Given Warhammer 8th Edition’s focus on scenarios, do you think that there will be any chance that GW may create an ‘Open Gaming License’-type thing (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Game_License) for other companies to create Warhammer scenarios, distribute screnario-specific map-packs, etc… for players to use?
OK, scratch that - Of course they won’t.
However - does anyone think something like this would be a good idea? If so, why? If not, why not?
That’s too bad - I think it be be really interesting to see what people came up with, and would almost surely get more people involved in playing Warhammer.
Here’s another question: Do you think that GW might be interested in releasing ‘scenario packs’ - with a story/fluff, a few maps, sample army lists, maybe a special character model, etc…? Kind of like tarted-up D&D ‘modules’?
They've released scenarios for free online before now.
Fans can release their own scenarios too, so long as they follow the fair use policy.
slev
In fact fans can do it regardless of fair use. GW doesn't own the idea of a "scenario". Almost every tournament organiser I know does it fairly frequently.
Nor can they in any way, shape or form prevent the publishing of it. They can only a posteriori try and litigate the hell out of it.
GW won't let any third party make a business of it though, but I think they'll be making new scenarios and stuff. It might take them a few years but when they've gotten through most of the armybooks they'll be trying to sell us short lived campaign packs they invalidate quickly thereafter with new rules.
Here's another question: Do you think that GW might be interested in releasing 'scenario packs' - with a story/fluff, a few maps, sample army lists, maybe a special character model, etc...? Kind of like tarted-up D&D 'modules'?
zobo1942
They tried that a few editions ago - 5th I think - when Brettonians and Lizardmen were brand new and 'multi-part plastics' meant an arm that could be positioned straight up or down.
One was called Grudge of Drong, and featured High Elves vs Dwarfs. The other was Idol of Gork (I think) and featured Brettonians vs Orcs. Each pack had fluff, scenarios, sample army lists, special characters, campaign rules, and cardboard buildings. They released separate models to coincide with Grudge of Drong, altho I don't remember if they did with Idol of Gork.
Anyways, they never did these things again really. It's not a bad idea, but I dunno if past experience has taught GW that it's not cost-effective or what.
Here's another question: Do you think that GW might be interested in releasing 'scenario packs' - with a story/fluff, a few maps, sample army lists, maybe a special character model, etc...? Kind of like tarted-up D&D 'modules'?
zobo1942
They tried that a few editions ago - 5th I think - when Brettonians and Lizardmen were brand new and 'multi-part plastics' meant an arm that could be positioned straight up or down.
One was called Grudge of Drong, and featured High Elves vs Dwarfs. The other was Idol of Gork (I think) and featured Brettonians vs Orcs. Each pack had fluff, scenarios, sample army lists, special characters, campaign rules, and cardboard buildings. They released separate models to coincide with Grudge of Drong, altho I don't remember if they did with Idol of Gork.
Anyways, they never did these things again really. It's not a bad idea, but I dunno if past experience has taught GW that it's not cost-effective or what.
Khan!
The was also an undead one, and a couple more IIRC. They made special models for many of these. A Bret guy on Pegasus, an Empire General. A couple of Dwarfs for Grudge of Drong. Can't remember them all.
From wiki:
Several boxed campaign packs were produced, Tears of Isha for example, gave a campaign for High Elves and included a card "building" to assemble. Likewise, the Orc and Goblin themed campaign Idol of Gork included card idols of the Orc deities Gork and Mork. The others were Circle of Blood, Grudge of Drong, Perilous Quest.
Collective amnesia? Who could forget Storm of Chaos, Lustria, and Albion to a lesser extent. They may have been summer events but they had all of the above - new models, new rules, scenarios
Hmm. I guess you’re right - but I wasn’t thinking of the gigantic ‘hobby-wide’ cooperative type of event - I was thinking more about something more like maybe a few poster-sized printed paper maps (which could be used as a playing surface), some fluff, an included scenario, etc… Not a ‘series of scenarios’ or huge campaign, like you’ve listed above. I was thinking more like all of the old D&D modules that have a single ‘adventure’ in them. Some other great ideas (similar to the past GW campaigns you’ve mentioned) could be similar to Paizo’s ‘Adventure Path’ books that have a series of linked ‘adventures’ in them.
That’s what started me thinking of the idea of an ‘open gaming license’ in the first place - by having more people creating context for games to be played in, the more fun that could be had by everyone, and everyone wouldn’t be waiting for GW to find the time to create things like that while they are working on core mechanics and materials (like army books, rulesets, models, terrain, etc…).
Several boxed campaign packs were produced, Tears of Isha for example, gave a campaign for High Elves and included a card "building" to assemble. Likewise, the Orc and Goblin themed campaign Idol of Gork included card idols of the Orc deities Gork and Mork. The others were Circle of Blood, Grudge of Drong, Perilous Quest.
snowblizz
I definitely forgot all about the Circle of Blood one! Hm, I don't remember Tears of Isha or Perilous Quest though.
In fact fans can do it regardless of fair use. GW doesn't own the idea of a "scenario". Almost every tournament organiser I know does it fairly frequently.
Nor can they in any way, shape or form prevent the publishing of it. They can only a posteriori try and litigate the hell out of it.
snowblizz
The scenario itself wouldn't be prevented by the FUP. The fiction you create to back the scenario likeley won't fall under the FUP. GW speciffically say you can do this stuff on a not-for-profit basis, which no-one has a problem with.
However, if you include any trade marks, they can, will, and are legally required to, tell you to stop (even if it's a free give-away) and if you won't, to sue the hell out of you.
Similar rules would apply if you use any of their artwork, etc.
Several boxed campaign packs were produced, Tears of Isha for example, gave a campaign for High Elves and included a card "building" to assemble. Likewise, the Orc and Goblin themed campaign Idol of Gork included card idols of the Orc deities Gork and Mork. The others were Circle of Blood, Grudge of Drong, Perilous Quest.
snowblizz
I definitely forgot all about the Circle of Blood one! Hm, I don't remember Tears of Isha or Perilous Quest though.
Khan!
I don't believe it - I actually own one of these! The Tears of Isha came with a cardboard waystone, which I believe I have never assembled :P
My brother bought it because he was collecting High Elves at the Time, and he handed all his stuff down to me.