Paradox Interactive (the Crusader Kings people, not the Conan/Mutant Chronicles ones) buy the White Wolf properties [Merged x10]

[Ephsy]

I think another important reason is that it have a large amount storylines and characters with complete time lines that they can retell in various media, such as movies and TV series. Much like marvels relationship between older comics and the various movies/series which is likely the big transmedia giant they are looking towards emulating.

Yeah, that's broadly what I meant when I referenced the metaplot.

[Palp]

I understand the need to focus on WoD for a transmediation of the brand, it's far easier with a canon present like the metaplot. If they had picked CofD for it, it would have killed one of the things I loved best about it.

I think another important reason is that it have a large amount storylines and characters with complete time lines that they can retell in various media, such as movies and TV series. Much like marvels relationship between older comics and the various movies/series which is likely the big transmedia giant they are looking towards emulating.

[Charlaquin]

Anyone else getting the vibe the interviewer was a total fanboy?

Oh, definitely.

[Ephsy]

I understand the need to focus on WoD for a transmediation of the brand, it's far easier with a canon present like the metaplot. If they had picked CofD for it, it would have killed one of the things I loved best about it.

It still feels kinda off with what he's saying. Like the version of WoD he's playing isn't the same version we might be familiar with. If that makes sense.

Metaplot or not? Not two worlds run by different STs are going to be the same.

Anyone else getting the vibe the interviewer was a total fanboy?

[haren]

It feels like a toned down version of the previous interview. Like, I get thinking WoD is great. It provides a very different sort of game from the CoD. That said... it still feels kinda off with what he's saying. Like the version of WoD he's playing isn't the same version we might be familiar with. If that makes sense.

[Charlaquin]

Here's a new interview. The site seems completley new :P

http://www.worldofdarkness.news/Articles/tabid/95/Article/13/WoD-News-interview-with-White-Wolf-Martin-Elricsson.aspx

He's still completely misunderstanding why people are upset about the 9/11 comment, but I do appreciate his clarifications about CofD stuff.

[Palp]

Here's a new interview. The site seems completley new :P

http://www.worldofdarkness.news/Articles/tabid/95/Article/13/WoD-News-interview-with-White-Wolf-Martin-Elricsson.aspx

That one seems better prepared and conceived. Just a bit of badwrongfun snuck in. Will we get a masquerade heartbreaker?

[Asmodai]

Here's a new interview. The site seems completley new :P

http://www.worldofdarkness.news/Articles/tabid/95/Article/13/WoD-News-interview-with-White-Wolf-Martin-Elricsson.aspx

[Darksider]

Thank you.

[Palp]

Stop the pointless arguing back and forth please. You've each made your case, no need to argue in circles for multiple pages.

Sorry, il be good .

[Drake]

...and here I thought we were just having a conversation. So be it. You don't want to see it, I'll shut up.

[Darksider]

Stop the pointless arguing back and forth please. You've each made your case, no need to argue in circles for multiple pages.

[Palp]

...so now we've gone from you not viewing this positively to implying strongly that no one in the entire fan base couldn't view it negatively. I think you are proving my point regarding not letting someone potentially reacting illogically sway important business decisions.

No matter what the first deal announced was, someone would react to it the way you are reacting to this one.

Yes, they must have known this would draw bad reactions. And no, there are a lot of other things I can think of that would have drawn better ones.

According to Martin, yes.
The first products for these new lines from Paradox and partners, according to the question to which Martin responded.
That isn't impossible, but I don't find it likely. Look for hints, Martin said there are already some out there.

Yeah, see that is what I mean. You dont drop hints, you announce your product clearly. Marketing is not a treasure hunt.

There is no separation inherent there, you are making up yourself.

World of Darkness, and other role-playing games, draw fans from every walk of life and with every other sort of interests. For example, my last long-running Vampire chronicle sat a food service professional, a dance instructor, a tech support worker, an HR manager at a construction firm, a grocery store manager, and a medical billing specialist around the table - and we happened to have side conversations about video games, pornography, sports, board games, camping, and politics (though I typically cut those short because they have a more negative impact on the mood in the room than bringing up the sorts of pornography I've never heard anyone admit to enjoying).

Yes, I did not say it made much sense and it was highly anecdotal *shrugs*

I guess that's a cultural difference? In America, I've not seen anyone regarding such companies in such a way that wasn't also regarding basically anyone and everything else as similarly "in need of Jesus."

Yes, it has to do with the history of gambling here and how they are not Svenska Spel, The old stately monopoly gambling company through which all gambling had to go.Towards the time just before it allowed others, when internet gambling came in which it could not stop. It spent quite al ot of propaganda demonizing them.

I think you are using a definition for the word "launch" that I am entirely unfamiliar with. Announcing you bought an IP is not a launch. Make a presentation at a con stating your intention for that IP is not a launch.

A launch - putting a product in the consumer's hands - is a launch.

Yeah, to me a launch starts when you form a public opinion that a change is coming, that is when your audience start to watch you.

No, I don't. I also don't think making deals as they come along looks either of those.
There are deals that White Wolf could make that would negatively affect their brand - this just isn't one of them.

I disagree, its one that can potentially be taken very negatively by their old fans at this very moment in their launch campaign.

It can lead to very bad things even if it is both frequent and truthful communication, which I already said. The fact is that no matter what stance is taken on communication there are pros and cons - thus the choice is not between the "good" option and the "bad" option, but between "bad" option and "bad" option with the deciding factor being which set of bad shit the people in charge are better equipped to deal with.

Since there is already evidence that Martin communicating gets people pissed off even when he didn't mean things in a negative way, I think they are making the smart choice in choosing to deal with the bad shit that happens in an environment of not saying anything at all until it's time to say something decisive.

I disagree, that is a terrible choice. It just lets the bad things he said stew. Much better would be to get an actual spokesperson who is good at communicating.

Nope. The man has better shit to be spending his time doing (like his part of getting the World of Darkness products out here to us consumers) than constantly monitoring who is reacting to his statements how and then working out some impossible perfect adjustment so that everybody is reacting "correctly", then continuing to monitor and adjust because each of his clarifications includes those pesky things called words that people can take "very badly."

Perhaps, then he needs to hire someone who can have the time.

[Drake]

That before this there would be several others that the fan base could view positively.

...so now we've gone from you not viewing this positively to implying strongly that no one in the entire fan base couldn't view it negatively. I think you are proving my point regarding not letting someone potentially reacting illogically sway important business decisions.

No matter what the first deal announced was, someone would react to it the way you are reacting to this one.

There will?

According to Martin, yes.

Of what?

The first products for these new lines from Paradox and partners, according to the question to which Martin responded.

The vampire the masquerade 4th edition core book?

That isn't impossible, but I don't find it likely. Look for hints, Martin said there are already some out there.

...and mostely the sports crowd, separate form the geek and gamer crowd.

There is no separation inherent there, you are making up yourself.

World of Darkness, and other role-playing games, draw fans from every walk of life and with every other sort of interests. For example, my last long-running Vampire chronicle sat a food service professional, a dance instructor, a tech support worker, an HR manager at a construction firm, a grocery store manager, and a medical billing specialist around the table - and we happened to have side conversations about video games, pornography, sports, board games, camping, and politics (though I typically cut those short because they have a more negative impact on the mood in the room than bringing up the sorts of pornography I've never heard anyone admit to enjoying).

These companies are also often seen as quite despicable, preying on the weak.

I guess that's a cultural difference? In America, I've not seen anyone regarding such companies in such a way that wasn't also regarding basically anyone and everything else as similarly "in need of Jesus."

They where in a launch the moment they announced the buying of the IP, and specially after they gave a con presentation. That is when people started taking notice and examining them.

I think you are using a definition for the word "launch" that I am entirely unfamiliar with. Announcing you bought an IP is not a launch. Make a presentation at a con stating your intention for that IP is not a launch.

A launch - putting a product in the consumer's hands - is a launch.

So? Do you think Paradox should look poor and desperate?

No, I don't. I also don't think making deals as they come along looks either of those.

Taking any offer that comes along to scratch out a quick buck and not minding the consequences and how it makes them and their brand look?

There are deals that White Wolf could make that would negatively affect their brand - this just isn't one of them.

I think communication should be both frequent and truthful. If it is not both of these things it can lead to very bad things

It can lead to very bad things even if it is both frequent and truthful communication, which I already said. The fact is that no matter what stance is taken on communication there are pros and cons - thus the choice is not between the "good" option and the "bad" option, but between "bad" option and "bad" option with the deciding factor being which set of bad shit the people in charge are better equipped to deal with.

Since there is already evidence that Martin communicating gets people pissed off even when he didn't mean things in a negative way, I think they are making the smart choice in choosing to deal with the bad shit that happens in an environment of not saying anything at all until it's time to say something decisive.

Yes, and the answer to that form his side should be to see how people are reacting to what he says, then communicate more to clarify if the reactions are incorrect.

Nope. The man has better shit to be spending his time doing (like his part of getting the World of Darkness products out here to us consumers) than constantly monitoring who is reacting to his statements how and then working out some impossible perfect adjustment so that everybody is reacting "correctly", then continuing to monitor and adjust because each of his clarifications includes those pesky things called words that people can take "very badly."

[Fat Larry]

Edited: Deleted. Because there's nothing to be gained in this. Clearly.