AD&D reprints

So the reprints for AD&D first edition are due out next month. The Gygax fund is supposed to get a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these reprints. I just wish I knew how much of the sale the fund would be getting. At $35-45 a book, it's aimed at collectors and completists. They feature new covers but that's it. So I think $35-45 is a bit much for each version, of an OLD book, The cost of the 3 books together is $115 retail. That's about $15 more than the 4E box set.

Check em out and decide for yourself:

Dungeon Master's Guide

Monster Manual

Player's Handbook

Legends & Lore Redux - A Different Way to Slice a Pie

A Different Way to Slice a Pie

Now we're seeing similarity between what DnD Next might be, and what Pathfinder is, With the beginner box release, we're seeing which rules can be easily stripped from play for new and/or younger players. We have seen this in other games such as Dragon Age, where they split the various rule sets into levels 1-5, 6-10, etc. However, this isn't a new concept in reality, as OD&D originally came in sets of varying complexity, Basic, Companion, Expert, Immortals and Master sets.  When AD&D came out, the main rules were covered in the Player's Handbook, and Dungeon Master's Guide, but as the game advanced new rules were introduced in new optional books, such as the Wilderness Survival Guide or Unearthed Arcana. In 3.0 and later rules, this became gluttonous, with so many splat books, that the rules became unwieldy, but they were optional.

Unfortunately this sounds like a step backwards though, Monte is discussing breaking Attacks of Opportunity back into individual rules based upon situations. I feel they should keep it as it is, the complexity would be which parts you want to be in there, moving away and ranged attacks only. More complex might add spellcasting and scroll use. Continue adding complexity as needed, not removing the words like Attack of Opportunity.

Many games have sidebars for optional rules (3rd edition Earthdawn is one of these with lots of optionals). I see the rules for D&D Next having checklists.  Whether this will work or not again, remains to be seen . 

RPG News: GenCon

While I'm not At GenCon, all the big industry news comes at GenCon, as I hear about these news items, I'll respond. I know Wizards of the Coast and Paizo have announcements happening at GenCon. Rumors have been circulated that 5th edition is to be announced, but coming on the heels of "essentials" we'll have to see what happens. Though there is a precedent for releasing consolidated rules, before the new edition. (Rules Compendium released just before the announcement of 4e). Note: While I'm not a fan of 4e, I am a fan of RPGs and anyway to get new blood into the industry is all right by me.
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Per the SJG Twitter, Steve Jackson Games announce 2012 release of Conan Munchkin!
Pretty cool, now we can play Conan the way it was meant to be played, with Cthulhu!! Pulp at it's finest

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Per Adam Daigle Twitter: Hardcover re-release of PFRPG Hardcover confirmed.
Good news for the people who are missing the original Out of Print Rise of the Runelords AP. I wonder what the price point will be.

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