Version 4 of the game

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by StainlessSteelCynic

Compare that with the approach that Clockwork Publishing took when deciding to produce a 4th edition of Dark Conspiracy... they actively asked well known members of the Dark Conspiracy fanbase if they knew people who would like to contribute to the new edition (as well as asking them if they wished to contribute).

And that is a great example of good marketing. They instantly gained a lot of happy and loyal customers. They didn't even need to use any of the submissions, just ask for them to make everyone feel like they were a part of the greater product.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

And that is a great example of good marketing. They instantly gained a lot of happy and loyal customers. They didn't even need to use any of the submissions, just ask for them to make everyone feel like they were a part of the greater product.

For sure. It's a smart move for exactly the reasons you mention. But they did go "all the way" so to speak and actually get some of those people involved.
People like Marcus Bone (who has been involved with ezines & a forum supporting the game as well as being part of the 2nd edition developers/writers), there's also Lee Williams (who has contributed to ezines as well as being part of the team behind the 3rd edition) are actively writing parts of the books such as character creation & development and updating equipment & gear lists and so on.

[Legbreaker]

It's good policy from a HR standpoint too. As you mentioned, a company can pick up good people at a minimal cost just by spreading the word through associated forums and the like.

We've got close to a thousand members in this forum alone, with what, about 50 or so active contributors per week give or take? I know as fact that there are quite a number of talented people in just those who are active, and many, many different and relevant skill sets. It just makes sense to look in places such as this for contributions and feedback.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

One of the other benefits is that they picked up writers who had some passion for the project, people who were invested in the game, rather than just contracting someone to write articles for something they have little/no interest in.

[therantingsavant]

So I posted this on Steph's FB group but thought it might add to some of the discussion here...

Having written as a line author for an RPG company I’d note than many require a Non-Disclosure Agreement about unreleased products but also authors we would spend time “lurking” on forums etc (often being suspiciously quiet in retrospect) to get some idea of the mood and needs of the existing fan-base.

All that being said edition change is complex and particularly when it involves a licence change from one company (usually with its preferred system) to another (likewise with it’s preferred system) - that’s just the nature of business but most successful edition changes do give some consideration to a one or two way “conversion” guide (often a free PDF) to draw on existing resources / fan base - the risk is affecting sales of subsequent supplements beyond the core rules, however a 2-way (back conversion eg v4 to v2.2 or v2013 even for T2k) can offset this in some cases.

[Jason Weiser]

Guys,
Heard back from Modiphius Entertainment....Here is the text of their note.

Hi Jason
​
Thanks for the email and reaching out. However, I've checked with the team and can confirm that we are not working on Twilight: 2000. Sorry we can't help on this occasion!

Shaun
Customer Support

Modiphius Entertainment

www.modiphius.com
www.facebook.com/modiphius

[vihkr]

Just to recap: we got news that Modiphius was working on T2K
Multi-post frenzy
>Modiphius is not working on T2K
Everything's normal here, just carry on.

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Jason Weiser

Guys,
Heard back from Modiphius Entertainment....Here is the text of their note.

Got the same message from the same person just a couple of hours ago.