Yup. As I reported on my site (http://www.rpgblog.org/rpg_blog/2006/09/besm_acquired_b.html), ArtHaus picked BESM 3e for a January 2007 release. Here's (http://www.white-wolf.com/index.php?line=news&articleid=586) the official press release from White Wolf.
I'm happy for the BESM fans. I don't like to see any game people love die off like that.
Cool, I'm pretty interested in how the 3rd edition will turn out.
January 2007 release? I guess they won't be doing any major changes to the book's crunch, and will publish what GoO had.
How is Art Haus related to White Wolf? Does WW just publish the material that AH produces? Or is there more involvement at the design/business levels?
Quote from: VellorianHow is Art Haus related to White Wolf? Does WW just publish the material that AH produces? Or is there more involvement at the design/business levels?
AH is an imprint that does smaller print runs. At least it was originally.
Quote from: JongWKJanuary 2007 release? I guess they won't be doing any major changes to the book's crunch, and will publish what GoO had.
From what I have heard the game is "Done" and all it needs is to be published. So GOO finished it but could not afford to publish it.
Hmmm, the announcement says that part of the agreement with GoO is that fans who pre-ordered and prepaid for BESM3 will be in "good hands" and will get details this month.
It also says that Arthaus has not assumed any of GoO's liabilities.
hmmmm.
Color me surprised. I thought BESM3 would just quietly disappear. Then again, there's plenty of time between now and January for it to slip through the cracks.
Is there any concern over the fact that the two largest elements of anime gaming will now be controlled/published from a single source? (Exalted and, now, BESM)
Is it conceivable that WW will dictate to AH to make changes so as to steer fans toward Exalted?
I remember what happened when Wal-Mart acquired Woolco (in Canada). They kept the President of Woolco on board for a year (primarily due to Canadian law in that respect) and slowly converted all the Woolco stores into Wal-Marts. They didn't convert any of the union dominated stores, and those subsequently closed. By the end of the year, there wasn't even a hint that those stores had once been Woolco stores, and the former President of Woolco was fired (despite doing a reportedly good job) exactly a year later.
WW has a serious investment in Exalted, do you think they'd so willingly support two lines that are directly competitive?
Quote from: VellorianIs there any concern over the fact that the two largest elements of anime gaming will now be controlled/published from a single source? (Exalted and, now, BESM)
Is it conceivable that WW will dictate to AH to make changes so as to steer fans toward Exalted?
Exalted and BESM play to two very different audiences. Besides, White Wolf's usually pretty cool about what happens on their subsidiary imprints.
Yeah, their treatment of Pendragon has been beyond repproach really. I'm just hoping they start republishing the excellent supplements, some of which could really do with a little updating... if only in layout.
If I was a BESM fan I'd see this as a positive thing because they'll likely get a new edition out of it and some support should it sell well.
Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalIf I was a BESM fan I'd see this as a positive thing because they'll likely get a new edition out of it and some support should it sell well.
And the selling well bit is crucial. If I remember correctly AH lines can only do their next book's print run once they have enough sales from the prior book. It's meant to mimick small-press business models with the benefit of a large-press distribution network and materials.
Though the honoring preorders is a
phenomenal move on their part, if you ask me.
Well if that's true then Pendragon must be selling like hotcakes seeing as it was barely off the presses before they brought out the Great Pendragon Campaign.
Cover art:
(http://www.white-wolf.com/admin/upload_files/BESM3rdLarge.jpg)
Ugh...
I think it's nice enough. The art certainly looks more "anime" than what a lot of people seem to think is the anime style.
If it were in a store, the red cover would make it stand out, and increase the probability of someone pulling it out to look at.
I should clarify: I have a serious, serious dislike of that logo, and those squares don't do anything for me. The red background and the girl are ok, though.
Does anybody know of the mechanical differences between this edition and the previous one?
Quote from: jrientsDoes anybody know of the mechanical differences between this edition and the previous one?
If anyone's seen the Tri-Stat rules for A Game of Thrones, there you go. The two biggest changes I can think of are "roll high" and weapon damage is now a multipier against a stat number.
Quote from: Bartholomew FairIf anyone's seen the Tri-Stat rules for A Game of Thrones, there you go. The two biggest changes I can think of are "roll high" and weapon damage is now a multipier against a stat number.
There was a tri-stat version of Game of Thrones? All I'm familiar with was a gigantic book that appearred to be a OGL/d20 thingie.
The more I look at the cover, the more I think it's actually very good. The composition draws the eyes to the girl's glowy hands. The boxes on the left and the dark circular shadow enhance this.
Historically, BESM has been a whimsical system, and the logo supports that feel.
Since BESM lacks any specific anime to be based on, depicting it in a single cover is a challenge. Going with the superpowered schoolgirl is as good an idea as any.
I like that cover. That was my first, gut response. I don't know why, but I like it.
If I had to think about it: The girl's drawn very well, much closer to anime character design than American artists usually get; the red background is strong, it attracts the eye and lets the contrasting colors of the girl jump out at you.
If I knew nothing about BESM but was an anime fan, I'd pick this up and at least give it the once-over.
The only thing I don't like is the logo. I like the font, hate the bubble it's sitting in. The bubble looks like someone's mooning me.
Quote from: GabrielThere was a tri-stat version of Game of Thrones? All I'm familiar with was a gigantic book that appearred to be a OGL/d20 thingie.
The Tri-Stat rules were in the back of the super-deluxe Game of Thrones PDF, but I don't think they were included in the print version. Alternatively I think you can see that new damage system in the Tri-Stat version of Tekumel.
Quote from: fonkaygarryThe only thing I don't like is the logo. I like the font, hate the bubble it's sitting in. The bubble looks like someone's mooning me.
I agree. The picture is fine but that logo looks cartoony and amateurish.
I dont know if you have seen the new cover. It's posted on my site:
http://www.goofanforums.com/showthread.php?t=85
Not sure what to think of it
Quote from: Geek MessiahI dont know if you have seen the new cover. It's posted on my site:
http://www.goofanforums.com/showthread.php?t=85
Not sure what to think of it
Scooped in this very same thread. (http://www.therpgsite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=28714&postcount=13) :p
Now, WW is pushing this as a niche product, right? If they're aiming at the BESM faithful, that might explain some of the shortcomings in the design of the cover.
I know if I had a product with a guaranteed market, beyond which I couldn't really reach, I'd spend as little of my designers' billable hours on it as I could get away with.