[UA] Have you thought about selling out? (was: Release Schedule, alternative products)

[Eric Brennan]

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Tynes" <john at tynes.com>
To: "Unknown Armies" <ua at lists.uchicago.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2001 12:07 PM
Subject: Re: [UA] Release Schedule, alternative products


> Thanks for all of this discussion about our release schedule plans. I
> haven't got much to add at this point except to say it's all food for
> thought, and we're still making long-term plans for the line.
>

    Despite the header, I'm serious here.  UA, for some reason, is kind of
off-putting to the "average," non-web-ranting gamers I know.  It's a great
game, but the power level seems to be a little low (according to the people
I've run it with) and Greg himself has said that he envisions the game to be
about low-powered obsessed losers (or something similar.)  That's not
exactly gonna grab the new folks who want something neat.
   I'm not saying to turn the game into Mage.  But--given how freeform the
campaign style is anyway, with everything from Circle of Friend to New
Inquisition campaigns being a viable option, how about releasing a Second
edition*, or Revised edition?  The new edition would be the perfect leaping
on point for new players; it would use the buzz that's already been
generated by the existing edition; Greg's been hinting about one for awhile,
so he would be able to add all of the stuff he's been pondering; and it
could have rules for different power levels of campaigns--everything from
the "Way of the Gun" style obsessed losers level that seems to be what the
game is designed around, to a "Heat" level game where the PCs are competent
pros in the Occult Underground (which seems to be what TNI is about,
anyway.)
   You might also want to throw in a more conventional magic system into the
main rules based on the "Old School" thaumaturgy or something, since some
players I've run it with have had problems with their players drinking Drano
or sleeping with people for a charge...
    Now I know this would upset the old guard, but nothing's being taken
out--just some new stuff added, to allow folks like me to run the game for
their more normal players.  And I think John and Greg could definitely pull
this off without watering down the setting.
    Anyway, it's just an idea.  Let the flames begin.

--Eric

*The reason why I use the phrase Second edition or Revised edition is
because one WW employee once said that the new Revised editions aren't for
the existing fan base at all, really--they're to bring new players in.


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