From: v124pz9t@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (David Cheng)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: RQ: Getting & helping shape RuneQuest IV
Date: 19 Dec 92 06:42:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

I happened to be speaking to Oliver Jovanovic today, and brought
up George Harris' concern about distributing RQIV too widely.
I too had thoughts that we ought not to be too loose-lipped.

Oliver is not so concerned about this.  He supports fully our
willingness to discuss and debate the next generation of RQ.
He would like to facilitate it, in fact.


RQ IV DISCUSSION:

Oliver and the other major players in the revisions do not
read this board.  So, I told him I would start logging the
relevant threads.  That way, our discussions will be
seen and taken into consideration when the next revision
comes out.

Yes, our opinions do count!  Keep the discussion flowing!


GETTING A COPY OF RQ IV:

He is willing to add new people to the distribution list.
Version 2 of the draft has been out for a few months now,
and many people have submitted comments already.  
   Because of this, Oliver asks that if you are interested,
please wait for Version 3 to come out (a month or 2).  
That way, you can make comments on a fresh set of rules.

What you've been waiting for:

Send mail to Oliver at:

jovanovic@cuccfa.ccc.columbia.edu

to get on the distribution list.  If other nets are more
convenient for you:

GEnie:      O.JOVANOVIC
Am Online   Gray
Compusrv    73567,1725


* WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR *

Oliver & co. are especially interested in your opinions on
what the future of RQ should be.
* What do you want to see more of?
* What do you want less of?
* What didn't work for you in RQ2, RQ3?

I'll take the liberty of throwing out an observation:

When/if you get the RQ4 draft, you will see that there are 
a good number of new rules ideas being proposed.  Some of
the major topics are: new combat options, new spirit combat
procedures, and a bunch of new skills.  There are more, 
but these are some of the major areas of change from RQ3.

There is currently a good, healthy debate going on about
how many of these new rules should make it into the final
rulebook, and in what form.  Some people like having the
variety of options.  Others think that the added bulkiness
of the text will scare away for good the RQ2 players that
never took to RQ3.

Personally, I would ask you think about this as you 
log your comments.  That leads to ...


A FEW WORDS ON PLAYTESTER RESSPONSIBILITIES:

Allow me to get up on the soapbox for a minute.

Please do not ask for the RQ4 beta unless you are 
willing to take the effort to submit comments and
suggestions.  That is the reason it is being made
available to you.  

There is a significant amount of work involved on 
Oliver's part to distribute each version.  I don't
think he can just mail it to you (My hard copy
printout is ~160 pgs, in a 9 pt font).

If he is willing to give you the chance to determine
how RQ will evolve, please be willing to do your
share.  Run playtest sessions.  If you don't like
something, don't just be negative - suggest how to
fix it.

To toot my own horn a bit, I must have typed out
20 pages or so of comments so far.  I sat down
with my 12-year RQer buddies for 5 hours, where
we did nothing but come up with more comments.
I will be running a playtest in a week or so 
(In Albany, NY, if you're available).

To conclude: If you're willing to take, please
be willing to give a little too.


* WHAT'S AT STAKE *

Let's face it: RQ2 was probably the #3 RPG, behind D&D and
Traveller.  RQ3 almost drove itself to extinction, with 
products like _Eldarad_ and _Daughters of Darkness_, and
artwork like what's in _Troll Gods_ and _Elder Secrets_.

RQ3 has to be good enough to lure back some of the folk
who have fond memories of RQ2, but who have defected to
other games.  It also has to be able to pull in new 
faces, as they mature out of D&D.

You can help.


Happy Holidays!
-David Cheng
 drcheng@sales.stern.nyu.edu, or the address above
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc,rec.games.frp.advocacy