--I enjoy the free 3.x version, but damn it, I want something more tangible
NBThe value that the companies think they could get out of a Dark Sun franchise is more than countered by all the extra costs. Lastly, the saturation of the D20 market is too great right now for companies to want to introduce another campaign setting that has so many strings attached to it. The risk is just too high.
Regards,
Eric Anondson (Still dreaming also)
--I'd like to know so I can patronize their products out of simple gratitude NB
I'd suggest looking into the Black Company Campaign Setting they just put out. I might loot it's new magic system for import to my Dark Sun.I also know that Tim Brown, (co-creator of DS) tried to get his company, Fast Forward Entertainment, to purchase the license as well.
Regards,
Eric Anondson
I know of Green Ronin. I forget where I read it, but Chris Pramas mentioned that they "approached WotC" on the license to DS and PS early in the history of D20. Obviously, you know where that went. They do some of the best D20 on the market anyway.
I also know that Tim Brown, (co-creator of DS) tried to get his company, Fast Forward Entertainment, to purchase the license as well.
Regards,
Eric Anondson
The GenCon of 03, we talked to most of the guys at the Avalance Press booth and it sounded like they were going to attempt it as well, but I haven't heard anything since.
There was one other company too, but can't remember which one.
Troy Denning also attempted to obtain the IP, both times with cash and was denied.
EDIT: My bad! It was Avalance Press not AEG.
I know of Green Ronin. I forget where I read it, but Chris Pramas mentioned that they "approached WotC" on the license to DS and PS early in the history of D20. Obviously, you know where that went.
Why in the hell is Wizards so protective of the DS license? Do they just not want it to see light again?
I also know that Tim Brown, (co-creator of DS) tried to get his company, Fast Forward Entertainment, to purchase the license as well.
Again, does WotC just not want the setting to be revived??!
--hopefully, Sword and Sorcery might look into purchasing a license to do Dark Sun NB
The GenCon of 03, we talked to most of the guys at the AEG booth and it sounded like they were going to attempt it as well, but I haven't heard anything since.
Go AEG! Maybe they're in negotiations as we speak! (Hey, a guy can hope, can't he? These things usually take some time...)
There was one other company too, but can't remember which one.
Was it perhaps Green Ronin or Sword and Sorcery?
Troy Denning also attempted to obtain the IP, both times with cash and was denied.
Ah, Mr. Denning. I know he'd do a good job with the setting...
--personally, i would love to see S&SS do Dark Sun NB
Was it perhaps Green Ronin or Sword and Sorcery?
It was someone in addition to what Eric mentioned.
As far as Avalanche Press, doubt it will happen, I probably would have heard of something by now.
Why in the hell is Wizards so protective of the DS license? Do they just not want it to see light again?
I think it mainly deals with them wanting to hold on to the license for movie rights.
I suspect we might see a movie in the works once the Dragonlance movie takes shape, gets out, and does well.
Most of that is just speculation based on real information I have though.
Why in the hell is Wizards so protective of the DS license? Do they just not want it to see light again?
They don't want it to see light again and have it done in a way less than their standards. And by standards, I'm talking about quality of art, graphic design, etc. They don't want someone who could make their properties lose their valule.
Dark Sun is also a controversial setting for WotC/TSR. Slavery was common practice. Evil is rampant. There were moral grays everywhere. Characters (at least NPCs, but concievably PCs too) are rewarded substantially for terrible acts. Classes with evil bents are available to PCs (I'm thinking of defilers and templars). WotC wouldn't want to let a creative property like Dark Sun out of their control too far for fear someone would not present it in a fashion that taints the setting forever after. WotC OWNS Dark Sun when all is said and done. Others could only license it, and when their license runs out, it is still WotC's baby.
And there are still enough people at WotC who believe that Dark Sun is worth holding on to rather than selling it outright. Plus, some at WotC believe that WotC could have gotten a better deal on the licensing of Ravenloft than what was actually signed. The issues around the Ravenloft license that WotC believes they got the short straw are factors that WotC doesn't want to burned (in their perspective) by again...
And when we are talking license issues now, much of the decisions are not made by the editors, designers and developers, but rather the lawyers and management. Such is the business of creative IP.
Regards,
Eric Anondson
I would love to see a Noonan-style article (preferably book) by Troy Denning about where he wanted Athas to go. Seems it would have been quite different from where it ended up.
Possibly. Don't forget that he authored the Prism Pentad, which was the primary vehicle of change to the setting. Troy and Tim intended for the setting, once set in motion by the Original Boxed Set, to change tremendously at the hands of heroes. All that change was planned for during the original brainstorming sessions from which Dark Sun was spawned. (Of course, a fault is probably that the change came from NPCs, not PCs).
There are some things that were added later once Troy was moved into writing novels, away from Dark Sun, that weren't originally intended. I'm thinking of para-elemental priests, and avangions. But most people who found the Prism Pentad changes to be too much are usually just fine with additions that came after Troy was moved that were done by the late-comer editors, designers and developers.
Welllll... I dunno about the dolphins of the Last Sea thing... ;)
*shrug*
In the end, it may be impossible to discern between all of the changes after the Original Boxed Set that were Troy's and Tim's from the get go, and which changes were from other authors.
Regard,
Eric Anondson
Welllll... I dunno about the dolphins of the Last Sea thing...
Yes, a fellow dolphin-hater. I dub thee, Eric, Destroyer of Dolphins!
. Troy, Brom, Brown and maybe Lynn, this would be my drem Team for a new Athas.Sorry, it's just a dream.