If you haven't seen the announcement around the place already, Dan Proctor of Goblinoid Games has announced a Kickstarter project to get a Labyrinth Lord Referee Screen printed for a January release. As I'm writing this I see that on the first day of the project people have already pledged over half the money needed to see the screen printed.
So, gone are the days of having a screen like mine:
Here's the write-up from the Kickstarter page:
With the Labyrinth Lord fantasy RPG having been available since 2007, the need for a referee screen has never been greater. Hunker down behind your Labyrinth Lord screen, rolling dice secretively and plotting the fate of your players!
Steve Zieser, artist for the covers of Labyrinth Lord and the Advanced Edition Companion returns to illustrate the cover of this three-panel portrait screen. The same old-school black and white style is used, so that the screen will look great with your copies of the rule books.
Each panel is approximately 8.5" x 11", with an outer illustration spanning all three panels. The screen is 14 pt card stock, with a UV gloss coating on the outside and an aqueous coating on the inside. The inside is filled with useful tables for reference during play, and the screen is equally usable whether you play with the core Labyrinth Lord rules alone or use the Advanced Edition Companion along with it.
This Kickstarter project is for taking preorders of the screen.
Note that when you buy an autographed screen a portion of that money is directed to the artist in addition to what he is ordinarily paid for the project. By purchasing signed copies you are supporting the artist too, not just the publisher.
The signed copies are available only through this Kickstarter, so when this preorder opportunity is gone the signed copies are gone!
And 24 hours later, the project is at 65% of the goal. I'll bet this is reached in the next 24 hours easily.
ReplyDeleteThis is the sort of project where Kickstarter would really shine. The cost of producing a DM screen is really high because of the unusual size, the durability, and if new art is used, the art. There's really no way to make it feasible at regular costs unless you're doing something "outside" the project that would bring in some people who are willing to fund the project based on the extras or to support the artists.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Dan for thinking of it -- this might be a method that would work for Swords & Wizardry down the road, too, although right now I'm pretty backed up with projects.
I think DM screens add a lot, whether homemade or not, but many people don't want or don't like homemade ones -- as "make-stuff" as I am, I've never made one for myself....
Sniderman, I'd be surprised if your prediction is wrong.
ReplyDeleteThis is the sort of project where Kickstarter would really shine.
Most definitely Matt. I suspect after the 7th or 8th RPG is kick started we'll start to see some consumer fatigue, but stuff like this has widespread appeal. For instance, I could see Kickstarter used to produce full-sized posters, either maps or artwork.
As for a S&W referee screen, I definitely think it would reach its goal just as quick if it were kick started.
My problem with GM Screens is they're only good for the one system, and half the time they're on really thin cardstock. I'm probably a couple hundred bucks into screens over my life, and I finally started just building them myself. Not as durable though, and I have to toss them after a year or so. I'm tempted by the customizable ones offered by Hammerdog Games, but I've heard the vinyl splits after heavy use, so I'd be right back to DIY.
ReplyDeleteI hear you Dangersaurus, although I've only ever bought one screen in my 30 years of gaming - the 1e AD&D one (but I bought it twice). My latest screen is homemade and not much bigger than a cd case.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my fellow gaming group members wouldn't forgive me if I didn't get an official LL screen and plus it's great to be able to support Dan so he can produce more Goblinoid Games goodness. :-)
I like DM screens for one simple purpose -- they allow the DM to really "run" the game.
ReplyDeleteDo I want to players to "win" this scenario, or do I want them forced to retreat?
I'll decide that -- no matter what the dice say. So, only I know what the dice say.
Simple.
They're NOT "rules," they're simply "guidelines."
But that's just me.
So thank you Dan Proctor, Labyrinth Lord and Kickstarter -- all. Even thought the "three" are really "one." ;)