Director's Briefing - December 2024

Started by NicholasHMCaldwell, December 11, 2024, 12:10:11 PM

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NicholasHMCaldwell

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-sixty-first Briefing and twelfth scheduled Briefing of 2024. Lots of quick-fire updates this month.

Gen Con 2025
Two important decisions occurred in the United States this month. One of those was the 2024 presidential election. The other was the Gen Con 2025 booth allocation decision-making. We have been successful and received a spot in Entrepreneurs Avenue. We have already made the full payment – hence the booth is sorted.

Dragonmeet 2024

Speaking of conventions, we (Colin, John and myself) were all at Dragonmeet and enjoying having a larger booth. As always, an excellent convention experience with opportunities to catch up with fans old and new. We experimented with QR codes enabling anyone buying a print copy of a book to access a pdf at a discount price – we will do this at Gen Con next year. Colin and I were also interviewed by Ravi for his youtube channel, Rav's Realm at https://youtu.be/j7Y8ju1AXW0, which was good fun.

The convention organisers do indeed expect that Dragonmeet will have a new home in 2025 and it may be the ExCeL centre.
 

Software – Roll20

Brett Nash has indicated that the RMU Treasure Law dataset for Roll20 is due for an imminent release. We will send a DriveThru discount coupon email to enable existing purchasers of Treasure Law in other formats to get the dataset at equivalent to bundle pricing. You know the drill – please  ensure that you have signed up for DriveThru emails from us.

Software – ERA for Rolemaster

Max has added a new dataset for ERA, namely RMSS/FRP Castles & Ruins. There have also been a number of minor improvements and bug fixes to the ERA base package.  Please download the latest versions of the software at your earliest convenience.

Rolemaster
I have completed my editing pass on Character Companion and this is back with Jonathan Dale for a very modest set of corrections and suggestions.

RMU Creature Law volume 1 is also moving into a full layout draft.

Shadow World

I know many of you have been (im)patiently on news of Shadow World and what our plans are. Here's our first step on the journey back to Kulthea.

Our existing Shadow World books were statted for RM2/Classic and RMSS/FRP. We are proposing as part of the return of Shadow World to create RMU appendices for each of the existing Shadow World books. These would be added as extra pdf files in DriveThru. For those who prefer things in print, the intention is to create a print version of these new appendices at some nominal price plus print costs. This seems more sensible than reissuing the books as a new edition.

More to come in the new year about this and the next steps.

HARP
I am reliably informed that the artwork for HARP Steampunk has nearly all arrived. Once it has, we will finally be able to move Steampunk into the layout phase.

Until next time
More updates next month. All that remains for me to do is wish you and your families a Merry Christmas (or other holiday of your choice) and a happy new year.

Best wishes,
Nicholas
Professor Nicholas HM Caldwell
Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd
Publisher of Rolemaster, Spacemaster, Shadow World, Cyradon, HARP & HARP SF, and Cyberspace, with products available from www.drivethrurpg.com
Author: Mentalism Companion, GURPS Age of Napoleon, Construct Companion, College of Magics, HARP SF/HARP SF Xtreme, and coauthor HARP Bestiary

Jon Joe

Thank you Nicholas.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you too!!!

Spectre771

Quote from: NicholasHMCaldwell on December 11, 2024, 12:10:11 PM


Shadow World
For those who prefer things in print, the intention is to create a print version of these new appendices at some nominal price plus print costs. This seems more sensible than reissuing the books as a new edition.


This is fantastic!  It's certainly more cost effective for publisher and purchaser.  I have far too many Shadow World books to even try purchasing new prints of everything in RMU.
If discretion is the better valor and
cowardice the better part of judgment,
let's all be heroes and run away!

Falconer

Quote from: NicholasHMCaldwell on December 11, 2024, 12:10:11 PMShadow World

I know many of you have been (im)patiently on news of Shadow World and what our plans are. Here's our first step on the journey back to Kulthea.

Our existing Shadow World books were statted for RM2/Classic and RMSS/FRP. We are proposing as part of the return of Shadow World to create RMU appendices for each of the existing Shadow World books. These would be added as extra pdf files in DriveThru. For those who prefer things in print, the intention is to create a print version of these new appendices at some nominal price plus print costs. This seems more sensible than reissuing the books as a new edition.

More to come in the new year about this and the next steps.
This is big news and very sensible IMO.

nash

Quote from: Spectre771 on December 11, 2024, 03:24:44 PM
Quote from: NicholasHMCaldwell on December 11, 2024, 12:10:11 PM


Shadow World
For those who prefer things in print, the intention is to create a print version of these new appendices at some nominal price plus print costs. This seems more sensible than reissuing the books as a new edition.


This is fantastic!  It's certainly more cost effective for publisher and purchaser.  I have far too many Shadow World books to even try purchasing new prints of everything in RMU.

Agreed... although there are a couple which would be great to get back in print.   

Personally i just want to get them on roll20.

5th Knight of Xar

Good news, looking forward to both Creature Law 1 and Character Companion.

pastaav

Having RMU stats for lots of NPC would be a fantastic resource even for those that doesn't use SW.
/Pa Staav

Hurin

'Last of all, Húrin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed'. --J.R.R. Tolkien

'Every party needs at least one insane person.'  --Aspen of the Jade Isle

Twistor

Does this mean that Creature Law I has all art already (or rather, finally)?
"This here is my invention. A small orb with a tornado trapped inside of it. Magnificent, like a ship in a bottle but with dynamics and power fluctuating inside. Here, you may take a closer look. Just don't drop it or we will all die."
- Vir'alaar the Air Elementalist

Micael

Quote from: NicholasHMCaldwell on December 11, 2024, 12:10:11 PM
Welcome


Shadow World

I know many of you have been (im)patiently on news of Shadow World and what our plans are. Here's our first step on the journey back to Kulthea.

Our existing Shadow World books were statted for RM2/Classic and RMSS/FRP. We are proposing as part of the return of Shadow World to create RMU appendices for each of the existing Shadow World books. These would be added as extra pdf files in DriveThru. For those who prefer things in print, the intention is to create a print version of these new appendices at some nominal price plus print costs. This seems more sensible than reissuing the books as a new edition.

More to come in the new year about this and the next steps.

Best wishes,
Nicholas


Great news and also following wishes from our big fan voting! A very happy Christmas & nice new year. Waiting for more of course as soon as possible.
Micael

NicholasHMCaldwell

Quote from: Twistor on December 13, 2024, 01:24:37 AM
Does this mean that Creature Law I has all art already (or rather, finally)?

Yes. Unless Colin knows differently.

Best wishes,
Nicholas
Professor Nicholas HM Caldwell
Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd
Publisher of Rolemaster, Spacemaster, Shadow World, Cyradon, HARP & HARP SF, and Cyberspace, with products available from www.drivethrurpg.com
Author: Mentalism Companion, GURPS Age of Napoleon, Construct Companion, College of Magics, HARP SF/HARP SF Xtreme, and coauthor HARP Bestiary