongarm my friends into playing ED, then I'm willing to take a few changes. ;)
Hee, I'm still excited! :)
Oh, and our 4e product line is Age of Legend, not Earthdawn. *smile*Well, good luck. I personally think you would have just been better off NOT using the GSL... I would worry hevily about the 'similar themes' clause in the GSL. (I know , we shouldn't constantly FUD on it, but, dangit, I don't want to see my hobby DIE to over-lawyering.)
AFAICT, Redbrick has a couple of advantages over most GSL licensees. First of all, there's no OGL version of the setting, and thus no need to fret about the backward conversion clause. Furthermore, the GSL doesn't forbid having simultaneous versions of a product in multiple systems, as long as the other system isn't OGL. So the only thing they have to worry about is the potential sudden-license-change trap.
There's also the matter of WotC's ability to insert things into the SRD and claim that as the "official version" and declare variants in violation. Of course, they might be able to avoid that by only including original elements that are so original that they can claim them as their unique IP. Then they could sue WotC should it try to pull such a thing in the future (albeit without a jury and in Seattle). However, an open-and-shut case is an open-and-shut case regardless of venue, and a judge educated in the law is probably less susceptible to BS than a jury of 12 people off the street.
Of course, any of the actual lawyers who hang around here should feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Between the concept of Skill Challenges, and the use of Rituals, I think you could create a fair sense of ED's magic system.
So part of Earthdawn's magic system involves characters routinely failing at complex non-combat challenges? :-p
So part of Earthdawn's magic system involves characters routinely failing at complex non-combat challenges? :-p
Between the concept of Skill Challenges, and the use of Rituals, I think you could create a fair sense of ED's magic system.
It's a complicated setting. ;)
No, 4 is a bad number in Chinese, period. Or at least Mandarin. And Japanese. Mainly 'cause 4 is pronounced the same as death in either language. Japanese gets around this by saying 'yon' instead of 'shi' for 4 in most cases, but in Mandarin they're both pronounced the same all the time. This is why you never see a 4th floor in buildings in either China or Japan, it's considered bad luck the same way we don't have 13th floors in our buildings.
Off-topic: Isn't '4' a bad number in Feng Shui? *chuckle*Kind regards, James
This always made no sense to me - I mean what are you trying to do? Trick 'fate'? I think 'fate' won't be so easily fooled. Though a skit about the Grim Reaper getting confused by the inanities of apartment conventions could make some really good stand up.
That said I've only noticed the missing 13th floor in older building. All new buildings that I am aware of, and we build condo's like its a crack addiction in Toronto, have 13th floors.
It's a complicated setting. ;)So part of Earthdawn's magic system involves characters routinely failing at complex non-combat challenges? :-p
Between the concept of Skill Challenges, and the use of Rituals, I think you could create a fair sense of ED's magic system.
Lol. Now thats funny.
No, 4 is a bad number in Chinese, period. Or at least Mandarin. And Japanese. Mainly 'cause 4 is pronounced the same as death in either language. Japanese gets around this by saying 'yon' instead of 'shi' for 4 in most cases, but in Mandarin they're both pronounced the same all the time. This is why you never see a 4th floor in buildings in either China or Japan, it's considered bad luck the same way we don't have 13th floors in our buildings.
Off-topic: Isn't '4' a bad number in Feng Shui? *chuckle*Kind regards, James
This always made no sense to me - I mean what are you trying to do? Trick 'fate'? I think 'fate' won't be so easily fooled. Though a skit about the Grim Reaper getting confused by the inanities of apartment conventions could make some really good stand up.
That said I've only noticed the missing 13th floor in older building. All new buildings that I am aware of, and we build condo's like its a crack addiction in Toronto, have 13th floors.
It's not about tricking fate, it's the fact that it sounds like you're saying death when you say 4. Kinda like how we don't say rapeseed oil anymore, now we say canola oil.