Post originally by Bill at 2005-03-02 07:38:54
Converted from Phorums BB System

Phil,
Sorry if I seem defensive to you. I showed the last post (mine) to a few folks here and they had a good laugh. Maybe it is in the delivery. It was meant as an explanation to your points.

I take my customers happiness with our product very seriously. That is why I responded to your posts. If you did not ask questions and make statements that I feel need (and that you desire) to be answered I would not post. Your initial post was not quite as forgiving as your last one.

Now, I will try to post to your points in answer to your issues. Again, I never denied the map had flaws only your characterization of them. You say:
"showing the Thamesis and Londinium several hundred miles north of where they actually are could"
If this were the case, by the scale of the map, they would be in the north sea. Londinium is not in Sarmatia or Gallia. That would be wildly inaccurate to me. Note, to me. By the scale of the map, it appears to be about 50 miles north. I mention this, and keep coming back to it, because you made such a point of it initially. If you are staisfied, great, that is what I was shooting for all along.

The rest, Norse kingdoms on land that the Romans do not want and a kingdom, in northern Russia, supported by the power of their gods are points you may not like. I can not change that nor would I try. Suffice it to say, my research indicates I am within the boundaries set out by the basic premise of the work. No meant as defensive, just as a "where I am coming from".

I would normally advise you not to buy any of our further supplements for Roma but you state you probably will. If these plot points bother you, you will not like an Atlantis in the Amazon Rainforest, Mayan chamones, chinese colonies on North America or cheyenne spirits. Green Ronin (supposedly coming soon), GURPS and a number of other companies have more historical Roman settings available that might appeal to your taste more. Not being snyde, I just want a happy customer or somone who gets to buy a product they are happy with. I do not wish to deceive anyone.

As for the Iridium System being used unchanged, I would not have it. I have always, from day one, believed and built in the idea that customers would customize. I do not care how much someone thinks their system has universal appeal, it doesn't. There are aspects fo all games that people will change and it will vary from person to person. I always play WOD with a dice pool for actions and a free pool of dodge. I like it better that way. I expect no less for the Iridium System. I have already helped players customize rules on our forums, neatened up the rules they suggest so they have a nice handout for their players. That is the kind of company HinterWelt is and the type of person I am.

As for the playtesters, they recieved my maps. Sorry if I was unclear on that one. They saw the posters after they were printed and thought they should be available for sale.

One final note, you like the phrase that "I protest too much". I do not know if you want to buy a product that is unsupported or published by a company that does not care. I am very proud of Roma Imperious. I truly believe it is our best book to date, not to take away from the others. Now, I do not know if you have been laughing as you write your posts or gritting your teeth. I have been chuckling. Not at you. Not in a mean way, but in a light hearted way. The points I have made, in part, have been made because too often they are perceptions incorrectly held by folks (talking about fantasy vs historical). With a chariot being pulled by a lion on the front cover, I find it funny when people try to fit Roma into a third century historical context.

Well, enough said, as long as you are satisfied with my responses. I think you are, from reading your last post. I also want to make sure you do not think I am attacking you in some way. I am not, just answering what I thought were questions about Roma.

Good luck in finding a Roman Game you are happy with.

Bill