Ralph Dula
Fighter of Fungi, Mortal Foe of 5E, Possibly a Cat
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2020
- Messages
- 1,823
- Reaction score
- 5,327
I’m clearly out of the loop on something.Yeah..... Ask Evil Hat how that worked out.
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I’m clearly out of the loop on something.Yeah..... Ask Evil Hat how that worked out.
Mr. Simlasa, when exactly did you become a member of the communist party?Whatever love I had for it does not just follow the brand wherever it goes.
They tried to steal the Star Frontiers name.I’m clearly out of the loop on something.
So, what you could do is announce you're making Star Frontiers and get fans excited, get legal, make a stink and drop it, and then publish a new sf game with the rules and races from Star Frontiers thinly veiled. The idea would be to reach the fans and get sympathy while justifying making changes to the rules for legal reasons. I don't know, it could work but it's a fine balance between announcing, pulling out before it goes to the lawyers, and putting out an edition that's close enough but not legally actionable. Still, Elmore art.You don’t announce stuff until after the legalities have been figured out. This is like 101 stuff.
Like I say, use the name, cease and desist, make an sf game with another name and hope to get the fan support.If they pay Wizards to license or buy it, fantastic. Any other way is stealing it.
"Frontier Stars, coming soon from RST Games."and then publish a new sf game with the rules and races from Star Frontiers thinly veiled.
Forbidden PlanetsWhat is the best potential name for Star Frontiers with the IP filed off?
My vote is for:What is the best potential name for Star Frontiers with the IP filed off?
Starbase on the Borderlands
Stellar Expanse
Galaxy's Edge
Solar Fringers
On the Galactic Rim
etc.
I had not seen Forbidden Planet when I was younger. I only recently saw it via Netflix. Watching it for the first time certainly shed some light on the early sci-fi RPGs for me.Forbidden Planets
I’m clearly out of the loop on something.
I don't want to be doom and gloom (TSR started me off way back when) but Giantlands doesn't appeal to me and I can't see the Star Frontiers thing happening either... The business model will be via Kickstarter and delays will kill the whole thing and trash the TSR name/logo thing.
I was actually thinking the same thing!Plot Twist. TSR has hired Palladium Books's old IP lawyer.
Oh, that would be glorious.
Now if only we could figure out who had more money......I think I see what TSR is trying to do. I did a search on the US trademark office website and they do own the trademark for Star Frontiers. So did Evil Hat. The problem is Wizards of the Coast sells Star Frontiers materials and they own the copyrights on those materials. It’s not just as easy as TSR saying “we own the trademark, now give us the rights!” I’m no lawyer but it seems like they are trying the same tactics. Also, they need product out there to enforce the trademark. This looks like a trademark vs copyright battle.
Agree. The money spent on the TSR name would be better spent on recruiting talent that brings some authenticity to the project. The actual TSR name and logo is far less important than having the street cred and authorial chops to back it up, if that makes sense.I think they'd be better off finding an established OSR/Indie author and get them on board.
As it is, this looks like a bunch of old guys hoping to resurrect the name and love from neckbeards who have disposable income by dangling their childhood/teen years back in front of them with a 'We're back!' and uh, no, you aren't really.
I'm fine with Kickstarter not being a slam-dunk guarantee of success, and I understand the risks that I'm taking when I back something. However, that doesn't mean that the people that run these failed campaigns get a pass going forward either.
I have to admit that I am surprised EGG Jr. is associated with the project after the Marmoreal Tomb debacle. I don't mean any disrespect when I say I don't know what he brings to the table.
While I can understand your line of thinking here. I'm not sure Nu TSR can think that many steps ahead. (Hey TSR prove me wrong)Like I say, use the name, cease and desist, make an sf game with another name and hope to get the fan support.
Really thats what it will boil down to. Its not about being right, justice, or what have you. Its who can afford to play this "legal" game the longest. Hmmmmm.... little game shop wanna be big shooter, or mega corp. As Bunch said.......Now if only we could figure out who had more money......
Personally I would like to see it more of less like what the Starfrontiersman did, and rerelease it with better organization. Plus some bits and bobs from Dragon magazine and the like. So powered armor, and more vehicles.So, to leave off on the legalities of the thing.
If nuTSR brings out a new edition of Star Frontiers, will you buy or back it? How much do you want to change? What do you want kept? What's the breaking point?
As I've said, I think it would be good to put in some military vehicles, I don't know about the rights on Tanks A Lot so I think it's probably best just to add some military hardware. Some world building would be welcome as long as there's an open frontier out there to explore as a major part of the setting. More worlds, more maps, and maybe some new races and monsters. GM tools like random worlds and aliens would be nice if a bit Travelleresque. As far as the rules go they should use Galaxies In Shadow ;-) Okay, no they should stay very close to the original. I would say skills should have a single rating and the various tasks should be modifiers. I also would base all the skills on 1/2 attribute +10 per rank just like combat skills. And, I would have character's incapacitated at 1/2 Stamina or at least roll to avoid being incapacitated. It would speed up combat a lot. But that's about it. Star Frontiers is a pretty clean system and even elegant in places.