Tuesday, August 03, 2010

a serious question

Does anyone know of a retro-clone rulebook specifically emulating  the old blue book version of D&D edited by Dr. Holmes?  Anybody know of one in the works?  Over the weekend I had a couple ideas as to how I would retroclone Holmes Basic, but I see no reason to duplicate someone else's efforts.

11 comments:

  1. I don't know if anyone have done it (if you exclude Sickly Purple Death Ray's Holmes XY, which is not meant to be released) neither if someone is working on it, but I would love a dr. Holmes retro-clone. Please go ahed with this!

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  2. Anonymous6:17 AM

    I have heard it discussed, but haven't seen anything come of it yet. The general consensus is that Holmes is "close enough" to other rules sets that we don't need a clone of it. I feel it is different enough, and would LOVE to see you tackle it, Jeff. Regardless of what others have done or may do. I'd like to see a set of rules written in your voice.

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  3. At one point, Brave Halfling was discussing it, but I think the S&W Whitebox may have eclipsed it.

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  4. How would this project be different from what is already out there ? I ask this question because I really do think one of the things missing from the retro clone list is a nice short clean book of limited scope written for new gamers. BFRPG is 159 pages, DD is 345, LL is 138, S&W is 113 and god only knows how long LotFP is. I think the time has come for a 32 page book.

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  5. @Chris--I don't know if this is the reason or not, but while scoping out prices for POD for my Flying Swordsmen RPG (Dragon Fist retro-clone) I realized that around 120-140 pages is the price break point. Make something shorter than that, and it will still have to sell for the same price as something that long.

    For a .pdf only release, it wouldn't matter. But if you're planning to sell print copies, I doubt many people these days would want to pay $20 for a 32-page book.

    That being said, a nice simple "basic" Basic Set would be a nice way to introduce new players, especially of the youngest generation.

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  6. not aware of a Holmes-a-like in the works myself.

    There is a holmes12 floating about out there that is another extended holmes edit of sorts that tops out at level 12 I believe.

    @Lord Gwydion, every issue of fight-on is under $20.00 and it has 30-120 page issues. Of course shipping will raise the price.

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  7. Anonymous9:48 AM

    I'd actually pay more for a 32 page book that was well-written, concise and reasonably complete. Something like a cleaned-up Holmes would be ideal as a base game. I'd rather have that than something 100 pages or more, and would gladly pay for it since I'd value it more. It would have to be well-written though, maybe even clever, like some of the one-page game rules I have seen. Low page count is a limitation in a way, but it forces the designer to get creative and make smart choices in design.

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  8. The closest thing to a Holmes clone was Steven Ege's Gray Book, but I see that it's no longer available. It was closer to AD&D than to the Holmes ed. clocking in at 146 pages. It was more of a "what if the Holme's edition was expanded.

    I have it saved it you are interested.

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  9. There was 'The Grey Book' an exansion of Holmes to cover more levels. I downloaded it a while ago, but a quick check reveals the document isn't there anymore.

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  10. The project is on the back burner at BHP but not forgotten. :)

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  11. Anonymous4:39 PM

    Work has indeed begun on a Holmes clone. Myself and John Adams shelved the BHP project last year. James Maliszewski (Grognardia) and Rick Marshall (Oaths and Fates) have teamed up - inviting me along for the ride - to revive and bring this to fruition. No time frame at this stage, but work moves ahead at pace.

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