Official ICE Forums
Systems & Settings => Rolemaster => Topic started by: ob1knorrb on January 20, 2017, 05:24:58 PM
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I have to say that I don't like Rolemaster United (Unified?) (RMU) as the official title for the new version of Rolemaster.
It might make sense for those that are familiar with the history of Rolemaster, but it's not going to have any meaning to new players.
RMU is fine as a working title but for general release I'd rather just see it called "Rolemaster" with an edition number, which would either be 5th or 6th depending how you want to treat RMSS/RMFRP and Rolemaster Classic.
What do you think?
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Last I heard, I think that was what is happening. Fine with me, but I think players will still come up with a nickname if they need to distinguish this edition from previous ones, especially if earlier edition books are for sale with simply "Rolemaster" in the title.
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Nicknames are fine. I just think that the official published name shouldn't rely on previous knowledge of what happened with the game system to understand the title.
"Rolemaster 5th Edition" is pretty self explanatory. "Rolemaster United (Unified?)" isn't really. An explanation is required to understand the meaning of the second word in the title.
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I do see that the title page of the Beta document I just looked at just says "Rolemaster", so maybe this is already the plan.
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RMU is solely what we call it during development.
Best wishes,
Nicholas
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I would say from a marketing perspective that Rolemaster as the sole title would be the wisest choice. Haven't been on these forums for ages, the adventure hooks on my Facebook feed got me curious...and here I am. Smart idea with the hooks, although maybe throw some science fiction hooks once and awhile...our group is playing HARP sci fi.
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Unless you have a version number in the title, rather than just the title. No clue what the version might be though; five? Six?
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Well, Rolemaster, Rolemaster 2nd Edition are pretty straight forward.
Then you get Rolemaster Standard System (RMSS), which would be third edition.
After that, it gets a little fuzzy. Is Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplaying(RMFRP) just a repackage of RMSS, or are there enough changes for it to be considered it's own edition? I think I would call it a repackage.
I'd also lump Rolemaster Express in as Third Edition, as it was basically a trimmed down version of RMSS/RMFRP
Then there is Rolemaster Classic. It's a cleaned up and reorganized version of Rolemaster Second Edition. Personally, I think it is different enough to be considered it's own edition. So, that would be 4th Edition.
That leaves the current edition as 5th. And from a marketing point of view it might be considered advantageous to have the version number being the same as that other well known Fantasy Roleplaying game.
All of this is just my opinion and it would be easy to justify several other numbers for the edition.
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My copy of Rolemaster Standard System clearly says "First Edition".... in tiny little writing at the bottom of the credits page. Likewise, my copy of RMFRP says "Second Edition" in the same place.
I think we are dealing with a numbering system that resembles Windows... 3, 3.1, 95, 97, 2000, XP, 7, 8, 10. That precedent clearly shows ICE can pick whatever the heck they want. :)
That said, if I was going to pick an edition number, 5th makes sense.
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I think it might help to give official designations to the earlier editions and the new edition as well, especially since the earlier editions are still for sale and confusion can easily result. As JDale pointed out, the current edition designations can be very hard to figure out for a new player.
Personally, I would say the editions are:
First (RM1)
Second (RM2; this would include Classic as well)
Third (RMSS, maybe FRP and Express?)
So basically, RMU looks to be either Fourth or Fifth Edition.
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D&D had a 3.5, so I suppose RM could have something similar.
I think we are dealing with a numbering system that resembles Windows... 3, 3.1, 95, 97, 2000, XP, 7, 8, 10. That precedent clearly shows ICE can pick whatever the heck they want. :)
You forgot Vista. Or was that intentional? :)
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I had completely forgotten about Rolemaster Express. It's kind of like the Windows ME of Rolemaster.
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I honestly don't care what they call it, so long as it's released... ;)
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I honestly don't care what they call it, so long as it's released... ;)
what HE sad.
any timeframe for release? 2018?
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I had completely forgotten about Rolemaster Express. It's kind of like the Windows ME of Rolemaster.
As a RMX owner, I wish I could forget it. I wouldn't count it. I did a blog post 2 weeks ago, "Former MERP GMs and Players - 6 Reasons not to buy Rolemaster Express (RMX)" where I contemplate shoving my katana through the book, maybe to see if my blade is still razor sharp.
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D&D had a 3.5, so I suppose RM could have something similar.
I think we are dealing with a numbering system that resembles Windows... 3, 3.1, 95, 97, 2000, XP, 7, 8, 10. That precedent clearly shows ICE can pick whatever the heck they want. :)
You forgot Vista. Or was that intentional? :)
And Millennium. I'm trying to forget that one, but just can't.