Post originally by Lee at 2004-11-12 11:33:46
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Ralph,

Please allow me to summarize a few of the differences between this edition and the previous ones.

The tone of this edition is more surreal and absurdist than in previous editions. Television shows such as Twin Peaks and Picket Fences were definite influences here. Although horror is absolutely integral to the game's tone, there are a lot of good games that do horror well. What makes H&E unique (my biased opinion, of course) is its absurdity/surrealism angle. That in mind, I decided to play up these aspects of the game.

Next, Potter's Lake and its citizens are more fleshed out in this edition. Twenty-five notable citizens and dozens of locations and folk tales are included to help GMs realize/visualize the setting.

The origins of psychic powers have been changed to better dovetail into the game's overarching story.

All but one of the secret socities has been changed or deleted. New ones have been added, though there are only four major players active in the setting now.

The overaching plot of H&E is fully outlined in this edition rather than kept secret from GMs and spread out over multiple books.

The supernatural elements of the game are less focused on, making their chapters very rules-lite.

In closing, H&E is largely as it was but with added detail to the setting and more surrealism/absurdity.

Thanks for the question.

Best regards,
Lee Foster
Abstract Nova