Why I chose D6

          I thought the reason I picked D6 as the rules engine to power The Black Desert was simply because I knew it backward and it was free.  That's still true- but there is more to it than that.

         The excellent Jeff's Gameblog, had a post that really struck home about this topic for me.  To steal sum-up, Jeff states that games like D&D will never have the generational following of some of the classic games of yore (like the 80-year-old) Monopoly, in part because we keep changing the rules every few years.

          This spoke to me.

          I didn't experience this kind of frustration until I started playing WotC products.  Before that, I played D6 Star Wars almost (with the exception of Vampire) exclusively and was happy.  If West End Games hadn't lost the license, I would never have switched systems.  Why should I?  I had zero interest in learning a whole new set of rules; I had mastered the D6 rules to the point that I didn't need to roll-up NPCs and I could improvise entire campaigns without cracking a book.

           Alas, it wasn't meant to be.  The result?  I got D20 Star Wars, then D&D 3rd, then D&D 3.5, Star Wars: Saga Edition, and finally D&D 4e.  That's literally dozens of books, thousands of dollars, and (count 'em) five core rules systems.  Five.  And if my math is correct, I haven't played or ran as many games in those five systems put together as I have in the single version of D6 I possess.

           My point is fundamental enough that I'll highlight it rules style:

           "Once again, Table Top games are NOT Video games.  They do not become obsolete with age."

         I assure you, I do not need a new core book every five years.  If I bought the game and I like, changing the rules will only depress and/or frustrate me.  I would rather have a steady stream of source material for the same system than a new system.  I know that most gaming companies feel that they must put out a new edition of the rules either to stay current, make more money, or both.  But I don't have to like it.

          And, I don't have to put up with it, either.  Now that D6 is free to the world, Several companies as well as myself are putting out content that may have rules variations, but still be cross-comparable thanks to the core mechanic of that most common of dice.  Now, if my kids want to play table-top, they can play classic Star Wars, The Black Desert, Azamar, Septimus, and any of the dozens of other products in development now that have pretty much only one thing in common: the D6 Mechanic.

         That's gonna be fun.

         On a meta-note, let me remind everyone that the new email address is bluemaxstudios@yahoo.com.  You can follow us via RSS feed  (above), email (to the right) and (also to the right) that collection of tiny heads that say, "Followers" Also, we have a Facebook group now, and we are in fact on Twitter @bluemaxstudios.  There is a gadget to the right that will allow you to share our posts via these sites if you'd like.  Also, if there is enough interest, there may be a Yahoo Group in the future.

          See you tomorrow, RocketFans!

Ships of the Black Desert March Reveal...

          Introducing the first of our designs from the Siberian Empire, The Vojaĝi-Rocket!

That not actually a window; it's the avionics.

          This is also the first of our spacecraft that was designed in 3D.  It was a necessity; the curves were complex enough that I wanted to make sure that everything would fit together.  These are low-poly images made using the shockingly advanced free program Blender.  I highly recommend getting this program if you want to learn CG art/animation without spending thousands on Maya.  Because it's free; did I mention that?

Window's under the chin, facing the belly.

 

       Anyway, I haven't managed to bet my email unlocked;rather than moan an complain, I've simply made another one!  You can reach us now at bluemaxstudios@yahoo.com.  which should be easy to remember for all us, myself included.

           That's all I've got today, RocketFans; tomorrow should see the next "Spacecraft Spotlight" and then we'll get working on some more SF ship-like goodness.  See you later!

Starwell Officially on Sale!

         It's the first of the month RocketFans!  That means that our latest Ships of the Galaxy, the Starwell Tanker, is on sale at DriveThruRPG, and RPGNow!  Hooray!

          I had originally intended to have the "Spacecraft Spotlight" segment up and running this morning, but some stuff came up.  I found out that I'm losing my medical insurance and my email account has been suspended.  I freely admit that this is not the best way to start one's day.

          Anyway, I'll try to have the "Spotlight" up Thursday, and then we'll start back on the Missile Craft development and other bits of Hard Science-ness-ness.  See you then!