[Hardened Heroes & Fiendish Foes] Power 19

[visioNationstudios]

[hoefer]

www.wholesumentertainment.com

[visioNationstudios]

I definitely thank you for the thoughts, though I hope that doesn't necessarily hold true for us.  We seem to already have a following pushing for us to get this project done, including a couple dozen people who are essentially following us to every convention just so they can play the latest development.  We have 4 playtest groups lined up across the country, and may have more before the book is actually ready for them to test with next month.  We have a few customers who are already planning to write supplements to the game as freelancers.  And even a brick & mortar game store owner who says he's been watching our progress for the last 6 months and will immediately start carrying the book once it's available.

I honestly don't know what's "typical" for the indie industry regarding hype for a new game, but at least for us, this is huge.  I know many posts on these forums tend to temper my enthusiasm with reality, so I wouldn't mind if someone let me know how standard or abnormal this kind of pre-beta excitement really is.

[Vulpinoid]

Well that's certainly pre-empted "Generation of Fire", my own setting with a Steam-Noir aesthetic (an alternate reality "Film-Noir" world where steam remained the dominant source of power).

It'll be interesting to see where your team takes this concept. I was aiming more toward a group of "Robert L. Ripley"-style adventurers (with a bit of Indiana Jones thrown in), these characters would delve into the strange and bizarre phenomena around the world, caught up in intrigues far beyond their control. To survive, they would make use of the secrets they uncover in their travels; to get ahead in the world they'd have to face moral dilemmas about changing cultural paradigms and advancement at the sake of history.

At least I can be glad there is a major point of difference in the fact that your game doesn't use Tarot Cards as it's primary mechanic.

V

[visioNationstudios]

Looks like we've got enough of a difference to each have a bit of a unique niche.  We were originally looking at an Indiana Jones adventure style, but realized there were more than enough Pulp era games out there like that (Two Fisted Tales, among others).  So we're shooting for a bit more of a gritty, darker pulp.  And less over-the-top, bizarre phenomena, but rather a world where a technological boom has provided a means for both virtue and villainy to attempt to "get ahead".  We deal a bit with the repercussions of such attempts.

[hoefer]

I honestly don't know what's "typical" for the indie industry regarding hype for a new game, but at least for us, this is huge.  I know many posts on these forums tend to temper my enthusiasm with reality, so I wouldn't mind if someone let me know how standard or abnormal this kind of pre-beta excitement really is.

It does sound encouraging for you.  I (like yourself) have no idea how to measure the predicted success of book from the hype before hand (if any of you successful guys want to chime in here it would be great). 

My book was due out this month, but misfortune and a wee bit of distraction is pushing it back to next month (It is fully written, but I decided a few months ago to over haul its layout and adjust its visual quality/organization).  I've had a few inquiries about it.  I've sold a meager ammount of my demo books (that have the basic rules, restricted character generation, and a nice starting adventure).  I have presented games at several cons over the last few years with lots of positive feedback and many soldout events.  My free quickplay rules get downloaded about 2-3 times a day on average.  Does this mean the project will be a success?  I got no clue... 

The world is a big place and the RPG market is itty-bitty, the pulp/steam age RPG market is even smaller and currently overflowing with product.  My company's mind set is that our products will be produced well, stocked lightly, remain available indefinitely, and be represented at any con we can afford to get a person to.  Hopefully (if my product is really good) that will be enough to be successful (on a "part-time-income" level) within about a decade...  Maybe...  Hopefully...  ...It's a fun hobby anyhow...   ...better than spending money on drugs, isn't it?...  ...isn't it?.... (LOL)


Louis Hoefer
www.wholesumentertainment.com