tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post1209196036495894645..comments2024-03-29T07:35:51.362+00:00Comments on Fabled Lands: Not your father's gamebooksDave Morrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-91881009747945713592011-02-28T19:04:00.645+00:002011-02-28T19:04:00.645+00:00I was to do the Devils Peak expansion, but it has ...I was to do the Devils Peak expansion, but it has been left behind, sadly. Pick it up if wanted, ideas I used were Trau games, and winding paths, mazes and puzzles. At the base, was supposed to be some battle of sorts, and in so gaining a new weapon or armour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-26678592603935697872011-02-10T16:31:42.656+00:002011-02-10T16:31:42.656+00:00For those of you who are interested in Destiny Que...For those of you who are interested in Destiny Quest, the player versus player rules are now posted in the downloads area. <br /><br />http://www.destiny-quest.com/downloads/Mike Mielkehttp://www.mikemielke.mpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-11558159089199873532011-02-08T08:42:21.705+00:002011-02-08T08:42:21.705+00:00For those of you eager to get hold of the book in ...For those of you eager to get hold of the book in the US, my publisher - Matador - are shipping to anywhere in the world, and they have very competitive p&p rates. <br /><br />There is also a 20% discount off the book (for a limited time), if you order from their site and use the code DQ01.<br /><br />http://www.troubador.co.uk/shop.aspMichael J. Wardhttp://www.destiny-quest.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-40216674444084481402011-02-06T16:38:33.888+00:002011-02-06T16:38:33.888+00:00Hey, what can I say - I'm a generous guy!
The...Hey, what can I say - I'm a generous guy!<br /><br />The book wouldn't really work if it was split up, due to its three act structure. If I had planned that at the start, I would have reworked the story. The book just sort of evolved into the beast that it is.<br /><br />The eBook is the full version, because of the above really. To start splitting it up would have involved extra work in terms of the numbering of entries. Maybe for future books that is an option - for now, eBook readers get the value of the full book (although they will need to download and print off the hero sheet and glossary).<br /><br />Download content is having a staggered release. I think gamers will have plenty of things to keep them occupied with the main book, before they start baying for more ;-)Michael J. Wardhttp://www.destiny-quest.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-81648127815885123212011-02-06T15:34:12.255+00:002011-02-06T15:34:12.255+00:00Bert, give the man a chance to draw a breath :)
M...Bert, give the man a chance to draw a breath :)<br /><br />Michael, did you consider splitting the book in two? I only say that because online buyers can't see at a glance how much they're getting for their money, and I would guess online is where most book buying happens nowadays (for RPG type books anyway).<br /><br />On your site you mentioned a planned Kindle edition. It might be worth splitting that into two or more parts as I did with the Mirabilis mini-episodes.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-76516008469526426982011-02-06T14:39:08.030+00:002011-02-06T14:39:08.030+00:00The book sells for 13 euro at Amazon in Germany, t...The book sells for 13 euro at Amazon in Germany, this is including shipping to many countries in the Euro zone. For a 534 page book that's extremely cheap, great value for money! Shipping to the US would double the cost, still a very good deal if you ask me. <br /><br />Do note btw that this is up 1 euro since last week when I ordered, so you better be quick before the exchangerate deteriorates even further.<br /><br />Downloadable extra's is a great idea! Most of them aren't available just yet, hopefully they'll be up soon.Bertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-27996674641356815402011-02-06T09:14:16.379+00:002011-02-06T09:14:16.379+00:00To add to that, there is also the downloadable con...To add to that, there is also the downloadable content that extends the game further. ;)<br /><br />At the moment it looks set to add an extra 40-60 pages of 'content' to the book, with extra quests and challenges. These are free, so hopefully, people won't be grumbling too much about 'value for money' when it comes to purchasing the book ;PMichael J. Wardhttp://www.destiny-quest.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-74340628779556691202011-02-06T00:27:42.526+00:002011-02-06T00:27:42.526+00:00Hi Michael - 534 pages?! (Clunk as jaw hits the fl...Hi Michael - 534 pages?! (Clunk as jaw hits the floor.) I recommend you get Amazon to correct that on their listing asap, because even at a US price of $15 that's still incredible value for money. In fact it'd be good value at $20. If you go through AuthorCentral they should fix it pretty fast.<br /><br />Best of luck with the series - and let us know when book 2 is being launched.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-77125972435467304002011-02-05T21:47:35.700+00:002011-02-05T21:47:35.700+00:00Sorry, in re: the above - think Play.com are Europ...Sorry, in re: the above - think Play.com are Europe only. :(Michael J. Wardhttp://www.destiny-quest.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-76094943801533764522011-02-05T21:41:07.710+00:002011-02-05T21:41:07.710+00:00Hi Guys
First off, a big thank you for your suppo...Hi Guys<br /><br />First off, a big thank you for your support and interest. I really appreciate it! <br /><br />Concerning Amazon US, yes I suspect it is saying 'out of print' because Amazon seems to be having a general 'hissy' fit over stock at the moment (in the UK it is now saying '1 to 2 months'! Not true, I hasten to add, as they should get copies next week).<br /><br />In terms of cost, the final book actually weighs in at 534 pages (yes, it is a hefty tome). There is a lot of bang for your buck there in terms of game play. Have you checked out Play.com? I'm not sure what their shipping rates are like to the US, but might work out cheaper.Michael J. Wardhttp://www.destiny-quest.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-68935312697562293292011-02-05T17:31:16.243+00:002011-02-05T17:31:16.243+00:00I can sympathize. The new FL books are on Amazon a...I can sympathize. The new FL books are on Amazon at $8.99; the Destiny Quest book was priced at over $15 and is now registering as out of print (though that will only be because Amazon US haven't been supplied by the publisher yet). <br /><br />But... the DQ book is 440 pages, so a dollar per page calculation puts it about the same value as an FL book. And as it will probably provide at least thirty hours of gameplay (guessing here) that's 50 cents an hour - not a high price to pay, perhaps.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-2720957521637844712011-02-05T13:14:14.255+00:002011-02-05T13:14:14.255+00:00I don't understand the complaint about price -...I don't understand the complaint about price - those dollar prices look cheap to me.Jiminyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03928886405446170395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-84376197196092120222011-02-05T12:14:33.233+00:002011-02-05T12:14:33.233+00:00These new gamebooks are way too expensive for folk...These new gamebooks are way too expensive for folks like me who live outside the UK. Guess I'd have to pass on them, sigh, as the currency exchange rate is brutal.Hot Sauce Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00335068352580267799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-60602230125458314202011-02-04T09:44:07.429+00:002011-02-04T09:44:07.429+00:00Well, there is http://megara-entertainment.com/Well, there is http://megara-entertainment.com/Talleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-47703665148530079392011-02-04T07:19:30.678+00:002011-02-04T07:19:30.678+00:00Destiny Quest has a really nice website. I'd l...Destiny Quest has a really nice website. I'd like to see something like it for Fabled Lands!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-46419391737304959122011-02-03T13:10:36.749+00:002011-02-03T13:10:36.749+00:00Anonymous: The Unbounded Ocean expansion pack isn&...Anonymous: The Unbounded Ocean expansion pack isn't very good, to be honest, and I'm easy to please. But someone was planning on a full-length Devil's Peak expansion, although I don't know what has become of it. You could ask, as I am sure they don't want me to ask again :) I'm planning to devise a castle system for Book 5, although I'm not even sure when I'll start this.Mike Mielkehttp://www.mikemielke.mpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-91282032247507783282011-02-03T09:53:30.971+00:002011-02-03T09:53:30.971+00:00Bert, I do know what you mean. I always like to br...Bert, I do know what you mean. I always like to breathe in the aroma of a book before I start to read :)<br /><br />As far as I know there are no legal issues with fanzines as long as they are not geared up as a professional for-profit enterprise, sold on Amazon, etc. <br /><br />Jamie and I would welcome any FL fan projects like the expansion packs - and, when the Greywood RPG appears, hopefully an FL equivalent to DW's Ordo Draconis too.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-50787778824580879662011-02-03T09:06:23.903+00:002011-02-03T09:06:23.903+00:00Dave, when I mentioned the smell of real books I o...Dave, when I mentioned the smell of real books I of course meant they smell good! It's the smell of a valuable possession, the smell of success so to speak :-)<br /><br />Mike, what a great idea! I second the idea of a fan magazine with "FL expansion packs". This will certainly enhance sale of the FL books and make owning them more fun. If it's digital it has to be free of course, it'll be a cold day in hell before I pay for a pdf. <br /><br />We could do free extensions in the Yahoo group (I'll check out Unbounded Ocean). Dave, would there be legal issues associated with this?<br /><br />BertAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-7420653217070384492011-02-02T23:56:11.127+00:002011-02-02T23:56:11.127+00:00You COULD sell quick individual FL expansions, may...You COULD sell quick individual FL expansions, maybe 50 sections a piece, such as the proposed Devil's Peak expansion mentioned on the Yahoo Group in the past. They will sell quickly, proving to FL LLC that there is interest. Sales of FL proper will continue at a steady pace, buoyed by the digital expansion sales. I'm not saying that the digital expansions should take up tons of time or have any illustrations, but there really shouldn't be too much risk (if any) if you give a couple of quick expansions a shot). The fan-written Unbounded Ocean expansion came with a quick guide detailing which War-Torn Kingdom paragraphs linked there. Granted, it was primarily comical (6 pages, plus an added "fear" score, character classes with reversed stats and even a joke paragraph reference that you can't reach), but it proves that it definitely possible<br /><br />If an e-commerce site from http://www.1and1.co.uk or http://www.1and1.com costs too much, set up multiple digital distributors at places such as Drive Thru RPG, the more places the books and hypothetical digital expansions are sold, the better.Mike Mielkehttp://www.mikemielke.mpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-81579003830098919142011-02-02T23:51:59.877+00:002011-02-02T23:51:59.877+00:00Did you see the Destinyquest book is #2 on Amazon....Did you see the Destinyquest book is #2 on Amazon. Only it is #2 in<br />> Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Other Sports > Snooker.<br />Yes, snooker??? How did Amazon get that so wrong? What next, Wartorn Kingdom #1 in Cookery?Versatilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-15212755954567304182011-02-02T23:40:31.831+00:002011-02-02T23:40:31.831+00:00I'd certainly like to see some FL fanzines, Mi...I'd certainly like to see some FL fanzines, Mike. Dragon Warriors has Ordo Draconis, which is (or used to be) released in PDF form.<br /><br />Some 20 years ago I published an occasional Tekumel 'zine, each issue taking me about 3-4 weeks, and charged just enough to break even on costs. Of course, it could only be said to break even if I didn't count the cost of my time!<br /><br />Vanilla? Mmm...Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-58329052156659894112011-02-02T23:22:01.091+00:002011-02-02T23:22:01.091+00:00Speaking of digital, would the FL team be keen to ...Speaking of digital, would the FL team be keen to put together a digital magazine with bonus material, including mini-gamebooks, FL bonus locations with instructions on how to connect them to the main titles (similar to the Unbounded Ocean fan expansion, only umm....... not like that expansion at all), Art from Russ, etc. It could be quarterly or something if time doesn't permit. <br /><br />This could potentially bring more funding to complete the series quicker, as you wouldn't have to ship anything, thus bringing you close to 100% profit. It will also give the fans a glimpse into what the bottom half of the series would be like, due to the mini (or full) FL expansions. I gave you suggestions on companies that include e-commerce tools, and are cheap and reliable.<br /><br />Cheers! - Mike -Mike Mielkehttp://www.mikemielke.mpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-1115879283346934532011-02-02T23:14:37.389+00:002011-02-02T23:14:37.389+00:00Speaking of smell, the US magazine GameFan http://...Speaking of smell, the US magazine GameFan http://www.gamefanmag.com smells awfully strange. It's unanimous as well, as forum-goers have mentioned it also. <br /><br />It probably depends on the printing company, as most books smell the same, but books from Neo-Tech Publishing smell like vanilla (well, the "library editons" do) Their smaller 200-350 page books with higher-quality paper stock. Their average books are at least 900+ (most being 1100-1200 pages!!!) Well, enough of my print ramblings :)<br /><br />Keep purchasing the Fabled Lands reprints, as The War-Torn Kingdom is selling exceptionally well, but the others are trailing behind a bit. FL for the win!Mike Mielkehttp://www.mikemielke.mpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-82972538242247188012011-02-02T23:02:44.984+00:002011-02-02T23:02:44.984+00:00Print on demand typically uses digital printing, w...Print on demand typically uses digital printing, whereas a run of 1000 copies or more is likely to be produced with offset printing. As for the smell, Bert, that's most likely the paper stock used rather than the print process per se. With an iPad you would not get the unpleasant smell. Also (like bow ties) iPads are cool :)Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-24363728063896291122011-02-02T22:07:55.323+00:002011-02-02T22:07:55.323+00:00Your right Mike, the Destiny Quest website says th...Your right Mike, the Destiny Quest website says that the books are expected next week from the publisher (I missed that, thought they were already sold-out) so they're not print-on-demand. Which is good, because the cover of POD books always curls when warm. And they don't smell as good as normal printed books...<br /><br />BertAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com