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RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

Speedball

By Speedball
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Speedball Community Regular

Speedball

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Herophiles,

 

I am on a mission to convince my friend and long-standing GM that there is a market for a Hero supplement or sourcebook based on the campaign world he has created over the last 20 years. Many of you have already read about the Red Dragon Universe on these boards, as RDU Neil has been a prolific poster over the years. You’re also familiar with at least one of the players, Storn Cook (yes, *the* Storn Cook) who has single-handedly provided most of the character artwork over the years. But what, you ask, is the RDU?

 

The best way for me to briefly describe the RDU is to compare it to the DC Comics “Elseworld” books. Many of the characters of the Champions Universe exist, but they function more as a supporting cast; Doctor Destroyer, for example, died some years ago, of “natural causes.” The RDU has been at times Silver Age in tone, and has swung into Bronze/Iron Age at other times. It has incorporated real world events, like the collapse of the World Trade Center, and posits an Earth where a mysterious Crystal Barrier has formed over part of Asia. In my opinion, it’s been the finest example of a GM-generated universe I’ve had the luck to have a small hand in participating.

 

So, my questions are these:

What interest, if any, do you have in a sourcebook or supplement that outlines the history, leading characters, and prominent organizations of a universe of this kind?

Along with a history of the universe and character write-ups, what do you want to see in a product like this?

To what degree does the art in a product affect your willingness to buy it? Would you, for example, be more likely to buy a product that had Storn’s art laced through it?

Are you more likely to buy a .pdf, or a hard copy?

 

Thanks in advance for your help and consideration!

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BobGreenwade Grand Master

BobGreenwade

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Re: RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

 

I'd certainly be interested in this book, likely in print form, though primarily for its "Elseworld" aspects.

 

But for what I can see, it's that very aspect that could become a barrier to publication, with Cryptic now owning the Champions Universe and all the licensing that would be entailed from that.

 

As for the amount of art, I generally prefer only things that are hard to visualize, of for which an illustration is specifically helpful. Character illustrations that the GM can show while saying, "You turn around and this is who you see," are always good and should be included with each NPC, with features showing demonstrations of powers reserved for those who are well-known. A picture of that Crystal Barrier would be another example, as would anything getting across the "feel" of a place that one couldn't already find on the Internet.

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Speedball Community Regular

Speedball

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Re: RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

 

BG--Thanks for your thoughts. The idea hasn't gotten so far yet that we've gone about figuring out the rights situation.

 

I did speak with Storn yesterday about it and he's happy to supply all the art he's done over the years (which is a heck of a lot), so the main characters would all have Storn's usual high-quality work.

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aylwin13 Mentor

aylwin13

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Re: RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

 

I too would be interested in a dead-tree copy of this. I've loved everything Neil has posted here involving the RDU. I know this isn't really that helpful, but I'd like to see anything that you guys are willing to put in the book. I'd be especially interested in the history of RDU and the character background stories.

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Speedball Community Regular

Speedball

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Re: RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

 

I too would be interested in a dead-tree copy of this. I've loved everything Neil has posted here involving the RDU. I know this isn't really that helpful' date=' but I'd like to see [b']anything[/b] that you guys are willing to put in the book. I'd be especially interested in the history of RDU and the character background stories.

 

That's great, Aylwin. When you say you'd be interested in background stories of the characters, do you mean typical write-ups involving a character's origin, etc., or would you like to see longer stories or some aspects of the characters explored more fully? I'm trying to get a sense of balance between putting in too much and putting in too little...

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aylwin13 Mentor

aylwin13

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Re: RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

 

That's great' date=' Aylwin. When you say you'd be interested in background stories of the characters, do you mean typical write-ups involving a character's origin, etc., or would you like to see longer stories or some aspects of the characters explored more fully? I'm trying to get a sense of balance between putting in too much and putting in too little...[/quote']

Both, actually. The origin's are a must, but there are also characters like Vector, Crusader, etc. who have histories that I want to read more of.

 

I know it's not at all feasible, but I would buy a write-up of the entire campaign. From what Neil has posted, you guys had the kind of game that I'd want to be in. It's like reading comics from the days that I enjoyed them. :)

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ghost-angel Grand Master

ghost-angel

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Re: RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

 

I'd certainly be interested in this book, likely in print form, though primarily for its "Elseworld" aspects.

 

But for what I can see, it's that very aspect that could become a barrier to publication, with Cryptic now owning the Champions Universe and all the licensing that would be entailed from that.

 

Just don't put the Champions logo on it and you're good to go.

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Cardinal Rising Star

Cardinal

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Re: RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

 

I would be interested in a pdf copy laced with Storn work in proper context. I also second QM's comment about including the luck chit system (specifically providing the context).

 

All of the above is, of course, premised on the price point that it is offered at.

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pinecone Grand Master

pinecone

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Re: RDU sourcebook—help us gauge your interest!

 

Herophiles,

 

I am on a mission to convince my friend and long-standing GM that there is a market for a Hero supplement or sourcebook based on the campaign world he has created over the last 20 years. Many of you have already read about the Red Dragon Universe on these boards, as RDU Neil has been a prolific poster over the years. You’re also familiar with at least one of the players, Storn Cook (yes, *the* Storn Cook) who has single-handedly provided most of the character artwork over the years. But what, you ask, is the RDU?

 

The best way for me to briefly describe the RDU is to compare it to the DC Comics “Elseworld” books. Many of the characters of the Champions Universe exist, but they function more as a supporting cast; Doctor Destroyer, for example, died some years ago, of “natural causes.” The RDU has been at times Silver Age in tone, and has swung into Bronze/Iron Age at other times. It has incorporated real world events, like the collapse of the World Trade Center, and posits an Earth where a mysterious Crystal Barrier has formed over part of Asia. In my opinion, it’s been the finest example of a GM-generated universe I’ve had the luck to have a small hand in participating.

 

So, my questions are these:

What interest, if any, do you have in a sourcebook or supplement that outlines the history, leading characters, and prominent organizations of a universe of this kind?

Along with a history of the universe and character write-ups, what do you want to see in a product like this?

To what degree does the art in a product affect your willingness to buy it? Would you, for example, be more likely to buy a product that had Storn’s art laced through it?

Are you more likely to buy a .pdf, or a hard copy?

 

Thanks in advance for your help and consideration!

 

I've thought very highly of RDU's posts, and I'd love to have another idea source to mine....But only on paper.......

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