Simple questions needs a simple

[Ed Stark]

At 07:01 AM 5/26/98 PDT, you wrote:
>What exactly will the new release of the Rulebook have in it...Will it
>be Birthright 2nd Ed. where the world is different?(ie. Prince Avan gets
>the throne) or will it just reprint the rules in a format which contains
>no more controversy...

The plan I was working under (with Carrie Bebris as editor) was to redo the
BR boxed set into a one-book format with a greater emphasis on the world
and the PCs as adventurers--but still including the domain and war rules as
part of the game.

The line has now shifted under the AD&D core banner, and I believe the
current plan is to go with much of what we have already done.

>Does anyone know what WoTC/TSR have planned for GENCON? and where is it
>this year...is it still the same place?

GenCon is still in Milwaukee at the newly-revised "MECCA" (I don't remember
the new name). It's in the same place but the layout is somewhat different.
Wizards/TSR will be there in strength (it's our con, after all). We are
currently planning to have as many TSR staffers there as we did last year
(at least from the Creative Services point of view) but, since we don't
have to run the "bones" of the con (like registration, the exhibit hall,
etc) we'll actually have more time to do games and demos.



Ed Stark
Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
Asst. Brand Manager
TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com
also: http://www.tsr.com

[Tim Nutting]

> The line has now shifted under the AD&D core banner, and I believe the
> current plan is to go with much of what we have already done.

Sorry, but I don't quite understand what this means. Is there then no more
official Aebyrnis/Cerilia/Birthright line then? How does this affect
future releases and the like? Been awhile since I've hit the website, so I
hope there's more info there.

Tim Nutting

[Ed Stark]

At 01:59 AM 5/27/98 -0700, you wrote:
>> The line has now shifted under the AD&D core banner, and I believe the
>> current plan is to go with much of what we have already done.
>
>Sorry, but I don't quite understand what this means. Is there then no more
>official Aebyrnis/Cerilia/Birthright line then? How does this affect
>future releases and the like? Been awhile since I've hit the website, so I
>hope there's more info there.
>

No, I guess I didn't make it very clear. At TSR, we're organized into Brand
Teams. A team might have several lines under it. The AD&D Core team looks
out for AD&D core books, PLANESCAPE, and a few other lines. We decided to
put BR in the Core group so that we could reposition it for its release. To
you, the BR fan, this means little. To non-BR fans, this will mean greater
exposure through core channels. People who only buy core product will be
attracted to the BR world and rules because of its revised presentation.

Sorry I can't tell you more specifics. All will be forthcoming eventually ...



Ed Stark
Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
Asst. Brand Manager
TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com
also: http://www.tsr.com

[Tim Nutting]

Thanks, Ed, for allaying my worries, I must admit I had these sudden
thoughts of the official Death Knell having been sounded.

Tim Nutting

[George Koch]

>
> No, I guess I didn't make it very clear. At TSR, we're organized into Brand
> Teams. A team might have several lines under it. The AD&D Core team looks
> out for AD&D core books, PLANESCAPE, and a few other lines. We decided to
> put BR in the Core group so that we could reposition it for its release. To
> you, the BR fan, this means little. To non-BR fans, this will mean greater
> exposure through core channels. People who only buy core product will be
> attracted to the BR world and rules because of its revised presentation.
>
> Sorry I can't tell you more specifics. All will be forthcoming eventually ...

> Ed Stark
> Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
> Asst. Brand Manager

Actually I'm impressed with the specifics you DID give. In my opinion it's one of the
best parts about belonging to this list. It's nice getting some insight into the TSR/WoC
decision making process. Far too often, people forget that it is ultimately a business.
Though I must say that the people on this list are of a higher maturity level and seem
more aware of this...