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Post by Finarvyn on Dec 30, 2007 18:32:11 GMT -6
Just a little heads-up: Dan Proctor, creator of the Labyrinth Lords RPG (which is an OGL product similar to Classic B/X D&D) is currently in the playtest phase of a new OGL product called Mutant Future. Mutant Future appears to be conceptually similar to Gamma World, which means that it should be easily adaptable to Metamorphosis Alpha. I've only partly digested a pre-publication version of the rules, but I can see some real potential here. Since Dan said it was okay to discuss Mutant Future on his boards, I assume it would be okay to at least give it a mention here. For more information, check out Dan's LL Boards. |
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Post by carjack on Dec 30, 2007 19:02:41 GMT -6
I'm eagerly awaiting this little gem. Very neat stuff.
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casey777
Level 4 Theurgist
Herder of Chlen
Posts: 102 
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Post by casey777 on Jan 19, 2008 0:11:04 GMT -6
Playtest has been a blast so far, ramping up to the second session. Much potential, very fast, and much fun. ;D  |
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Post by doc on Jan 19, 2008 9:03:39 GMT -6
Do we know when the game will be released?
Doc
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Post by Finarvyn on Jan 19, 2008 11:05:17 GMT -6
Since MF is a derivative of LL, I think that most of the rules are in place. It's just a matter of getting the setting stuff worked out and tweaking a couple of rules along the way.
My playtests have been a blast as well, and I think this should progress quickly.
Dan would probably have a more definitive timeline.
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Post by danproctor on Jan 19, 2008 22:45:20 GMT -6
It will be a while before I can announce a more definitive release schedule, but we're roughly shooting for early summer. We need to iron out what we're going to do about art for the cover and the interior art. We have a shoestring budget, but I'm looking in to some options. The budget is so small because I'm anticipating very low sales of the hard copy version (and I'm broke with research expenses for my "real life" coming up). The electronic version will be free, just like for Labyrinth Lord. I'm not trying to make a profit, but I'm hoping to be able to recover development costs so we can break even.
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Post by Craig J. Brain on Jan 22, 2008 12:24:47 GMT -6
Dan,
I'll be looking forward to seeing this in hard copy. The play test version is terrific, with character generation being pretty good so far (two characters and counting) and am looking forward to testing out combat. I'll be picking this up as a hard cover for certain.
Craig J. Brain
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Post by danproctor on Jan 22, 2008 22:33:47 GMT -6
Thanks for the kind words Craig. I know the playtest draft was in great need of editing, but overall I think it will come together and work pretty well.
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Post by bigjackbrass on Jan 23, 2008 12:13:57 GMT -6
My copy of Labyrinth Lord (a decidedly spiffy-looking hardback version with the alternative cover) arrived yesterday, and I must say that based on the quality of that book I'll be buying Mutant Future as soon as it's available.
The nostalgia aspect is very nice, but really it's what has been done to make it work as a completely viable, one volume game that impresses me.
Just one suggestion for Mutant Future: An improved index, although a pain in the backside to do, would be wonderful. The first thing I looked for in the LL index was "Level"... and it wasn't there. Nor were the next three things I looked for. Basic terms like that, which are very important to the game, probably deserve a listing.
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Post by danproctor on Jan 23, 2008 12:54:57 GMT -6
Just one suggestion for Mutant Future: An improved index, although a pain in the backside to do, would be wonderful. The first thing I looked for in the LL index was "Level"... and it wasn't there. Nor were the next three things I looked for. Basic terms like that, which are very important to the game, probably deserve a listing. Very true. Honestly, the index in Labyrinth Lord is my first attempt at ever making an index, and I sort of floundered like an infant while trying to do it. In the end I didn't stress about it too much because the TOC is so complete that an index didn't seem all that necessary, but I gave it a stab anyway. I'll try to make the Mutant Future index better!  PS: I'm glad your happy with the LL hardback. I'm very proud of it and I just ordered another copy for myself, actually! |
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Post by bigjackbrass on Jan 23, 2008 14:35:22 GMT -6
Well, there are several approaches to compiling an index. Leaving it out is one option, perfectly reasonable for a smallish work with good table of contents. Compiling it from a computer search of terms is the easy way to get a complete index, but it's far from perfect: The otherwise excellent tenth anniversary edition of the Fudge RPG has an index like this, but each entry has so many page references with no distinction between them for relevance that it's almost useless.
Ultimately, I think that there's no way of avoiding the fact that it takes hard work, judgement and some skill. The fact that Labyrinth Lord even has an index is a bonus point as far as I'm concerned, and it's not a bad effort aside from missing some of the very basic game terms. For a total newcomer that might be a very important point, although when I look at the excellent organisation and layout of the book compared to the things I worked my way through when I started gaming I think that you're maybe making the job too easy for beginners! ;D
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casey777
Level 4 Theurgist
Herder of Chlen
Posts: 102
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Post by casey777 on Jan 24, 2008 5:05:54 GMT -6
While improving an index would be great, I'd also find a bit of time spent on making key points of the main text easier to find (on page/by sections) and grasp quickly just as useful if not more so.
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Post by danproctor on Jan 24, 2008 11:00:25 GMT -6
I'll be working in this as I go through the text. At the moment I'm finishing up going through the mutations and technological items to edit and clarify, then I'll hit the rules sections.
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Post by danproctor on Feb 18, 2008 9:13:33 GMT -6
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Post by danproctor on Feb 18, 2008 10:36:44 GMT -6
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Post by Rhuvein on Mar 20, 2008 10:49:41 GMT -6
I'm looking forward to this release!  |
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jjarvis
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 278
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Post by jjarvis on Mar 20, 2008 14:26:18 GMT -6
Was in on playtetsing. The game is certainly fun, my kids were some of the playtesters and they liked it.
The playtest document was one of the most completedocuments I ever saw during a playtest stage, I was impressed.
I really look forward to the finished book.
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Post by danproctor on Mar 20, 2008 18:20:49 GMT -6
Thanks for the kind words! The playtest document needed a lot of work though, and tweaking. The playtest reports were very very helpful. The document is in great shape right now, IMO, and I am just about to finish making adjustments for all playtest comments, but I've already accounted for the ones that I thought should be heeded and required more substantial adjustments.
The last part in playtest is from the conversion to crossover play with Labyrinth Lord. I think it's pretty exciting! I can't wait to hear how the playtest groups did with fantasy characters delving dungeons side by side with mutant animals or humans or whatever!
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Post by Finarvyn on May 11, 2008 13:05:39 GMT -6
Playtest was fun and this product will be amazing! Dan has done a fantastic job on this and deserves an EXALT. :-)
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Post by Zulgyan on May 11, 2008 13:15:33 GMT -6
Hey! What about a playtest review?!
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Post by danproctor on May 11, 2008 13:53:46 GMT -6
Hey! What about a playtest review?! If Marv wants to and has time I have no problem with that. Also see my message boards where several reports have been posted. |
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Post by Zulgyan on May 11, 2008 14:50:47 GMT -6
How much of MF could be easily portable to OD&D, this site's game of interest?
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Post by danproctor on May 11, 2008 14:57:24 GMT -6
How much of MF could be easily portable to OD&D, this site's game of interest? I think I'll let Marv or JJarvis answer that... EDIT: However, the e-book will be free, so you'll be able to see for yourself also without having spend anything. |
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Post by Finarvyn on May 11, 2008 17:26:10 GMT -6
Frankly, the entire game is portable to OD&D with minimal effort.
Labyrinth Lords is similar to B/X D&D philosohically, and B/X isn't that far removed from OD&D. Mutant Future is run pretty much the same as LL with a few minor tweaks. Switching from one to the other is a slam-dunk, in my opinion.
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Post by Zulgyan on May 11, 2008 21:21:22 GMT -6
I mean, is it easier than doing it with the original GW?
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Post by danproctor on May 12, 2008 8:43:10 GMT -6
I mean, is it easier than doing it with the original GW? I think this depends on specifically what sort of game you want to run. Mutant Future maintains some things from classic games, like saving throws. MF was specifically built to maintain compatibility with LL, so from one perspective it will be pretty easy to port over to other games. One area that MF seems to be handling well (based on playtest reports) is the compatibility to LL from the "ground up" in the crossover rules. In other words, MF is even compatible if you want to have a game that mixes the two even starting from level 1. This was a bit of a problem with older science fantasy games because the relative power levels are so different. the base level MF game is still high powered, but the crossover rules give you guidelines for staggering progression. At the very least, even if MF doesn't appeal to you, you will find 100 all new monsters that are very compatible with any of these games you want to run. |
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jjarvis
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 278
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Post by jjarvis on May 13, 2008 4:23:44 GMT -6
I mean, is it easier than doing it with the original GW? using the cross-over rules it is very easy to start a party with a 1st level fighter, a Magic-user, a dwarf, a mutant human and a mutant animal. Even without the crossover rules it is pretty simple. there are a host of mutants (monsters) that will certainly open new vistas of party destruction; spidergoats are already infamous at my table. |
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sham
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 385
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Post by sham on May 13, 2008 8:31:09 GMT -6
I'm really looking forward to Mutant Future! Thanks for keeping us up to date on it's progress, Dan.
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Post by danproctor on May 16, 2008 11:39:32 GMT -6
Update:
The bulk of the layout is now finished. I need to make a final sweep over the manuscript to make sure things look ok, make final adjustments to the cover, then I will order printer proofs.
So we're still on target for early June!
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wulfgar
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 126
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Post by wulfgar on May 16, 2008 11:51:23 GMT -6
So we're still on target for early June! Woot! Woot! ;D |
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