Renegade publishes VAMPIRE 5E PLAYERS GUIDE

[Professor Phobos]

I get that, but I think there was a lot of cruft and unnecessary build-up in VtM over the years, and find a good clear-out healthy from time to time when it comes to long-running franchises with contingent variations. V5 has a use-case that V20 doesn't have. If I were to run a game of Vampire with new players, I'd use V5; the system is easier to explain and get running, the basic framework of the setting is easier to explain, and it'd just be a smoother start-up process. If I were to run a game for long-time Vampire fans, I'd probably use V20 instead.

[Ragged Robin]

Another reason it's not a hot idea to alienate "legacy fans" is that, in reality, you NEED these fans to grow the audience.

Theirs also a product risk of being seen as a company which doesn't respect its fans. How long before they turn on you if they're that contemptuous of people who stuck with them?

[Knightingale]

In terms of lore, there's no real meaningful difference between V5 and V20. Sure, there are huge differences. But V5 isn't light on lore to a degree where it's more accessible... Just looking at the Clans, explaining things like the Ministry, Salubri, Hecata or Banu Haquim to new players isn't all that different of a lore-burden compared to the introductions you'd make in a V20 game. Old VtM is intertwined with a ton of lore but it isn't like an encyclopedic knowledge of said lore is a prerequisite for playing V20. The lore-trove of old White Wolf books is what makes the game special. Sure, there needs to be some sort of critical reappraisal of all this writing done in the 90s or early 00s but the dense lore should be viewed as an asset. There aren't many games that have access to something like that.

And with V5 there was at least still somewhat of an interest to link up the new V5 with the past.

[Professor Phobos]

In terms of lore, there's no real meaningful difference between V5 and V20. Sure, there are huge differences. But V5 isn't light on lore to a degree where it's more accessible... Just looking at the Clans, explaining things like the Ministry, Salubri, Hecata or Banu Haquim to new players isn't all that different of a lore-burden compared to the introductions you'd make in a V20 game. Old VtM is intertwined with a ton of lore but it isn't like an encyclopedic knowledge of said lore is a prerequisite for playing V20. The lore-trove of old White Wolf books is what makes the game special. Sure, there needs to be some sort of critical reappraisal of all this writing done in the 90s or early 00s but the dense lore should be viewed as an asset. There aren't many games that have access to something like that.

And with V5 there was at least still somewhat of an interest to link up the new V5 with the past.

A fair point. I'm thinking more assessment of the lore - if I tell a new player the Hecata are a group of formerly disparate necromancers who recently unified, they go, okay. If I tell a long-term player that the Hecata exist they're more likely to go, "Wait, that makes no sense! Those groups hated each other!"

Likewise, if you're expectation is the world-spanning mega conspiracy Camarilla from late VtM 3rd, the desperate underground holding action Camarilla from V5 might throw you off.

[Ragged Robin]

A fair point. I'm thinking more assessment of the lore - if I tell a new player the Hecata are a group of formerly disparate necromancers who recently unified, they go, okay. If I tell a long-term player that the Hecata exist they're more likely to go, "Wait, that makes no sense! Those groups hated each other!"

Likewise, if you're expectation is the world-spanning mega conspiracy Camarilla from late VtM 3rd, the desperate underground holding action Camarilla from V5 might throw you off.

the classic on I clocked was "why are the anarchs succesful?"

[ZakRulz]

Why would he have to move to Sweden? Renegade is mostly American, Paradox is an international corporation and he can coordinate freelancers and contractors from anywhere in the world. Do you have a citation for that?

Justin worked for Paradox, not Renegade. With the exception of Jason Karl, who to my knowledge isn't in a creative role, the entire team worked out of Sweden. Based on his tweets he did move there for a time being. When he moved back to the states is when it was announced he was moving to a contract position.

[Asmodai]

Justin worked for Paradox, not Renegade. With the exception of Jason Karl, who to my knowledge isn't in a creative role, the entire team worked out of Sweden. Based on his tweets he did move there for a time being. When he moved back to the states is when it was announced he was moving to a contract position.

Yes, and most of the folks he was organising were people in Renegade. I know he was employed by Paradox and I know he moved to and from Sweden for work, but elmerg said that the reason he left was because he couldn't/wouldn't move his family to Sweden.

[ZakRulz]

... but elmerg said that the reason he left was because he couldn't/wouldn't move his family to Sweden.

It's the reason he gave on Twitter. Then again, the new job may have played a role.

[Asmodai]

It's the reason he gave on Twitter. Then again, the new job may have played a role.

That's why I was asking for a link, because the only reference I found was during 2021 when the covid restrictions were in play.

[Knightingale]

It's the reason he gave on Twitter. Then again, the new job may have played a role.

It would help if you could add links to when he said this on Twitter.

[ZakRulz]

It would help if you could add links to when he said this on Twitter.

Outside of a series of tweets about the Traditions, domain, and language from before he was hired with Paradox, I don't really keep track of them when they come along my timeline and I'm not invested enough in the subject to go searching through them. The man tweets a lot.

[Knightingale]

Outside of a series of tweets about the Traditions, domain, and language from before he was hired with Paradox, I don't really keep track of them when they come along my timeline and I'm not invested enough in the subject to go searching through them. The man tweets a lot.

He sure does... But Twitter does have a search-function and you're the one trying to make the case for knowing why Justin Achilli did something based on statements Justin Achilli supposedly made. So if you don't want to go looking for them, well... then you're just talking about something you thought you saw Justin Achilli say. It's more an impression of a memory you have that we're talking about here then.

[Damian May]

Having lived in Sweden myself and with many friends who live in the US who are all exploring other options.........given the choice between the two I honestly can't imagine choosing the latter.

[The Gentleman Gamer]

Let's not discuss the personal life and circumstances of Justin Achilli, okay? Keep talk to the Player's Guide.

[MyWifeIsScary]

Does anyone think there'll be some general rules updates? Like body armour doing absolutely nothing to protect vampires being fixed, or maybe a way to create a character without experiencing so much suffering? Unfortunately the system's a little too far gone for me to really hope for something I might use instead of prior editions but there's a very long list of small improvements that could be made.