UA - Whens the next product due out?

[Ian Young]

Jason P.Prince writes...

> PS: Will UA aim to have some real story arcs to
> coordinate a developement of story around?
> In other words will time passing in the game world
> be recognised and any adventures or scenarios
> pick up on an ongoing story?
> 
> I do hope so.

I must say that I hope not.

The over-arching "official" storyline is a convention of novels, TV series,
movies, video games, etc., and in one of those situations the convention
works well.  However, with RPGs it inevitably creates a situation that
leads to a sequence of revised editions of the game and the artificially
induced need to purchase new editions of books you already own.

Yes, die-hard fans will buy every new book that comes out, but they'll
vocally begrudge feeling forced to do so.

Sure, I feel that an evolving "official" UA storyline would be an
interesting and good thing, but if you want to write a novel, write a novel
for heaven's sake -- don't hide it under the cover of a roleplaying game. 
Toward that end, I rather hope to see some collections of UA short stories,
and maybe even an actual novel or two, done in similar fashion to what
Armitage House has done for Delta Green.  That way, if you like the
fiction, you can buy it at your own discretion and incorporate it directly
into your game -- if you don't, then no one is holding a gun to your head
and saying "This is the way you're supposed to play your game."

Gone,
Ian