Quote from: Slambo on August 18, 2023, 11:37:59 AM

Quote from: Persimmon on August 18, 2023, 08:42:14 AM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 07:59:55 AM
It wasn't provided recently, I'm just that backed up.  Musings take a while to write while I play the game and kick the tires.  Meanwhile people keep sending me games to review.  I moved this one up because of demand.  I've pushed back Powers and Perils and Mutant Chronicles back several times to give precedence to donated titles.  I've heard Questing Beast's video was a paid promotion and not a review.

I think most of QB's reviews are paid promotions.  He should change his channel name to Questing Shill or maybe Questing for Shillings.

He's been on this board before and said that most of his videos arent paid reviews.

And yet he's still a sniveling crap weasel so....

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 08:58:39 AM
I will try and contact her.  Let me try and clear this backlog a bit first.

Having read through both versions, I doubt your overall view is going to change.  Personally, I thought it was really dumb to pass out a draft for review rather than the finished product but I guess they wanted to hit the timing of WOTC self immolating.

I don't think Shadowdark is a bad product.  It actually is more playable than a lot of D&D derivatives.  (Recently, we did a play test.)  It just feels unfinished.

Quote from: Persimmon on August 18, 2023, 12:51:22 PM

Quote from: Slambo on August 18, 2023, 11:37:59 AM

Quote from: Persimmon on August 18, 2023, 08:42:14 AM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 07:59:55 AM
It wasn't provided recently, I'm just that backed up.  Musings take a while to write while I play the game and kick the tires.  Meanwhile people keep sending me games to review.  I moved this one up because of demand.  I've pushed back Powers and Perils and Mutant Chronicles back several times to give precedence to donated titles.  I've heard Questing Beast's video was a paid promotion and not a review.

I think most of QB's reviews are paid promotions.  He should change his channel name to Questing Shill or maybe Questing for Shillings.

He's been on this board before and said that most of his videos arent paid reviews.

And yet he's still a sniveling crap weasel so....

I have no dog in the fight but he's stated that if you want him to review a product, you need to send him a physical copy.  If he's paid to, he'll review a PDF. 

Quote from: BadApple on August 18, 2023, 12:54:45 PM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 08:58:39 AM
I will try and contact her.  Let me try and clear this backlog a bit first.

Having read through both versions, I doubt your overall view is going to change.  Personally, I thought it was really dumb to pass out a draft for review rather than the finished product but I guess they wanted to hit the timing of WOTC self immolating.

I don't think Shadowdark is a bad product.  It actually is more playable than a lot of D&D derivatives.  (Recently, we did a play test.)  It just feels unfinished.

The 'review' that you are looking for is a Quickstart guide for both Players and another one for GM's. It was never meant to be anything but a "Here's something to get you started".

Reviewing Shadowdark based on the Quickstart is like reviewing Citizen Kane after the first 15min and skipping to the credits. Proclaiming it's anything BUT a quickstart is a fool's errand.

Professor DM, Questing Beast, Runehammer, and many others reviewed the full 400 page book and the Quickstart is a microcosm of what the whole book has in store. It really is smashing the PHB, DMG, and Companion's books into one tightly compact and well written piece of literature.

Quote from: BadApple on August 18, 2023, 12:54:45 PM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 08:58:39 AM
I will try and contact her.  Let me try and clear this backlog a bit first.

Having read through both versions, I doubt your overall view is going to change.  Personally, I thought it was really dumb to pass out a draft for review rather than the finished product but I guess they wanted to hit the timing of WOTC self immolating.

I don't think Shadowdark is a bad product.  It actually is more playable than a lot of D&D derivatives.  (Recently, we did a play test.)  It just feels unfinished.

I normally get pdfs if I volunteer for a review.  For a lot of companies they have a review copy they send out, rarely a finished product because either it's not printed yet, or they don't want to ship a hard copy for a possible review.  Big problem with reviewers, some of them take freebies with a promise that they will look at it.  Talking about it is another matter.  I had three games lined up before Shadowdark, and it was a time sensitive review.  But so was two of the three I was provided as well.

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 01:37:12 PM

Quote from: BadApple on August 18, 2023, 12:54:45 PM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 08:58:39 AM
I will try and contact her.  Let me try and clear this backlog a bit first.

Having read through both versions, I doubt your overall view is going to change.  Personally, I thought it was really dumb to pass out a draft for review rather than the finished product but I guess they wanted to hit the timing of WOTC self immolating.

I don't think Shadowdark is a bad product.  It actually is more playable than a lot of D&D derivatives.  (Recently, we did a play test.)  It just feels unfinished.

I normally get pdfs if I volunteer for a review.  For a lot of companies they have a review copy they send out, rarely a finished product because either it's not printed yet, or they don't want to ship a hard copy for a possible review.  Big problem with reviewers, some of them take freebies with a promise that they will look at it.  Talking about it is another matter.  I had three games lined up before Shadowdark, and it was a time sensitive review.  But so was two of the three I was provided as well.

Have you ever gone back and compared the review copy you got to the final product?  How much difference do you usually see?

I have no issue with a PDF being supplied for review IF is reflects the final product.  I could see it missing art, font, or other formatting improvements.  Missing critical parts that make the book usable like an index or if there's a lot of change in game play material from the reviewed draft to the final product seems really sloppy to me.  Personally, if I send a book out for review I want it to be what customers are getting.

I got a copy of the play test material for Shadowdark some time ago.  (two years ago?)  I recently got a copy of the retail release PDF and read through it.  It's still the same game and it still has all the same weaknesses, most of which you pointed out in your video. 

On a personal note, I like your channel.  Thank you.

Normally I don't get review copies beforehand.  I'm not big enough for that.  The guys that get those are 10x my size.  It's not just game companies, that a standard across the board.  When i did theatre reviews  for a local paper all my invitations to the blockbusters got lost in the mail unless the play was going to be awful then the bigger outlets weren't going to send anybody.  Would I do a redux video comparing the differences?  Absolutely. But I doubt I'm getting a full copy.  My review got 2k views.  QB video was like 260k iirc. I'm not worth the resources.  Like I say, I will review any rpg.  I've covered Fatal and Synnabar.  I have to cover what I get sent.  I don't do reviews for money, I don't advertise.  There's a reason for that.  It's a long story.  Involves Bill Paxton and a convention burning down.  That's for another time.

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 02:52:39 PM
Normally I don't get review copies beforehand.  I'm not big enough for that.  The guys that get those are 10x my size.  It's not just game companies, that a standard across the board.  When i did theatre reviews  for a local paper all my invitations to the blockbusters got lost in the mail unless the play was going to be awful then the bigger outlets weren't going to send anybody.  Would I do a redux video comparing the differences?  Absolutely. But I doubt I'm getting a full copy.  My review got 2k views.  QB video was like 260k iirc. I'm not worth the resources.  Like I say, I will review any rpg.  I've covered Fatal and Synnabar.  I have to cover what I get sent.  I don't do reviews for money, I don't advertise.  There's a reason for that.  It's a long story.  Involves Bill Paxton and a convention burning down.  That's for another time.

You would be utterly surprised at how approachable and understanding of your platform that Kelsey is.  Shadowdark was lightning in a bottle and Kelsey is more than willing to speak to and help other content creators with their platform as she was in their shoes once as well.  All it takes is that one breakout THING and you are off to the races.

I will send her an email requesting a full version once I've finished the next preview as it's a little time sensitive

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 02:52:39 PM
I don't do reviews for money, I don't advertise.  There's a reason for that.  It's a long story.  Involves Bill Paxton and a convention burning down.  That's for another time.

I'd pay to see that movie.

Quote from: THE_Leopold on August 18, 2023, 03:11:19 PM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 02:52:39 PM
Normally I don't get review copies beforehand.  I'm not big enough for that.  The guys that get those are 10x my size.  It's not just game companies, that a standard across the board.  When i did theatre reviews  for a local paper all my invitations to the blockbusters got lost in the mail unless the play was going to be awful then the bigger outlets weren't going to send anybody.  Would I do a redux video comparing the differences?  Absolutely. But I doubt I'm getting a full copy.  My review got 2k views.  QB video was like 260k iirc. I'm not worth the resources.  Like I say, I will review any rpg.  I've covered Fatal and Synnabar.  I have to cover what I get sent.  I don't do reviews for money, I don't advertise.  There's a reason for that.  It's a long story.  Involves Bill Paxton and a convention burning down.  That's for another time.

You would be utterly surprised at how approachable and understanding of your platform that Kelsey is.  Shadowdark was lightning in a bottle and Kelsey is more than willing to speak to and help other content creators with their platform as she was in their shoes once as well.  All it takes is that one breakout THING and you are off to the races.

So, you know her personally?

Quote from: Eirikrautha on August 18, 2023, 04:27:21 PM

Quote from: THE_Leopold on August 18, 2023, 03:11:19 PM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 02:52:39 PM
Normally I don't get review copies beforehand.  I'm not big enough for that.  The guys that get those are 10x my size.  It's not just game companies, that a standard across the board.  When i did theatre reviews  for a local paper all my invitations to the blockbusters got lost in the mail unless the play was going to be awful then the bigger outlets weren't going to send anybody.  Would I do a redux video comparing the differences?  Absolutely. But I doubt I'm getting a full copy.  My review got 2k views.  QB video was like 260k iirc. I'm not worth the resources.  Like I say, I will review any rpg.  I've covered Fatal and Synnabar.  I have to cover what I get sent.  I don't do reviews for money, I don't advertise.  There's a reason for that.  It's a long story.  Involves Bill Paxton and a convention burning down.  That's for another time.

You would be utterly surprised at how approachable and understanding of your platform that Kelsey is.  Shadowdark was lightning in a bottle and Kelsey is more than willing to speak to and help other content creators with their platform as she was in their shoes once as well.  All it takes is that one breakout THING and you are off to the races.

So, you know her personally?

I am on their discord, have had communication with her, seen her interaction with SHARK, Tenkar, ProfesssorDM, Runehammer, and on live streams. I've had nothing but positive interaction with her multiple times and seen the way she speaks to the community at large.

Quote from: amacris on August 17, 2023, 10:35:07 PM
Hey TheGlen, could I send you the beta rules of ACKS Imperial Imprint for you to do a review?

Quote from: TheGlen on August 17, 2023, 10:59:05 PM
Yes I will review just about anything.

Sick burn! 

Quote from: Slambo on August 18, 2023, 11:37:59 AM

Quote from: Persimmon on August 18, 2023, 08:42:14 AM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 07:59:55 AM
It wasn't provided recently, I'm just that backed up.  Musings take a while to write while I play the game and kick the tires.  Meanwhile people keep sending me games to review.  I moved this one up because of demand.  I've pushed back Powers and Perils and Mutant Chronicles back several times to give precedence to donated titles.  I've heard Questing Beast's video was a paid promotion and not a review.

I think most of QB's reviews are paid promotions.  He should change his channel name to Questing Shill or maybe Questing for Shillings.

He's been on this board before and said that most of his videos arent paid reviews.

I talked to Bruce Wayne and he said he wasn't Batman.

What I don't understand is that for weeks the full game has been available on her website but ot on drivethru. What's the logic in that?