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Post by Soul Samurai on Aug 14, 2019 11:46:31 GMT
In terms of designing games mechanics, what's different about licensed games/movie tie-ins compared to a new IP? I can see the point from a designing the background etc. But in terms of designing a game as a set of rules, what's the issue with licenses etc? Interesting question. I guess one possible issue is that when a character is designed for a game, game mechanics and balance are (hopefully) being considered right from the start, but when designing a character for other reasons (to look cool, to serve a narrative purpose etc) and then trying to shoehorn them into a game later it could potentially make it harder to give that character balanced, interesting and slightly fresh rules? Not impossible of course, just a little harder?
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Ganso
Junior Strategist
Posts: 932
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Post by Ganso on Aug 14, 2019 18:52:11 GMT
I for one hope that Atomic Mass doesn't get saddled with licensed game after licensed game (cough Mantic cough) or movie Tie-ins (cough MANTIC cough), because those guys seriously need to produce a game from the ground up that showcases their talents. In terms of designing games mechanics, what's different about licensed games/movie tie-ins compared to a new IP? I can see the point from a designing the background etc. But in terms of designing a game as a set of rules, what's the issue with licenses etc?
To me, the issue is whether the game is well-designed and matches the feel of the IP. That IP might be original, or it might not. But even a game without original IP can be well-designed as a game for that IP. You might not like the IP, but that is a different issue.
I think you answered your question right there. Think of all the DC games where Superman's powers have to be toned down via Deus Ex Machina. At the end of the day, when you play the game it has to feel like the IP that drew you in. And games with strong IPs usually either power through the rule gaps on the strength of the IP (think X-Wing), or suffer a horrible fate (think any Star Wars game pushing the new Trilogy with "Ubisoft Iconic" levels of nonsense).
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Post by borderprince on Aug 15, 2019 5:18:30 GMT
To me, the issue is whether the game is well-designed and matches the feel of the IP. That IP might be original, or it might not. But even a game without original IP can be well-designed as a game for that IP. You might not like the IP, but that is a different issue.
I think you answered your question right there. Think of all the DC games where Superman's powers have to be toned down via Deus Ex Machina. Risking veering further off topic here, but one of the DC animated series did make the good point that at least in that version Superman always tones down his powers because of the harm he could do to both opponents and as collateral damage. His default approach is to not act to the full extent of his abilities until he realises he needs to do so. I always thought that was a really good way of seeing it, and it fits with his character.
So I wouldn't actually mind a superpowered game that had a weaker Superman type character. The problem comes when opposing characters are introduced which do justify Superman letting loose (Darkseid etc).
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Post by Charistoph on Aug 15, 2019 14:45:09 GMT
I think you answered your question right there. Think of all the DC games where Superman's powers have to be toned down via Deus Ex Machina. Risking veering further off topic here, but one of the DC animated series did make the good point that at least in that version Superman always tones down his powers because of the harm he could do to both opponents and as collateral damage. His default approach is to not act to the full extent of his abilities until he realises he needs to do so. I always thought that was a really good way of seeing it, and it fits with his character.
So I wouldn't actually mind a superpowered game that had a weaker Superman type character. The problem comes when opposing characters are introduced which do justify Superman letting loose (Darkseid etc). It could even be set up where you have the Superman who always takes the first hit to be blown back (something that the DCAU developers pointed out that they almost had to do at times, which left Superman being written out of certain episodes), and is a "lesser, low cost" version, while Superman v Darkseid would priced like bringing Colossals to a Battlebox game. But even the Flash would be overpowered in a world of just thugs.
The good news is that there is no main line "Superman" character in the Marvel Universe. There are some villains which are rip offs (like Superion of the Squadron Supreme), and others who are just even more ridiculously powerful, but since they aren't main line, you can completely avoid them until well in to the game's development.
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Post by streetpizza on Aug 16, 2019 13:13:36 GMT
If you guys read the credits in the rule book that was linked it looks like Travis Marg is a playtester and they note contributions by Privateer Press.
Looks like there are still ties between the crew here and the mother ship.
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Post by charlzheimer on Aug 17, 2019 7:24:32 GMT
local store i play at already admitted they will not be stocking up the marvel game unless people ORDER it directly from him. since the batman game was such a local flop (in his eyes).
then again he also stopped stocking warmachine and hordes since everyone who still plays is a veteran and the store owner lost track of who quit, who didn't and who plays what.
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shiver
Junior Strategist
Posts: 150
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Post by shiver on Aug 18, 2019 1:44:37 GMT
If you guys read the credits in the rule book that was linked it looks like Travis Marg is a playtester and they note contributions by Privateer Press. Looks like there are still ties between the crew here and the mother ship. Man, thats weird. PP has ties to the developers, who are ex PP employees. They leave, shortly after or around the same time Schick leaves. Schick opens a new studio with Asmodee. Next thing we know, Asmodee is releasing a game with a whole bunch of former PP staff members attached to it, and PP is just randomly mentioned in the credits. That seems sketchy AF. REALLY sketchy AF. I wonder if/what happened, cause i've seen this happen a lot in other fields.
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bacon
Junior Strategist
Posts: 134
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Post by bacon on Aug 18, 2019 2:17:17 GMT
Is it sketchy? As long as neither party broke their contracts with their employers I dont see anything wrong about people helping their friends out in their free time.
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fanguad
Junior Strategist
Posts: 210
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Post by fanguad on Aug 19, 2019 13:06:15 GMT
I've heard multiple times that the miniature wargames industry is so small that basically everybody knows everybody and most of them are friendly with each other. In addition, no one can afford to be enemies even if they work on competing products.
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Post by michael on Aug 19, 2019 16:54:46 GMT
If you guys read the credits in the rule book that was linked it looks like Travis Marg is a playtester and they note contributions by Privateer Press. Looks like there are still ties between the crew here and the mother ship. Man, thats weird. PP has ties to the developers, who are ex PP employees. They leave, shortly after or around the same time Schick leaves. Schick opens a new studio with Asmodee. Next thing we know, Asmodee is releasing a game with a whole bunch of former PP staff members attached to it, and PP is just randomly mentioned in the credits. That seems sketchy AF. REALLY sketchy AF. I wonder if/what happened, cause i've seen this happen a lot in other fields. Dude...Seriously? You need to improve your outlook rather than assuming conspiracies at every turn. Like, legit, for your own health and well-being, chillax. If you live like the way you come across on just about every post on here, man, you can’t be happy. Much like some wackos in the “Oblivion Opening Letter” thread, like... there’s no Illuminati orchestrating evil behind the scenes. Shick probably saw a good oppportunity (or created one himsefl!) lleft Privateer amicably (fact, as far as anyone knows), and some other members followed him because of whatever reasons that are frankly none of our business! For every shadowy motive someone can espouse, I think rational people can provide a corresponding logical explanation that doesn’t have airs of paranoia behind it. C’mon dude. Chill.
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Post by michael on Aug 19, 2019 19:37:29 GMT
And a few hours later...
Maybe I am just feeling spicy, but I have changed my mind! Detail the conspiracy for me!
I want in on this next-level Illuminati New World Order BS! Bring it!
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shiver
Junior Strategist
Posts: 150
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Post by shiver on Aug 20, 2019 0:37:56 GMT
Man, you're getting good at snark, but you Firetrucking suck at reading comprehension.
words like "seems", and "if/what" would almost infer that I don't know for sure that something has or will happen, and that it just seems like its possible because I have seen this happen in other industries (the medical and pharmaceutical industry is rife with this kind of shit, which is why non-disclosures and non compete clauses have gotten much bigger and more elaborative from what I have seen)
the timeline also seems sketchy AF.
you know everyone at PP, I'm sure you could ask around and use that awesome insider information to learn everything.
As far as my personal mental health goes, I have a great life, make a good living, and do well enough for myself that I can sit around and think about things like this. I assure you I am doing just fine.
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shmeep
Junior Strategist
Posts: 742
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Post by shmeep on Aug 20, 2019 2:09:53 GMT
It's Firetrucking miniatures, my dude. The Pharma industry has a huge potential to be mis- and abused, and in fact is on a regular basis. Former friends and coworkers helping each other write the rules for their toy man game is possibly the last thing I'd consider sketchy.
I'm gonna be honest with you, the Pharma industry poisoning the water supply and ramming opioids up your ass all day long is what's gonna make you become kinda retarded, not Marvel's newest toys for adult children.
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Post by marxlives on Aug 21, 2019 14:30:20 GMT
If you guys read the credits in the rule book that was linked it looks like Travis Marg is a playtester and they note contributions by Privateer Press. Looks like there are still ties between the crew here and the mother ship. That is true. I have worked jobs that were not bad, but due to pay were really just opportunities to learn new skills and up the value of my resume. Leaving was (and should always be if you can help) good terms but sometimes you just out grow the job and with smaller business they cannot hand out raises. When everyone was tossing out "bad blood" theories (part I think was due to linking this pattern to what happened with GW back in the day) I just eye rolled. Sometimes people just leave due to opportunity.
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fanguad
Junior Strategist
Posts: 210
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Post by fanguad on Aug 21, 2019 19:11:27 GMT
And a few hours later... Maybe I am just feeling spicy, but I have changed my mind! Detail the conspiracy for me! I want in on this next-level Illuminati New World Order BS! Bring it! I also want to hear about "Big Miniature"...
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