Since I didn't see it posted, here is a link (http://kck.st/17zN37l) to the project's page. You can also see a list of the game unique features over here (http://kotohi.com/ryuutama/unique-elements/) on the English website.
In a nutshell, Ryuutama is a Japanese game about traveling that uses old school-ish mechanics. You play common folk (a Farmer, a Herbalist, a Hunter, etc) who at a point in their life feels the necessity to undertake a journey to see the wonders of the world, so its focus is more what you do to survive along the way than fighting monsters (for what I've heard, the combat system is pretty lethal).
Probably the most interesting and unique aspect is that the GM has his own character with its own special rules. The Ryuujin (Dragon) the GM chooses to play changes the focus of the campaign and how certain rules work (for example, a Black Dragon is about tragedy and betrayal, while a Red Dragon is all about exploring dungeons and fighting monsters). The Ryuujin follows the group from afar, recording their adventures, and may even be able to help the characters from time to time.
I like the look and idea of it, so I'm backing, although currently at the cheap pdf level.
I might get a physical book, I'm not decided yet, but I've got a while to make up my mind.
If you back only for the PDF, you can later get the money discounted when you purchase the physical copy of the book. I asked Andy about this since he did that with TBZ as well.
I'm backing at the PDF++ level, but I'll try to grab a physical copy next year, maybe preorder with some friends to reduce shipping costs.
I backed this on the basis that both Tenra Bansho Zero and Double Cross are amongst my top 4 RPGs of all time.
Having two young daughters interesting RPGing and keen on stories that promote heroism without necessarily being violent (Avatar, Rayearth, MLP, Spiderwick), it definitely looks like it will be a winning combination.
Looks like The One Ring, but not shit and awful. I'm certainly interested, although UK shipping is, as ever, ridiculous (Thanks to the shitty situation USPS is in regarding their pensions, apparently).
This sounds pretty neat!
For some reason I picture it as a family game... like, I'd rather play it with my wife and kids (if I had any of those) than a bunch of fat/hairy guys who want to stab monsters and seduce barmaids.
Quote from: Ladybird;706128Looks like The One Ring, but not shit and awful. I'm certainly interested, although UK shipping is, as ever, ridiculous (Thanks to the shitty situation USPS is in regarding their pensions, apparently).
Since DriveThruRPG has a printer in the UK, this may be useful to you (I found it on the KS page):
QuoteAlso, if it's easier, you can always just back the electronic copy of the book: We'll of course grant you full rights to print the book yourself or with a local Print on Demand service; we will also allow everyone to print their copies from DriveThruRPG: For international physical backers, printing a softcover copy locally and having it shipped that way will save you some money.
Quote from: Maese Mateo;706173Since DriveThruRPG has a printer in the UK, this may be useful to you (I found it on the KS page):
Yeah, I've noticed that, and Lightning Source do good work. It still doesn't stop me from wanting the hardback offered here, though. :)
I was looking up mail resending services to the UK, and again, the prices are not good; my employer does have an office in Houston, so that's an opportunity (Maybe) open to me, but there's no cheap method (Except "hope it arrives at the same time as we send someone over for a week"). I might go looking for any other UK people wanting to split shipping.
Are the translators the same people who did Maid and TBZ?
Quote from: RPGPundit;707156Are the translators the same people who did Maid and TBZ?
Andy Kitkowski was the TBZ translator and I think he was involved in Maid RPG as well. As for Matt Sanchez, I think this is his first game (he's also working on Shinobigami, the game next game on their schedule).
Ewen Cluney (who also translated Golden Sky Stories) was the translator for Maid. AndyK set up the online presence and sales portal, and provided assistance with translation.
Tenra Bansho Zero was translated by Andy K, with assistance from others (including Ewen Cluney, if that's of interest).
Ryuutama is translated by Matt Sanchez and Andy K. Its Matt Sanchez's first translated RPG.
To complete the Japanese RPG sweep to date, the translator for Double Cross has not been involved in any of the above projects.
Quote from: Maese Mateo;707157Andy Kitkowski was the TBZ translator and I think he was involved in Maid RPG as well. As for Matt Sanchez, I think this is his first game (he's also working on Shinobigami, the game next game on their schedule).
Andy K. produced the English version of
Maid, but it was primarily translated by Ewen Cluney who isn't involved with this project. On the other hand, Cluney also translated
Golden Sky Stories which was up on Kickstarter not long ago but didn't directly involve Andy K. There seems to be a relatively small pool of people working on officially localizing Japanese tabletop RPGs.
Quote from: The Yann Waters;707167There seems to be a relatively small pool of people working on officially localizing Japanese tabletop RPGs.
I've heard that getting a license from a Japanese publisher isn't an easy task, which could explain the low number of people working on translations.
Quote from: The Yann Waters;707167Andy K. produced the English version of Maid, but it was primarily translated by Ewen Cluney who isn't involved with this project. On the other hand, Cluney also translated Golden Sky Stories which was up on Kickstarter not long ago but didn't directly involve Andy K. There seems to be a relatively small pool of people working on officially localizing Japanese tabletop RPGs.
You could say that there is a relatively small pool of people working on designing all RPGs :) But yeah, those four RPGs are translated by people who are all friends or acquaintances.
On saying that, Double Cross and Meikyuu Kingdom are being translated by people not part of that 'pool'.
Quote from: Skywalker;707170On saying that, Double Cross and Meikyuu Kingdom are being translated by people not part of that 'pool'.
To be honest, I haven't really been able to dig up anything very substantial about Lanternworks Unlimited which was announced to handle that English version of
Meikyuu Kingdom. There just isn't much concrete information out on that yet.
Quote from: The Yann Waters;707172To be honest, I haven't really been able to dig up anything very substantial about Lanternworks Unlimited which was announced to handle that English version of Meikyuu Kingdom. There just isn't much concrete information out on that yet.
Well, its not due until next year at the earliest. So that's not surprising that all we have is the press release. IIRC Double Cross wasn't announced until a month or so before release.
Well, exploration is something I've always enjoyed immensely in RPGs - it's one reason why I like sandbox settings (especially big huge hexcrawl style thingies) and an RPG set up to mainly be about exploration sounds awesome to me. Will be following this. :)
Oh no, a pervert translated this game, now it's ruined forever. :rolleyes:
Incidentally, that Costume Fairy Adventures project, also on Kickstarter at the moment, has apparently picked up some inspiration from Maid's Costume and Stress mechanics. Perhaps the idea was to create a similarly chaotic comedy game for the whole family?
Quote from: The Butcher;707324Oh no, a pervert translated this game, now it's ruined forever. :rolleyes:
More aptly, someone who has a proven agenda of what he chooses to translate translated this game...
Quote from: RPGPundit;708204More aptly, someone who has a proven agenda of what he chooses to translate translated this game...
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/596561434f5337a98bb3221e405adae7/tumblr_mtktivYljj1rvy1kqo1_400.gif)
Quote from: RPGPundit;708204More aptly, someone who has a proven agenda of what he chooses to translate translated this game...
Ryuutama is the first RPG translation my Matt Sanchez.
Matt translated the book in February 2011 in a private sponsor/patron project and made the Word files available to any sponsor who sent him proof that he had purchased the Japanese original book.
What type of game mechanics does this rpg use?
Quote from: Sacrificial Lamb;708951What type of game mechanics does this rpg use?
Here is an overview of the system (http://kotohi.com/ryuutama/ryuutama-the-game/).
Detailed character creation video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTqLbgV517o
Quote from: Maese Mateo;708952Here is an overview of the system (http://kotohi.com/ryuutama/ryuutama-the-game/).
That is a very elegant, intuitive system.
In for $40.
For those curious about the game, they've made available a complete character creation draft (check Update #10). Start making your Ryuutama characters today! :)
For what I can tell, character creation is simple and fast, but you end up with a pretty cool character that has fair expertise in what he's doing. In particular, the Farmer's ability to choose an ability from other Class is pretty sweet.
I also like the Class + Type interaction, it makes Classes more flexible and gives you, as a player, more customization for your character without adding too much complexity.
If you backed Ryuutama and didn't get an email, check the KS page. The full draft is out! Whoohoo!:D
I like the Ryuujin rules, it's an interesting way for the GM to influence the game. And the bestiary, it's huge!
The first cut laid out PDF is now out to backers. Its a thing of beauty and a complete fantasy RPG in just over 200 journal sized pages.
The Ryuujin rules do look excellent in giving the GM a PC of their own, much like Fizban in Dragonlance, who can advance and change the rules of the game (almost a modular ruleset where you can bring out fear rules for horror scenarios or detailed combat rules for combat scenarios).
The travel rules look excellent too. Combat is not king as a PC's ability to travel, orienteer, make camp, look after pack animals, trade, look after themselves and other PCs, and gather herbs and resources in the wild are as important as wielding a sword or spells.
I travelled down to the Day Dream TRPG cafe to pick this up today as they have a print copy. It was in French. My French is only marginally better than my Japanese, but not good enough to use for RPGs.
#sadface
Quote from: BarefootGaijin;778004I travelled down to the Day Dream TRPG cafe to pick this up today as they have a print copy. It was in French. My French is only marginally better than my Japanese, but not good enough to use for RPGs.
#sadface
You can get the Japanese version legally online for free: http://www.j-comi.jp/book/comic/43101
English language version should be up at DTRPG in 6-8 weeks and can be preordered here: http://kotodama.bigcartel.com/
I suddenly got an urge to run Lost Mine of Phandelver with Ryuutama. Anyone keen? :)
I just laid down money for the PDF. The pre-release is now on my HDD. I have started reading it. It is lovely.
It's very cool both mechanically and in presentation.
Strongly considering backing this thing. :)
Quote from: Skywalker;779676It's very cool both mechanically and in presentation.
It certainly looks both really beautyful and well thought out.
Quote from: The Ent;780238Strongly considering backing this thing. :)
well, that time has passed, the kickstarter ended in december.
Quote from: beeber;780243well, that time has passed, the kickstarter ended in december.
Argh. :o
Well, strongly considering simply getting it then. :D
You can preorder Ryuutama here: http://kotodama.bigcartel.com/.
Not the same as backing the KS but you should get the book and PDF quicker, when it's released.
In France, we all ready have a translation of this game and I can confirm that it is a cool game ! I have played it 3 times and i was pleasant !
Anyone for some old school action with Ryuutama? I fancy running Tomb of Horrors with it. Would it work?
Quote from: BarefootGaijin;780386Anyone for some old school action with Ryuutama? I fancy running Tomb of Horrors with it. Would it work?
Though it would, I think something that utilises the journeying focus would be better. Also a greater potential for social interaction might be good. Keep of the Borderlands and Secret of Bone Hill might be better old school modules.
Just subscribing to this thread. I normally hate Japanese TRPGs and I'm not an anime/manga fan but this looks really cool.