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I was doing some brainstorming last night when I should've been sleeping, and I got this idea for a World Book. So I flipped open an old catalog (Winter 2005) and used the books within to make what I call an "imaginary bullet-point."

When I was done with that, I simply flipped through the old catalog to see if I could get any more ideas. I came to the dimensions books, and I noticed something that I have oft noticed in the past:

Of all the Dimension books that are out now, only two dimensions have been explored: Phase World and Wormwood. Skraypers is supposedly in the PW universe (though in my games it is in its own dimension), while I decided not to count the various dimensions found in the Megaverse Builder (though they are definitely good), as they do not technically have their own books.

As far as I am concerned, we could use another dimension with its own book(s). And that is when it hit me: How about dimension books exploring the homeworld of a D-Bee(s) or creature(s) in Rifts (i.e. one that has already appeared in a WB or SB)?

i.e. a dimension book for the Ugakwa Explorer homeworld, or for where Lorica Wraiths come from.

Ideally, such a book would be small: 96 to 128 pages, and cover the new dimensions. My thoughts on this:


Why I think it is a GOOD idea

- With a spring board to start from, the books theoretically would be easy to write. For example: I look at a D-Bee and I ask myself "why does this creature exist?" "If it evolved, why did it evolve into what it is now?" "If it was created, why?" "What else would be in the world in which it lives?" "If X is like this for the D-Bee, that must mean Y." etc. Answering those questions creates a nice little book.

- If I wrote such a dimension book, I could do so quickly. At my fastest capacity, a 96 page book could THEORETICALLY be finished in a week, a 128 page in a week and change (this is idea capacity, without distractions, without helping out with other projects, and fully inspired the entire time). More realistically, it could be completed in a month to three months. Worst case scenario is six months. Other freelancers write at varying speeds (some faster than I), so I cannot speak for them, though it would still be a quick process).

- If a follow up book is needed, it would also be small, and thus the delay would not be at all great.


Why I think it is a BAD idea

- The success of any book like this depends greatly on the success of the first book. If the first book bombs or is recieved badly, it is unlikely that another will ever be seen, or the fans will be leery about buying any similar books.

- Picking the right spring-board is rough. If a popular D-Bee/creature is chosen, then the book is treading on "hollowed" ground and must compete against the preconcieved notions of the fans. If just any D-Bee/creature is chosen then nobody will care. You have to pull it off, or find a happy medium.

- IMO, this is something that has to be done right. There is far too much possibility for it to come across as one concept (the D-Bee or creature) being stretched as thin as possible. The books wouldn't be a sourcebook about a given race or creature, rather about where that creature came from, and thus it must maintain the right amount of focus to avoid either belaboring the point, or making things too vague and hap-dashed.


So, whaddaya think?

Sounds cool. I would buy it.

I guess it is more like the "Species of the Megaverse" book
(or series of books), with like 20+ pages (plus graphics)
for each race/culture/homeworld.

I would start with the True Atlanteans - and in that case,
the 20+ pages could easily range in like 10+ pages for
EACH and EVERY clan.
Hell, True Atlanteans in themselves could fill the
first book (maybe cram in the Altara, Kittani and the
Kydian if absolutely neccessary. )

So, basically a good idea to detail existing races (with
their dimensions if applicable).

Adios
KLM

KLM wrote:I guess it is more like the "Species of the Megaverse" book
(or series of books), with like 20+ pages (plus graphics)
for each race/culture/homeworld.

I would start with the True Atlanteans - and in that case,
the 20+ pages could easily range in like 10+ pages for
EACH and EVERY clan.
Hell, True Atlanteans in themselves could fill the
first book (maybe cram in the Altara, Kittani and the
Kydian if absolutely neccessary. )

So, basically a good idea to detail existing races (with
their dimensions if applicable).

Adios
KLM

Actually, I'm suggested one book for each concept

So, if someone did a Dimension Book on the Larmac homeworld, it would be 96-128 pages of just their homeworld.

The true Atlantean homeworld is Earth, and thus a book for them wouldn't work with this concept, per se.

~ Josh

Just a side note: 10 worlds for ten True Atlanteans clans.

Adios
KLM

Great idea. I'd love to see where the Xiticix come from

Carl

I am afraid, that world the Xicitix came from
is like the Xicitix hiveland. Every inch of it.

Deadly and boring.



Except if there is a connection to the Star Hives..

Adios
KLM

KLM wrote:I guess it is more like the "Species of the Megaverse" book
(or series of books), with like 20+ pages (plus graphics)
for each race/culture/homeworld.

I agree it would have been a better idea if you submitted it before D-Bees was ready. You could have gotten into the homeworlds for each of the races in D-bees of north america. Cool idea though.

Darkmax wrote:hmm... old enemies?.... Star hive and those Xitricix

Or even the same/related species?

Adios
KLM

Humans vs Altarans.

---------------
Well probably not, since the Xicitix are dumb
and stay dumb when their queen is dead.

Vacuum Wasps on the other hand develop
a personality and display intelligence, if
the queen - an AI is dispatched.

Or maybe they ARE related - the Xiticix were warped
by the AI queens into the star bugs (biowizardry?
Whatever...)

Adios
KLM

Thinking it over, to have (another) Xicitix book
- this time about their homeworld - can have
basically two outcomes.

1, They are THE dominant lifeform on their planet.
In this case most we (OK, this means I ) want to
know is detailed in the Xicitix WB.

2, There are other lifeforms.
Power curve...

-------------
So, with all respect to Carl, I wouldn't want another book
on the bugs.

Also, probably Josh wanted to write about playable species.

Adios
KLM

Those are some interesting ideas you are all posting.

I guess Gadrin said it well.

A book must include several species/dimensions, so
The Costumer will buy it, even if he/she think that
of or two of the described topics is... Not his liking, to
be polite.

Also, again: Putting about 20, maybe 30 pages of solid
flavor text (no OCCs, gadgets, graphics) and HLSs,
maybe a few key NPCs (again - no stats, except maybe
like 15th lvl Barfly, or similar) is more than enough.

Of course dropping in a few graphics, and a few pages
of stuff, like OCCs, gadgets... It still gives like 5 "topics"
per DMB - which is about the minimum IMO.

But make those "pure" 20-30 pages count.

Adios
KLM

Exactly.

Nobody thinks its a bad idea or horrible idea?

Wow...

If you do speak up, please.

~ Josh

Josh - this is an A+ idea.

I agree with KLM and Gadrin that a book with a few different dimensions would be excellent. I would rather buy a book with 3-4 dimensions than a book about a single dimension. 30 pages per place would be all the details necessary. I don't need 128 pages about Flooper World.

Wormwood and Phase World are campaigns, almost completely divorced from Rifts. You could run those books and easily never set foot on Rifts Earth. I don't need another one of those as much as I need more support for running a Rifts game. Give us a book that is a universal tool that can be easily used for any Rifts campaign we are running and BLAMMO we will give you cash.

A dimension book featuring the home worlds of several North American D-Bee species would be fascinating to help GMs design the other side of the Rift for short jaunts. That would a very useful book for the majority of Rifts GMs who run a NA game with NA OCCs who simply want to spice up the game with dimensional hop and pops.

Personally, I think PB needs more books that appeal to all GMs regardless of where they place campaigns. Defining another part of Earth is nice, but meaningless if my campaign isn't located there.

Darkmax wrote:This is why it is so easy for everyone to bombard the writers about what they have done wrong, but why not look at what they have done so right.

Feed back is always nice, positive or negative. I know it helps me grow as a writer. I think the current "vanguard" has a similar line of thinking. It also helps that we are fans too and we all want to give our best.

gadrin wrote:
well, often times good work speaks for itself.

I've tried to heap good tidings on Carl ... of course he's the only writer I really "know" so to speak

most of the Rifts books came out long before I came around here.

Come to the open house and make it official

Spinachcat wrote:
I agree with KLM and Gadrin that a book with a few different dimensions would be excellent. I would rather buy a book with 3-4 dimensions than a book about a single dimension. 30 pages per place would be all the details necessary. I don't need 128 pages about Flooper World.

Glad to see some folks think this is a good idea...eh Josh

Carl

It sounds like a lot of us are interested in seeing some form of your idea to come to life Josh!

gadrin wrote:The other nice thing about "multiple dimensions in one book" is that it frees the gamer from transporting 60+ books for every session.

back in the D&D days, I had one large box and it got to point if I couldn't fit the books into the box (the good ones) then I didn't bother with it.

that's what makes the Book o' Magic and GM's Guide (and now the RUE) very nice. one stop gaming!

I hear that!

I think my back is permanently messed up, if only in a minor way, from lugging around gaming books.

"Hooray, I only need to bring six books this time!"

"No Josh, you need one more because Bob's D-Bee race is in Canada, another because his O.C.C. is in New West, another because Aaron's O.C.C. is in Merc Ops, but his race is in CWC, and another because Mike..."

Yeesh.

~ Josh

gadrin wrote:Carl, I'm starting to get itchy about your minion series...

Me too

I think it's always a bad thing when people jump at the writter. Carl, I think you do an excellent job! Please don't listen to those nay-sayers!

I believe in constructive criticism and courtesy.

Only thing is, that I have to make it clear to Glitterboy2098 in the
other topic

Adios
KLM

While not want to discredit Carl, but the idea came
from Josh.

Adios
KLM

KLM wrote:While not want to discredit Carl, but the idea came
from Josh.

Adios
KLM

Meh, let Carl take the credit.

That Josh guy is a rube.

~ Huh?

Reading back, the idea of the first book made about
the True Atlanteans and the other Sploog-slave/minion
races was mine.
I hereby resign all right from it

Darkmax wrote:Josh.... "The muffin man?... The muffin man.... Do I know the muffin man?... Ah! Who lives down Dury Lane!" (in response to your little message above your avatar image. Sorry can't help it!:D).


Kittani dimension would be a real nice D-Book idea.

I've actually been toying around with the idea of doing a Kittani world book, "Atlantis Book 3: Ki-Talan" or something like that.

Though that is far, far, far, further down the road than I (or anybody) should be reasonably looking.

Oh, and if you see the Muffin Man, tell 'em I'm looking for him.

~ Josh

Aramanthus wrote:I think it's always a bad thing when people jump at the writter. Carl, I think you do an excellent job! Please don't listen to those nay-sayers!

Thanks Aramanthus I came to the conclusion a long time ago that some people will like what I write and some won't. It also helps to have thick skin

duck-foot wrote:yes Mr.Gleba this is an excellent idea. the first races described sould be one of the Races in Atlantis or Splynn

All Josh's idea, got to give credit where credit is due.

Carl

Darkmax wrote:now "thick skin" isn't something I thought I would find coming out of a Caucasian's mouth... ..... Thought it was a very Chinese concept....

My best friend happens to be chinese! We went to school, high school and he toughed me up

Carl

Actually,

"Thicked skin," along with similar epressions, are terms that are commonplace within the American vernacular.

*A rainbow swooshes by as the screen darkens*

The more you know....



~ Josh

gadrin wrote:well a Kittani book should be easy, just multiply all damage by x10

That is the easiest way to spoil the idea.

I really like the concept of Anvil Galaxy: text, text, text,
a few OCCs, NO TOYS.

------------
Thick skin:
It is a commonplace concept in Hungarian too...

Adios
KLM

KLM wrote:

gadrin wrote:well a Kittani book should be easy, just multiply all damage by x10

That is the easiest way to spoil the idea.

I really like the concept of Anvil Galaxy: text, text, text,
a few OCCs, NO TOYS.

------------
Thick skin:
It is a commonplace concept in Hungarian too...

Adios
KLM

Then you will enjoy the Thundecloud galaxie as well

I definately would like to see a Dimensional Book on the Ki-Talan! And I definately want to see a book on the Thundercloud Galaxy!

Aramanthus wrote:I definately would like to see a Dimensional Book on the Ki-Talan! And I definately want to see a book on the Thundercloud Galaxy!

Braden is working on the latter.

( IIRC )

~ Josh

I know he is working on that one. And I would love to see your book to come to fruition. I'm planning on owning them both when they come out.

Way way way too long. I feeling some PW withdrawl!

I hope once Josh clears his slate he can post some tidbits. Of course I know Josh is very busy at this time. And I'm not forgetting Braden's material. I'm looking forward to them both.

Aramanthus wrote:I hope once Josh clears his slate he can post some tidbits. Of course I know Josh is very busy at this time. And I'm not forgetting Braden's material. I'm looking forward to them both.

It may be full, but it is not as full as it was.

Life has gotten in the way a bit, though it shouldn't be too much longer until it is clear: 1 - 3 months or so.

~ Josh

Most people i know who Play Palladium RPGs and RIFTS lack Internet or do not frequent this site at all.

NO....

No Thin Book.
If your going to do a Dimension Book do it right. As thick as Phase World at least.
I'm tired of these Thin books PB has been releasing to be honest. I want meaty book, thick...

AT least 200 Pages on ONE Dimension.
Otherwise its a Waste of Time and space IMO.

A Book that covers multi-dimnsions will be ignored by most games.
Wormwood
Phase World
Splicers
They were sucesses because they were thick and had substance.
Of course..Wormwood was one one book with little need for more books. Phase World was Two Books for a long time. Not a fan of the later books either for Phase World.
Splicers is Popular because its a HU2/RIFTS combo book.

No Thin Books.
No multiple dimensions in one book either.

200 pages would be a nice sized book! I'd like to see at least one of those every six months.

TechnoGothic wrote:Splicers is Popular because its a HU2/RIFTS combo book.

You sure you're not thinking of Skraypers?

Splicers is a standalone RPG that has little or nothing to do with Rifts or Heroes Unlimited.

Skraypers was the Rifts/HU2 "dimension book" that was set in the Three Galaxies for Rifts.

~ Josh

My favorite aspect of the Dimension books is how *diifferent* they are. All are rather funky places. Rifts implies that jumping through a Rift will have you end up somewhere TOTALLY BIZARRE, and so far the dimension books have kept up with that.

So long as the Ukgawa homeworld is a very very funky place (which is certainly implied from the DBee), then I'd be in. However, if the dimensions are quite conventional...

something I fear about the Hades And Dyvall books, Demonic realms have reams and reams of gaming materials about them...

then I'm not sure what the draw would be.

DamonS wrote:My favorite aspect of the Dimension books is how *diifferent* they are. All are rather funky places. Rifts implies that jumping through a Rift will have you end up somewhere TOTALLY BIZARRE, and so far the dimension books have kept up with that.

So long as the Ukgawa homeworld is a very very funky place (which is certainly implied from the DBee), then I'd be in. However, if the dimensions are quite conventional...

Agreed.

There likely should be some "conventional" dimensions out there, and thus they should be described... but not until several bizarre ones are detailed first.

I would love to see info on the Ukgawa home dimension.

~ Josh

oops yeah Skraypers...my bad

Well I do consider Splicers a Dimension Book too since its a MDC setting.
Its unique enough to warnate including its own rules for the setting. Though its still a dimension book at heart.

Is it me though, or does SPLICERS seem it started out as an SDC setting which was turned into a MDC later on at some point ?? If it had inclused SDC conversion material for the Bio-tech, it would have been great. Specially AR notes for Base Host Armors, and which features add AR to them...

-------
-------

200 Page Books sounds like a Good Goal though. -10% / +10% would be fine

TechnoGothic wrote:oops yeah Skraypers...my bad

Well I do consider Splicers a Dimension Book too since its a MDC setting.
Its unique enough to warnate including its own rules for the setting. Though its still a dimension book at heart.

Is it me though, or does SPLICERS seem it started out as an SDC setting which was turned into a MDC later on at some point ?? If it had inclused SDC conversion material for the Bio-tech, it would have been great. Specially AR notes for Base Host Armors, and which features add AR to them...

-------
-------

200 Page Books sounds like a Good Goal though. -10% / +10% would be fine

I think it would've been nice if S.D.C. conversion notes were included.

However, I think it was intended as an M.D.C. setting, due to the fact of how lethal the game is supposed to be. Could that lethality come across just as easily in an S.D.C. setting? Yes. But my guess is that Carmen had it M.D.C. from the get go to solidify how deadly it was supposed to be..

Though I do see your point.

~ Josh

i would like to help, but sadly, my lack of books to actually say 'go into detail about this race or that world' i would basically be barking into a winter gale. i'm clueless and can only hope that it works out well for you.

good luck dude, oh and thanks for the signature in the book.

shiiv-a wrote:good luck dude, oh and thanks for the signature in the book.

Are you talking to me?

I don't recall ever signing a book as I have never really gone to a convention.

Perhaps you have me confused with another author? (This would be partly my fault because of that forum-wide joke that I technically started).



~ Josh

Kid's moved the book on me. but i got it in a grab bag actually. i thought it was you, could be wrong ... its got about 3 signatures in it.