The more I mull over the playtest in my mind, realising it was very protective in many regards and that there’s elements that need further development, the more I question getting it done by October. Add to this that I’ve yet to commission artwork, finish off the Narrator/background chapters and last not least have just become a father for the first time (I type this as the little tyke sleeps). I’m also in the process of reading Antony Yu’s four volume translation (‘Journey to the West vol 1-4, Antony Yu, published by University of Chicago), which adds a ton of detail compared with the Arthur Waley abridged version (Monkey, translated by Arthur Waley, published by Penguin). Not mention watching all 52 episodes of the Monkey TV series that was shown on BBC2 during the 80s !
So instead I plan to clean up the rules I’ve written so far, add the adventure I ran the other day with a minimal background section (important Immortals from the book and quick background to the Tang Empire and various Immortal locations), and put it all together as a PDF version – which I’m going to hand out on as a Free CD at Furnace as the ‘Coaster’ edition (because if you don’t like it you can always use it as a coaster for your Beer/Tea). I’ll also probably put it up on the D101games website (another thing I need to put together). This means I will get a playable version out for my original deadline without releasing a rushed sub par version.
I also think that this will get it to a wider audience who will then be able to comment and play test the game. Monkey in the far east has the same impact as Robin Hood, and from people’s enthusiasm that I’ve talked about the game over here its seeped into their imagination in the same way. I started this off as a self satisfactory exercise, and the playtest in many ways satisfied that urge. It will be interesting to see what other people think and how it develops from there.
I plan to have the ‘coaster’ edition done by October. Anyone who is interested on seeing the work in progress and help shaping it please contact me at mrnewt AT gmail DOT com.
Regards
;O)Newt
You might get some value from recent discussions re “ashcan” versions – I think it was at Story Games, but possibly Collective Endeavour.
And did you notice I’ve just published something with Monkey in it? :]
Cheers, Andy Kenrick raised Ashcans in the Monkey thread over at CE but its a term new to me. I’ll engage my search function.
I thought I’d replied to your LJ announcement about Legends Walk: Chinese Pantheon.
Suffice to say I think this is an idea of genius, and have just purchased it along with the Legends walk Truth and justice edition, along with Truth and Justice itself from Drive Thru. I’ll give you more feedback once I’ve had a quick read.
Woot! As they say.
I think ashcans are just minimally formatted printed versions, sold at cons etc for a low price on the understanding that they’re prototypes. Maybe there’s provision for purchasers to get a discount on the final version.