From: Greg Benage [gbenage@ix.netcom.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 4:36 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News -----Original Message----- From: Chad Chirhart To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Date: Thursday, January 13, 2000 11:39 PM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News >Cool. Definitely good news in more ways than one. God must like me, >moving the production of one of my favorite games one city away from >me. Time to start saving my pennies for this summer. Where do you live? And do you know any good igloo brokers? >So is this two volume set going to split into one on info and the >other rules? Sorta. One book will aimed at players and the other will be a setting book aimed at moderators. The "GM's book" will include some "campaign rules," things like weather and pressure effects for which moderators need some guidelines. The actual game mechanics, though, will be presented entirely in the "player's book." In fact, though, the new system will likely require a smaller page count than that in BP1, and since each volume is targeted at 256 pages, there will be lots of other stuff in there too. Basic setting information -- timeline, historical background of the setting, survival guide, expanded information on hybrid and cetacean characters, etc. The nitty-gritty setting material, like regional and settlement descriptions, NPCs, aborigines, field guide, Access Denieds, etc., will appear in the "GM's book." Hope that answers your questions, and thanks for the comments. Greg Benage Biohazard-FFG Hybrid *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Chad Chirhart [seahawk@visi.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 1:35 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Cool. Definitely good news in more ways than one. God must like me, moving the production of one of my favorite games one city away from me. Time to start saving my pennies for this summer. So is this two volume set going to split into one on info and the other rules? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chad Chirhart seahawk@visi.com http://www.visi.com/~seahawk ArM Code 1.2 4+ R+ H+ SG++ G Y6 C FZ(E)+++ P HoH(Ma+++ V+) Cd *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Ml10@aol.com Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 3:50 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News I am having a luke-warm reaction to the news. While I love and adore FFG's SF board games, their last RPG release really disappointed me. So while I know that the content of the BP2 will be superb, FFG's track record for items such as layout and print quality is a wee bit below par. The other part of the news that I am not feeling good about is the redesign of the system as I happen to like the current system. Are there going to be conversion notes to go from 1st to 2nd edition? What about the GM screen? Will it be rereleased as well? So are there any plans for a HexPlay game based on Blue Planet? Mike Z *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: jens.alm.189@student.lu.se Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 6:26 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Blue Planet is now getting the support of a publishing firm with substantially more money to put where Jeff's mouth is :). Goodie! Jeff and Greg retain control over the creative process. Goodie oh goodie! Fabtasy Flight Game is probably just the right size (I'm not very familiar with them, but from what little I know). They are big enough to support a higher publishing rate than Biohazard Games (anything else would, on the other hand, be ridicullous) but still so small that BP will be able to shine on its own and not as part of a massive stream of publications (the effect if Steve Jackson Games would have been the partner). BP2 will have a new system; me likes very much! The old system did, IMHO, not do its job of either being out of the way (a la Basic Roleplaying) or being a fast and accurate simulation (a la, well nothing really, but GURPS does a decent job at it). If you guys want some pointers on what the players like, ask the list (although it has been debated over and over again, this time people have a chance of actually influencing the game) /Jens Alm, part time lurker, part time agitator *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Myles Corcoran [myles@irls3101.ck.cit.alcatel.fr] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 6:31 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Interesting info about the new deal. Any ideas at this point about prices for the two books, and the amount of information in them that isn't already in the BP and Archipelago books? Myles -- Myles Corcoran | Alcatel Ireland Ltd. Bandon, Cork | 023 20469 (work) | myles.corcoran@ck.cit.alcatel.fr | 021 503904 (home)| 023 41542 (fax) | If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then give up. No use being a damn fool about it. W.C. Fields *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Tun Kai Poh [t_poh@hotmail.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 6:43 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Congratulations to Biohazard Games and Fantasy Flight Games! I'm behind Jeff on this business decision. Being the first RPG of significant quality in the FFG stable will allow BP to stand out rather more prominently. Plus, may I add, there is now a possibility of BP Diskwars... Kai Poh Malaysian Lagomorph ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Chris Sakal [c_sakal@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 6:54 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News The other part of the news that I am not feeling good about is the redesign of the system as I happen to like the current system. Are there going to be conversion notes to go from 1st to 2nd edition? What about the GM screen? Will it be rereleased as well? I am a bit curious about what the guiding philosophy of the new system will be. I really liked the last one (complex though it was) because it made combat more realistic and deadly enough to make PCs think twice, then reconsider again, before getting into a shoot out, what sort of atmosphere is the new game mechanic intended to create? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Joanne FitzRoy [gfitzroy@intranet.ca] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 8:01 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Hello: I'll add my congratulations as well. Best of luck, and here's to making that Origins deadline on time!! Jo FitzRoy BIOHZD@aol.com wrote: > Hey All, > > Since this summer we have been making noise about big changes for Blue > Planet. We have hinted and hawed, asked advice of the list, and promised news > as soon as things were finalized. Well, the plans are made, the papers are > signed, and the work as begun. We are pleased to make the following > announcement and want to thank you for your patience... > > Jeff Barber > Biohazard Games > ________________________ > > Fantasy Flight Games Acquires License to Blue Planet > > Columbia, MO > January 12, 2000 > > Are you ready to return to Blue Planet? > > Biohazard Games is pleased to announce that Fantasy Flight Games has acquired > the exclusive rights to its Blue Planet game universe. Biohazard and Fantasy > Flight have already begun developing a second edition of the Blue Planet RPG, > scheduled for an Origins 2000 debut this July. Greg Benage, vice president of > Biohazard Games and co-author of the Blue Planet RPG, is accompanying the > property to Fantasy Flight, where he will join the Fantasy Flight team and > specifically serve as the Blue Planet 2nd Edition line editor. Jeff Barber, > president of Biohazard Games and the creator of Blue Planet, will remain at > Biohazard where he will continue to develop and write for the product line. > > First released in 1997 and nominated for the Best New RPG Origins Award, > Blue Planet received widespread critical acclaim as one of the most original > science fiction roleplaying settings ever created. The second edition will be > published in two volumes and will include all the material presented in Blue > Planet and its first supplement, Archipelago. The second edition will also > feature entirely redesigned mechanics, as well as a significant volume of new > setting material, developed specifically for this release. The second edition > game will be aggressively supported with the regular release of new > supplements. Fluid Mechanics, the Blue Planet technical manual and > sourcebook, will be the first in this line of supplements, and is scheduled > for release in August, 2000. > > Jeff Barber commented, "This partnership is a great opportunity and we are > excited by its potential. The deal will allow us to develop and support Blue > Planet far more aggressively than we have been able to on our own. It also > means we are in the enviable position of getting to work with those cool cats > at FFG." > > Added CEO and founder of Fantasy Flight Games, Christian T. Petersen, "To > have the Blue Planet property under our wings is not only an honor, but a > significant added value. The storyline, detail, and sheer epic scale of the > Blue Planet universe makes it one of the great RPG creations in the last > decade. FFG hopes to bring energy, support, and new visibility to this > product. Also, FFG is very excited to bring Greg Benage onboard, he will be a > strong addition to our small but energetic staff. > > Biohazard Games, LLC, a small company based in Columbia, MO, was founded in > 1993 by Jeff Barber. The company has produced Killer Crosshairs, a universal > RPG combat system, and Blue Planet, the critically acclaimed science fiction > roleplaying game. > > Fantasy Flight, Inc., a corporation with offices in Roseville, MN, is a > leading U.S hobby market producer of board and non-collectible card games. > FFG produces the best selling and critically acclaimed Twilight Imperium, > Battlemist, and Thunder s Edge board games, as well as a number of other best > selling products such as the card game Mag-Blast, and the recently published, > monster hit that has taken the hobby market by storm: Diskwars. > *************************************************************************** > To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com > with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Heivilin, Jim [banzai@missouri.edu] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 8:07 AM To: blue planet list (E-mail) Subject: [fwd] Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News -----Original Message----- From: "Jason Hockley" To: Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 10:12:53 +0100 ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:19 AM Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News > Hey All, > > Since this summer we have been making noise about big changes for Blue > Planet. We have hinted and hawed, asked advice of the list, and promised news > as soon as things were finalized. Well, the plans are made, the papers are > signed, and the work as begun. We are pleased to make the following > announcement and want to thank you for your patience... > > Jeff Barber > Biohazard Games > ________________________ > > Fantasy Flight Games Acquires License to Blue Planet
I'm not sure how I've managed this but I've never heard of Fantasy Flight Games before. Also, my first response was a little childish. The name just seemed a little silly. Besides that though you guys have my heartiest congratulations. The constant use of the word "aggressive" in the statement made me uncomfortable though. Anyway, having seen the questions people have been asking about the new editions of the rulebook(s) I have another one to throw in. Is there any chance of there being hardback versions available? Even if it's just a limited amount I'm sure there are enough of us here who would be willing to buy them. Also, I've mentioned a couple of things before that you said weren't possible while you were still such a small company (game intro booklets for one) and I was wondering if that is likely to change at all? I realise some of these questions may not have definite answers yet but asking them presumably does no harm. Jason *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Heivilin, Jim [banzai@missouri.edu] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 8:08 AM To: blue planet list (E-mail) Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - [fwd] Re: changing subscription address -----Original Message----- Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 13:56:04 +0100 To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com From: Jerome Darmont Subject: Re: changing subscription address >From: Kintaro Oe >Does anyone know how to change the subscription address for the list? I >didn't save the little happy email about it, sadly... Unsubscribe from the old address and resrbscribe from the new! +------------------------------------+ | Jerome DARMONT | | mailto:darmont@pop.multimania.com | | http://www.multimania.com/darmont/ | +------------------------------------+ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Heivilin, Jim [banzai@missouri.edu] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 8:16 AM To: 'blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com' Subject: RE: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News While I can't speak to the details (yet) of the new system, Jeff is overseeing/writing the 2nd edition so I can assure everyone that the attention to detail, quality and depth of the new material will hold with the Biohazard tradition. I can also assure everyone, having worked with Jeff some eight years now, that he is sensitive to your concerns about added value for the 2nd edition. And I know that Greg has designed the new combat rules and I know they'll be good. Jim Jim Heivilin Webmaster, Biohazard Games http://www.biohazardgames.com -----Original Message----- From: Chris Sakal [mailto:c_sakal@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 6:54 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News The other part of the news that I am not feeling good about is the redesign of the system as I happen to like the current system. Are there going to be conversion notes to go from 1st to 2nd edition? What about the GM screen? Will it be rereleased as well? I am a bit curious about what the guiding philosophy of the new system will be. I really liked the last one (complex though it was) because it made combat more realistic and deadly enough to make PCs think twice, then reconsider again, before getting into a shoot out, what sort of atmosphere is the new game mechanic intended to create? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Ronald Johnson [ronjon@shore.net] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 9:00 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News My congratulations to the entire Biohazard team on this! I am eagerly awaiting the 2nd Edition and look forward to the deluge of new BP material. Cheers, Ron (who really likes the idea of a separate GM's book) -- `The time has come.' the Walrus said, `To talk of many things: Of shoes-and ships-and sealing wax- Of cabbages-and-kings...' Lewis Carroll, _Through_the_Looking_Glass_ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Gareth Hanrahan [hanrahag@iol.ie] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 9:35 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News I can't help notice FFG also do Cthulhu Live...a BP larp would be challenging, but not impossible... Gar *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Brian Betty [bbetty@glad.org] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 11:39 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Gar wrote: "I can't help notice FFG also do Cthulhu Live...a BP larp would be challenging, but not impossible..." ... but very damp. It would give out delphinoid friends a good chance to fraternise, though. Congrats to everyone for your success! I'm looking forward to a new series. Shelling out, now that'll make me sad. And I'd echo the call for a DM's guide ... My poor players can't read anything without being tempted to read those boxes. Monkeygod "Bollicks. All ye need to be eclectic in this country is a Chili Peppers album." - Cassidy, *The Preacher*, by Garth Ennis *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: D. Baughn [dbaughn@cadence.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 12:32 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News >The nitty-gritty setting material, like regional and settlement descriptions, NPCs, >aborigines, field guide, Access Denieds, etc., will appear in the "GM's book." Does that mean you'll be incorporating 'Archipelago' into the GM section? At 02:36 AM 1/14/00 -0800, you wrote: >-----Original Message----- >From: Chad Chirhart >To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com > >Date: Thursday, January 13, 2000 11:39 PM >Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News > > >>Cool. Definitely good news in more ways than one. God must like me, >>moving the production of one of my favorite games one city away from >>me. Time to start saving my pennies for this summer. > >Where do you live? And do you know any good igloo brokers? > >>So is this two volume set going to split into one on info and the >other >>rules? > >Sorta. One book will aimed at players and the other will be a setting >book aimed at moderators. The "GM's book" will include some "campaign >rules," things like weather and pressure effects for which moderators >need some guidelines. The actual game mechanics, though, will be >presented entirely in the "player's book." In fact, though, the new >system will likely require a smaller page count than that in BP1, and >since each volume is targeted at 256 pages, there will be lots of >other stuff in there too. Basic setting information -- timeline, >historical background of the setting, survival guide, expanded >information on hybrid and cetacean characters, etc. The nitty-gritty >setting material, like regional and settlement descriptions, NPCs, >aborigines, field guide, Access Denieds, etc., will appear in the >"GM's book." > >Hope that answers your questions, and thanks for the comments. > >Greg Benage >Biohazard-FFG Hybrid > >*************************************************************************** >To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com >with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. > > > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Ankfix@aol.com Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 12:40 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News In a message dated 1/14/00 10:32:31 AM Eastern Standard Time, hanrahag@iol.ie writes: << I can't help notice FFG also do Cthulhu Live...a BP larp would be challenging, but not impossible... Gar >> Of course, it would have to be held at Sea World or sme place similar. ;-) - Fixer *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: gareth hanrahan [hanrahag@iol.ie] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 2:14 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News -----Original Message----- From: Ankfix@aol.com ><< I can't help notice FFG also do Cthulhu Live...a BP larp would be > challenging, but not impossible... > Gar >> > >Of course, it would have to be held at Sea World or sme place similar. ;-) > >- Fixer Don't laugh...there's an Irish con being held in a hotel with a pool, and one guy I know had to be restrained from writing, and I quote, "Small Furry Aquatic Animals - the Larp"... Gar "You thought that you were the bomb Yes well so did I" - Tori Amos, Spark *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Greg Benage [gbenage@ix.netcom.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 4:49 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News -----Original Message----- From: Ml10@aol.com To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Date: Friday, January 14, 2000 2:07 AM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News >I am having a luke-warm reaction to the news. While I love and adore FFG's SF >board games, their last RPG release really disappointed me. So while I know >that the content of the BP2 will be superb, FFG's track record for items such >as layout and print quality is a wee bit below par. I can assure you the BP2 products will have much higher production standards than the Twilight Imperium RPG. OTOH, I think they've done a pretty good job with their Cthulhu Live stuff and Nocturnum series. In any case, they just hired a new graphic designer last month who is very good, and I'll be overseeing the layout for the BP2 line. I'll do my best to make sure it looks slick. >The other part of the news that I am not feeling good about is the redesign >of the system as I happen to like the current system. Are there going to be >conversion notes to go from 1st to 2nd edition? What about the GM screen? >Will it be rereleased as well? It will be rather easy to convert between first and second edition rules, and I suspect we'll offer conversion notes on the web site. Greg Benage Biohazard-FFG Hybrid *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Greg Benage [gbenage@ix.netcom.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:03 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News -----Original Message----- From: D. Baughn To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Date: Friday, January 14, 2000 10:34 AM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News >Does that mean you'll be incorporating 'Archipelago' into the GM section? Yes, pretty much all of the Archipelago material will appear in the GM's book. Greg Benage Biohazard-FFG Hybrid *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Greg Benage [gbenage@ix.netcom.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:01 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News -----Original Message----- From: Chris Sakal To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Date: Friday, January 14, 2000 4:56 AM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News I am a bit curious about what the guiding philosophy of the new system will be. I really liked the last one (complex though it was) because it made combat more realistic and deadly enough to make PCs think twice, then reconsider again, before getting into a shoot out, what sort of atmosphere is the new game mechanic intended to create? --- The basic approach to realistically lethal combat hasn't changed. We feel that gritty, realistic edge is a feature of the *setting*, and any game mechanics have to reflect that. Jeff and I have also discussed posting the new rules to the restricted access database at our web site, which would allow you to look them over, playtest them, and offer any comments, suggestions, and criticisms you may have. We'll keep you updated on that. Greg Benage Biohazard-FFG Hybrid *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: gareth hanrahan [hanrahag@iol.ie] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 3:02 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News >The basic approach to realistically lethal combat hasn't changed. We >feel that gritty, realistic edge is a feature of the *setting*, and >any game mechanics have to reflect that. Jeff and I have also >discussed posting the new rules to the restricted access database at >our web site, which would allow you to look them over, playtest them, >and offer any comments, suggestions, and criticisms you may have. >We'll keep you updated on that. I'd like to see the hand-to-hand rules streamlined, and a combat flowchart added. That said, I like the BP system. It's about ten times as number-heavy as the systems I normally use, but it fits the setting... >Greg Benage >Biohazard-FFG Hybrid Gar "You thought that you were the bomb Yes well so did I" - Tori Amos, Spark *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Eva [c718678@showme.missouri.edu] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 4:07 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Congratulations Biohazard people:) Will the new combat system still be percentile-based? I never understood the point in anything else. Why make a system in which you need to do a statistical analysis to figure out your chances of success, in the form of a percentile, when you can just make a system where the target number _is_ a percentile? If a game is going to make you role five six-sided dice and use the highest result, why not number the book's pages in base 9? it'd make about as much sense. That way they could say their book is 361 pages long and the customers might think they're getting more pages per buck... Later, Eva @@@(* > *)@@@ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:39 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: The Big News - Conversions Hey Mike, You write: The other part of the news that I am not feeling good about is the redesign of the system as I happen to like the current system. Are there going to be conversion notes to go from 1st to 2nd edition? >>>>As Greg said, we will likely offer conversions on the website, however the BP rules have always been easily separted from the setting. If you prefer the first edition rules, there is no reason you should not continue to play with them. Except for equipment and creatures there are likely to be few if any rules based information in future supplements. What about the GM screen? Will it be rereleased as well? >>>>Though no decision has yet been made, it is likely there will be a new version of the screen - same maps though, as they are just way too cool to loose : ). In my opinion, Greg's new mechanics are so elegant however, that there little need for a screen just for reference purposes. Jeff Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:39 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: The Big News - Still deadly? Chris, You write: because it made combat more realistic and deadly enough to make PCs think twice, then reconsider again, before getting into a shoot out [snip] what sort of atmosphere is the new game mechanic intended to create? >>>>You can be assured that BP remains quite deadly. The cool thing about the new system is that it is so smooth combat happens so much faster your PCs will be hitting the ground before they know what is hitting them ; ). Later, Jeff Barber *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:39 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: The Big News - Protected interests Hey All, A little clarification. Jim writes: While I can't speak to the details (yet) of the new system, Jeff is overseeing/writing the 2nd edition >>>>A very cool thing about the new arrangement is that Biohazard has managed to sneak its own agent into the secret society of FFG ; ). This means that the best traditons and interests of Blue Planet will be well protected. From the start, Greg has been a equal share of the creative power behind Blue Planet and his service as BP line editor at FFG assures the game's spirit and quality will be maintained. And I know that Greg has designed the new combat rules and I know they'll be good. >>>>I would also like to point out that the new game system, in its entirety, is Greg's baby. I have put my two cents in here and there, but he as done an excellent job of saving me from myself, and not letting me mess things up ; ). To be perfectly honest, the new rules are super slick. Not only do they do their job well, they do it quickly, quietly and with elegance. I am impressed with what Greg has achieved, and I am excited for you all to see the results. Jeff Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:39 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: The Big News - Prince and new info Hello Miles, You ask: Any ideas at this point about prices for the two books >>>>If I remember correctly, the estimates to date are just under $30 dollars per book. and the amount of information in them that isn't already in the BP and Archipelago books? >>>>We should have a *much* more accurate word count by the end fo this very weekend, but preliminary estimates are that there will be about 20 to 30 thousand new words. For most RPG books this translates to somthing like 55 pages. In the layout format of BP1 this is about 30 pages. The current 2nd edition budget includes a massive increase in illustration content as well - approximately 100 new illustrations. Is that cool or what??? Jeff Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:39 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: The Big News - Hardcovers? Hello Jason, I have another one to throw in. Is there any chance of there being hardback versions available? >>>>It is my understanding that at least the first, and possibly even all, print runs of BP2 will be in hardcover. Ooooh...hardcover ; ). Also, I've mentioned a couple of things before that you said weren't possible while you were still such a small company (game intro booklets for one) and I was wondering if that is likely to change at all? >>>>The best thing about the new deal is that FFG will be handling the business end of things, allowing Biohazard to put all of its effort directly into developing the Blue Planet universe. This means that we can both increase the frequency and the scope of the product line. At this point only part of our production plans are set, and anything is possible. Be assured we will keep you updated on our website as the plans solidify. Jeff Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Greg Benage [gbenage@ix.netcom.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 8:01 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: The Big News - Prince and new info -----Original Message----- From: BIOHZD@aol.com To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Date: Friday, January 14, 2000 3:43 PM Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: The Big News - Prince and new info >The current 2nd edition budget includes a massive increase in illustration >content as well - approximately 100 new illustrations. Is that cool or what??? Note: that's 100 illustrations (including maps) per book. Greg Benage Biohazard-FFG Hybrid *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Greg Benage [gbenage@ix.netcom.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 8:29 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News -----Original Message----- From: Eva To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Date: Friday, January 14, 2000 2:10 PM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News >Congratulations Biohazard people:) Thanks! >Will the new combat system still be percentile-based? I never understood >the point in anything else. Why make a system in which you need to do a >statistical analysis to figure out your chances of success, in the form >of a percentile, when you can just make a system where the target number >_is_ a percentile? Usually it's because the designer wants a different probability curve, or wants a dice mechanic that is more "exciting" than a straight percentile convention. Take Storyteller for example: it's not very intuitive, and it's even statistically broken to some extent. But it's still very popular, likely because many gamers enjoy rolling fistfulls of d10s. ;-) For a character with basic aptitude for a given task, the new system is effectively a percentile mechanic. Skills are rated from 0-10 and you try to roll under your character's skill level on a d10. Basically, BP1 without the "ones" digit. However, characters can also have "improved" or "advanced" aptitude for a task, in which case you roll two or three d10s and take the best result. The statistical effect of this is that characters with basic aptitude will generate task results that are fairly variable and unpredictable -- a character with Skill 5 is as likley to fail by 4 as she is to succeed by 4. Characters with high aptitude, on the other hand, will generate more consistent and predictable results. I did this for a few reasons. First, and importantly, I think it creates a fun mechanic. Your mileage may obviously vary on this. Second, I think it creates more accurate "character portraits." You can design a character with excellent technical aptitude without being a genius. You can design a street urchin with great artistic aptitude but no formal training in the arts. You can design a scientist who is a leader in his field, but wouldn't necessarily make a great philosopher or historian. Finally, I liked the game-play effect of allowing players to effectively build their own custom "character class" by assigning their aptitudes during character creation. This means that a Marshal may eventually develop good technical skills, but he'll never be quite as good at it as a character built from the ground-up as a techie. Greg Benage Biohazard-FFG Hybrid *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Tony [vicar@radix.net] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 10:16 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News ---------- > From: BIOHZD@aol.com > Jeff Barber > Biohazard Games > > Fantasy Flight Games Acquires License to Blue Planet > > Columbia, MO > January 12, 2000 > > Are you ready to return to Blue Planet? > > Biohazard Games is pleased to announce that Fantasy Flight Games has acquired > the exclusive rights to its Blue Planet game universe. Biohazard and Fantasy > Flight have already begun developing a second edition of the Blue Planet RPG, > scheduled for an Origins 2000 debut this July. Greg Benage, vice president of > Biohazard Games and co-author of the Blue Planet RPG, is accompanying the > property to Fantasy Flight, where he will join the Fantasy Flight team and > specifically serve as the Blue Planet 2nd Edition line editor. Jeff Barber, > president of Biohazard Games and the creator of Blue Planet, will remain at > Biohazard where he will continue to develop and write for the product line. Oh well, wouldn't you know it. After 10 years of being away from gaming, I finally return. Taking the advice given to me a few years ago by a good friend of mine (one of the contributing authors, no less) to buy this game, I did just that the other day :-( C'est la vie, Tony *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Chad Chirhart [seahawk@visi.com] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 10:48 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News At 02:36 AM 01/14/2000 -0800, you wrote: > > Cool. Definitely good news in more ways than one. God must like me, > > moving the production of one of my favorite games one city away from > > me. Time to start saving my pennies for this summer. > > Where do you live? And do you know any good igloo brokers? I live in Woodbury MN, Roseville isn't all that far away from where I live. I don't know any good igloo brokers to hook you up with, but I'm sure we could build you one, we just got a good couple inch of snow a couple days ago. > It will be rather easy to convert between first and second edition > rules, and I suspect we'll offer conversion notes on the web site. > > Greg Benage Maybe you could include a page at the end of the rulesbook on how to update peoples games. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chad Chirhart seahawk@visi.com http://www.visi.com/~seahawk ArM Code 1.2 4+ R+ H+ SG++ G Y6 C FZ(E)+++ P HoH(Ma+++ V+) Cd *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message.