Flash Gordon...

[Treebore]

is getting Savaged. We probably won't see it until next year, though.

Same goes for the SW version of Rifts, because of the artwork. Shane wants the artwork to be top notch across the board for Rifts, so rather then be released by Christmas, we will see it early next year. Which is fine with me.

Considering how they are tweaking the SW rules to fit Juicers and Crazies, etc... I am really looking forward to seeing the books. Of which there are 4 planned for initial release. A "core" book, a Players book, and a GM's book, plus one other.

They also have two other releases that are based on Dark Horse comics. I only recall one of those titles, Goons.

Plus Rippers is getting a new launch, in just a few days on KS.

[tylermo]

I was working at the Troll booth (at GenCon) when this was announced. However, I saw Shane, Clint and Jodi Black, and some of other Savage contributors. I made sure to let Shane know how proud I was of their success, as well as the company's 19 years in the business. I need to get caught up on some of their releases. If the rerelease of Rippers is as good as the one for 50 Fathoms, we should be in for a treat.

[Treebore]

I was working at the Troll booth (at GenCon) when this was announced. However, I saw Shane, Clint and Jodi Black, and some of other Savage contributors. I made sure to let Shane know how proud I was of their success, as well as the company's 19 years in the business. I need to get caught up on some of their releases. If the rerelease of Rippers is as good as the one for 50 Fathoms, we should be in for a treat.

Yeah, I talked to Shane about the new Rippers at Rin Con last weekend, I like the new approach being taken with this version a bit better than the first time, not that the first version is bad, its just this new version will make it much easier for the "Plot Point" campaigns to be created.

[Zudrak]

Ah, aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Savior of the universe!


(sorry)

[Buttmonkey]

Ah, aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Savior of the universe!


(sorry)

Sadly, every time I see "Flash Gordon" my mind immediately jumps to "Flesh Gordon".

[Lurker]

I have that Queen song with horrid special effects an cheesy acting stuck in my head ...

[Treebore]

I have that Queen song with horrid special effects an cheesy acting stuck in my head ...

Fortunately they are looking to the comic strips of the 1930's for their inspiration.

[Traveller]

@Treebore: Which is why I like the movie so much. Of course, BRIAN BLESSED helps. The perfect person to play Vultan.

[tylermo]

1980 Flash Gordon may be a bit cheesy, but it's still one of the great cult classics. The screenplay was written by Lorenzo Semple, Jr. He was the same guy who wrote the 60's Batman movie, as well as some of the episodes. Flash Gordon was the only cheesy cult classic from 1980. Let us not forget Cannonball Run! These were two of my big 4th grade movies.

Back to some of Tree's comments...I think Shane said they might give a nod to the FG movie but as you said, the comic is going to be their inspiration overall. As for Rippers, I loved it. Perhaps a bit too much name dropping. I think Nemo and the Nautilus even made an appearance. Anyway, that's nitpicking. Rippers was/will be great. I have to back this soon.

[Treebore]

My only problem with the Flash movie was the actor playing Flash. Every time he opened his mouth, I wished he hadn't. The movie was largely pretty loyal to the strips, so I'm not nit picky enough to complain about the few areas where they weren't, but the acting of Flash Gordon just made my skin crawl. Then again, he did help everyone else seem just that much better.

[Buttmonkey]

No way! Flash was awesome. His cameo in Ted was great, too.

[Treebore]

No way! Flash was awesome. His cameo in Ted was great, too.

If you say so. While I laughed my ass off at Ted, I wasn't entertained by his cameo.

[tylermo]

I have to agree. I thought Sam J. Jones' bits in Ted were funny. Ted 2 overall was pretty funny, but there should've been only one film. The first one made some money, so that's the nature o the biz.

[clavis123]

I'm definitely looking forward to Rifts with a sane set of rules. I'll repeat what many have said before - Rifts is a great concept and setting, wedded to a system that is barely playable. I hope, of course, that the Savage Worlds translation maintains the good part of the craziness - like the ability to have a party comprised of a dragon, a giant mecha, and demigod, and a vagrant!

[Treebore]

I've never had much of a problem with the core mechanic of Rifts. I ran into my problems with their various OCC's and gear, which was easy enough for me to fix with House Rules. The only problem I had with the mechanics themselves was the same I have with Warhammer, all the dodging, blocking, etc.. can make for VERY long and overly tedious combats. Even so, I am very excited to see the SW version, because all the things I have heard about ow they are adapting the "feel" of Rifts to the SW system sounds ingenious, such as setting up the OCC's more like a race, and THEN allow you to flesh it out like you would a normal character for your customization. These guys are really putting a lot of great thought into doing this.

[clavis123]

My Rifts GM already runs a simplified version of the rules, to make it run faster. Mostly we just ask her what dice we have to roll to do what we want to do! Of course, one of the benefits of a messy rules system is that it encourages house-ruling, and making the game your own. Like I said, hopefully the Savage Worlds conversion keeps the wonderfully gonzo strangeness while facilitating a smoother play experience.

Even though Rifts has a reputation for focusing on powers and equipment porn, our group actually winds up spending a lot of our time role-playing. The concept behind Rifts is so interesting that we have fun just exploring what happens when a cyborg, a werewolf from a world inspired by Hammer Horror movies, a viking rune magician from a world of medieval fantasy (my character!), a safe-cracker, a women infected with an alien parasite that turn her into a quasi-vampire, a demi-god, a cyber-knight, and a psychic leech try to decide what they ought to do next! We would be an example of the market for the Savage Worlds version of the game.

[Treebore]

Yep, Rifts has always been a gonzo, has everything, including the kitchen sink, kind of game and setting. If you think an RPG has to be about balanced characters, etc... then this RPG is not for that kind of gamer. Its for over powered, anything goes, crazy fun kind of playing, but as you point out, the role play can make all of the craziness into a very serious and intense game as well.

[clavis123]

It might not be apparent from my posting history, but I actually love gonzo, “rule of cool” science-fiction/fantasy mash-ups (like Rifts, or even Flash Gordon). Maybe it was watching “Thundarr the Barbarian” as a kid, and reading “Heavy Metal” magazine! My own fantasy campaigns almost always have some kind of science fiction-y aspect lurking underneath the fantasy elements.

[Zudrak]

@Treebore: Which is why I like the movie so much. Of course, BRIAN BLESSED helps. The perfect person to play Vultan.

Yes! Brian Blessed makes for a fun watch.