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Not sure if I think this is a great idea, or a worrying sign of the state of the company, however, after the marginal success of V20 getting its release last year, it seems that recent staff cuts, and concerns from CCP have lead White Wolf down an new, perhaps interesting route. Especially where the Original World of Darkness is concerned.

This appeared on Kickstarter a few days back.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/200664283/v20-companion-deluxe-edition


It seems although a black and white print on Demand PDF would be coming eitherway, instead of just lumping for that option, White Wolf has opened it up to the fans to see if they wanted a Deluxe editon of the V20 Companion. Requesting fans plegde at least $50,000 by March 16th to gaurantee a full colour, leather tome much like the deluxe V20. Although looking at the cover, it is a very much a case of 'do want' for me.



My view on this is, although it is sad that White Wolf can't even consider the risk anymore, it is nice they considered this option and gave us a chance to have a deluxe copy. I also note they are taking this as a guide stick for future releases, so potential books for the WoD will get a deluxe copy if the fans want it enough to put their money where their waving hand is. It seems odd to see White Wolf using Kickstarter, but if it gets books out in the best format that otherwise would have only been available print on demand, or *shudder* just a PDF, then I'm all for it.

With W20 (werewolf the Apocalypse 20th anniversary) due this year, I do wonder with the loss of their webstore, they will bring the W20 pre-order straight to Kickstarter as well.

Regardless, I plan on pledging the $100 international copy of the book next week, and thought I'd bring it to Dakkanaut attention in case anyone else was interested, or would like to comment on this potential new direction.


On a side note, I seriously think they undervalued the $200 option, they are talking about rabid White Wolf Vampire fans here having the chance to be put into a VtM book for as long as copies exist, they could have put $1000 on that easily and all thirteen slots would have been gone before I saw it two days after it went up. Where as the $3000 option almost seems laughable and a bit of a ego trip by mr Achilli.


edit - had size issues on the pic, resorted.

Yeah, the $200 was way undervalued. If you are at a con it might seem reasonable becuase you don't know who you will get there and it is limited to foot traffic, but when you have the entire internet to draw from it should easily have been a $1000 reward.

Thanks for the head's up, MDS, became a backer.

No worries, oh and it seems they have slipped in a few more options for backers, including a almost unbelievable reward $1000 option, which also makes the $3000 option more viable than it was previously as it gets the same thing.

Thanks MDS for bring this up

Something I would whole hearted back if it was Werewolf, but then if i don't back this, then there might be a chance that Werewolf won't come out or only in PDF form, damn you CCP!
*goes and finds wallet*

Yeah thats my thoughts, I put $100 down last night, going to put down my old Tremere ancient that plagued some of my old Vampire games while I was a ST, down as the Elder.


My my only worry would be if W20 does appear like this, if some of the rewards are like the companion ones, damn, my wallet will run screaming. I'd consider $200-300 if it allowed me to get one of my Characters listed in the book for an example of play, or as a elder credit.

Just under 9k USD to go in 16 days. This is more of a nail biter than I thought.

Aye I was thinking that, it shot up fast, but has slowed. However, there are groups organising at the moment on sites such as V20-europe, to try and unite as fives and ten groups to take advantage of the reduced costs.

Hopefully it shoot up some more in the coming days. Hell if it was getting close to the wire I'd consider adding more, but I'm hoping that won't be required.

Up to 43k now 15 days to go.

Yeah just shy of 5K left to go, 14 days still on the clock, I think this should make it. *touches wood*

Up to 48k 12 days left to go looking good I hope.

I think the fans can manage less than 400USD in eleven days. If we can't, we don't deserve it.

Yep, they made it and pushing $51k now.

They have that 2nd target of one hundred thousand for a media enhanced PDF, although I can't see that being reached, and if I'm honest I doubt I would have made use of the features anyways.

Will be glad to get my book later in the year mind.

Alright very good. Now make sure to tell us when we can do it again for WtA.

How do you actually get V20 - I thought physical copies were limited edition?

Manchu wrote:Alright very good. Now make sure to tell us when we can do it again for WtA.

Aye right behind in the line for that one Manchu

Phototoxin wrote:How do you actually get V20

You can get it print on demand from DriveThruRPG.

Also if you support the V20, some of the higher deals offer you a copy of the V20 print on demand as well as the new deluxe Companion V20 book.

For you Photo, you'd need to support with $185 option. Its a lot, but the colour PoD V20 costs $89.99 on its own anyways.


As to Werewolf, no worries on that front, am I keeping a sharp look out for any new info in that regard.

What exactly is V20? Just the 20th anniversary edition of the book? I haven't been keeping up with White-Wolf since they went all new setting on all of their lines.

It's a huge amount of VtM material jammed into one huge book with refined cWoD rules (NOT the nWoD rules). Very similar to the revised rules, according to most folks.

Yeah there is a lot more in the book than just what was in the original Vampire the Masquerade rulebook. All thirteen Clans and most of the minor Clans that came in later books previously have a detailed reference for example.

They have also in effect side stepped revised. You could take your games down that path again, but as far as this reboot/Anniversary goes, the main plot of revised did not happen yet, its in effect VtM 2nd edition upgraded to revised rules and bits and bobs, missing the metaplot.

This companion will expand on what 'has' been going on instead, and I believe there will be another two books that will really go into what has been happening in a World of Darkness without the revised storyline.

Both of those will be must buys for me, although to be fair, they where anyways.

Good news undoubtly most people in this topic will know that kickstarter V20 companion was successful and only missed out on the 100k mark by about 3k which is excellent news

Other piece that also good news for people who play WtA, most people want to see that as the next kickstarter project for WW, I know Morathi's darkest sin would overjoyed if they did and so would I

They sent an update out when this closed that mentioned an upcoming survey about whether they're already-announced future projects should be kickstarters. Not sure how I feel about that ...

Aye, it would still be a worrying sign, however I'll take Kickstarter W20, over no W20 at all.

The feeling I have is with the removal of their online store last year, it seems likely that we will be looking at a Kickstarter for W20.
It runs in a similar way, other than the non funding possability, but for all intents and purposes it would be the same as them giving a limited release window as they did with V20 last year.

I sadly think due to issues CCP has had this past year, White Wolf is on its knees as a company, and this is literally the only way we will be getting new books. Both nwod and Exalted have slowed to a trickle, and with these Kickstarter deals, they can get a cash injection for each new piece, and then throw a Print on Demand on Drivethru to catch any extra cash that missed the intial deal.

I suppose we'll know soon enough however, I would guess W20 will be up around May time like V20 was last year.

Aye, had a email today, seems they plan on doing Kickstarters for both the VtM books they have planned, Children of the Inquisition and Hunters Hunted 2. Also Nwod Mummy, which tells you a lot, as it now seems they are unable to do new nwod products. Also the promised Mage Convention books will be kickstarter and they also noted Werewolf 20 would be as well, although he pointed out due to the nature of W20, expect something special.

It would seem 100% now that White Wolf are no longer able to release products via the normal channels, or, perhaps the better way of putting it, is they cannot afford the financial risk without the cash injection a kickstarter gives them.

I don't mind them using Kickstarter for special projects, but it gives me a frowny face to see them doing it for their general releases.

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:I sadly think due to issues CCP has had this past year, White Wolf is on its knees as a company, and this is literally the only way we will be getting new books. Both nwod and Exalted have slowed to a trickle, and with these Kickstarter deals, they can get a cash injection for each new piece, and then throw a Print on Demand on Drivethru to catch any extra cash that missed the intial deal.

I suppose we'll know soon enough however, I would guess W20 will be up around May time like V20 was last year.

I'm also very sad to see this, CCP had a plan that which was to buy WW take what they wanted and throw the rest away, now all the guys that are left at WW can do is release stuff via Kickstarter and Drivethu, very sad to see such an awesome company go this way

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote: Also the promised Mage Convention books will be kickstarter and they also noted Werewolf 20 would be as well, although he pointed out due to the nature of W20, expect something special.

It would seem 100% now that White Wolf are no longer able to release products via the normal channels, or, perhaps the better way of putting it, is they cannot afford the financial risk without the cash injection a kickstarter gives them.

So what you're saying is start saving my pennies now so that I can contribute enough to get what amounts to W20 Special Edition?

Basically aye, I had a feeling this was the way they where going, not sure if White Wolf will be the first of many, or just a company left no other choice by their owners.

However for the time being at least, if we want World of Darkness books to come out, we need to follow them at Kickstarter and put our money where our mouth is.