> From: Mathew Gray <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> I wandered in to my local game store here in the Seattle area, looking for
> information on the latest releases for D&D. Sitting in their display, they
> had a few copies of the Creature Collection hardback. I picked one up and
> flipped through it briefly.
>
> The clerk (part-owner) and I talked about it briefly, and it was rather
> interesting what conclusion he'd come to:
>
> WotC was *mad* because the Creature Collection had been released before
> their MM (due on the 16th) . . .
>
> I found this interesting, because all we've heard here is Ryan
> congratulating Clark . . . *grin*
>
Yes, on top of the fact that WOTC's own stores have also been supportive of
the product.
> Not to mention, the CC only has about 200 beasties, many of which are
> completely unsuitable for regular gameplay, and it costs $25.
>
> Why the heck would anyone in the actual industry be concerned over this
> book? If anything it'll be picked up in addition to the MM, . . . it'd sure
> make a poor replacement. :)
>
> *shrug*
I think in fact if CC had been designed to replicate or to try to be a
substitute for the MM, then the CC would be an utter commercial failure and
also an OG philosophy failure. If the CC was full of staples like bugbears,
skeletons, ogres, etc. no one's going to pick it up in lieu of MM (ok, maybe
a few would pick it up in the week before the MM is available, but then
sales of CC would go to zero after that one week).
Also, while this list serves an important purpose of playing devil's
advocate for what people COULD TRY to do to twist the intent of the OGL
(such as Paul's rule-bending cover image in an ad), one has to hope that
it's not the true intention of OGL publishers on or off this list to play
sleazy tricks with OGL products (sleazy like replicating the MM contents
that are in the SRD and putting it out in a cheap-o newsprint softcover to
price point undercut WOTC's own book). OGL products, IMO, should strive to
be additive to the creative pool of gaming goodies which customers may use
for their own campaigns.
Steve Wieck
White Wolf
"completely unsuitable for regular gameplay" -- youch!
