FANTASY HERO Playtest Manuscript Now Available

[Steve Long]

Howdy, folx! Just wanted to let the Digital Hero subscribers know that the Fantasy Hero manuscript is now available for playtesting! You can find it in the usual place, and the deadline for comments is June 19. Sorry I can't allow more time, but we got schedules to meet, dontcha know. ;)

[TechnoViking]

Holy Crap...
709 pages of playtesting goodness :).

Thanks,
Steve

[misterdeath]

I thank you. My work printer doesn't, but I do. :D

Fortunately, I have time to give this one the once over, unlike the last couple.

D

[Killer Shrike]

Um...ok, what do I need to do to get this playtest material? :D

[Killer Shrike]

Originally posted by misterdeath
"Jesus Saves -- and takes half damage"

Good one :p

[TechnoViking]

Originally posted by Killer Shrike
Um...ok, what do I need to do to get this playtest material? :D
You need to be a subscriber to Digital Hero.

Mike

[Killer Shrike]

Originally posted by Mike Basinger
You need to be a subscriber to Digital Hero.

Mike
Which I become by......

[Jeff T.]

Originally posted by Killer Shrike
Which I become by......

Dude, just look to the area on the left side of the screen where it says DIGITAL HERO. Right between Discussion Boards and Policies.

Click on it.

[Steve Long]

KS, you can click on the "Digital Hero" link to the left, and follow the necessary steps. Or you can go to the Online Store and buy a 10-credit subscription there.

[tengu]

How long will the playtest period be, and how long will the manuscript be available?

[Killer Shrike]

Originally posted by Steve Long
KS, you can click on the "Digital Hero" link to the left, and follow the necessary steps. Or you can go to the Online Store and buy a 10-credit subscription there.

Cool, thanx! I tried to subsribe to DH in the past, but it errored out and I never got around to trying it again. I prefer bound books ;)

So, as soon as I subscribe to DH, I automatically get access to the playtest area?

[Killer Shrike]

Just tried it again and realized what the original problem was -- no takey Discover cards.

Ill have to go home and dig up a Visa or Mastercard. :(

[Ben Seeman]

Originally posted by tengu
How long will the playtest period be, and how long will the manuscript be available?

Read Steve's first post again.

[Blue]

I've got one of those questions that will just bug me all week until the Thursday Chat so I'm going to ask it now...

Does Fantasy Hero's size guarantee that it will be a hardback?

Can't wait to buy it either way. Wish I had the dedication to play test.

[Steve Long]

No, it's not going to be a hardback. They're too expensive to print, and even more expensive to reprint. Since the printer tells us it can make usable, durable perfect-bound books of over 1,000 pages, FH will work just fine in the usual paperback form. ;)

[AnotherSkip]

Originally posted by Steve Long
. Since the printer tells us it can make usable, durable perfect-bound books of over 1,000 pages,

And you believed HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

;)

yes im kidding I work with/next to a bindery and believe you me they can do wonders....

[Killer Shrike]

Gah...I got the file around 12 pm; Im going crosseyed 2 hours and a chapter later.

Good stuff so far ;); worth the cost of entry IMO (and of course I also got 10 issues of DH to pore thru in the bargain ;) ( I guess my priorities are backasswards ))

[AnotherSkip]

Dont Feel bad, if the FH mauscript sucks ill be disappointed I spent 30.00 on getting a preview look at it.



Speaking of manuscripts....
Ermmm where does one find the rules for Playtest manuscripts?
(what can and cannot be done as well as sending in corrections and other stuff[found what i believe is the first Grammatical error]?)

Though it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission it is nobler to ask for permission.

[sbarron]

the playtest is discussed on the first few pages of the manuscript.

[Steve Long]

AS, you didn't spend $30 to get a look at the manuscript. You spent $30 for 640 pages' worth of cool issues of DIGITAL HERO. The ability to playtest is just a perk. Believe me, if we wanted to charge people directly for playtesting, we would. ;)

Re: playtest instructions -- there's a three or four page document at the beginning of the manuscript that explains the procedure. Please read it carefully if you haven't playtested/testread for Hero before; it will save all of us a lot of time and trouble. ;)

[joen00b]

This is gonna take weeks to absorb and incorporate, whew!

[Blue]

Yeh, I decided to break down and give it a try too. I'm only about 1/15th of the way in though. Maybe if I take a day off from work...

[Killer Shrike]

Read thru lunch break, and staying late at work bcs I cant tear myself away from it (I have it at home too, but cant stop reading long enough to leave :) )

Just hit Talents....WE LIKE!

[Hierax]

Great Gods, Steve!

What a wonderfully monstrous manuscript you've churned out!

Most impressive!

I can't wait for the hard copy. Wish I had more free time to devote to giving you feedback on it.

Regardless, it's good to see Fantasy Hero coming back after such a long hiatus.

THANKS!

[Chris Goodwin]

Originally posted by Steve Long
AS, you didn't spend $30 to get a look at the manuscript. You spent $30 for 640 pages' worth of cool issues of DIGITAL HERO. The ability to playtest is just a perk. Believe me, if we wanted to charge people directly for playtesting, we would. ;)


I dunno. I paid $30 for the playtest manuscript, and it seems I'm somehow getting 10 issues of Digital Hero for free. What's up with that? :D

[Killer Shrike]

Originally posted by archer
I dunno. I paid $30 for the playtest manuscript, and it seems I'm somehow getting 10 issues of Digital Hero for free. What's up with that? :D
Thats what Im talking about ;)

[Steve Long]

What's up with that is, your perspective is skewed. ;)

[AnotherSkip]

Ehhh I think Steve's Perspective is Skewed.

[mudpyr8]

Is "Skewed Perspective" a -1/2 or a -1 limitation? I assume it can only be applied to Enhanced Senses and Detects.

[Talon]

I think the extremely high demand for FH (judging by playtest activity, far higher than anything else to come down the pike so far) is, um, skewing things somewhat.

[Eodin]

I've read about two-thirds of it, skimming some sections, and all I can say is Wow! Not that there was ever any doubt on my part, but that's DEFINITELY one book I'm buying.

I love the various magic systems.

Too bad we can't give you a medal for this, Steve. :D

[Monolith]

Originally posted by Geoff Speare
I think the extremely high demand for FH (judging by playtest activity, far higher than anything else to come down the pike so far) is, um, skewing things somewhat.
I am liking all that playtest activity. It means I do not have to feel guilty for not delving into it too much. :)

[Talon]

How dare you not spend every waking moment analyzing the manuscript. How dare you!

[Old Man]

I'd feel better if I saw a negative comment or two. I haven't seen a perfect gaming book yet, and all this unqualified adulation just makes me suspicious. How do I know you're not all Steve Long? How do I know I'm not Steve Long?

[Steve Long]

Heck, how do I know I'm not Steve Long? ;)

Waitaminit....

[SCUBA Hero]

Hey, you notice how you never see Steve Long and Old Man at the same time? I wonder. . .

(smacks forehead)

. . .nah, couldn't be. Steve Long wears glasses and Old Man doesn't. Never mind. Faulty train of thought. :D

[Jeff T.]

Well, if nobody's going to step up to the plate...then I'll be Steve Long!


Ahh, the money, the women, the adulation of gaming geeks everywhere.

Yep, I'm SURE that is pretty much an average day in Steve's life. :D

[Old Man]

Thanks for clearing that up, Starlord! Now I'm going to come over there and burn your house down, because you broke Damage Shield. :D

[Monolith]

Originally posted by Geoff Speare
How dare you not spend every waking moment analyzing the manuscript. How dare you!
I am sorry! I meant to spend more time analyzing the manuscript but my dog died, my parrot flew away with my car keys, my computer was attacked by the Pamela Anderson virus, my eyes were accidentally burned out while I was playing with matches, and I cannot seem to find my spouse who fell down a gopher hole on Monday. I will get back on that manuscript right after the Pamela Anderson virus is eradicated though. :)

[AnotherSkip]

Originally posted by Monolith
I will get back on that manuscript right after the Pamela Anderson virus is eradicated though. :)


Annnnnnd just exactly _how_ are you posting that with the Pamela Anderson Virus still on your computer?????????????

[Darth Sarcastic]

Originally posted by AnotherSkip
Annnnnnd just exactly _how_ are you posting that with the Pamela Anderson Virus still on your computer?????????????

Are you really going to complain about getting the Pamela Anderson Virus on your PC? Granted its an old virus that we've all seen do the same thing over and over and over...but I'd prefer it to the Singing William Shatner Virus thats been going around.

As for the Fantasy Hero playtesting...I went to the Playtest thread and was told to send (pm/email) my input/reports to Ben. I haven't gotten any feedback (not that I'm concerned really), so I don't know if it was recieved (well or otherwise).

[Talon]

Don't worry about the lack of response, it's common with playtest feedback. The important part is getting the info to Steve.

[Steve Long]

I don't know who told you to send playtest reports or comments to Ben; that's completely incorrect. Send 'em to me at SteveL@herogames.com if you'd rather not just post 'em on the playtest board.

Geoff is correct about the lack of feedback. I generally don't reply to playtest posts or submissions, except to say "Thanks!". Generally speaking, I don't have time to get involved in detailed discussions of the points of a manuscript -- I don't think it helps anyone to get into a lot of wrangling during playtesting. If you make a suggestion that I like and can use, you'll find out when you see it in the final book. The majority of suggestions I don't take, though -- some I disagree with or dislike, some are wrong, some come from incorrect perspectives about the nature of the book, some would require too much work during layout, some are opinions that contradict my own, and so on. Regardless, all suggestions are valued and appreciated!

[Darth Sarcastic]

Originally posted by Steve Long
I don't know who told you to send playtest reports or comments to Ben; that's completely incorrect. Send 'em to me at SteveL@herogames.com if you'd rather not just post 'em on the playtest board.

This was at the playtest forum area from Ben...


[B}Reporting Threads (05-12-2003 until 06-12-2003)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW POLICY FOR REPORTING THREADS

I have finally found a way to turn of the Report this post to a Moderator function. So, in the future, simply Private Message me, or e-mail me.

Thanks![/B]

Maybe I just read it wrong or something...I won't argue the point. I will send my comments/report to you from one Steve to the next. And thanks for taking the time to peruse said comments/reports.

-Steve "Darth Sarcastic" Heller

[misterdeath]

Originally posted by Darth Sarcastic
This was at the playtest forum area from Ben...



Maybe I just read it wrong or something...I won't argue the point. I will send my comments/report to you from one Steve to the next. And thanks for taking the time to peruse said comments/reports.

-Steve "Darth Sarcastic" Heller

That's just for reporting Abusive Threads/Posters. If you see any of those, send 'em to Ben.

Playtest stuff, well that goes to Steve.

D

[Killer Shrike]

Originally posted by misterdeath
That's just for reporting Abusive Threads/Posters. If you see any of those, send 'em to Ben.

Playtest stuff, well that goes to Steve.

D
Ditto. Also, rather than sending them to Steve directly, just post them in the Play Test forum. Then all the rest of us can check it, corroborate it, become aware of it, not bother posting the same thing about it ourselves, etc.

Thanx!

[Trencher]

Does Fantasy hero got mass combat rules?

[Steve Long]

Yes.

[TedJMill]

The section "Magic is a Natural Resource" incorrectly refers to "mana" as a Biblical term. "Mana", meaning the energy of magic, is a word from the Maori of New Zealand. It should not be confused with the similar-looking but unrelated Biblical term "manna", with a double 'n', meaning a miraculous food.

[Markdoc]

Heh. That mana/manna thing has always bugged me too.

FWIW, technically mana is a polynesian root languages word. You find it in maori, but also other polynesian languages. Generally, it means "Power" rather than specifically magic, although as in most pre-literate societies, there's a fairly thin line between the two - a powerful chief can have lots of mana without being able to cast spells :-)

cheers, Mark

[Talon]

Er, playtest comments should be on playtest board, no?

[Thrakazog]

Just thought I'd throw this one in:

I've never used the HERO system for anything other than supers. As I became more familiar with the system over the years I've occasionally thought about running a FH game, but I always found myself returning to D&D becuase it was comfortable like an old shoe.

Well, having read the FH playtest manuscript - my first reading of any FH material - I'll say this: the more I read the FH manuscript, the more I want to run a FH campaign instead of a D&D one.

And I guess that's the point, and probably the best compliment I can make. I know it's not a technical post about spelling or the proper origin of a word, but I thought I'd share that all the same. Carry on.

[MarkusDark]

I have never purchased a Hero product other than the main core rulebook - the BBB 4th Ed and FReD 5th Ed. The reason being that all you ever really needed was in those two books. It just requires a little more creativity on the GM to make everything - something I was always willing to do.

After reading many of the comments about FH, in this and other threads about the FH book, I am eagerly awaiting its release to purchase a copy. To top it all off with, I do not run, nor ever plan on running a FH campaign but I would do just about anything to play in one - simply from the discussions here.

Yup, it was a compliment. ;)

[Talon]

The best FH campaign I ever ran (probably the best campaign I ever ran period) was done purely off the BBB (4th Edition FREd), never having seen /any/ edition of Fantasy Hero. That said...I can't wait to get the new FH!

[Melchior777]

FH is what GURPS fantasy should have been.