For the Emperor!

[samaritan1975]

So, I broke and got a copy of Black Industries' "Dark Heresy", the RPG based on part of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. I knew a bit about it (having once owned the 3rd edition, I think, of the wargame rules), and knew it had been an idea that never saw fruition till the last year or so. And of course it kept getting pushed back, which placed it well under my radar.

So, it got released just under a week ago IIRC. And not soon after it's release (and subsequent selling out), Games Workshop (parent company of Black Industries) announced that BI would be shutting down, folded back into GW, and producing novels only, effectively ending support for this new game line as of September this year.

That leaves barely a handful of books due for release. I had considered not doing it, since I dislike having games that don't get decent support. But something appealed to me. So I broke and ordered it from Barnes & Noble, ended up getting it yesterday for just under $42 shipped.

I've only read a bit of it, but it's a gorgeous book. I'm hoping it doesn't disappoint. Perhaps I should do a review of it, as a reader who doesn't have the Warhammer education that a lot of fans seem to have.

Comments

[darktouch.livejournal.com]

Don't forget the tragic death of the DC RPG License.

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

True- here's to hoping someone picks it up. There's one house I'd love to see get their hands on that one (helloooo Green Ronin!).

[darktouch.livejournal.com]

While I would be more than happy to see GR with the DC license.. it would also make me very worried. The Authority license single handedly brought Guardians of Order down and I'd hate to see something similar happen to GR.

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

That's true- but then, it could be argued that Authority isn't as popular a license. (How DID that go down with GoO, anyways? I mean, was Authority the real, one-true-reason?)

[darktouch.livejournal.com]

I don't know for sure that it was Authority. From what I understand the whole thing was pretty mysterious/hush-hush. Everything I've heard is 3rd+ hand but the gist I got was Authority License = Big Bucks, Sales = Not so big bucks.

[mrteufel.livejournal.com]

I think they'd have to stuff up royally not to make money off the DC license. Two Batman movies, a recent Superman movie, an upcoming Justice League movie... And they've got the M&M2 system, which I think is the best superhero rpg system I've ever seen. And I used to be a Champions fanboi.

They might have to go with a streamlined version for the mass market.

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

I wonder though- with all the fan material available, would the DC game really have a market for M&M?

[mrteufel.livejournal.com]

Hmm. That is an interesting question. GR might have to clear their forum of all the fan versions of DC characters. Although there would be some cachet to being the makers of the Official Version Approved By DC of Superman or Batman for M&M.

[thalaric.livejournal.com]

Hope you like it, it's definitely a good game from what I've read so far.

Also don't forget the support BI is giving us until October... lots of goodies for free in PDF form

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

Free PDFs? Say-wha? Where? When? What??? :)

[thalaric.livejournal.com]

umm, supposedly starting today at some point black industries is going to start putting free content on their website (today's update is to include vehicle rules, f'rex) for the game

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! SQUEE! :)

[thalaric.livejournal.com]

http://blackindustries.com/?template=40k&content=dh-gamingaids

[bobmungovan.livejournal.com]

I grabbed it too, kind of as a last minute decision. I was wavering, but I didn't want to end up not being able to get it. However, part of my reasoning was the reverse of yours. Knowing the line would be finite actually attracted me to it a little more. I'll miss the other anticipated core books, as those were the ones I was really more interested in, but surely house rules and what not will fill the blamks via the 'net.

I like what I've read so far. The flavor is rich, and the system seems decent enough. 40K is a "back in the 80's" thing for me, with the orignal Rogue Trader(1st) edition being my baseline.

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

I can certainly understand that reasoning. It's funny, though, that the 'not being able to get it' was also a factor for me. :)

[q99.livejournal.com]

Post a review! I'm curious.