Birthright FAQ Start

[Bryon Switala]

The list exists to aid gamers, encourage creativity, and explore the genre
of TSR AD&D Birthright setting.

So as help to the new user we have come up with some FAQ. This is a
combination of what everyone on the List has stated. We have a high hope
for this game and we want you to get everything you can out of this list.

SOME FAQ

"I heard Birthright is in trouble. Is this true?"

It is true that the original Birthright sales are not what TSR had hoped
for, but at least through '98 Birthright is safe. TSR/WotC will be watching
the sales of Birhtright products over the next year, before they make any
final decisions.

As for what we Players can do:
First, don't panic. If you start openly worrying about the fate of
Birthright you might scare off potential gamers. We don't want that. Be
sure to tell everyone you can about how great Birthright is. The more people
we get to play, and support, Birthright the longer it will be around.
Next, submit your Birthright adventures, stories, new rules, or
ideas to Dungeon, Dragon, and Polyhedron. This will show the company that
there is a market for this great product. Also you can e-mail(or
snail-mail)TSR/WotC and tell them how much you love the setting, and would
be devastated if it was discontinued.
Lastly, buy as many BR products as you can afford. They are watching
sales, so the more the better.

Just remember at the moment BR is safe, but we still need to do our part to
keep it around in the future.

***An Official Word from our Creator ;-)****

"Actually, ALL our product lines got reviewed after the acquisition, and
lines on hiatus (such as Dark Sun, Mystara, etc.) are also undergoing
review. Birthright, we were told, had a high cost of goods for its sales,
and is going to need to perform well to stick around (as are a few other lines).

This means we've been looking at ways to cut costs (no more full color 32 or
64 page books, but plenty of nice B&W and 2 color art, for example), and to
increase interest in the line. Obviously, we'd have to keep producing BR for
this to happen. While I can't go into specifics, we've got a full schedule
of '98 product and, as you all probably know, we think more than one year in
the future at TSR/WotC (heck, I wrote Legends of the Hero-Kings in early '95
and it didn't come out until late '96--on schedule).

Does this mean BR's gonna stick around? Hey, it's got as much chance as just
about everything else--which is pretty good. You're going to see a lot more
BR product before we give this puppy up, unless someone's been keeping me
writing things for the better part of a year that they don't intend to publish."

Ed Stark
Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
Asst. Brand Manager, BIRTHRIGHT/GREYHAWK/MARVEL Group
TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com


"What products are coming out next year?"

No Information YET.

"[This product] was supposed to come out this year and didn't. What is the
status of it?"

??????????????????????????????

"What can I do to help keep this game going?"

Keep watching this list. Ask questions of the other DM's. We want you to
enjoy running and playing in the AD&D Birthright setting.

"What and where are all these web pages everybody keeps talking about?"

Again watch this page. New pages are always advertised here ????????????????

"I haven't gotten any mail. Is there a problem?"

There is always problems with this new fangled thing called the computer.
We have an archive if you don't get any mail. Also, please wait alittle
while before starting to panic. Your Mail could be stuck in electric limbo
somewhere in Figi. It is coming.


(((((((( OK everyone here is a start to the FAQ please rip it to shreds.
But also put it back together so I can post it.))))))))))

Just a Start
Bryon Switala

Exclusive dedication to necessitous chores without interlude of hedonistic
diversion renders you a hebetudinous individual.
- -
***********************************
Birthright-The Adurian Empire (Ian's Creation-My Translation)
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/7268

Birthright Destiny of Regents PBeM
The Largest BR PBeM game coming to the Web
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/2315

***First Move is October 31, 1997***

[Ed Stark]

>
>"[This product] was supposed to come out this year and didn't. What is the
>status of it?"
>
>??????????????????????????????
>
Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless something awful happens, every BR
product scheduled for release this year is coming out this year (did I miss
something--I may have). KING OF THE GIANTDOWNS shipped in July/August, BOOK
OF PRIESTCRAFT is shipping in late October (so the production people
assured me at this week's meeting) and, unless something bad happens,
TRIBES OF THE HEARTLESS WASTES will be out in December. Seriously, correct
me if I've forgotten something ... but I think that was this year's
projected schedule (a long while ago we'd thought to put out a Rjurik
domain sourcebook, but I don't think that ever made any catalogs ... but,
then, maybe it did).

-- ->-- ->-- ->--@
Ed Stark
Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
Asst. Brand Manager, BIRTHRIGHT/GREYHAWK/MARVEL Group
TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com

[RMoraza@aol.co]

In a message dated 97-10-22 07:14:58 EDT, you write:

>

HOW'S THIS FOR A POSSIBLE ANSWER?

Some of the Birthright products slated for release in 1997 were postponed or
cancelled after the merger with WoTC. There were many reasons for this but
this is something that should not happen in the future. Both TSR and WoTC are
committed to delivering what they promise to the public. Additionally some of
the previously released Birthright products are now out of print but may
still be found in gaming shops and through mail-order companies.

Here are the products:
Falcon & the Wolf - cancelled for now
All Domain Sourcebooks - out of print; there are no plans to produce new
ones
Etc.
- ----> someone else will need to complete this information, preferably Ed or
Rich

Alison
RMoraza@aol.com

[Tripp Elliott]

Ed Stark wrote:
>
> >
> >"[This product] was supposed to come out this year and didn't. What is the
> >status of it?"
> >
> >??????????????????????????????
> >
> Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless something awful happens, every BR
> product scheduled for release this year is coming out this year (did I miss
> something--I may have). KING OF THE GIANTDOWNS shipped in July/August, BOOK
> OF PRIESTCRAFT is shipping in late October (so the production people
> assured me at this week's meeting) and, unless something bad happens,
> TRIBES OF THE HEARTLESS WASTES will be out in December. Seriously, correct
> me if I've forgotten something ... but I think that was this year's
> projected schedule (a long while ago we'd thought to put out a Rjurik
> domain sourcebook, but I don't think that ever made any catalogs ... but,
> then, maybe it did).
>
> -- ->-- ->-- ->--@
> Ed Stark
> Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
> Asst. Brand Manager, BIRTHRIGHT/GREYHAWK/MARVEL Group
> TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com

Ed, as we discussed a couple weeks ago, there were several novels on the
slate that had been advertised, and never made it. I know they were
advertised as I have a huge Map of Cerilia that on the back lists "The
Birthright Product Tree" for 1995 and 1996, it includes 6 Novels. I've
only found 3 of them myself: Greatheart, The Spider's Test, and The Iron
Throne. I know you've told us that the Falcon and The Wolf will not
becoming out, what did we decide the fate of The Hag's Contract, and War
were?

You mentioned Rjurik Sourcebooks, this poster claims Halskapa would be
out in June, and Stjordvik in December, Did they both make it?

Tripp

[Daniel McSorley]

> From: Tripp Elliott
>
>
> Ed, as we discussed a couple weeks ago, there were several novels on the
> slate that had been advertised, and never made it. I know they were
> advertised as I have a huge Map of Cerilia that on the back lists "The
> Birthright Product Tree" for 1995 and 1996, it includes 6 Novels. I've
> only found 3 of them myself: Greatheart, The Spider's Test, and The Iron
> Throne. I know you've told us that the Falcon and The Wolf will not
> becoming out, what did we decide the fate of The Hag's Contract, and War
> were?
>
I _have_ "The Hag's Contract" and "War," both are excellent books, so
they apparently came out at some point. I actually have all 5 of those,
and am looking forward to more BR fiction when it comes out.
Daniel McSorley
mcsorley.1@osu.edu

[Colleen Simpson]

Here's another one - Is the Book Of Magecraft going to be reprinted?

- ----------
> The list exists to aid gamers, encourage creativity, and explore the =
genre
> of TSR AD&D Birthright setting.
>
> So as help to the new user we have come up with some FAQ. This is a
> combination of what everyone on the List has stated. We have a high =
hope
> for this game and we want you to get everything you can out of this lis=
t.
>
> SOME FAQ
>
> "I heard Birthright is in trouble. Is this true?"
>
> It is true that the original Birthright sales are not what TSR had hope=
d
> for, but at least through '98 Birthright is safe. TSR/WotC will be watc=
hing
> the sales of Birhtright products over the next year, before they make =
any
> final decisions.
>
> As for what we Players can do:
> First, don't panic. If you start openly worrying about the fate=
of
> Birthright you might scare off potential gamers. We don't want that. =
Be
> sure to tell everyone you can about how great Birthright is. The more =
people
> we get to play, and support, Birthright the longer it will be around.
> Next, submit your Birthright adventures, stories, new rules, =
or
> ideas to Dungeon, Dragon, and Polyhedron. This will show the company =
that
> there is a market for this great product. Also you can e-mail(or
> snail-mail)TSR/WotC and tell them how much you love the setting, and =
would
> be devastated if it was discontinued.
> Lastly, buy as many BR products as you can afford. They are wat=
ching
> sales, so the more the better.
>
> Just remember at the moment BR is safe, but we still need to do our par=
t to
> keep it around in the future.
>
> ***An Official Word from our Creator ;-)****
>
> "Actually, ALL our product lines got reviewed after the acquisition, =
and
> lines on hiatus (such as Dark Sun, Mystara, etc.) are also undergoing
> review. Birthright, we were told, had a high cost of goods for its sale=
s,
> and is going to need to perform well to stick around (as are a few othe=
r
> lines).
>
> This means we've been looking at ways to cut costs (no more full color =
32 or
> 64 page books, but plenty of nice B&W and 2 color art, for example), =
and to
> increase interest in the line. Obviously, we'd have to keep producing =
BR for
> this to happen. While I can't go into specifics, we've got a full sched=
ule
> of '98 product and, as you all probably know, we think more than one =
year in
> the future at TSR/WotC (heck, I wrote Legends of the Hero-Kings in earl=
y '95
> and it didn't come out until late '96--on schedule).
>
> Does this mean BR's gonna stick around? Hey, it's got as much chance =
as just
> about everything else--which is pretty good. You're going to see a lot =
more
> BR product before we give this puppy up, unless someone's been keeping =
me
> writing things for the better part of a year that they don't intend to
> publish."
>
> Ed Stark
> Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
> Asst. Brand Manager, BIRTHRIGHT/GREYHAWK/MARVEL Group
> TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com
>
>
> "What products are coming out next year?"
>
> No Information YET.
>
> "[This product] was supposed to come out this year and didn't. What is =
the
> status of it?"
>
> ??????????????????????????????
>
> "What can I do to help keep this game going?"
>
> Keep watching this list. Ask questions of the other DM's. We want you=
to
> enjoy running and playing in the AD&D Birthright setting.
>
> "What and where are all these web pages everybody keeps talking about?"
>
> Again watch this page. New pages are always advertised here ??????????=
??????
>
> "I haven't gotten any mail. Is there a problem?"
>
> There is always problems with this new fangled thing called the compute=
r.
> We have an archive if you don't get any mail. Also, please wait alittl=
e
> while before starting to panic. Your Mail could be stuck in electric =
limbo
> somewhere in Figi. It is coming.
>
>
> (((((((( OK everyone here is a start to the FAQ please rip it to shreds=
.
> But also put it back together so I can post it.))))))))))
>
> Just a Start
> Bryon Switala
>
> Exclusive dedication to necessitous chores without interlude of hedonis=
tic
> diversion renders you a hebetudinous individual.
> -
> ***********************************
> Birthright-The Adurian Empire (Ian's Creation-My Translation)
> http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/7268
>
> Birthright Destiny of Regents PBeM
> The Largest BR PBeM game coming to the Web
> http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/2315
>
> ***First Move is October 31, 1997***
>

> ************************************************** *********************=
****
> To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the =
line
> 'unsubscribe birthright' as the body of the message.
>

[Colleen Simpson]

Hogunmark was listed as coming out in JAN 97 (DRAGON #236) and "War", =
a novel, was scheduled for March. Also listed in the "1997 TSR Product =
Release Schedule" in the back of that issue were "The King Of The Giantdo=
wns (originally scheduled for April and now out), "The Book of Priestcraf=
t" (originally scheduled for July, rescheduled for October), "The Shadow =
Stone" (a novel originally scheduled for July 97), "Tribes of the Heartle=
ss Wastes" (originally scheduled for October, rescheduled for December), =
"Siege" (a novel originally scheduled for October) and "Aquitania" (a har=
dcover novel originally scheduled for October). I don't know if anything=
else was coming out but that was all that was contained in the schedule.=
I was kind of looking forward to "Hogunmark" and I'd really like to see=
"The Book of Magecraft" rereleased. Can we add those to the wish list =
too?

- ----------
> >
> >"[This product] was supposed to come out this year and didn't. What =
is the
> >status of it?"
> >
> >??????????????????????????????
> >
> Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless something awful happens, every BR
> product scheduled for release this year is coming out this year (did =
I miss
> something--I may have). KING OF THE GIANTDOWNS shipped in July/August, =
BOOK
> OF PRIESTCRAFT is shipping in late October (so the production people
> assured me at this week's meeting) and, unless something bad happens,
> TRIBES OF THE HEARTLESS WASTES will be out in December. Seriously, corr=
ect
> me if I've forgotten something ... but I think that was this year's
> projected schedule (a long while ago we'd thought to put out a Rjurik
> domain sourcebook, but I don't think that ever made any catalogs ... =
but,
> then, maybe it did).
>
> -- ->-- ->-- ->--@
> Ed Stark
> Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
> Asst. Brand Manager, BIRTHRIGHT/GREYHAWK/MARVEL Group
> TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com
> ************************************************** *********************=
****
> To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the =
line
> 'unsubscribe birthright' as the body of the message.
>

[prtr02@scorpion.nspco.co]

The Hag's Contract and War have been out for quite a long time. Siege "the
triumphant sequel to War" seems to have been shot from the catapult.

Randax

[Ed Stark]

At 02:03 PM 10/22/97 -0400, you wrote:
>In a message dated 97-10-22 07:14:58 EDT, you write:
>
>
> ?????????????????????????????? >>
>
>HOW'S THIS FOR A POSSIBLE ANSWER?
>
>Some of the Birthright products slated for release in 1997 were postponed or
>cancelled after the merger with WoTC. There were many reasons for this but
>this is something that should not happen in the future. Both TSR and WoTC are
>committed to delivering what they promise to the public. Additionally some of
>the previously released Birthright products are now out of print but may
>still be found in gaming shops and through mail-order companies.
>
>Here are the products:
> Falcon & the Wolf - cancelled for now
> All Domain Sourcebooks - out of print; there are no plans to produce new
>ones
> Etc.
>----> someone else will need to complete this information, preferably Ed or
>Rich
>
Ah! Falcon & the Wolf--forgot about that! The answer sounds pretty good to
me, though I don't believe we ever actually announced the release of any
domain sourcebooks in 1997. We made the decision to put that type of
product on hiatus before the sale, I believe.

That doesn't mean we won't see domain sourcebooks in some form or another
in the future; KING OF THE GIANTDOWNS was actually my answer to providing
domain information that people could use in a variety of ways.


-- ->-- ->-- ->--@
Ed Stark
Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
Asst. Brand Manager, BIRTHRIGHT/GREYHAWK/MARVEL Group
TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com

[Ed Stark]

At 09:00 AM 10/23/97 PDT, you wrote:
>Hogunmark was listed as coming out in JAN 97 (DRAGON #236) and "War", a
novel, was scheduled for March. Also listed in the "1997 TSR Product
Release Schedule" in the back of that issue were "The King Of The
Giantdowns (originally scheduled for April and now out), "The Book of
Priestcraft" (originally scheduled for July, rescheduled for October), "The
Shadow Stone" (a novel originally scheduled for July 97), "Tribes of the
Heartless Wastes" (originally scheduled for October, rescheduled for
December), "Siege" (a novel originally scheduled for October) and
"Aquitania" (a hardcover novel originally scheduled for October). I don't
know if anything else was coming out but that was all that was contained in
the schedule. I was kind of looking forward to "Hogunmark" and I'd really
like to see "The Book of Magecraft" rereleased. Can we add those to the
wish list too?

Ah, thanks! That's the complete list. Whew! We did have some major
blow-ups, didn't we. Here's what I know:

We aren't releasing HOGUNMARK as a regular BR product. You WILL see it in
some form or another (which I'll have more information on soon).

KotG, BoP, and TotHW were all late? I believe you; I can't find my product
schedule. I do seem to remember thinking, hey, we've actually got a BETTER
release schedule out of this than some other lines--having stuff every
couple of months (even after a long hiatus) seems a little better than
scattering them throughout the year. Of course, I would have rathered have
us publish in those long spring and summer months ;-)

The novels I wasn't even thinking about, as Books is another department
entirely. That's my fault, though, and I should have considered them. I'll
let you know what I know ASAP, but it's unlikely we'll see BR novels for
1998 at this point. Hopefully, the finished ones we can provide in some
other format.

BoM we're working on getting reprinted. I hope BoP does really well so I
can say "see, they both sold out in only a couple months; we HAVE to
reprint them." I'll let you know.

Thanks for pointing out my mistakess.

-- ->-- ->-- ->--@
Ed Stark
Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
Asst. Brand Manager, BIRTHRIGHT/GREYHAWK/MARVEL Group
TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com

[Ed Stark]

At 07:04 PM 10/22/97 -0400, you wrote:
>
>You mentioned Rjurik Sourcebooks, this poster claims Halskapa would be
>out in June, and Stjordvik in December, Did they both make it?
>
They did, indeed, make it out ... just under the wire ;-)

-- ->-- ->-- ->--@
Ed Stark
Game Designer, Wizards of the Coast/TSR Division
Asst. Brand Manager, BIRTHRIGHT/GREYHAWK/MARVEL Group
TSR Website: http://www.tsrinc.com