Prime Directive HERO?

[Chris Henry]

ADB is apparently publishing D20 System and D6 System versions of Prime Directive (the Starfleet Battles RPG) this summer. It looks like they're interested in licensing other engines to do system specific versions too.

To quote ADB's Steve Cole:
"The lines between the GPD staff, the PD staff, the PD20 staff, the PD1 staff, the PD6 staff, and whatever other RPG engines we license (just about every one we can find) will in some
ways get blurry and in other ways be sharply defined."

Prime Directive HERO would certainly make a nifty entry level standalone product. Considering their plans and ability to print in-house, ADB could have these ready within months of securing a license from DOJ.

[James Gillen]

ADB is apparently publishing D20 System and D6 System versions of Prime Directive (the Starfleet Battles RPG) this summer. It looks like they're interested in licensing other engines to do system specific versions too.

To quote ADB's Steve Cole:
"The lines between the GPD staff, the PD staff, the PD20 staff, the PD1 staff, the PD6 staff, and whatever other RPG engines we license (just about every one we can find) will in some
ways get blurry and in other ways be sharply defined."

Prime Directive HERO would certainly make a nifty entry level standalone product. Considering their plans and ability to print in-house, ADB could have these ready within months of securing a license from DOJ.

What happened to the GURPS license?

JG

[Chris Henry]

What happened to the GURPS license?

They still have that license, too. Each system will get a seperate book, the GURPS books would have the same background as the D20 and D6 books, but different stats. Apparently they're looking to expand the base of players by reaching out to other systems with reasonable licensing schemes as well. The fact that it took several months for Steve Jackson to review GURPS Prime Directive 4E for approval, might have had a little to do with it as well.

[Sweeper]

Personaly, I don't like the idea of PD20, but that's just me spouting a personal prefrence than anything else. From a Marketing point of view, it's a good idea as this helps ADB get into stores they traditionally haven't had much access to. But I never really liked the idea of a rich background being tied to a pretty lackluster system( Paladium Books anyone?). ADB also has the advantage of printing only the amount of books the need to fill orders, they recently got a Print on Demand system that allows them the print just what they need to fill orders, so they wont loose as much money, if any, on products that turn out to be flops. This also allows them to keep products in print for much longer. While I wont be buying PD20 for personal reasons, I look foward to new GPD4 products like the new GPD that coming soon.

As for PD6, that's the first I've heard of it. If it's anything like Star Wars D6, which I think is very superior to SWD20, It should rock.

PD Hero would be interesting, though most folks could get a jump start on that if they took the time to look for conversions. IIRC, there was an article in an old issue of The Roleplayer (21?) from SJG that had conversion notes from Champions to G3e. SJG just put all of those back issues onto their e23 website for a couple bucks an issue to download.

Of course , there probably convertion note that can be found on the internet if one has the patience to look.

Right now, though, the only thing I want from ADB is Federation Commander.

[gojira]

I've never played PD, but it seem like this can't hurt. If ADB wants to do most of the work, it seems like this would be a little extra advertising for DOJ, something that HERO could use rith now.

[Kevin Rose]

As for PD6, that's the first I've heard of it. If it's anything like Star Wars D6, which I think is very superior to SWD20, It should rock.

The guy who they got to do the D6 conversion would like to do that, but he's doing it as a favor to Steve (and a few bucks) and Steve doesn't want him to change anything. So he's just doing a list of changes for Steve to enter, converting characteristics and such.

I think the close tying of the RPG to the overly complex SFB universe is the critical mistake, Steve Cole thinks it's a system issue. We shall see.

I would like to see the Mirror Universe version of the Federation book (Which is well within the scope of the ADB license) but ADB doesn't want to go there.

[Chris Henry]

Just an update, for those interested. It looks like ADB is seriously considering licensing Hero System for another version of Prime Directive. The information is scattered over several threads, but the most informative comments can be found in this one:

http://www.starfleetgames.com/discus...tml?1112967319

[James Gillen]

Just an update, for those interested. It looks like ADB is seriously considering licensing Hero System for another version of Prime Directive. The information is scattered over several threads, but the most informative comments can be found in this one:

http://www.starfleetgames.com/discus...tml?1112967319

I was always under the impression that the DOJ guys were leery about licensing with HERO given how likely the license is to be altered. Games based on licenses (including the various iterations of Star Trek) haven't always done well, at least not for long.

JG

[Lord Liaden]

Just an update, for those interested. It looks like ADB is seriously considering licensing Hero System for another version of Prime Directive. The information is scattered over several threads, but the most informative comments can be found in this one:

http://www.starfleetgames.com/discus...tml?1112967319

No sarcasm intended, but I did notice a distinct lack of input on that thread from anyone from DoJ about licensing HERO for this. Not that Hero Games would be likely to announce to the whole world that they're in negotiations before those negotiations were done, but at this point it all still sounds like speculation and wishful thinking. Mind you, DoJ is pretty reasonable in their licensing terms according to parties who have already gone this route, so it's certainly within the realm of possibility.

BTW anyone interested in playing Prime Directive HERO has a lot of resources available already. If you follow the link in my signature below and scroll down to the PRIME DIRECTIVE listing, you'll find detailed character conversion guidelines and Package Deals, plus guidelines to HERO gaming in the Star Fleet Universe. Admittedly most of the converted PD material is confined to characters, but if you keep scrolling down to the STAR TREK listing you can easily adopt the copious tech and other stuff from the detailed conversions for the mainstream Star Trek universe.

[rjcurrie]

No sarcasm intended, but I did notice a distinct lack of input on that thread from anyone from DoJ about licensing HERO for this. Not that Hero Games would be likely to announce to the whole world that they're in negotiations before those negotiations were done, but at this point it all still sounds like speculation and wishful thinking. Mind you, DoJ is pretty reasonable in their licensing terms according to parties who have already gone this route, so it's certainly within the realm of possibility.

Well, Steve Cole (SFB Designer, head of Amarillo Design Bureau) does mention talking to Steve Long in that thread.

[rjcurrie]

I was always under the impression that the DOJ guys were leery about licensing with HERO given how likely the license is to be altered. Games based on licenses (including the various iterations of Star Trek) haven't always done well, at least not for long.

JG

This is not Hero licensing a property and then creating game material for that property, such as Eden licensing Buffy and Angel, but rather ADB who have a very limited Star Trek license (via the Star Fleet Technical Manual) from Paramount in turn licensing the Hero System (as they have GURPS) to use with Prime Directive. In this case, rather than Hero paying out money to obtain a license, Hero would be paid money by ADB to use the Hero System. Hero would not be dealing with the cost or headaches of developing a licensed product themselves.

[James Gillen]

In this case, rather than Hero paying out money to obtain a license, Hero would be paid money by ADB to use the Hero System. Hero would not be dealing with the cost or headaches of developing a licensed product themselves.

Well, in that case, I'd say 'go for it.' Having to pay for the license (and then having it yanked out from under you) is a main part of the problem I was getting at.

JG

[AlHazred]

I'd buy it.

[James Gillen]

Oh, we'd all buy it, but will it happen?

JG