Thats what I assumed it was. Sucks, though...would have been nice to happen on another RPG Indy adventure.
I've actually got a whole schlew of canceled and 'locked up' Indy material for .. four.. RPGs now that is sitting around, but I have no idea what can be done with it. I've thought about doing a 'generic but recognizable' version for Pixel Sagas, but I'm not sure how well that would go over.
I could try to see who HAS the rights to the RPG now as a start... I think I'll do that.
Got a call from LucasFilm today, after they performed a couple of days' research for me on where the rights to the old RPG material went. Sadly, they went nowhere and are in limbo, basically. as an expired license (both times), the rights would have had to have been renewed by the acquirer but weren't.
LucasFilm, of course, maintains the trademarks on the products, naturally.
I was also told (though i didn't ask, oddly enough) that LucasFilm is not interested in either expanding or continuing any RPG licenses for the foreseeable future. I'm not exactly sure what this means for Star Wars, if she meant to be that broad in the statement or not. Indiana Jones is definitely off the table, however.
Got a call from LucasFilm today, after they performed a couple of days' research for me on where the rights to the old RPG material went. Sadly, they went nowhere and are in limbo, basically. as an expired license (both times), the rights would have had to have been renewed by the acquirer but weren't.
LucasFilm, of course, maintains the trademarks on the products, naturally.
I was also told (though i didn't ask, oddly enough) that LucasFilm is not interested in either expanding or continuing any RPG licenses for the foreseeable future. I'm not exactly sure what this means for Star Wars, if she meant to be that broad in the statement or not. Indiana Jones is definitely off the table, however.
It's cool that you got a reply, but that's still unfortunate news.
Got a call from LucasFilm today, after they performed a couple of days' research for me on where the rights to the old RPG material went. Sadly, they went nowhere and are in limbo, basically. as an expired license (both times), the rights would have had to have been renewed by the acquirer but weren't.
LucasFilm, of course, maintains the trademarks on the products, naturally.
I was also told (though i didn't ask, oddly enough) that LucasFilm is not interested in either expanding or continuing any RPG licenses for the foreseeable future. I'm not exactly sure what this means for Star Wars, if she meant to be that broad in the statement or not. Indiana Jones is definitely off the table, however.
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Originally Posted by Plaristes
It's cool that you got a reply, but that's still unfortunate news.
Its unfortunate, but not unexpected. Pen and Paper RPGs have been slowly dying out for awhile (though of course there's still a market for it, just not like there was in the hey-day of RPGs). Well...dying out isn't the right term. They've managed to hang on to a small portion of the gaming industry, but honestly, an Indy RPG probably wouldn't be much of a cash cow.
It is too bad, though. I love my WEG and TSR Indy adventures.
Its unfortunate, but not unexpected. Pen and Paper RPGs have been slowly dying out for awhile (though of course there's still a market for it, just not like there was in the hey-day of RPGs).
It's less that and more that Lucas wants a LARGE amount of money from each license to make it worth their while. An RPG, even a good one, won't cut that many thousands into Lucas's coffers, while even a flop of an action figure line will.
Pretty much all 'major' licenses are tied like this, which is why you're just not seeing games made out of them like you used to. They're priced out of business, unfortunately.
with the Savage Worlds RPG. What an awesome combination that would be! ANyway, WEG had awesome supplements to the Masterbook World of Indiana Jones RPG. I have all of them, but unfortunately never played Masterbook, so I can't say whether the system was actually any good.
It's less that and more that Lucas wants a LARGE amount of money from each license to make it worth their while. An RPG, even a good one, won't cut that many thousands into Lucas's coffers, while even a flop of an action figure line will.
Pretty much all 'major' licenses are tied like this, which is why you're just not seeing games made out of them like you used to. They're priced out of business, unfortunately.
Very good point. Its sad. I really enjoy the Indy RPGs (both the WEG and TSR--each has its strong points) and how they expanded and added to the Indy lore. I haven't really played them in about 10 years, but always especially enjoyed the TSR games due to their approach of revealing the story only when necessary (non spoiler approach for the GM) using the red lens/red type of the game books. Also loved the simple paper cut-out characters and vehicles, structures, etc.
WEG's strong point (even though the gameplay was more complex) were the original adventures in my opinion. All the TSR adventures were based on the movies or Marvel Further Adventures comics, so while fun to play from a storyline perspective it was nothing new.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by punisher5150
with the Savage Worlds RPG. What an awesome combination that would be! ANyway, WEG had awesome supplements to the Masterbook World of Indiana Jones RPG. I have all of them, but unfortunately never played Masterbook, so I can't say whether the system was actually any good.
I used to play D&D back in its heyday and remember a 1-player module that was included in the "Dungeons & Dragons" magazine called "Assassin's Run" which was a long booby-trapped filled corridor like the Chachapoyan temple (but 10 times worse). I always died but it was very fitting for an Indy-style adventure of thrills & spills!
I haven't really played them in about 10 years, but always especially enjoyed the TSR games due to their approach of revealing the story only when necessary (non spoiler approach for the GM) using the red lens/red type of the game books. Also loved the simple paper cut-out characters and vehicles, structures, etc.
TSR's game was very much an 1980s approach to RPGs, but it was fun in a very 'light-game' sort of way. Unfortunately it was too light in many respects, and even with the IJAC1 it didn't add enough to make a strong game in its own right. (Having new mechanics every two modules wasn't helping, either.)
Quote:
WEG's strong point (even though the gameplay was more complex) were the original adventures in my opinion. All the TSR adventures were based on the movies or Marvel Further Adventures comics, so while fun to play from a storyline perspective it was nothing new.
My problem with WEG was the inevitable 'where the hell do I get started' problem. I could never find the required Masterbook, anywhere. I honestly wonder if it was ever really released! WEG also seemed to run out of ideas for IJ style adventures early on and started throwing in other pulp-era styles into the mix.
It's cool that you got a reply, but that's still unfortunate news. 
