Re: [Epic] 40K history?

From: Howard Liu <h2liu_at_...>
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 11:02:45 -0800

>> Of course they became politically correct, it's good for sales. Look at
>> D&D. No more demons or devils, the Nine Hells became the Grey Waste, etc,
>> etc. While most people on this list seem to be relatively mature adults,
>> the stuff in the old _Realms of Chaos_ was a little harsher than most people
>> would want their adolescent child reading.

All true, but knowing that I'm no longer the part of the target audience is
still a little disheartening. Knowing that those loud, belligerent
grommets who infest games stores are, is worse.

> Well sure, but even with toning down the Chaos stuff, there was
>no decent reason that I can see to turn the Imperium into the 'good guys.'
>It caters to a simplistic black-and-white view of the game universe that
>does not strike me as neccessary, even if you are aiming the game at
>teenagers (hell, most teenagers would probably prefer the original
>background over the newer version).

Maybe, maybe not. At any rate, it's often the parents who are paying for
it, and I can see where the new Chaos Codex might be more palatable than
the old Realms of Chaos books.


> I think the game became 'PC' not out of any ulterior motive for
>better sales, but rather because that's how Andy & Jervis interpret the 40k
>universe. And they're the ones in charge now. Perhaps when someone else
>takes their place we'll see a resurgance of the old Rogue Trader-era history.

>> >Me I prefer the horrible, doomed, Imperium of the past. I prefer the
>> >hopeless situation they were left in.

>> Much more complex and adult. Much less effective for business.

> I don't think it would make a difference either way, sales-wise.

Unfortunately, I think that the move to a happier, cheerier dark millenium
was a business decision. Look at the general quality or atmosphere (or
lack thereof) in 90% of US cartoons. Look at what happened to Eastman and
Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles after they went big. Or Batman. Or
the comic book and action figure industries in general. I think the
fundamental problem is that "teenagers" is aiming a little high (pun
intended) as a target audience. I think the intended audience is 10-12
year olds, and I think that a cleanly drawn line between bad guys and good
guys appeals best to this audience.


Howard
Received on Mon Mar 03 1997 - 19:02:45 UTC