Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;567916Why and what should SJGames follow?

It's been my contention for a while now that SJgames should release a few complete all in one games (books or boxes) for the most common genres, fantasy, Sci-Fi, etc...

Show people how to use the system without the requirement to do all the heavy
Lifting yourself.

Much like this new version of HERO or the Powered by GURPS stuff (only more general).

Something like "Banestorm: The role playing game (powered by GURPS)"

Everytime I bring this up I'm roundly shouted down by GURPSheads.

Gotcha.  SJGames could do with some "Powered by GURPS" marketing so writers can learn more about it if they haven't heard of the concept before.  I suspect that SJGames doesn't make it worth their while to write such books.  Could be a licensing problem on top of that (author has to deal with two IPs, GURPS and the subject matter).

I would like to see a Call of Cthulhu that is "Powered by GURPS".  But then two sets of lawyers are needed which eat up any money made doing the book.

I love the toolkit nature of GURPS and its supplements.

The problem is, there are too many toolkit supplements and they're all big and expensive.

I'd release a dialed-down GURPS core, and sell the bells and whistles as highly-specific PDF supplements at $5-$10 a piece, e.g. instead of one massive hulking GURPS Ultra-Tech, release GURPS Beam Weapons, GURPS Spaceships, etc.

Too me, a dialed-down GURPS core is GURPS Lite.  Don't know if there is any money to be made writing thin books for GURPS Lite.  Full-on GURPS books (128 pages each, in print still for 3rd edition) sell for $9.95.

"Powered by GURPS" books though use the core rules from GURPS.  They include just the skills and dis/advantages needed for the game setting rather than an encyclopedia worth.

Quote from: Piestrio;568185It's been my contention for a while now that SJgames should release a few complete all in one games (books or boxes) for the most common genres, fantasy, Sci-Fi, etc...

Show people how to use the system without the requirement to do all the heavy
Lifting yourself.

Much like this new version of HERO or the Powered by GURPS stuff (only more general).

Something like "Banestorm: The role playing game (powered by GURPS)"

Everytime I bring this up I'm roundly shouted down by GURPSheads.

And it's not like they haven't done it before.  I'm thinking specifically of the HELLBOY RPG and the GURPS Prime Directive corebook, which has basic rules.

JG

Quote from: CRKrueger;567275$40 does seem a bit much for 240pg B&W softcover.  It's not in the realm of insanity however.

$40 for a B&W softcover???

I don't normally comment on this site, but I stumbled across it and was so alarmed by some of the comments that I thought I had better post some information.

1) Though whether or not Hero System 6th Edition was a good idea can be argued either way, you should know the following facts: A) It had been 10 years since Steve Long had written 5th Edition, and thus was time for a new edition IMO (you learn new things over a ten year period), B) We went through a one year open process of soliciting input from fans through our website, C) We either had to reprint the old edition or create and new one - because we were completely out, and D) 6th Edition was financially successful. Granted not as successful as 5th Edition (we sold over 30,000 physical and electronic copies of the core book), but still profitable.

2) Champions Complete isn't a cut-and-paste book – or at least not mostly one. It's origins are this: after Champions 6th Edition and Hero System 6th Edition Volume 1: Character Creation sold through, we had to make a choice: we could reprint them, or we could create something new. So the investors and I had a meeting and talked about our concerns. They were thus: A) by 6th Edition buying into the the Hero System cost something like $120 between 6E1, 6E2, and Champions, which was too much and was discouraging to new players, B) Most people (not all, but most) who play HERO play Champions, so we needed to focus on them for a while, and C) we all had fond memories of the 4th Edition Champions Big Blue Book (or BBB). It got a lot of new people to play the Hero System.

So we stepped outside of our comfort zone and hired an uber-fan (Derek Hiemforth) to re-envision the BBB as as 6th Edition product. We also told him to make the best version of Champions he could imagine, rather than strictly adhering to the two previous core 6th Edition books. While there is some cut-and-paste (re: it's the Hero System, not another system), he spent months editing and writing to create Champions Complete. Think of it as a variation of 6th Edition.

3) Champions complete is not Hero System Sidekick or  Hero System Basic with Champions stuck onto it. Please see above.

4) Forty Bucks (plus the PDF for free if your FLGS is a member of bits-and-mortar) is not too much for a core book. If you don't believe me, go to your local game store and have a look around.

5) Hero Games isn't in its death throws. It's quite solvent, and our Kickstarter for The Monster Hunter International Employee Handbook and Roleplaying Game just raised 80 Grand in 30 days.  


Thank your time and interest in the Hero System.


Jason Walters, General Manager

Quote from: Piestrio;568185It's been my contention for a while now that SJgames should release a few complete all in one games (books or boxes) for the most common genres, fantasy, Sci-Fi, etc...

Show people how to use the system without the requirement to do all the heavy
Lifting yourself.

Much like this new version of HERO or the Powered by GURPS stuff (only more general).

Something like "Banestorm: The role playing game (powered by GURPS)"

Everytime I bring this up I'm roundly shouted down by GURPSheads.

Same here. I got into several debates about this on SJ Games forum.

Quote from: James Gillen;568360And it's not like they haven't done it before.  I'm thinking specifically of the HELLBOY RPG and the GURPS Prime Directive corebook, which has basic rules.

JG

When do publish something it is for something that doesn't appeal to a large number of gamers. And they wonder they don't sell.

Quote from: Jason S. Walters;5976992) Champions Complete isn't a cut-and-paste book – or at least not mostly one. It's origins are this: after Champions 6th Edition and Hero System 6th Edition Volume 1: Character Creation sold through, we had to make a choice: we could reprint them, or we could create something new. So the investors and I had a meeting and talked about our concerns. They were thus: A) by 6th Edition buying into the the Hero System cost something like $120 between 6E1, 6E2, and Champions, which was too much and was discouraging to new players, B) Most people (not all, but most) who play HERO play Champions, so we needed to focus on them for a while, and C) we all had fond memories of the 4th Edition Champions Big Blue Book (or BBB). It got a lot of new people to play the Hero System.


Thank your time and interest in the Hero System.


Jason Walters, General Manager

I am a long time fan of the Hero System and it is good to read that you did this. I am wrapping up a 5th edition campaign and will recommend this to the folks looking to get into Champions.

It will be nice to see this done for Fantasy Hero as well.

Quote from: Jason S. Walters;597699Thank your time and interest in the Hero System.

Not a Hero fan per se, but I'm happy to learn that this classic is alive and well. Thanks for posting.

The only Hero books I own anymore are for Champions 4e, which I plan on keeping forever. I really do hope Hero Games can recapture the magic with a newer version of that.

Quote from: The Butcher;567965So, as someone who played a bit of 4e a long time ago; whose favorite supers RPG used to be Mayfair DC Heroes 3e; and who really likes the idea behind Hero's power system... should I give this a shot?

In my opinion, Hero(Champions) has two pluses and one minus.

Plus: You can create any character you imagine; insane flexability to customize powers.
 
Plus: Clean rules that work.


Minus: Has a learning curve to overcome before you can make full use of its flexability.



I am a huge fan of Hero (Supers and Starwars; I have not used it for non suped up settings)

HERO Designer is a godsend for me and my GM to come to consensus on character builds, as we never agree on the first, second...or sixth build.

Quote from: Bill;597881In my opinion, Hero(Champions) has two pluses and one minus.

Plus: You can create any character you imagine; insane flexability to customize powers.
 
Plus: Clean rules that work.


Minus: Has a learning curve to overcome before you can make full use of its flexability.



I am a huge fan of Hero (Supers and Starwars; I have not used it for non suped up settings)

I think overall the curve is worth it.  Apparently it isn't worth it for a lot of people.  And in some respect the problem that I (and others) had with 6E is that it increased the steep of that learning curve without a commensurate increase in the rewards.

JG