Tenkar's Tavern: An Ars Magica PC Game Kickstarter? It's So Crazy, It Might Just Work

Sunday, October 21, 2012

An Ars Magica PC Game Kickstarter? It's So Crazy, It Might Just Work

I just stumbled across the Ars Magica video game Kickstarter. I've never played it, but I did find the rules intriguing during my earlier role playing days - I just never had a group that showed any interest in playing it. I know it has a following, as it's in its 4th? 5th? edition.

I don't know if that following will convert to $290,000 worth of support for a fantasy computer game that doesn't follow the usual tried and true generic or Forgotten Realms fantasy type world.

27 days to go - just under $20k raised - so it doesn't seem likely but it sure would have been interesting.

I haven't seen it pop up on any blogs that I read or my G+ feed, so it could be that the greater RPG world hasn't even heard about this one. It's a shame the Shaker guys couldn't have shifted their funding to an established game with an actual direction.

3 comments:

JeremyOctober 21, 2012 at 9:27 PM
5th edition, but you can get the 4th edition rules free from Steve Jackson Games's website
ReplyDelete
Replies
JeremyOctober 21, 2012 at 9:31 PM
And Corey & Lori Cole, who did the Quest For Glory series (and he wrote a Judges Guild adventure) have a KS for a computer RPG called Hero-U. Should probably just squeak over the line.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Lead LegionOctober 27, 2012 at 5:43 PM
AWESOME idea. Really hope it works.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Why "Swords & Wizardry?"

Believe me when I say I have them all in dead tree format. I have OSRIC in full size, trade paperback and the Player's Guide. I have LL and the AEC (and somewhere OEC, but I can't find it at the moment). Obviously I have Basic Fantasy RPG. Actually, I have the whole available line in print. Way too much Castles & Crusades. We all know my love for the DCC RPG. I even have Dark Dungeons in print, the Delving Deeper boxed set, Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea. BOTH editions of LotFP's Weird Fantasy and some dead tree copies of the Greyhawk Grognards Adventures Dark & Deep

I am so deep in the OSR when I come up for breath it's for the OSR's cousin, Tunnels & Trolls

So, out of all that, why Swords & Wizardry? Why, when I have been running a AD&D 1e / OSRIC campaign in Rappan Athuk am I using Swords & Wizardry and it's variant, Crypts & Things, for the second campaign? (Actually, now running a S&W Complete campaign, soon to be with multiple groups)

Because the shit works.

It's easy for lapsed gamers to pick up and feel like they haven't lost a step. I can house rule it and it doesn't break. It plays so close to the AD&D of my youth and college years (S&W Complete especially) that it continually surprises me. Just much less rules hopping than I remember. (my God but I can run it nearly without the book)

I grab and pick and steal from just about all OSR and Original resources. They seem to fit into S&W with little fuss. It may be the same with LL and the rest, but for me the ease of use fit's my expectations with S&W.

Even the single saving throw. That took me longer to adjust to, but even that seems like a natural to me now. Don't ask me why, it just does. Maybe it's the simplicity of it. At 45 52, simplicity and flexibility while remaining true to the feel of the original is an OSR hat trick for me ;)

Swords & Wizardry Light - Forum

RPGNow

Sunday, October 21, 2012

An Ars Magica PC Game Kickstarter? It's So Crazy, It Might Just Work

3 comments:

Blogs of Inspiration & Erudition