I really like how Francesco takes the time to do interviews like this to help explain and promote his game and provide insights into his thinking about design decisions and player feedback. He cares about his product, and it shows.
I am a LOTR fanatic! I bought everything for this game I could get my hands on. I wanted to love this game. I could not be more pleased! The hand drawn art is incredible and inspiring. The books are gorgeous, well crafted and a joy to hold. Much like Peter Jacksons movies, this game respects the lore of Tolkien. My hardcore group of "murder hobos" loved playing innocent Hobbits for once. Outwitting "Fireworks" the terrier while being aware there is a world of the darkest evil if they so chose to confront it. I love the dice mechanics and Hope points, shadow points, let's just face it, I love the game. Please keep the same quality coming!
This was great. Awesome to hear his explanations for why certain things were cut/changed. I loved the War Gear Cards and wish there was more! Although I found the art kind of odd with the thick blades and super curved axe handles
Oh I love the idea of a sandbox with cool locations but also if possible, further GM tools for easily creating thematic playable content. This is what I've been hoping for and will be happy to see the game going in that direction! I'm also really happy about it taking place in Eriador. 💕
I have the physical Starter Set. There are several extra parts to it to assist those new to rpg and new to The One Ring rpg. Mainly prompts or reminders organised to help with Gear, Journeys and Stances. Sample character sheets are provided which can be used to help learn what the rules in the Starter set mean. And three softback booklets are included: sample adventures, a background and maps of the Shire as well as the rule book mentioned above. I think it is harsh to call this a cash grab.
How compatible are first edition modules to the second edition? I have a library of PDFs from the first edition that I'm wondering if I can use with the second edition.
To a degree, yes. Certainly the additional material covering new areas and maps can be useable - Rhovanion/Wilderland comes to mind. There are minor changes to the game mechanics that means stat blocks and supplemental character cultures would need some adjusting, but it's certainly possible.
How will the recently announced sale of Tolkien movie and gaming rights affect the publication of The One Ring RPG? Can whoever buys them pull Sophisticated Games' license?
@@Wickerless Sure. A Loremaster wishing to incorporate them could do that. Bilbo and Gandalf are already there. Gimli and Legolas would certainly be of age to make an appearance and perhaps a young Aragorn. Especially the latter might be an interesting one. Maybe even learning something from the weathered player character heroes. Nothing of course stands in the way of setting a game closer to the times of LotR. This just doesn't seem like the intent of the creators.
The One Ring does a lot to respect Tolkien's lore and intent. Unlike Shadow of Mordor, it doesn't seek to create it's own non-canonical fan-fiction. That's why the game sets itself in a period between The Hobbit and LoTR that Tolkien didn't write heaps about, meaning there's enough scope for players to have their own lesser stories (i.e. like the starter set adventures) that won't break the lore. However, that's just the game's setting. Settings are suggestions, not mandates. Just how players can use the D&D ruleset without the The Forgotten Realms setting, players of TOR can just as easily ignore the setting recommendations. You could set your table at any time in the second, third, or even fourth ages if you wanted. The pregenerated characters show that Bilbo and Balin are produced in the ruleset, so you can also create other existing characters in the ruleset. I've used Strider Mode to create my own solo adventures with a character I created meant to be a young Aragorn prior to LoTR, and used the lore of his backstory simply as a guideline/framework for my campaign structure and plot elements. TL;DR Free League won't publish anything set during Tolkien's works so as to prevent any lore-breaking material - that could be a mandate of the license if the Tolkien Estate won't allow non-canonicity. However, nothing stops you from doing this yourself. All named Middle Earth characters could be created within the ruleset just like how Free League made Bilbo, and used as you see fit.
To me the maps of Ruins of the lost realm look ugly and rushed. So much is lost compared to the half-map/half-illustration styles of locations in 1Ed... (Hodgson managed the challenge way better than Niklas Brandt is doing now...).
Forbidden Lands lost me with the grammar nosense. Totally woke. Makes no sense in english and a lot less sense in languages that have gender class to every word, like portuguese or spanish. The game instead of being inclusive became only for girls thanks to that. I bought it and returned it sadly. I bought the One Ring yesterday. I hope they didnt use the same nosense grammar rules in it.
Translation: The starter set is a cash grab to make sure everyone buys it because it's the only place you can get the (very slim) Shire supplement. The Shire map is nice; Eriador has weird writing that mars it. The campaign is okay; nothing special, but the sample PCs are fun. The rules, on the other hand, are more confusing in the starter set than in the core book. Not necessarily complex, but not particularly well explained.
I really like how Francesco takes the time to do interviews like this to help explain and promote his game and provide insights into his thinking about design decisions and player feedback. He cares about his product, and it shows.
Agreed!
Francesco is an amazing game designer, loved TOR 1e from him and cannot wait to receive second edition!
Thank you for watching!
Interesting, insightful and entertaining. Great interview, great game. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words!
I am a LOTR fanatic! I bought everything for this game I could get my hands on. I wanted to love this game. I could not be more pleased! The hand drawn art is incredible and inspiring. The books are gorgeous, well crafted and a joy to hold. Much like Peter Jacksons movies, this game respects the lore of Tolkien. My hardcore group of "murder hobos" loved playing innocent Hobbits for once. Outwitting "Fireworks" the terrier while being aware there is a world of the darkest evil if they so chose to confront it. I love the dice mechanics and Hope points, shadow points, let's just face it, I love the game. Please keep the same quality coming!
Thank you for the awesome comment!
Great discussion. Still waiting for my One Ring Kickstarter here in Denmark :) Will be interesting to see how The One Ring develops!
Have you received it yet? Nothing here on the other side of Öresund.
@@SteveDahlskog Nope. Still waiting for the books.
@@larsbangjensen5332 too bad. I guess we have to keep the HOPE up. I hope you get it soon!
Still waiting too! :) Can’t wait.
I got it! Wonderful production quality!
The new edition looks amazing. Super hyped for it...
im so hyped for the Moria campaign
Brilliant.
This was great. Awesome to hear his explanations for why certain things were cut/changed. I loved the War Gear Cards and wish there was more! Although I found the art kind of odd with the thick blades and super curved axe handles
Thank you for watching!
Yeah. The art in general is impeccable but I have issues with the weapons as well. Why not at least look at real swords and such?
Oh I love the idea of a sandbox with cool locations but also if possible, further GM tools for easily creating thematic playable content. This is what I've been hoping for and will be happy to see the game going in that direction! I'm also really happy about it taking place in Eriador. 💕
I have the physical Starter Set. There are several extra parts to it to assist those new to rpg and new to The One Ring rpg. Mainly prompts or reminders organised to help with Gear, Journeys and Stances. Sample character sheets are provided which can be used to help learn what the rules in the Starter set mean. And three softback booklets are included: sample adventures, a background and maps of the Shire as well as the rule book mentioned above. I think it is harsh to call this a cash grab.
And now we have Moria ❤
Yessssss
@@ReallyDicey Only found TOR recently, but I put $300 into the Moria kickstarter xD I"m so excited to try it
How compatible are first edition modules to the second edition? I have a library of PDFs from the first edition that I'm wondering if I can use with the second edition.
26:00 LOL boy that aged well.
Does someone know if old 1st edition back round material is compatible with the 2nd edition? Aka the supplement books and adventure books.
To a degree, yes. Certainly the additional material covering new areas and maps can be useable - Rhovanion/Wilderland comes to mind.
There are minor changes to the game mechanics that means stat blocks and supplemental character cultures would need some adjusting, but it's certainly possible.
How will the recently announced sale of Tolkien movie and gaming rights affect the publication of The One Ring RPG? Can whoever buys them pull Sophisticated Games' license?
So when are we gonna get a full fledged grandiouse adventure book involving the main characters of LotR?
I actually hope we won't. I love it that this takes place quite far in the past from the point of view of LotR. Gives it a lot of freedom.
@@paavohirn3728 I don't think we should play the LotR story, but I think the mainstream characters everyone loves should be part of an adventure.
@@Wickerless Sure. A Loremaster wishing to incorporate them could do that. Bilbo and Gandalf are already there. Gimli and Legolas would certainly be of age to make an appearance and perhaps a young Aragorn. Especially the latter might be an interesting one. Maybe even learning something from the weathered player character heroes. Nothing of course stands in the way of setting a game closer to the times of LotR. This just doesn't seem like the intent of the creators.
The One Ring does a lot to respect Tolkien's lore and intent. Unlike Shadow of Mordor, it doesn't seek to create it's own non-canonical fan-fiction.
That's why the game sets itself in a period between The Hobbit and LoTR that Tolkien didn't write heaps about, meaning there's enough scope for players to have their own lesser stories (i.e. like the starter set adventures) that won't break the lore.
However, that's just the game's setting. Settings are suggestions, not mandates. Just how players can use the D&D ruleset without the The Forgotten Realms setting, players of TOR can just as easily ignore the setting recommendations.
You could set your table at any time in the second, third, or even fourth ages if you wanted. The pregenerated characters show that Bilbo and Balin are produced in the ruleset, so you can also create other existing characters in the ruleset.
I've used Strider Mode to create my own solo adventures with a character I created meant to be a young Aragorn prior to LoTR, and used the lore of his backstory simply as a guideline/framework for my campaign structure and plot elements.
TL;DR Free League won't publish anything set during Tolkien's works so as to prevent any lore-breaking material - that could be a mandate of the license if the Tolkien Estate won't allow non-canonicity. However, nothing stops you from doing this yourself. All named Middle Earth characters could be created within the ruleset just like how Free League made Bilbo, and used as you see fit.
To me the maps of Ruins of the lost realm look ugly and rushed. So much is lost compared to the half-map/half-illustration styles of locations in 1Ed... (Hodgson managed the challenge way better than Niklas Brandt is doing now...).
agree, I liked the art style for Symbaroum but hate it for LotR
Give me matt pages over gloss every day. After all, how am I going to make marginal notes in my book! 🙂
Great setting but no depth to the system.
Forbidden Lands lost me with the grammar nosense. Totally woke. Makes no sense in english and a lot less sense in languages that have gender class to every word, like portuguese or spanish. The game instead of being inclusive became only for girls thanks to that. I bought it and returned it sadly.
I bought the One Ring yesterday. I hope they didnt use the same nosense grammar rules in it.
I don't think you understand what the word "woke" means.
Such a sensitive little guy
Translation: The starter set is a cash grab to make sure everyone buys it because it's the only place you can get the (very slim) Shire supplement. The Shire map is nice; Eriador has weird writing that mars it. The campaign is okay; nothing special, but the sample PCs are fun. The rules, on the other hand, are more confusing in the starter set than in the core book. Not necessarily complex, but not particularly well explained.
You sound like a ray of sunshine
@@FelixTheSpaceBear 100% :D