Post originally by simon washbourne at 2004-10-11 06:51:27
Converted from Phorums BB System
Thanks for the review Steve.
You may be interested to know that I was working on a sourcebook for It's a Dog's Life, which was to include an extra Role (The Wildling), some new Barks, new Abilities, extra adventure hooks, legends, traditions and so on.
Well, rather than do that, I've rewritten the whole thing to include all the new stuff from the sourcebook plus some extras. So it'll be a spanking new It's a Dog's Life 2nd Edition, with close to 50 pages.
It's being edited at the moment (you'll be pleased to know!). I'm awaiting some new artwork.
The good thing is you can check out the 1st Edition for only $3 from RPGNOW and I will allow anyone with the 1st Edition to upgrade to the second, with $3 off the price.
Post originally by Darrin at 2004-10-11 07:44:28
Converted from Phorums BB System
Well, that's good to know.
But I've got to ask...
...why prairie dogs?
Seriously, I understand that everybody has particular fetishes or something that they find so mind-bogglingly interesting but bores everyone else to tears. What possessed you to think that an RPG based on Prairie Dogs would be commercially viable or interesting to a larger market?
I'm not saying it isn't. I could care less about prairie dogs but the premise does sound interesting. I'm just wondering what was the thought process you went through.
Post originally by simon washbourne at 2004-10-11 08:02:19
Converted from Phorums BB System
Why prairie dogs indeed.
Well, I had just finished reading Duncton Wood (there are lots of novels in the Duncton series - it's about moles) and I thought that would make a great rpg. I had of course heard of Bunnies & Burrows, but felt this had been done all wrong.
However, I happened to be holidaying in Wyoming and visited the Devils Tower, where there is a large dog town. I immediately thought that prairie dogs had a much more interesting society than moles (who are essentilly solitary) and would therefore provide much better subject material - they live in towns, have families (called coteries - which I translated to tribes), they have watchers (Sentinels), they grow their own food (Healers), live alongside Bison and so on, and they Bark (which I decided would have magical power).
I just extrapolated and it grew from there, especially when I began to evolve their traditions from Native American sort of stuff.
As Steve says, this is a great game. I understand that people aren't generally interested in animal rpgs, but they should really have a look at this - I have run this game (and another of mine 'Tales from The Wood') with several different groups over several years and despite their sometimes skeptical viewpoint initially, without exception they have enjoyed it.
Post originally by Dreams_of_Cats at 2004-10-11 09:18:56
Converted from Phorums BB System
The game sounds great Simon! I thoroughly enjoyed Duncton wood, and will wait for your 2nd edition with the corrections and what not.
I've played more traditional fantasy to death, and really would like something new and different. I sense certain advantages based on the review - the chief of which being the minimum prep time needed to play. That's definately attractive, because as a professional person, there isn't always a lot of time available for prep.
The group I play in is quite open minded, and I think they'd really dig this. None of us are really geared up by traditional fantasy any longer.
I'll definately be making the purchase. Any way to clue in potential buyers when it becomes available?
Post originally by simon washbourne at 2004-10-11 09:34:52
Converted from Phorums BB System
Dreams_of_Cats wrote:
-------------------------------
The game sounds great Simon! I thoroughly enjoyed Duncton wood, and will wait for your 2nd edition with the corrections and what not.
I've played more traditional fantasy to death, and really would like something new and different. I sense certain advantages based on the review - the chief of which being the minimum prep time needed to play. That's definately attractive, because as a professional person, there isn't always a lot of time available for prep.
The group I play in is quite open minded, and I think they'd really dig this. None of us are really geared up by traditional fantasy any longer.
I'll definately be making the purchase. Any way to clue in potential buyers when it becomes available?
Regards
D.O.C.
Thank you and I'm pleased that you will be buying. I was aiming partially at those people fed up of traditional elf/dwarf/orc fantasy, so I'm delighted that you have picked up on this aspect.
Yes, the game is simple but it is great fun. We played it only the other night using the new rules. There are certainly some additions that address some of the points that Steve mentions - like the low success rate of using abilities - without seriously affecting game play. You still can't beat up a Bison!
I must admit, I am quietly excited about the 2nd Edition.
As to the date, I am aiming for early to mid-November, possibly sooner. The writing is done already. It has had some serious playtesting. It's really just the artwork I'm waiting on.
If you are looking for something different, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Post originally by Crotchedy Gamer at 2004-10-11 09:41:22
Converted from Phorums BB System
Can you believe it? They are already on 2nd edition? These guys just want your cash. What happened to the good old days of Prairie Dog gaming when you just had one version to role-play with? Now we've got multiple versions, hints of upcoming splat books, and now I've heard that people are planning to turn the game into a LARP.
Sigh.
Look, playing Prarie Dogs is a spiritual experience. Money and versioning shouldn't come into it. We don't need this mad stampede that will surely doom the gaming industry.
Way back when Beyond Belief Games was about you and me, your average joe and josephine gamer. Those days were awesome. Life was good. Oil was cheaper.
Well, this is a plea from the old school Beyond Belief Games fans. Come back home guys, come back hom. Leave the girls, jets, television interviews, and trips to Europe and Tahiti behind and be the wonderful small press people we fell in love with.
Linear Mode
