[ogf-d20-l] d20 with an edge

[M Alexander Jurkat]

Hey all,   We have been working through our latest d20 book on our playtest list and a subject came up that I wanted to share with this forum.   One of the things that has set Eden apart has been its willingness to approach, if not cross over, the edge of acceptability in language, subjects and art. We label our games for mature audiences and we have no trouble exploring disturbing, unconventional, crude, or raw subjects. After all, we are the company that put out a zombie survival game called All Flesh Must Be Eaten. Usually, when an author or artist gets into questionable stuff, we say "go for it" -- we want that edge. Now, we don't get stupid about it and just print reams of swear words, or actual pronography, but we don't shy away from it either.   Now, the question is whether to bring that same philosophy to our d20 work. I worry about that because D&D is not a dark, modern horror game (as our other three lines are). Also, it attracts a much younger audience.   The specifics of the current situation involve using a swear word as part of the presentation. We plan to give the usual monster stats for an average member of the species and provide guidelines for making them stronger or weaker. We also plan to create a sidebar in many of the monsters detailing a "better than average", ready-to-play sample. On the playtest list, we are calling that sidebar "Instant Badass." Personally, I like that name (my other choice would be "Instant Bad Moe-Foe") but it may rile up some parents. Then again, maybe that's good for creating buzz about the book.   So, the basic question is should we reign in creative inpulses to avoid tweaking some parents' sensibilities, or just publish like we always do with some indication that the material may not be suitable for the very young?   Any thoughts?   Thanks, Alex Jurkat Eden Studios www.edenstudios.net