Dark Sun in 2010

RPGObjects_chuck · August 14, 2009, 09:59:40 PM

This is a sign that 4e is failing and Wizards is scared!

(Isn't this how we spin all WOTC news now?)

Benoist · August 14, 2009, 10:01:15 PM

Quote from: RPGObjects_chuck;320763(Isn't this how we spin all WOTC news now?)

In the minds of stupid asses trying to shut down all criticism of WotC, maybe.

Zachary The First · August 14, 2009, 11:16:21 PM

Quote from: Benoist;320624"We are going to try very hard not to shoehorn 4e conceits into Dark Sun" -Bill S.

THIS is very interesting, isn't it? Source.

They would have done better not to shoehorn 4e conceits into 4e.

Actually, I think this would be an interesting match. They've chosen a relatively less well-known and canonized setting, so they can sort of remake it in the image they want without as much hue and cry as a Realms or (gods forbid) Greyhawk.

Nightfall · August 14, 2009, 11:33:27 PM

That...and the fact is this is a psionic setting, not a fantasy (magical) setting. It's more Mad Max Thunder Dome/Beast Master than it is hobbits and stuff. Plus the fact I don't see powers being as...cheesy a way to describe stuff as they would be in a setting like the Realms, Greyhawk or hell Mystara.

Hairfoot · August 14, 2009, 11:45:38 PM

I never played Dark Sun, so I don't know if it's a good choice or not. Of course, given recent history, when they say they're "going to try very hard not to shoehorn 4e conceits into Dark Sun", it just sounds like, "Meh. We're going to tell you it won't be another FR, but when it comes down to it, you drones will buy whatever we publish, and you'll fucking enjoy it. Understood?"

Quote from: Lawbag;320680Dark Sun when it was released was a thinly disguised attempt by TSR to show the results of not being "Green", i.e. wasting and destroying natural resources.

Whilst I disagreed with the premise, the quality of material of Dark Sun was good, certainly on par with Al Qadim. But I do question the relevance of DS in 2009 and for DND 4.0, but I suppose it needs all the help it can get.

Because environmentalism will be so out of fashion in 2010.

Nightfall · August 14, 2009, 11:51:03 PM

Funny I thought Dark Sun was just a way of taking the fantasy genre and merging it with Mad Max and post apocalyptic societies. But that's just me.

aramis · August 15, 2009, 02:58:49 AM

let's see.. key elements of Dark Sun as I recall:

Defiler Spells damage plant life; big defiler spells hurt even PC's
Halfling Cannibals
Elves who can run forever.
Bugs who consider you food the moment you die.
Sorcerer-kings who eventually become dragons.
Slavery... LOTS of slavery...
Funky clerics and druids.
Many classes attract small armies at level 9.
Illos that belong on the covers of Gor novels.

Should work fine in 4E.

Melan · August 15, 2009, 05:08:06 AM

This might just work.

Fifth Element · August 15, 2009, 09:28:32 AM

Quote from: Benoist;320765In the minds of stupid asses trying to shut down all criticism of WotC, maybe.

Seriously though, in another thread the Compendium being free for the weekend was interpreted as "yet another" sign that WotC is "afraid" of Pathfinder.

He's not making this stuff up. You might not be doing it, but you're not the only one here.

Imperator · August 16, 2009, 09:02:21 AM

Quote from: Melan;320846This might just work.

I agree. As jrients said, I liked Dark Sun high powered concept and it could match 4e just fine. And they sticking to the original box is also a good thing, IMO. We'll see.

Ronin · August 16, 2009, 10:34:14 PM

I dont see Dark Sun working as a 4e setting. When I think of 4e I think of the dungeon crawl/bash. I dont think that, when I think of Dark Sun. Perhaps thats just my ingrained biases though.

Benoist · August 16, 2009, 10:36:29 PM

Quote from: Ronin;321306I dont see Dark Sun working as a 4e setting. When I think of 4e I think of the dungeon crawl/bash. I dont think that, when I think of Dark Sun. Perhaps thats just my ingrained biases though.

I can totally see 4e and Dark Sun working together in terms of power levels. Characters in the old DS started at 3rd level, all with psionic abilities etc. I do agree that the tactical part of 4e's design doesn't a priori mesh well with the way Dark Sun was conceived and developed for 2e.

It'll be interesting to see how they work this particular aspect out. Will it be a "return to the dungeon" moment for Dark Sun?

Ronin · August 16, 2009, 10:41:17 PM

Yeah I think the tactical part is what really gets me. As for teh p[ower level thing. I dont buy that. As I ran a house ruled game of 3.5 that the charcters started off pretty stupid powerful and it only got higher from there.

Spinachcat · August 17, 2009, 01:26:45 AM

Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;320641According to a twitter feed posted on RPG.net, the state of the setting is going to be the _original_ boxed set, not the revised box set.

Awesome!

Quote from: kaemaril;320684It is, but I kinda miss the original Dark Sun logo. That was a pretty cool logo, somehow.

I am surprised they did not keep the logo for visual continuity in their marketing.

Quote from: Hairfoot;320795but when it comes down to it, you drones will buy whatever we publish, and you'll fucking enjoy it. Understood?

Yeah, they're bastards! Totally unlike when Paizo sold the D20 SRD to people who already owned the D20 SRD!

Dirk Remmecke · August 17, 2009, 04:18:07 AM

Quote from: Spinachcat;321322I am surprised they did not keep the logo for visual continuity in their marketing.

The fragmentation of the market due to too many settings and setting specific products was what hurt AD&D2 most.

WotC learned from that, so all new settings share the regular D&D trade dress, and get very few products after the initial setting book.