RoddimusPrime wrote:
If not here, the center of the VTES world, then where???

RoddimusPrime wrote:

None of those concepts are things that would put me off playing a game if that's what you're asking. As others have mentioned though, the more important thing than the theme or setting of the game is that the game be good. I'll happily play a board, card, miniature or computer game if it's a fun and enjoyable experience.
If you haven't played it already, you should try out the aforementioned Vampire: Prince of the City as an example of a board game which combines some of those concepts to reasonably good effect.

My advice is that I don't think you should be looking at the mechanics of V:TES for inspiration. Rather you should look at the setting and flavour you want for your game, and come up with your own implementation that captures this feel.
Mechanics includes things like the predator/prey dynamic, spending pool to influence vampires, etc. Keep or adapt them if they suit the general feel of your game, but don't start your design assuming that you must have these as features.

Also, have you ever designed a game before? If you haven't then you should consider designing a small/simple game before you try something too complicated.
If you have designed a game previously, have you had one published?

KevinM wrote:


I am strictly saying that this is one portion of a pie. You cannot judge whether a game is worthy of publishing strictly based on one forum. Take it to the White Wolf forum, Board Game Geek, and other sites/forums. Get together and playtest with local people. Those are all examples. I would never base an entire game on one forum alone, even if the setting was WoD with some overlapping mechanics. It's a good place to start like I said, but it doesn't make good business sense to place all your eggs in one basket.

Mael wrote:


I have helped playtest various games and have played many throughout my history. And yes I have worked with others who actually submitted games for publishing in the not so distant past. The concept isn't foreign to me in other words. Although I do agree if I were to solely publish a game on my own that I would start with something perhaps a bit less complicated to get not only the process worked out, but utilizing connections, establish a reputation with a publisher (if not self publishing) or manufacturers, etc. Then I could use that combined with what I already have in my experience and dive full force. Would probably still want a partner in crime sort of speak.

The main thing I can tell you about anything whether it is learning to launch a business, website, managing them, or even other things like learning new sports, etc. is that it takes ambition, persistence, and focus. I might be just as suited if not more so to a digital realm which would be a good segue into an app, etc. So I have a lot of options and some connections. But, I didn't make this post trying to gauge whether I in particular should go down this complicated venture in developing something akin to a WoD background, etc. Maybe someone else or a group of people would be more suited. However, I do like seeing the reactions and observing the social crowd surrounding this topic and such a potential.

If I would support one of the proposed alternatives it would be LCG format, but not as a new game (like netrunner LCG which is not the same netrunner and new cards can't be played with older ones) but as a continuation with different distribution format

alek wrote:


Just so you know I am not saying this isn't a viable or bad idea. What I will say is things get complicated and if the goal were to simply continue the game as is then letting the deckmaster mechanic expire in 2014 and going from there is probably a better goal. A new system could be implemented like an LCG format.

But, as a business looking at something that makes financial sense I don't think most companies would do that. It might be more likely that it would be a new game that didn't draw on an old base of cards (i.e. Netrunner). Believe it or not many potential gamers would be offset by a CCG and more so by the deep catalog of cards. So, while again, it is a viable solution I wonder whether most interested companies would shoot for something new or simply look to satisfy the player base that exists. I have seen some posters not keen on a new Netrunner who are more attached to the old game, but I have seen far more positive reaction or at least open minds. Plus I am sure FFG will be marketing this game at conventions, etc. Who knows? Maybe it will blow up in their face, but I am certainly keeping an eye on how the new Netrunner will do.

I don't understand: why do you want to wait for the patent to expire to make a new game? If I am not mistaken, there were only 3 games ever produced under the Deckmaster license: Magic, Netrunner and VTES. That means pretty much all the CCGs currently in print have done well without it.

Boris The Blade wrote:


Not sure if this is directed at me or not. But, I never said we have to wait for the patent to expire to make a new game. But, for anyone wishing to simply continue VTES (with it's current card base and mechanics) as opposed to a new adaptation via an LCG or something similar, then of course it is best to wait out the patent.

VTES as I see it is not a dead game. There are still people playing, new people coming in, and something of a competitive scene. Certainly there are no new cards, and one could argue there isn't a working central body for the game (yet, although a work in progress). There are still a lot of players though, and as KM said they've got a lot invested in the game. I see no reason to make up another card game of any sort just because there are no current plans to release new cards. I'm still hopeful. Another publisher might pick it up eventually, given the choice to either release a wholly new game or pick up a game with a decent playerbase, working rules and hopefully by then an even better VEKN to assist on the player side.

Using a LCG or CCG model for future releases is a different question altogether.

That said, some sort of board game could work, but not another card game.

i've thought for quite some time that what kevin said initially about a new big-base set with less confusing rule wordings would be optimal for the game all around. people i've shown the game to that played vampire the masquerade get kind of confused by the sabbat clans. there are the 13 origional clans, and there are bloodlines that don't matter all that often. antitribbu clans i disliked coming into the game, as a fan of the rpg, and i'm only attached to them now because i've been playing vtes for awhile.
a base set being cam with some independent and sabbat spaced out with "essential function" cards that streamline discipline effects and simultaneously free up card slots in the set would be the goal along with simpler wordings and asthetics and mechanics that both appeal to new players (random ones) and fans of the source material.
Rodd, i like games that run well and have interesting canon behid them, but i see no reason to use the VtM stuff to make an entirely new game. in fact, the nWoD had a terrible vampire game, a backwards mage game, and an "almost good" werewolf game, but then had changeling, hunter, and promethean that were just leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the setting and lines. using one of those could easily be grounds for a game. promethean players have to contend with influence of other players and game-state effects like disquiet or perhaps being hunted by a pandoran or a maddened centimani, the goal being not to be destroyed while questing for becoming human. a hunter game where strategy is the only way to overcome threats that out stat and possibly outnumber you, in a zombies style boardgame. even a changeling the lost game with each player vying for power, freehold rank, and not being dragged back to Arcadia in chains by their Keeper.
theres plenty of material, why bother contending with Richard Garfeild's creation in terms of background material while designing a new game?

Quick answer to the question..YES. If the system is good why shouldnt we join it