Official ICE Forums
Systems & Settings => Rolemaster => Topic started by: NicholasHMCaldwell on July 05, 2012, 04:15:24 AM
-
We (Aurigas and GCP and our distribution/printing partner) are in discussion about how many copies of new unified Rolemaster should be printed for mainstream distribution to physical and online stores. PDF versions will be available via OneBookShelf network and print-on-demand versions will be available there as well.
It's been a while since Rolemaster has had products suitable for distribution, so this is some data-gathering on our part.
Best wishes,
Nicholas
-
Just like I said for HARP, I prefer a physical store, but I am OK with getting it on-line, one way or another.
-
If you do a deal to be able to buy a physical book with the PDF for free. I'll probably do that via whatever online resource is available.
Otherwise I'll probably just buy a PDF from whatever online retailer, don't really care which one.
-
Physical copies for me, will probably buy two of each.
-
I prefer physical copies, but will deal with online if that's the only option.
-
Prefer a copy created by ICE but will have one made from PDF if necessary.
-
There are going to be print versions. That is guaranteed and why we've been so keen to get to grips with how OneBookShelf/LightningSource does print-on-demand. The question for Aurigas/GCP is how many we and our partners should be creating as a print run to service the stores.
Best wishes,
Nicholas
-
I definitively want a printed version. And preferably PDF too. I would be very happy to buy it from my local retailers in Quebec City (Imaginaire.com or BoutiqueDonjon.com). But I think the main distributor for such product in Canada is Lion Rampant.
I am looking with my gaming group to get beta testers for the upcoming RMU. ;D
-
I would favour a print copy, but a deal which nets me the .PDF instantly while the post brings the book is the top preference. Postage is the kicker with print on demand, especially as we are UK.
-
I would favour a print copy, but a deal which nets me the .PDF instantly while the post brings the book is the top preference. Postage is the kicker with print on demand, especially as we are UK.
OBS has two LightningSource printing facilities that do their rpg printing - one is in the US and the other is in the UK!
Best wishes,
Nicholas
-
I would prefer getting a printed copy, but I am doubtful about seeing them on the shelves in my part of the world very quickly. Despite that hindrance I will eventually get my hands on a printed copy, that much is certain, and will buy the pdfs as well. I will support ICE with my euros and try to encourage my friendly neighbourhood gaming store to help me with that effort. I will hopefully see Rolemaster becoming a religion-like phenomena like Apple is but without the logic destroying effect. :P
-
I want a printed version, I'd prefer it not to be PoD, but I'll take a PoD as well, especially since I have no local store.
TBH, I'd love a boxed set, but I guess that will be a dream (or an Indiegogo project :P ).
-
Gonna buy the printed books from OneBookShelf for reading through and also pdf's for GMing.
-
I have 2 local stores. One of them is Games Workshop and therefore stocks only GW products. The other is a very small independent that worships at the altar of D&D 4 - its stocks of any other game are extremely limited. As I like physical copies, I think it will be PoD for me.
-
I have 2 local stores. One of them is Games Workshop and therefore stocks only GW products. The other is a very small independent that worships at the altar of D&D 4 - its stocks of any other game are extremely limited. As I like physical copies, I think it will be PoD for me.
You might ask if they can special order for you. But sometimes it is just easier to go PoD as you said.
MDC
-
Hard copy or I wont touch it.
-
Definitely printed from my favorite shop ( if possible ).
That's my little part of trying to keep alive the whole PnP food chain ( from the editor to the distributor to the shop to my shelves ).
-
I voted the same answers as over on the HARP Fantasy post (which is PoD or retailer). I am up for supporting more of our local retailers, but the lack of them carrying a good selection of ICE products I need will probably force me to go the PoD way. I will always try to get both a copy of the printed product and a pdf for the lowest and most comfortable way.
-
Jetpack Comics! Our FLGS...if you stepped into Jetpack you'd hardly think gaming stores were a dying breed. On Free Comic Book Day we had 9 different RPG games going on. It would be great if printed books were on the shelf.
-
Jetpack Comics! Our FLGS...if you stepped into Jetpack you'd hardly think gaming stores were a dying breed. On Free Comic Book Day we had 9 different RPG games going on. It would be great if printed books were on the shelf.
Nice store from your description. And nice turn out.
MDC
-
The two flgs in these here parts have plenty of gaming space, and on the weekends the tables are mostly filled. The games are usually an equal mix of RPG, board and cards. The RPG sections are dominated, of course, by 4e and Pathfinder, but easily a third of the shelf space is given over to non-WoTC/Paizo companies. All of that stuff is recently published, and it's not the OOP/old stock bin. So, there's shelf room, and a "walk-in" market, for non-D&Dish RPGs here.
-
I would take a look at how many physical copies of RMFRP and RMC were sold by (not to) the distributors and use that as a rough starting point. If you are able to get the same level of distribution as was happening then you could look at, say, the first three months of sales and use that as the initial max print run.
I personally prefer to buy my RPG stuff in person (i.e. be able to pick it up and flip through it) and will resort to trusted online game material sites if I have to... but then I probably won't be buying something unless it's actual new material (i.e. I don't think RMFRP or RMC ever published anything truly new).
-
I would go to my FLGS to buy my gaming books when/if I had the money to commit to hardback copies, assuming they were available. But "my FLGS" is just under 30 miles away, so I doubt I'll make the trip for something I can have delivered to my door. And while hardbacks are expensive, it takes a long time to read them to pieces, too. This has been a problem for more than one of my gaming books. For many years I had an AD&D DMG and PHB whose spines were surgical tape.
-
I personally prefer to buy my RPG stuff in person (i.e. be able to pick it up and flip through it) and will resort to trusted online game material sites if I have to... but then I probably won't be buying something unless it's actual new material (i.e. I don't think RMFRP or RMC ever published anything truly new).
Wasn't Construct Companion put out under RMFRP only? That was definitely new and one the best RM companions ever IMO.
-
Wasn't Construct Companion put out under RMFRP only? That was definitely new and one the best RM companions ever IMO.
Ah! You are right, that one was published in 2003, so under the RMFRP flag. One official "new" RM book in the last... oh... 14 years? :o And it's been 9 since it was published.
I was disappointed that instead of continuing to publish new expansions for RMSS they chose to just redo (if it can be called that) most of RMSS as RMFRP. Never saw any real point in it. While some liked the organization a little better it didn't really do much for the existing customer base imo. It seemed like a desperate attempt to get the existing fan base to buy a "new" version. It surely wasn't the version that was going to bring in new customers as it was hardly any different (I think that's what RMX (Express) was aimed at).
I'm not at all the audience it will target, but hopefully the new version will get things rolling again.
-
For many years I had an AD&D DMG and PHB whose spines were surgical tape.
+1
MDC
-
... And while hardbacks are expensive, it takes a long time to read them to pieces, too. This has been a problem for more than one of my gaming books. For many years I had an AD&D DMG and PHB whose spines were surgical tape.
LOL. My copies of 2nd Ed Arms/Campaign/Spell Law are similar shape with wondrous binder clips holding them all together.
-
Mine came apart into individual pages long ago, and are now in document sleeves in a ring binder. They predate the birth of my kid who's now in his 20s though, so I suppose I should be thankful I still have all the pages, regardless of losing the spine. Toddlers age books.
-
Toddlers age books.
Very very true.
I have a few RM books in binders because I cut them up so it is easy to get at pages for photocopying.
MDC
-
I'd rather buy via local brick-and-mortar, but given the dearth of hobby stores in my area, it will probably have to be online.
Definitely hardcover plus PDF.
-
I'd rather buy via local brick-and-mortar, but given the dearth of hobby stores in my area, it will probably have to be online.
Definitely hardcover plus PDF.
I've got all of the core RMSS books in binders. Man, I spent a LOT of money on photocopying RM charts over the years. PDFs are a godsend! Needless to say, hardcover and pdf for me, as well. I will probably buy them from Noble Knight and DriveThru, respectively.
-
I pretty much do all my shopping online these days whether it be books, art materials, software/hardware. Game shops are viable if the there's a decent population density to support it. Otherwise your wasting your time stocking gaming materials unless your selling something else that keeps customers returning. P'n'P games may be good in computer game stores, even then that book better have the BUY ME! cover art gouging at their eyes to compete with all the other shiny covers. When I get the chance to go up town I love looking at all the cover art on the PC games.
-
I picked "physical or online" because there wasn't a choice for "anywhere I can so don't get in my way."
-
I picked "physical or online" because there wasn't a choice for "anywhere I can so don't get in my way."
Word. 8)
-
I was disappointed that instead of continuing to publish new expansions for RMSS they chose to just redo (if it can be called that) most of RMSS as RMFRP. Never saw any real point in it. While some liked the organization a little better it didn't really do much for the existing customer base imo.
As was I; and I hated the FRP layout compared to SS.
I voted for favorite local or online but I won't buy online. 90% of my gaming nowadays comes through the FLGS (of which there used to be six, now two - both moved to smaller stores). They'll order for me if they don't plan to stock it regularly and I'd rather they get the profit rather than an online retailer. If those FLGS's go out of business my gaming life pretty much ends.
-
I like to support my FLGS if possible, so I'll typically buy dead tree versions from them, if they carry them; otherwise, usually Amazon or wherever I can find them cheapest.
I usually like PDFs too, which I'll buy in whatever way maximizes the profits for the publisher (i.e., from them directly if possible, otherwise from DriveThruRPG or the like).
Very much looking forward to a unified RM, by the way - it might bring me back to the ICE fold. :)
-
My first choice would be to buy it at Sentry Box if they have it. I'll probably still buy a pdf copy as well.
-
Pdf for me because, not living in the US, it's the easiest, fastest and cheapest way.
-
I would prefer to get one at my local store but considering I know the 15 RM players in the city I doubt they would order many copies so on line book will be likely. PDFs are ok to peruse but need hardcopy to flip through at the table.
-
Actual stores selling hard-copies are the way to go in my opinion. The drawback is that it has been so long since RM products were available through the distribution channels and were actively marketing in any meaningful way. I know of a game store owner who was burned when the distributor that used to distribute RM products burned many stores, and that some of those stores are reluctant to purchase any products from small-press gaming companies anymore (only stock a couple of the big names).
However, if us fans offer to run sample games in these stores to try to hook potential new fans, Rolemaster may regain the major position that it once had within the RPG industry. I can remember 25-30 years ago, that the store I purchased most of my gaming stuff from (Hokus Pokus (was a magic and gaming store) in Traverse City Michigan), RM/MERP/SM had just about as much shelf space as TSR products did, and the hard-core gamer's preferred RM due to its flexibility and "heroic" chance of being able to pull off something amazing (or cut-off something via an amazingly stupid or risky move, which were still just as fun from a gaming standpoint). And Jack (the owner, unfortunately he passed away quite a few years ago now, but last I knew someone else had purchased the store and it was still operating, but I don't live in the area anymore so rarely stop by) did a lot to support his gaming customers.
Lets start to get the word out to these gaming stores and try to encourage them to make purchases of these products and offer to run sample game sessions in these stores. Also, it would be wise for ICE to try to provide some sort of marketing materials (posters or banners) to such stores (I know this costs money to do, but if it is done correctly it will dramatically increase both product awareness and sales and thus will pay for itself).
To be honest, in talking with the owners of such stores that I know, they say that a very large portion of RPG purchases are spur of the moment purchases, and as such they need to have hard-copies sitting on the shelves that grab peoples attention. While those of us who have been gaming and have been RM fans for decades will buy such products in whatever form we can get our hands on them, for ICE and RMU to be truly successful new fans need to be brought on-board and the best way to do this is a combination of attention grabbing hard-copies on store shelves and us experienced fans actually running sample games for people in such store environments.
Hell, I'd personally be willing to travel a fair distance to run sample games at stores outside of my own area (as well as at gaming conventions) to help re-launch RM (or rather launch RMU) and grow the fan-base of RM followers.
-
Hard copies are what keeps brick and mortar stores open. But i know now a lot of people have tablets, so a hardcopy with access to a pdf may be the way to go, just my thoughts.
Whens the beta available btw.?
-
I like local stores but I also like print+pdf bundles. I know some companies, like Evil Hat (with the Dresden Files rpg, as I recall) do print and pdf bundling for bricks and mortar stores, which would be pretty attractive.
-
Hard copy and PDF. There are many FLGS in Quebec City, one of the most known is Imaginaire:
http://www.imaginaire.com/indexv2.jsp?langue=en&changeLangue=true (http://www.imaginaire.com/indexv2.jsp?langue=en&changeLangue=true)
They have both a physical and online store. They sell also many other geek-like products, like boardgames, manga, miniatures, comic books, stamps, money, etc. They even ship oversea! The staff is of good help, and it's eye candy to visit the store. It helps for visibility that they are located in a BIG shopping center (Place Laurier).
Another good store is Librairie Donjon:
http://www.boutiquedonjon.com/ (http://www.boutiquedonjon.com/)
It's much smaller, but they have tons of miniatures, and the rent is cheap (I was told). They organize many tournaments, so the flow of customers is steady. They are open even in the evening!
Until last year, I think, you could still find a RMC book at discount at Imaginaire. I don't know what happened to it: maybe it was bought, maybe it was given away to some charity organization (one staff told me this happened to some unsold RPG books).
-
ZUT just saying, I'm a fellow gamer from Quebec City too, and I know l'Imaginaire (et Boutique du Dongeon underneath the Gabrielle Roy library building), but I have a good advice : check the prices of your products online on sites like Amazon.ca particularly... Great prices sometimes, often beneath the places you know.
I think if Rolemaster only goes out in online pdf, it'll be the worst error ever. Book package of core books the best! Little like the D&D 4rth edition. Thanks!
-
Looking at what character law and spell law have content wise.....
I feel that this could easily sell on a shelf if marketed correctly! I would of course go for a hard copy over a digital copy if able, as nothing is better then that feeling of flipping to the critical tables to check what you know will be certain death <3
But like I said, you need to get hard copies out there as that is where the money is at. Good hard copies is what makes a role playing game Iconic and draws in new players. You are shooting for a simpler system, yes? well if you don't get new people in on the action then it is a waste of time (we veteran players already memorized the old rules, a simpler system will be a piece of cake :P ) So make sure to get credit where credit is due when making a streamlined version of such a fun legacy!
-
Definately color hardcover for me, probably at my FLGS, though I'd look into getting PDFs, too, especially with some discount (hint,hint) with the purchase of the dead-tree versions.
As stated elsewhere, a hardcover (especially w/ kickass art) will get looks at a retail store. At my FLGS I look at the covers for [the other game]'s products, even though I will never buy one. Sort of self-advertising. If the store won't order extra copies for display, guess I'll have to order an extra set for them!
-
If nobody will do an italian translation, I've to go for a English digital copy... :-\
-
I normally buy at Amazon. So much easier and free shipping. Hopefully I will buy a Hardback and keep it on my shelf, and a pdf in my tablet to read. I really like using pdfs a lot, but just feel like if I don't buy the book I don't really have it. Plus every time someone picks up one on my bookshelf it's a fun conversation. That alone is worth having a print copy for me.
-
Always like to support FLGS - probably Leisure Games in North London, but possibly Orcs Nest in Central London. Though these days, if I've bought the physical product I pretty much expect the PDF either free or heavily discounted.
-
Anyone know where I can purchase a Rolemaster Classic Gamemaster Screen (stock #6507)? I can't seem to find them for sale new or used anywhere, not even the PDF version. The ones in the download vault are quite limited. I'd rather have the real thing:
http://www.icewebring.com/ICE_Products/Product_Page.php?product_id=750%20Gamemaster%20Screen (http://www.icewebring.com/ICE_Products/Product_Page.php?product_id=750%20Gamemaster%20Screen)
http://www.icewebring.com/ICE_Products/Product_Page.php?product_id=753%20Gamemaster%20Screen (http://www.icewebring.com/ICE_Products/Product_Page.php?product_id=753%20Gamemaster%20Screen)
http://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=17211 (http://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=17211)
Shouldn't these be for sale at rpg.now and similar sites? At least the PDF version, surely?
Thanks in advance.
-
My extended gaming group will drive a decent way to go to a true RPG store. Right now we drive about 21 miles (one way). We used to go further to a store in the other direction years ago.
If it is a TRUE game store focused even just halfway on table top gaming and they can get the word out people will come... but then we have 3-4 fairly major cities within around 30 miles of each other.
-
i live in AUS..
the land of exhorbarnt inport duties and price hikes for imported goods.
Distributing it through local retailers will double the price and kill sales.
work out some form of cheap shipping option and you have a whole country as a market.
so unless anything better comes along, PoD for me..
ill probably grab the pdf's as well at some stage.. would like to see a package deal or something for both
-
I will be buying from my local gaming store if possible (I like to support local economy). If not possible, I will order a hard copy online from another distributor. If that proves too costly (due to duty on cross-border merchandise) I will order a PDF version, print it out, and then have it bound. If I'm feeling really ambitious, I might hire a local artist to have a customized cover made up as well. (I've had great experiences getting local digital artists to render many things for me like city maps, spaceships, and maybe book covers if this works.)
-
Probably travel to a store that has it in stock or order it from Amazon. PDFs are fine but I definitely prefer having a hard or soft cover book in my hands. Like someone else said above me, releasing just as a PDF would be a huge mistake.
Hopefully it is filled with lots of beautiful artwork too ;). It may not seem like a big deal but the look of a product is often times a make or break thing for potential new buyers. Sometimes you only have that brief initial impression to get someone to buy your game. I know that Iron Crown will do right by Rolemaster and I am excited to know that a new definitive version of Rolemaster is coming out.
-
I usually buy the PDFs and have Staples print them out. Relatively cheap and I can write on it and have it remade if necessary.
-
I only buy hardcopies. Fantasiapelit in Helsinki has RM stuff for sale and if RMU will appear on the shelves there I will probably buy it. It has to look the part though.
-
From where ever I can. I would like to support Fantasiapelit in Helsinki as they did carry RM and SW stuff when it was generally not available from brick and mortar stores.
I'll end up buying PDF's and hard copies.
My guess is that I'll buy files from some online shop immediately and actual books when they arrive to Fantasiapelit.
-
Local store if possible. Up here they have sold ICE stuff in the past, but rarely an entire series of books. I'll probably mailorder them and buy the PDFs as well.
-
This vote really needed to split up the Online vs Physical store purchase route.
-
Just one man's opinion, but I would love to see Rolemaster become as popular as Pathfinder. I think the production of Pathfinder is second to none and if Rolemaster would publish a Core Rules etc. to that standard I would gladly pay $60 or $70 for the book. I think the system of Rolemaster is the best. Just one man's opinion for what it is worth.
-
I would have to go to Calgary or special order it from my Comic Store (they carry a few gaming supplies) Or I would be happy to purchase from the publisher, I would like both a hard copy (hard cover, of the base rules) and a PDF version for tablet. And likely I will (or the group will) buy two or three copies of some of the books.
-
I prefer downloads for a couple very specific reason. I do enjoy having physical copies of my books, however; I have had people walk off with copies of my books (the old 90's edition which is humbug).
So, what I do is print out the books and put them in binders (or possibly comb-bind). Where this comes in especially convenient is when there are series books. Books like Creatures and Treasures I, II, and III. I like to put all of these books in one binder and just call it "Creatures and Treasures."
Also, if a couple of pages gets damaged, replacement is easier.
-
I would rather be able to thumb through the new RM before buying it in truth as I already own RM2, RMX, RMSS, & RMFRP...so, it'll have to entice me to purchase it...
-
RPGNow Print on Demand is IT!
Why? I prefer my books new, without having to deal with the scuffings from years on some shelf. I'd love to replace my worn out copies with fresh (re-)prints. New old releases are my game!
Playing: RMC (Shadow World) / Spacemaster 2nd (Battletech Mechwarrior)
Collecting: RM2, RMFRP, SM:P
-
Where? The question should be: WHEN??? ;D
-
Where? The question should be: WHEN??? ;D
Yes, WHEN would be a great question. ;D
However, I prefer my books printed. I don't have a laptop with me when I go gaming. I have a nice desktop tower for gaming but there is just no way for me to bring my desktop with me when I go to a friend's house to game.
I love being able to take a physical book with me to sit to read, or to lay in bed to read. If there is a chart or table that I would like, I photocopy it and put it in my GMing binder for quick access.
I don't want to buy a PDF only to turn around and to print it all out so I can read it or access it. That would end up costing even more in paper/toner cartridges and then I would have stacks of loose paper hanging around. I had the chance to buy a couple of the books on PDF and it's just not worth it for me. There are at least 4-5 Shadow World companions I would love to have, but I still can't bring myself to pay almost the same price for PDF vs. printed just to end up printing the pages anyway.
As a side note, having the printed material in Game shops on the shelves is better advertising for ICE and RM. Who walks into a Game shop and asks "What's new on PDF? Are there any new game systems out there that I've never experienced that are only online?" Walking into a Game shop and seeing something "new" or different on the shelf, gets the person to pick up the book and to flip through the pages and maybe get word of the product out there. If the new material is only on PDF, online, then only the people already in the circle know of it and will download/buy it. Without the physical presence on the shelves, the new, fresh, curious, younger market will never be tapped as new clients unless a veteran of RM somehow piques their interest.
-
While I love having the physical books, I also really love having the PDF to search for what I need.
I don't have a convenient game store so I would be buying physical books from Amazon. If I'm buying PDFs, it would be through DriveThruRPG/RPGNow. I've already bought the RMC books through them and have been pretty happy with the result.
-
I like PDFs for use GMing. I use a laptop (soon to be mini-computer ...) and extra monitor.
I like physical copies for the table (the players) and to have in my library/collection. Someday, deep into the apocalypse, I want to pull games off my shelves and run them by candlelight.
I really like supporting my FLGS - I have several; Olympic Cards and Comics (Olympia, WA, USA) and The Game Matrix (Lakewood, WA, USA). I'm also really liking the Card Kingdom (Seattle, WA, USA) which sits next door and is connected to the Mox Cafe. Not as many RPGs, but the other games, cards and miniatures plus playing areas plus food is OFF the hook amazing. Of course a regular open game of RMU could change the RPG selection a tad... :-)
-
Olympic Cards and Comics is fairly impressive. Gabi is a credit to the hobby. It's rare that you see a game store doing so well. Best game store in Washington so far as I know. My only criticism is the miniature selection isn't quite as good as The Game Matrix and definitely not as well organized. Card Kingdom seems geared more towards CCG's (duh) and things along the lines of Warhammer.
-
I prefer to support my local Brick and Mortar Game store. I have been purchasing the PDF's for the Portability (My RM Box weighs around 100lb).
-
I'll order online. I'm in the Middle East, and whole we have a couple of shops stocking Pathfinder and D&D5, everything else is scarce.
I'd much prefer a print/PDF bundle. I like print copies for running and planning, and PDFs got reading on my phone.
-
I prefer to support my local Brick and Mortar Game store. I have been purchasing the PDF's for the Portability (My RM Box weighs around 100lb).
That's an impressive amount! I bought all my books, save for the absolute latest additions for RM2, from brick and mortar stores. I did everything I could to try to get people into the store and to just buy items there. I would buy dice every trip whether I needed them or not just so I wasn't walking out of the store empty handed. I would carpool friends there each week because I knew that once they were in there, they couldn't leave empty handed either. They were into so many different game systems, they always found something they wanted to buy.
My RM2 collection is pushing 50 lbs. I'm afraid the straps on the bag are going to let go.
-
I like print on demand. Writers and publishers can ensure you have the version with updates for the moment, when you print your copy. PDF is usable in the long run, only with hyperlinks. There is no reason for plain PDF, that lacks navigation. That's lazy and amateurish.
For older titles, I buy used online.
-
Physical printed version of course. With PDF attached.
-
Where ever it is available. I need a printed version though. It is easier to reference during a game.
-
Physical printed version with PDF attached
-
Old school!
I use only books and my collection is now about 70 books.
I started as a gamemaster about 20 years a go, but now we use RMSS edition in first time.
eBay and Amazon seems to be only places to find used books. Prices are high!
I was really suprised about these new books for Shadow World.. It was positive suprise! ;D
-
Considering the low Canadian dollar, atrocious shipping fees (not including customs fees)...
Print: Definitely from a Canadian distributor such as amazon.ca
PDF: From drivethrurpg or the Rolemaster website if available.
Although I would recommend a Kickstarter, I would purchase through there. 7th Sea and Conan performed well recently, one of their perks was past 'editions' pdfs included, which seems to really have boosted pledges.
-
I'd love to buy a Paper/PDF combo directly from ICE, barring that I'd go PoD/PDF from OneBookShelf. I don't have a local gaming store to patronage, closest one is 45 minutes away.
-
I prefer to buy a printed book, I'm an old fashion european Master and I have some difficulties of concentration when I read on a screen. I will buy it online, and then wait for the italian version if some printer will ever do it.
-
Printed copies are great, it would be nice to see them on sale again in high street stores rather than over priced rarities on ebay of amazon. PDFs are also good but its the intangible sense of wonder from leafing through a new book that I miss.
-
MADNESS COMICS IN PLANO Texas
3000 Custer Rd #310, Plano, TX 75075
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g56463-d8722376-Reviews-Madness_Games_and_Comics-Plano_Texas.html
Om: We scooted to Madness on a Friday night, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan was making an appearance! Yes, throughout the year Madness will occasionally have special guests, and tonight we got some pictures and had a few 2x4’s signed by the Hall of Fame wrestler. We also got in a game of Ticket to Ride, a great boardgame! Madness is THE place to go to for all comic and gaming needs, and they have a GREAT sale that starts around Thanksgiving! So happy that Nom, the kids and I were able to head here!
Nom: It was pretty cool to see a retired wrestler and Madness is sometimes the only place you can see folks like this outside of Fan Days at the Convention Center! It’s so fantastic there! Huge selection of games, a staff that is really out of this world in terms of knowledge and friendliness, not to mention they sell snacks, have a huge area for game play, are close to Starbucks, Walmart Market and The Franchise bar and grill. Everything in one location, we can stay and play from the afternoon till they close at midnight!
they have a large collection of role master books there from some ancient archive.
-
I miss the days when Rolemaster & HARP books were standard shelfware in the few shops here in tiny Norway that sell roleplaying books. Physical copies are ranked number one with me.
-
I miss the days when Rolemaster & HARP books were standard shelfware in the few shops here in tiny Norway that sell roleplaying books. Physical copies are ranked number one with me.
I miss those days too. The only two gaming shops I know of have closed up long ago. I can't even go to store too browse anything.
-
Probably online, but I really got to have those sweet, sweet physical copies.
-
Probably online, but I really got to have those sweet, sweet physical copies.
Welcome to the forum!
Nightblade ->--
-
I miss the days when Rolemaster & HARP books were standard shelfware in the few shops here in tiny Norway that sell roleplaying books. Physical copies are ranked number one with me.
Browsing book and game shops pre-, say 2005, is something I really miss too. Some lucky people still have nearby game stores or even second-hand bookstores which carry RPGs, but I'm not one of them. It's an online world and overall I enjoy the abundance of products available.
-
To be honest I probably won't as I am unsure why there is a need to change from RMFRP. RM was good and RMSS and RMFRP tuned it into a great system knocking off all the rough edges. Having looked through the RMU books I am kind of not liking them.
Now, to better answer the question, I will only purchase hardback and properly bound books from a local game store so that I can inspect them before purchase. Understanding that quality costs, I would be willing to pay up to AUD100 for each book as they will last a lifetime.
The quality of the print on demand books is utterly pitiful and you can tell immediately that they are not using proper bookbinding techniques. Another member of our group has bought some and I got the chance to have a good look at them. I also got my aunt who is a trade qualified bookbinder to inspect them and she had nothing good to say about them. ICE might want to consider this as the low quality has probably damaged the brand.
If properly bound books are not available then, frankly, I will just "find" PDF's.
-
Hopefully amazon.ca or other Canadian online distributor like 401 Games and Meeplemart.
With the horrible exchange rates, shipping fees, customs fees and now US tariffs, its impossible to buy from the US.
And the FLGS in Ottawa Canada have really bad stock when it comes to anything but D&D and Magic
-
Hi. I'd like to see...
A Kickstarter to fund GOOD artwork please.
I'd like to buy properly bound and offset printed books as well so Kickstarter could be a way to ensure that as well...maybe as a stretch goal?
I'd like to see a set of condensed combat tables as well...like in RMFRP for the times when I want a lighter, faster version of the game.
Thanks :)
-
Is there any schedule as to when the new edition might be out? If other games are anything to go by, notably the Traveller T5 edition if you take too long people will move onto something else.
-
Is there any schedule as to when the new edition might be out? If other games are anything to go by, notably the Traveller T5 edition if you take too long people will move onto something else.
The developers have said they are going to aim to get it out this year.
-
Is there any schedule as to when the new edition might be out? If other games are anything to go by, notably the Traveller T5 edition if you take too long people will move onto something else.
The T5 book and rules a lot of issues, so I am not sure that is a valid comparison. It's basically a toolbox, which is cool, but the book had serious organizational problems and lacked any examples to illustrate how all the crazy math worked. If you knew Traveller prior to T5 you could follow it and adapt it, but anyone new to the game would probably have a hard time.
I switched from T5 to Spacemaster for a forum based game that had a bunch of new players after I realized explaining the rules for T5 was going to be a hopeless exercise.
It's not a bad system, but it needed a few more years of development. Marc's updates the pdf text over the last few years helped a lot.
-
I have many RPG systems, and I have had Rolemaster on my shelf since the original first came out. For a system like RMU I would want the physical books and the PDFs. I live in Australia so the prices of books are pretty high. Some online shops can get the books to me cheaper then I can get them in a bricks and mortar store. A PDf is really handy, protects the book and it's easier to carry your system with you and finding the answers when stuck for the rule can be quicker.
looking forward to RMU being released.
Arac
-
If some sort of crowd funding platform was used I would likely buy through it
-
Honestly, I'd prefer to buy from the publisher directly, thus giving the publisher all the money (instead of just part of it, with the rest going to some retailer).
-
My "something else" is that I'm really only interested in playing second edition right now. If RMU ever makes it out of the beta phase I'll buy the main book from my local shop if possible, online if not. Then, if it seems worth it, I'll buy the rest (also from a local shop or online).
Overall I want both a pdf and a hard copy. Physical books are best for reading, while pdfs are preferred for searching.
-
My "something else" is that I'm really only interested in playing second edition right now. If RMU ever makes it out of the beta phase I'll buy the main book from my local shop if possible, online if not.
:worthy: Ditto! RM2 for me and if RMU hits print, I'll buy a physical book. I don't like traveling with my laptop but I enjoy reading on trips. I read in bed, and a laptop is not great for that either.
-
:worthy: Ditto! RM2 for me and if RMU hits print, I'll buy a physical book. I don't like traveling with my laptop but I enjoy reading on trips. I read in bed, and a laptop is not great for that either.
I ended up buying a cheap-ish tablet. It wasn't great enough to do anything major like streaming, but it could handle a pdf. I use my laptop while gaming because it can keep multiples open. I use the tablet when reading in bed and I don't own a physical copy.
The layout for the beta books makes them a non-starter for me right now, so I can't really speak to the quality of the system. I could read them, but there's no way I could hand a several hundred page document to a player and say "let's game!"
-
if there is only the PDF option, I'll rather make my local print shop happy and have them make a fine bound version than use a tablet.
-
if there is only the PDF option, I'll rather make my local print shop happy and have them make a fine bound version than use a tablet.
That is an awesome idea. I wonder what it would cost.
-
Judging from previous experiences, between 20 and 100 bucks, depending on your personal taste for "fine bound version".
-
I’d buy my books through Amazon if physical, though first as PDF on the Drivethrurpg website.
-
I’d buy my books through Amazon if physical, though first as PDF on the Drivethrurpg website.
I think Drivethrurpg also does physical prints of the pdfs, but I have no idea what their quality is or if they might not be able to do it for RM due to licensing.
-
I’d buy my books through Amazon if physical, though first as PDF on the Drivethrurpg website.
I think Drivethrurpg also does physical prints of the pdfs, but I have no idea what their quality is or if they might not be able to do it for RM due to licensing.
DriveThruRPG do print on demand via Lightning Source. This is not something that they do of their own accord. The publisher has to set up the files as print ready PDFs and then submit them. It is a fairly painless process and if all goes well it takes about a week to ten days to go through the file checking process and then get proofs ordered.
The quality is not as good as offset printing but I have never had a bad book from them.
-
I’d buy my books through Amazon if physical, though first as PDF on the Drivethrurpg website.
I think Drivethrurpg also does physical prints of the pdfs, but I have no idea what their quality is or if they might not be able to do it for RM due to licensing.
The quality is very, very low. I would not purchase a physical book from them at all.
-
I think I would go with PDF, if I did need to print then will have a look at what options are available, I would make sure that I could have that option when buying.
-
i know this thread has been here for a long time but just out of curiosity, why aren't you doing this as a kickstarter? people would pay up front and commit to the purchase of the hard copy and you would not have to go to press until you met your goal..
many of my friends purchase game material on kickstarter. it's very convenient for them and there is a wide variety of game material out there these days.
-
i know this thread has been here for a long time but just out of curiosity, why aren't you doing this as a kickstarter? people would pay up front and commit to the purchase of the hard copy and you would not have to go to press until you met your goal..
many of my friends purchase game material on kickstarter. it's very convenient for them and there is a wide variety of game material out there these days.
This - I understand that managing a Kickstarter campaign can be difficult, but OSR is raking in the $$ right now.
-
Count me in for the possible kickstarter to pre-pay for a hard copy. I don't use pdf's or tech (other than a calculator) when I'm gaming.
-
EBay and Amazon mostly. Ofcourse I buy new Shadow World books as they come for sale. Just got my 97th hard copy book. There is quite rare books included. 27 year of gaming have melted my brain.. ;D
-
I have a question, please:
Were can I buy Rolemaster, HARP and Shadowworld in germany, if I don't want order by amazon?
-
I have a question, please:
Were can I buy Rolemaster, HARP and Shadowworld in germany, if I don't want order by amazon?
I think by DriveThruRpg (not sure if they ship to Germany): https://www.drivethrurpg.com/
-
I have a question, please:
Were can I buy Rolemaster, HARP and Shadowworld in germany, if I don't want order by amazon?
You could try putting the books in your shopping cart on DriveThruRPG.com but then go to pegasusdigital.de to check out.
-
I have always preferred a physical copy. The biggest problem has been finding a place to actually buy a copy. The game stores in my area have extremely limited supplies of anything other than straight D&D. Certainly PDF format is very convenient for portability. So I will probably buy one hard copy and find a PDF for mobile use on my computer. I would love to buy direct from ICE if that is possible.
-
Since I am mobility impaired, I usually do all my shopping online and when gaming rely on a laptop with gamebook libraries and spreadsheets for characters.
My current GM is strictly books -I often gift him with the out of print books he lacks in his collections because he is my friend and he loves gaming.
-
mix of physical books from game stores (hard to find now)
online buying of physical books eg. Amazon
PDFs.
-
Will Rolemaster Unified ever be properly offset printed for distribution to gaming stores? Or will it remain a Print-on-Demand product?
-
I bought a lot of gurps books in amazon. All perfect untill now. 2 days shipment without additional cost. My plan was to buy rolemaster in drivethru in physical version. After adding taxes and 18 euros in shipment with a stimated shipment time of Almost 2 weeks.... I just bought pdfs and printed them. I wish amazon were an option for rolemaster. Those shipment cost are a nono to me.
-
Will Rolemaster Unified ever be properly offset printed for distribution to gaming stores? Or will it remain a Print-on-Demand product?
Based on the scales we are looking at, it will never make sense to do offset printing. The minimum print run is too high. And then you need to warehouse the inventory and have to ship it, ICE doesn't have a location that would work for that.
-
[...]I just bought pdfs and printed them.
A sensible approach, but do they do such nice hardcovers as DTRPG does?
-
[...]I just bought pdfs and printed them.
A sensible approach, but do they do such nice hardcovers as DTRPG does?
I have purchsed a couple of books (novels) from Amazon in hardcover that were PoDs. I don't know if there is a size limit with them.
-
[...]I just bought pdfs and printed them.
A sensible approach, but do they do such nice hardcovers as DTRPG does?
Do DTRPG do proper offset printing now? I have only seen them do low quality crap in their printed material.
-
It's not so much as buy locations but availability. While the conversion of RM2 to RMU is incredible, great and noteworthy.. The time taking (not the fault of ICE) to do the conversion is in years. So I am looking at buying the RMclassic on drivethruRPG in PDF and printing them. Buying the rest of the books from online bookstores.