Post originally by CJ at 2004-11-29 11:50:31
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In my tired brought on by the writing of this review (it's actually quite long, 10% of the page count of the book itself methinks) I made a drastuic error. I intended to give it
STYLE 4 (4.5 would be fairer)
SUBSTANCE 3 (4 if your game is set in the USA)
Somehow in my bleariness managed to reverse these two scores.
I have e-mailed rpg.net, so it may be corrected by the time you read this.
A very good book, well done. Bear in mind I am a harsh critic.
Post originally by CJ at 2004-11-29 11:50:47
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In my tired state brought on by the writing of this review (it's actually quite long, 10% of the page count of the book itself methinks) I made a drastuic error. I intended to give it
STYLE 4 (4.5 would be fairer)
SUBSTANCE 3 (4 if your game is set in the USA)
Somehow in my bleariness managed to reverse these two scores.
I have e-mailed rpg.net, so it may be corrected by the time you read this.
A very good book, well done. Bear in mind I am a harsh critic.
Post originally by CJ at 2004-11-29 12:21:05
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Just a quick note to say I was sufficiently impressed by this book to decide immediately to run it immediately, and that a full and much fairer play test review iwll follow in afew weeks, or possibly bearing in mind the amount of material a couple of months time.
Post originally by Brand Robins at 2004-11-29 13:40:43
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You said: "In the UK it is priced very competitively at £15 owing to the very weak dollar, but this is still outrageously expensive compared with the incredible good value of Atlas Games new hardback Ars Magica 5th edition core rules, which is really setting the standard at the moment for value rpg books."
It should be noted that the Ars price is an introductory special price -- a sale essentially -- designed to get people into the game and make sure the first run sells well. After the first printing the price of the game will go up. For that reason and others (such as print run sizes and other publishing issues) your statement is not fair, nor particularly accurate of the state of the market.
As for the rest of your review, let me say that while I disagree on any number of specific points I enjoyed the whole review overall. It was quite interesting to hear the impressions of an expert on the subject, and to see the differences between the ways ghosts get used in games and the folk-lore of ghosts.
Post originally by CJ at 2004-11-29 14:15:36
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Yes good point. However u retailers are selling the Ars book at £14.99 thill end of December, and after that some until current stocks run out. Therefore, while it may be a limited two month introductory offer, at the time I purchased this book two options were available to me - one of thes ehardbacks at £14.99, or the huge Ars core rule book fo rthe same price.
Whearas a core rule book will keep me in gaming for the next 5 to 6 years (I'm a great fan of Ars Magica and playtested 5th over the last couple of years)a scenario book is by definition limited, and perhaps less deserving of hardback treatment.
Still, ignoring Ars 5th yes as I said I thought the book was fairly prioced. The dollar has reached a twenty year slump against the pound as far as I can tell, so US rpg books are suddenly very affordable here, which has to be good for the industry sales in this country.
Anyway, a fair price, and a good point. What were the othe rpoints you disagreed with? It's always fun to discuss these, and I am not particularly committed to my views - I have not run the product yet,, and my overall view wa sit was very good.
Post originally by committed hero at 2004-11-29 15:07:54
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A Saxon whose kingdoms were crushed by the Viking invasions of England may disagree with your statement about the civility of Danes [said firmly tongue-in-cheek - great review]
Linear Mode
