Im starting to think about what sort of cover image I'd like for Bloodshadows (http://www.pigames.net/store/default.php?cPath=108) Second Edition, which is in the works as a stand-alone RPG. I'm open to suggestions. What would be cool? What would scream what the setting is all about? And while we're at, what are your favorite PC races from the setting?
A female Vampire Moll sitting on the side of the desk of a standing, looming Mobster wizard, whose interrogating a hapless detective back to us, and bound to a chair.
All I have at the moment. May come up with more, when I've gotten some sleep.
Thanks. Definitely something to think about!
Can I ask: what made you decide to change the system?
I just don't think MasterBook is the right fit for the setting. I'm working on the Brutes Fantasy RPG (http://www.pigames.net/store/blog.php?entry=2312) with a completely rewritten/reorganized version of MasterBook, but that's good for that setting. So Bloodshadows 2E will use genreDiversion 3E, which does a really good job. I redesigned the spell creation rules, so they are similar to those MasterBook, but simpler.
Was Masterbook the WEG d6 "universal system" with genre/setting sourcebooks?
It wasn't D6, but it did have wordbooks. It is 2d10-based.
Matt, WEG's universal was just called "The D6 System."
I've always thought of Masterbook as being sort of a progression from TORG's system (which used d20 instead of 2d10).
Quote from: brettmb;830813I just don't think MasterBook is the right fit for the setting. I'm working on the Brutes Fantasy RPG (http://www.pigames.net/store/blog.php?entry=2312) with a completely rewritten/reorganized version of MasterBook, but that's good for that setting. So Bloodshadows 2E will use genreDiversion 3E, which does a really good job. I redesigned the spell creation rules, so they are similar to those MasterBook, but simpler.
I picked up your Open D6 pdf version, but I like the sound of this much better. Being a stand-alone game, I assume it will include all the required rules?
Yeah, Torg came first (1d20), then Shatterzone (2d10), and MasterBook is a slightly modified version of Shatterzone's system. Actually, MasterBook was WEG's universal system before D6.
The D6 version still suffers from some complicated mechanics. I have no doubt that a Mini6 version could be done, but there's more flexibility with GD3E.
The whole notion of pulp detectives mixing with vampires and demons in the same setting is awesome.
I owned at one point both printings (editions) of Bloodshadows so far (the MasterBook version and the d6 version) and think it's a great setting, but I never really enjoyed the rules so I'm hoping that this new one flows better.
My favorite of the two editions was the 1E cover:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bikmS6d%2BL.jpg)
The 2E (d6 system) cover was okay but not as cool:
(http://www.rpg.net/pictures/cache/picthumb5605-medium.jpg)
Wouldn't a new edition be Bloodshadows 3E, though, and not 2E as the subject line suggests?
Yeah, I guess so. Let's make it 3E. Didn't really think of it as 3E, since the D6 version was really just the same as the MasterBook version.
So, the game brings to mind Chinatown or To Cast A Deadly Spell more than the Dick Tracy theme the covers seem to have, so I think something like this:
(http://www.classichorrorposters.com/4061/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/shadow-of-chinatown-movie-poster-1936-1020202719-254x386.jpg)
(I especially like the "EPISODES of FLAMING ACTION DYNAMIC THRILLS and EERIE MYSTERY)
or anything from this page (http://www.spoilerfreemoviesleuth.com/2015/03/cult-cinema-cast-deadly-spell.html), particularly something maybe along this stylized cover:
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xZJA4K-AGnQ/VQ3OtPRsP0I/AAAAAAAAD_w/tcb9MHwsRqM/s1600/Cast%2Ba%2Bdeadly%2Bspell%2Bmovie%2Bposter.gif)
I never saw that Cast a Deadly Spell cover before. I like it.
Quote from: brettmb;830838Yeah, I guess so. Let's make it 3E. Didn't really think of it as 3E, since the D6 version was really just the same as the MasterBook version.
While I owned both, I didn't really play either much and so I don't know the differences between them. If the first two were essentially the same, one could count those two covers as 1E first printing and 1E second printing, with the new one being 2E if it's different enough.
Shatterzone was great with those rules, an improvement on TORG, which was somewhat imperfect. I'm not really sure about Bloodshadows, though.
The next edition of Shatterzone will continue to use the same rules, just tweaked a little like I'm doing for Brutes.
I wish I could help more, though I appreciate the request for viewpoints. I do like the 1e cover over the 2e cover, but I am having difficulty pinpointing why. I still want that 1940s-1970s men's magazine, detective pulp fiction aesthetic, yet have trouble with why 2e just misses the mark.
Might have to put up "Weasels Tore at My Flesh" cover to get this conversation starting up again.
What elements were you thinking as essential? Stone jaw detective, vamps and vixens, threatening mooks on the periphery...
My current thoughts are...
1. I like the original concept of the stereotypical PI with a vampire/succubus companion, only more gritty and less pulpy. Roles could be reversed: female PI with incubus. Maybe with a third character, a spellslinger or something.
2. As for the scene, maybe a dark alley or cultish catacombs.
3. Definitely some sort of monster(s) in the background -- zombies (Zuvembies), demons, Hugor strikebreakers, or some sort of Wilderness creatures.
4. Magic. Not sure why this wasn't expressed in the previous covers, but it should be present somehow without looking cheesy.
Are vampires ever allies in Bloodshadows? Because it might be the obvious skin tone and vamped hair and clothes that separates 1e from 2e.
You know what would look killer (to me)? A vamped up vamp, draped over the PI's arms in a faint, hooded upturn eyes and barely parted ruby red mouth exposing fangs, looking vulnerable yet dangerously on the edge of hunger/lust frenzy. The challenge would be drawing the emotional conflict in the eyes.
Something about mongrelmen in military drab with arcane insignia armbands (yes, go for the SS trope) shooting guns. But the bullet holes ooze skull-shaped ectoplasm and eldritch profanities. Maybe even give the vampire a bullet wound, like she covered the PI from a fatal shot.
You can play a variety of creatures as PCs, including werewolves, vampires, succubi, ghouls, and other oddballs.
I sounds to me like what you need is more or less a Tim Bradstreet "Hellblazer" cover. Spin it on google I think you'll like what you see. Oh, hes done work in RPGs before as well.
Quote from: Ronin;831311I sounds to me like what you need is more or less a Tim Bradstreet "Hellblazer" cover. Spin it on google I think you'll like what you see. Oh, hes done work in RPGs before as well.
Kind of cheesy looking.
I got nothin.
Quote from: brettmb;831367Kind of cheesy looking.
And Bloodshadows isn't??? I mean, it's a Noir styled game with ghosts and werewolves and vampires! It's wonderfully delightfully cheesy and campy! I was interested in this game because of the cheese factor!
Quote from: brettmb;8312751. I like the original concept of the stereotypical PI with a vampire/succubus companion, only more gritty and less pulpy. Roles could be reversed: female PI with incubus. Maybe with a third character, a spellslinger or something.
While this reversal could work well in a story, I think you may struggle to convey the role reversal graphically, on a cover.
A cover relies on shorthands and a shared visual language to convey its meaning. In the first edition cover we recognise the man as a PI from the trenchcoat (pure convention ) and identify the female as seductive yet dangerous character through any number of visual cues and conventions (even you aren't sure whether she is a succubus or vampiress). That is a lot of information being conveyed by the two figures and it works because we the audience are fill in the blanks.
Right or wrong were you to reverse the roles I am not sure our shared visual vocabulary is up to the task. Maybe the right artist could pull it off, but it would be challenging.
I don't disagree with you Soylent, but I think the role reversal would be fine as long the woman was easily recognizable as a tough, gritty dame from film noir.
Christopher, I view Chill as cheesy (which is part of its charm), but I never saw this as cheesy with the right art.
Quote from: brettmb;831877I view Chill as cheesy (which is part of its charm), but I never saw this as cheesy with the right art.
Artwork is a large component in presenting the feel of a setting, so I can see where you could present Bloodshadows either way. I prefer to think about Bloodshadows as a dark and shadowy place, serious and scary.
Here's something to wet the appetite. Note that this is not the front cover, but a modified version of the tentative back cover.
(http://www.pigames.net/blog_files/BloodshadowsGD3Poster.jpg)
Looks very cool Brett
Quote from: Ronin;843910Looks very cool Brett
Thanks. I think it's a good mix between noir and horror.
Quote from: brettmb;843948Thanks. I think it's a good mix between noir and horror.
I have an issue. Where's the mystical aspect? Because it looks like a basic Noire styled game.
Quote from: Christopher Brady;843954I have an issue. Where's the mystical aspect? Because it looks like a basic Noire styled game.
Well, there's lots of Unnatural creatures walking around side by side with Humans, like shapeshifters, undead, demons, and odd alchemical breeds. Just about everyone knows some form of magic. There's a Godwar taking place, although it is more of a behind the scenes sort of thing. Most people dare not travel outside of a city, because that's where the real nasty beasties are. Is that what you're asking about?
EDIT: And you can play a wide variety of Unnaturals too.
Quote from: brettmb;843959Well, there's lots of Unnatural creatures walking around side by side with Humans, like shapeshifters, undead, demons, and odd alchemical breeds. Just about everyone knows some form of magic. There's a Godwar taking place, although it is more of a behind the scenes sort of thing. Most people dare not travel outside of a city, because that's where the real nasty beasties are. Is that what you're asking about?
EDIT: And you can play a wide variety of Unnaturals too.
And the back cover doesn't even show that. I think it needed something more.
Did you read it?
I love the artwork, but agree that it could use a little more supernatural twist to it. (The text certainly brings that element in, but the artwork doesn't have it.) If the front side artwork has some supernatural stuff in it then this should be great for the back side. :D
I hear you, but it is extremely hard to do supernatural, especially when you need to overlay text. I'm still waiting for the front - it should have a subtle form of supernatural, but work. We'll see.
What I meant was, on a cursory look, which is what most perspective buyers tend to do, that image says nothing about what's really in the book.
Quote from: Christopher Brady;844065What I meant was, on a cursory look, which is what most perspective buyers tend to do, that image says nothing about what's really in the book.
Noted. Thanks.
Quote from: brettmb;844075Noted. Thanks.
Although, if the cover is a better representative, then I'm all for it. I'll pick up a copy of this book when I can.
I like the back cover and the summaries evoke solid imagery of what to expect in the game. As long as you feature a PI sporting a fedora and trench-coat, you're on the right track. :-)
Cover: It would be cool to see a gated city, with the detective under a magic street lamp talking to a vampire and another "monster" while ghouls sneak up around one corner and a demon rests against the wall of the other corner listening in. :-) The Dick and his clients should be having a casual conversation, with a touch of apprehension (maybe the "other monster" is listening while glancing around).
Quote from: brettmb;830813... I'm working on the Brutes Fantasy RPG (http://www.pigames.net/store/blog.php?entry=2312) with a completely rewritten/reorganized version of MasterBook ...
I'm VERY intrigued to know what you are doing with it. Do you have a quick-start or preview yet?
The front cover is in the works. The sketch was spot on, but the nasties/shadows were not finalized the last time I saw it. The three characters should be great. Hope to have it soon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For Brutes MasterBook, just some basics:
http://www.pigames.net/store/blog.php?entry=2329
You can also check out the MasterBook EZ Prototype Rules (while this is a simpler version, it does have a few new changes to the success and combat tables):
http://www.pigames.net/store/product_info.php?cPath=107&products_id=753
Cover:
http://www.pigames.net/store/blog.php?entry=2312
Art:
http://www.pigames.net/store/blog.php?entry=2362
I can tell you that there is no column balancing.
That back cover looks really great!
Quote from: RPGPundit;844638That back cover looks really great!
Thank you, sir!
Quote from: brettmb;844773Thank you, sir!
Well deserved.
Here's a new map for the upcoming Bloodshadows RPG (drawn by Scott Harshbarger). The game takes place on the world of Marl. The main focus is the continent of Eln. The default city in the main book is Selastos. Leaving Selastos means a dangerous trek to another civilized city. One could travel the scenic route through the Dirak Desert and other parts of the Wilderness, typically finding something nasty waiting for him. Another option is the permanent portal that connects Selastos to Galitia -- of course, creatures may be waiting at this portal for their next meal. Put simply, it is not safe leaving a city.
(http://www.pigames.net/blog_files/marlmap.jpg)
Took a while, but here's the cover for Bloodshadows 3E (still working on the logo). I hope to get this released by early 2016.
(http://www.pigames.net/blog_files/BloodshadowsCover.jpg)
Quote from: brettmb;863869Took a while, but here's the cover for Bloodshadows 3E (still working on the logo). I hope to get this released by early 2016.
(http://www.pigames.net/blog_files/BloodshadowsCover.jpg)
Perfect! I like it!
Yeah, I do too! The artist, Felipe Gaona, did an amazing job.
Very well done!
I would have the vamp-on-point in an inhuman shade of skin, pallid with feint veining showing through. Then you get the whole vampires and mages helping human detective effect. Very supernatural romance noir.
The female mage as the light source is a subtle nod to magic in the setting without being campy.
I opted to make the vamp more human-looking - anything else looked campy.
I like the new cover design very much. :D
Quote from: finarvyn;864242I like the new cover design very much. :D
Cheers.
Quote from: brettmb;863869Took a while, but here's the cover for Bloodshadows 3E (still working on the logo). I hope to get this released by early 2016.
(http://www.pigames.net/blog_files/BloodshadowsCover.jpg)
Good cover!
Some updates:
1. PC races and roles: http://www.pigames.net/store/blog.php?entry=2439
2. Catalog page is now live: http://www.pigames.net/store/default.php?cPath=129
3. Sample Race...
(http://www.pigames.net/blog_files/bloodshadows3e_sucinc.jpg)(http://www.pigames.net/blog_files/bloodshadows3e_mdrain.jpg)