Joined: Mar 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 138 Location: Reading, PA Karma: 12
GangBusters News « Thread Started on Apr 28, 2012, 10:59am »
Several years ago, per my game contract with TSR, Hasbro (present day owner of TSR) reverted the rights to "GangBusters" a/k/a Bloody 20s to me. Several weeks ago, I was contacted by James Maliszewski, of Grognardia blog , asking about the rights to "GangBusters". When I informed him that the rights had reverted to me, James (a fan of "GangBusters" from his teenage years) asked what I was planning to do about getting "GangBusters" back in print. After some initial reticence on my part, the persistent James convinced me that it was something I should explore. If only it was as simple as Captain Picard's "Make it so."
What I am asking the followers of this blog is for their thoughts on a remake of "GangBusters". What would you be looking for in a revised "GangBusters" ? Would you buy it as a Print on Demand ? Would you support a "Kickstarter" campaign ? Or should the rules book, remain the same and just be available as a Print on Demand ? Interest in new historical modules ?
Feel free to comment and your comments are appreciated.
Rick Krebs Creator/designer of Gangbusters Contributor to AD&D DM's Guide-1st edition "D&D meets the Electronic Age" Dragon #26 "Non-Player Characters have Feelings, too" Dragon #29 Founder/owner: Original Gamer's Guild game store Designer of EAMON Adventures Pubisher/Editor: Phanta Carta
Oe, Chainmail, Delving Deeper, Labyrinth Lord Society, GangBusters, Boot Hill 1e...
Joined: Feb 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 879 Location: Harrisburg, PA USA Karma: 72
Re: GangBusters News « Reply #1 on Apr 28, 2012, 1:17pm via the ProBoards Mobile App »
Rick, You know my feelings about GB! I'd love to see something like a Kickstarter project. Factor in the resources to get you the support you need to create the project you've always envisioned. You'd certainly have my support and assistance!
Just as one more point of anecdotal data: I think Kickstarter is a great way to go. Requires very little investment and risk for the creator, helps build buzz, and is a nifty preorder mechanism. I find myself supporting more and more RPGs this way.
Personally, I'd be interested in getting a fresh copy of the original material and would also be very interested in new material. Strictly "historical" stuff would be cool, and I also think it might be fun to do some pulpier action games with GB (think The Shadow and The Spider, among others). In any case, this is great news, and I'm glad you have the rights back!
Another option might be to contact Dan Proctor of Goblinoid Games. He has managed to acquire the rights to quite a few older games and is getting them back in print.
Marv / Finarvyn DCC playtester (2011) C&C playtester (2003) I'm partly responsible for the S&W WhiteBox Builder of the TrollBridge Master of Mutants; MA since 1976 OD&D Player since 1975
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!" - Dave Arneson
Finarvyn Administrator Dungeon Master member is offline
Joined: Jun 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 4,673 Location: Near Chicago Karma: 178
What would you be looking for in a revised "GangBusters" ?
First of all, a revised Gangbusters would be awesome because it would allow you to do some of the things that you weren't allowed to do the first time. (If I recall correctly, there had been some discussion about using real Chicago versus a fictional city.) You could make it totally historical or totally fictional. Either could support additional sourcebooks such as a city guilde, and could lend itself to some interesting modules.
You would have many options as to which type of game mechanics to use. You could stick with the original d100 system or pick some other if you have found another you like better. (Jim Ward, for example, really seems to like a 3d6 mechanic for Metamorphosis Alpha.) The advantage of using d100 is that it would be more compatible with the original version, but the advantage of "other" could be that you could take advantage of some of the cool ideas in RPG design that have happened over the decades. For example, you could base it off of a d20 model and mine ideas from "d20 Past" for weapon damage, etc. I'm not saying it's a good idea, only that the option is out there for you to consider.
This is great news! Gangbusters (a.k.a. Bloody 20's) is a fantastic game set in a really fun gaming era. I'm looking forward to seeing some support, and if you need playtesters or proofreaders you know where to find me!
Marv / Finarvyn DCC playtester (2011) C&C playtester (2003) I'm partly responsible for the S&W WhiteBox Builder of the TrollBridge Master of Mutants; MA since 1976 OD&D Player since 1975
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!" - Dave Arneson
Thanks for all the comments & suggestions. Please keep them coming. Yes, Marv, looking at a historical approach, with possibily using era photos instead of the current illustrations. Also d100 will most likely remain, as we've discussed previously I like using percentages.
Now for a challenge. I'd like to simplify to a rules book, but the current maps & movement pose a problem. Thoughts ?
Rick Krebs Creator/designer of Gangbusters Contributor to AD&D DM's Guide-1st edition "D&D meets the Electronic Age" Dragon #26 "Non-Player Characters have Feelings, too" Dragon #29 Founder/owner: Original Gamer's Guild game store Designer of EAMON Adventures Pubisher/Editor: Phanta Carta
Hi Rick. I never played the game, but I'd like to, and I'd buy into either a PoD or a Kickstarter project. PoD is the easiest - you just create and upload a Pdf., but if your preference is to keep a stock of physical copies, then you have to go with Kickstarter. Either way you really have nothing to loose and we all stand to gain.
As for changing it, I'd say only make the kind of "directors cut" changes you feel are important, otherwise keep the game the way you want it.
As for changing it, I'd say only make the kind of "directors cut" changes you feel are important, otherwise keep the game the way you want it.
Actually, this is probably the best advice of all. Now that you have enthusiasm to re-release the game, no big advantage in spending all of your time working on rules mechanics unless you don't like how it turned out the first time. Sticking with the original game as much as possible would be a positive point for folks who played the original so that they don't have to learn a new system for the revival. (Unless you decide to let someone else do the mechanics overhaul, that is.)
This allows you to focus on the "cool stuff" and make the game the way you originally wanted it!
Marv / Finarvyn DCC playtester (2011) C&C playtester (2003) I'm partly responsible for the S&W WhiteBox Builder of the TrollBridge Master of Mutants; MA since 1976 OD&D Player since 1975
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!" - Dave Arneson
As for changing it, I'd say only make the kind of "directors cut" changes you feel are important, otherwise keep the game the way you want it.
Actually, this is probably the best advice of all. Now that you have enthusiasm to re-release the game, no big advantage in spending all of your time working on rules mechanics unless you don't like how it turned out the first time. Sticking with the original game as much as possible would be a positive point for folks who played the original so that they don't have to learn a new system for the revival. (Unless you decide to let someone else do the mechanics overhaul, that is.)
This allows you to focus on the "cool stuff" and make the game the way you originally wanted it!
Indeed. Hear, hear. Maybe just a reformat with layout and minimal editing first.
Personally I would want to see a new edition that is true to the game you want to make rather then direct reprint.
I was wondering about the game's art. Do you own the art that was used in the original, or will you need to commission new pieces? I'm not sure it's even a concern, but I'd hate for there to be any problems down the road.
I never played the original edition. This is not because I didn't find it interesting but because I lived in a small town and the few gamers I could scrape together wanted to play D&D and Traveller.
I would love to see a "director's cut" original edition Gangbusters.
Re: GangBusters News « Reply #11 on May 4, 2012, 3:03am »
I'm a big fan of GB. Had it new back in the day, ran campaigns, still introduce it to groups or whoever shows interest. I have several marketing strategies to generate interest. With the ability to play Cops or Robbers as characters, it offers an aspect that no other RPG does. Bi-planes, baseball-Babe Ruth, horse tracks, train yards, Great lakes shipping-water born scenarios, country maps, bootlegging, distilleries, Dukes of Hazard like chases, on and on and on
Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 225 Location: Des Moines, Iowa USA Karma: 3
Re: GangBusters News « Reply #12 on May 4, 2012, 9:35am »
I'm in for whatever you decide to do! I do have to say the one thing I liked about the 3rd edition was the inclusion of most of Trouble Brewing. Its really nice to have all the NPCs and businesses detailed. For some reason, I didn't buy Trouble Brewing BITD. Now that I have it, I really wish I would have!
Re: GangBusters News « Reply #13 on May 4, 2012, 5:57pm »
Back when GB was first published, I though it would be so cool if there were a couple of additions to the game—one covering Hollywood and the other Local Politics. Since TSR hadn't come up with anything, I though I would do it myself. Over the years, I have been slowly working on these two supplements. They are far from finished. However, would you be interested in taking a look at them? Perhaps they might be of help with rebooting your great classic GangBusters.
Back when GB was first published, I though it would be so cool if there were a couple of additions to the game—one covering Hollywood and the other Local Politics. Since TSR hadn't come up with anything, I though I would do it myself. Over the years, I have been slowly working on these two supplements. They are far from finished. However, would you be interested in taking a look at them? Perhaps they might be of help with rebooting your great classic GangBusters.
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