Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Maesto 07-17-07, 10:48 AM	Hi, Was just wondering if this game is going to be released as a homegame, as previous incarnations of the second core specials have been, or did that die with the extended premier program? Thanks, Jolyon
Mattastrophic 07-17-07, 10:54 AM	Seconded. I'm really excited by CORS7-02, but didn't want to spend a zillion dollars on Origins. Will it be released for homeplay? -Matt
Divine Dwarf 07-17-07, 11:30 AM	am I mistaken in saying that every year CORSX-02 (where X is the year) is available for home play. I've played all of these as home play and never played a -01 or -03: CORS2-02 Isles of Woe -- Home Play CORS3-02 Dust of a Dead World CORS4-02 Here There be Dragons CORS4-04 Mad God's Key CORS5-02 Mines of the Eye CORS6-02 Pits of Azak-Zil (mad god's key is 1-time exception; if they re-did that it would be ADP adaptable...) n'est-ce pas?
pedr 07-17-07, 11:36 AM	The previous practice was to announce each year that the Origins special would be released in a home-play version. This hasn't been announced this year. It's possible that the desire to increase the amount of unique programming for the major conventions means that it won't be released this year. As far as I can tell there has been no official word yet.
kenobi65 07-17-07, 12:04 PM	The previous practice was to announce each year that the Origins special would be released in a home-play version. At least, up through 2005. Last year, they simply made "Pits of Azak-Zil" generally available.
control freak 07-17-07, 12:39 PM	i would be sad because i really enjoyed pits or azak zil (and am DMing it later) and would like to play spider queen as i have heard it was very enjoyable
Wraith235 07-18-07, 05:57 AM	From the Nyrond Homepage CORS7-02: Rise of the Spider Queen By: Creighton Broadhurst and Colleen Simpson Premiere Event: Origins Release Schedule: Convention: 08-Aug-2007; Retail: 08-Sep-2007; Game Day / Home Play: 08-Oct-2007 APLs: APL2, APL4, APL6, APL8, APL10, APL12, APL14 Scenario Rating: [2.67] (1 reviews, design: [3.00] balance: [3.00] recommend: [2.00]) [If you login, you can submit a review on this scenario] Played: 6 (0.23% of All) Rounds: 1 Sterich is once more in need of heroes to stand between it and the rising tide of darkness. Humanoid and giant raids boiling out of the Crystalmist Mountains are again increasing in frequency and boldness. Rumors swirling thickly through Istivins shadowed streets speak of the malevolent Spider Queen and her resurgent interest in the sunlit lands of the Flanaess. This adventure is divided into low (APLs 2-8) and high (APLs 10-14) levels of play; a player may only play one of them. A one-round core special Living Greyhawk adventure for characters levels 1-15 (APLs 2-14).
TetsujinOni 07-18-07, 09:41 AM	From the Nyrond Homepage CORS7-02: Rise of the Spider Queen By: Creighton Broadhurst and Colleen Simpson Premiere Event: Origins Release Schedule: Convention: 08-Aug-2007; Retail: 08-Sep-2007; Game Day / Home Play: 08-Oct-2007 Appears to be auto calculated from the release date rather than definitive.
Britt 07-18-07, 11:04 AM	I talked to Chris and the decision is still being made.
pedr 07-18-07, 11:25 AM	Britt, any chance you can pass on some of our thoughts on this? Personally, I think that given that the timing of Origins means that the programming for that show can't even run at another Premier Convention or whatever the new terminology is, the Origins special should be made more widely available. Some compromise would be sensible, such as just making it available to other conventions and for a limited period of time (say from August or September through to the end of the year?) This would increase the 'return' from the investment of writing it and also be able to support other conventions. Just my random thoughts :)
SirApropos 07-18-07, 01:30 PM	My only concern is that at Origins we had a hard time limit to play the Special because it was really more than you could fit into one slot. Therefore alot of people only made it though most of the adventure so lost a lot of access because time was cut short. If you make it available for homeplay then that time limit pretty much goes away and everyone who plays it as a home game will get all of the access because they can take however long they want to play it. So the benefit of having it as a Core Special for Origins pretty much it made moot if it's offered for homeplay. I would actually like to see the Gen Con Special be made available for homeplay. Mainly because I don't get to go to GenCon of course;)
GreatSiron 07-18-07, 02:29 PM	My only concern is that at Origins we had a hard time limit to play the Special because it was really more than you could fit into one slot. Therefore alot of people only made it though most of the adventure so lost a lot of access because time was cut short. If you make it available for homeplay then that time limit pretty much goes away and everyone who plays it as a home game will get all of the access because they can take however long they want to play it. So the benefit of having it as a Core Special for Origins pretty much it made moot if it's offered for homeplay. I would actually like to see the Gen Con Special be made available for homeplay. Mainly because I don't get to go to GenCon of course;) That's why some things should be taken out of the mod (like lowering the difficulty and taking out some of the access).
chesspiece 07-20-07, 11:19 PM	I don't see major problems with Homegaming it. - I've heard that Homeplay versions of the Origins special have some of the access reduced during conversion. Often the big 3 do a special set-up for the Specials (i.e. 3-D dungeon maps). Hence the premiere event is still "special". - Those that were fortunate enough to play it at Origins and still choose to complain about it being converted typically find themselves in the minority. Especially since the Origins conversion became somewhat of a "tradition". - I understand that RPGA HQ wishes the convention Specials to be more "special". However, this can be seen as publicity for the Special mods. How are LG Players to know how scary and lewt-filled Specials are if they don't play them? ;) - The tie-in to the ADP for Expedition to the DWP is very juicy. How can you pass that up? Of course, I'm just an opinionated Player in the wilds of Northern Canada.
pupz 07-21-07, 07:37 AM	i like the idea that core special are special... only played at origins and gen con ... if everyone can play the special, how is it special.... Why do you want to play the special so bad, do you know the special access or since other played it you feel entitled to play it? if you do not want to go to Origin or Gen Con that a personal choice and all choices have results ... some we like and some we do not .... keep the special ... special..... and no i will not be attending Origins or Gencon and can live with not playing the specials...
chesspiece 07-21-07, 09:50 AM	if everyone can play the special, how is it special.... And in this case, it was common knowledge that the Origins special _might_ get released for general play. So maybe they should have called it a semi-special? :confused: Why do you want to play the special so bad, Even if it's widely released, I might not play this one. Fitting specific adventures into my group's limited gaming schedule is difficult. Also, we're less enchanted with Specials after surviving CORS5-02 at APL8. But my reasons are that I am in favour of more play opportunities and I like the tie-in with XttDWP. do you know the special access or since other played it you feel entitled to play it? That was pretty rude. No, I don't know anything about the module beyond its blurb. In fact, I stated previously that I the access may change if there is a public release. if you do not want to go to Origin or Gen Con that a personal choice and all choices have results ... some we like and some we do not .... I can still choose to encourage the Circle to continue their 5-year tradition of converting the Origins special. And I suppose we should agree to disagree about whether that is best for LG.
gomeztoo 07-21-07, 10:03 AM	One thing to note is that in previous Origin special home game releases, the adventures tied in with a plot arc, and therefor where of particular interest. This scenario doesn't, though it possibly ties in to an adaptable (well, same family of foes, apparently), which means it would still be interesting to play before (or after) I hurl my PC into the Demon Web Pits.
TetsujinOni 07-21-07, 11:15 AM	i like the idea that core special are special... only played at origins and gen con ... if everyone can play the special, how is it special.... Different threat environment, different rewards/tu, generally delve like. Not in line with the normal core writing guidelines. Why do you want to play the special so bad, do you know the special access or since other played it you feel entitled to play it? if you do not want to go to Origin or Gen Con that a personal choice and all choices have results ... some we like and some we do not .... Rather than either of your posited regions, how about the fact that it breaks with the five-year pattern of making the Origins core special adventure available for outside play, and the knowledge that any core special has interesting and unusual risks and rewards, because it's special. keep the special ... special..... and no i will not be attending Origins or Gencon and can live with not playing the specials... If you can live with it, live with the knowledge that others would like the choice to play it outside of Origins for reduced or altered risk and/or rewards not to appear to be arbitrarily removed without prior notice... which might have induced higher attendance at the premiere show such a move would seem intended to support, if it was given before the show.
codyknotts 07-21-07, 01:26 PM	The specials should be open to everyone period. The idea of the Convention only modules are only for the most hard core gamer (I attended Origins btw). Most people are NOT ATTENDING the cons otherwise they would be overwhelmed. Stop the elitism and make the game open to those that support it in mass (the majority) that do not attend the conventions (as someone who actually tries to go). Playing it first is enough of a reward.
Howie23 07-21-07, 04:19 PM	if everyone can play the special, how is it special.... Because special has nothing to do with "only playable by some people." It has to do with the nature of the adventure. It is different from regular. Special is contrasted with regular or typical. It isn't contrasted with universally playable. David
pupz 07-21-07, 05:38 PM	Con only mods are a great way to incourage attendance of the large cons.... if you do not go,,, why expect to play them or see the rewards.... Elite ... you mean ppl who pay to travel, pay the slot fee ... then yes i courage the elite...... and yes let them have greater access then the rest or the masses masses.... you mean ppl who can play 90% of the core for free.... then let then play all but the 10% specials... there are plenty of mods without the Specials.. It should be ... ppl sitting at a table .. hey where you get that access.... can not tell you the mod but i got it at con xyz last year ... you should go this year .... WOW ... thats a great reason to go to the con ......sign me up .. great problem for cons ,,,, more ppl who want to go.........
Wraith235 07-22-07, 03:31 AM	Cons already have 2 classifications of mods that are Con only Interactives and Mini's of the 3 year 6 CORS only 1 was home play now as for plenty of mods .... my group and I started playing in march or april we have already gone through Most APL 2-6 mods from year 6 .... I think we are missing 1 adaptable and one regional (Unusable textis what was quoted to me) and have started working on year 7's but thats just 1 group
Redfist 07-22-07, 10:34 AM	Having 1 of the specials be available for homeplay is also a great way to lure people into going to future big cons. It's advertising. "See this great mod? You can get 4 next year instead of just 1 if you go to all the big cons!" It's like being able to take a car for a test drive before buying it. It just makes good sense.
Chernobyl1 07-22-07, 02:53 PM	Elitism is paying a couple hundred dollars (if you live locally) to go to the big con and play the one special mod. I already have attended 5 local cons in my region this year - Prelate Con, Conquest Sacramento, Kublacon, Theocracy by the Bay, and Palish Convictions just this weekend. I have plans to attend Conquest San Francisco and NeonCon (a border convention) in Las Vegas. I started playing RPGA last year and have played most every year 5, 6, and 7 that I can. I've bought a stupid number of WOTC books and D&D minis. So, I think I'm doing my fair share to support D&D, RPGA, and LG. I don't think its asking too much to make the specials available for home or retail play. After all, as mentioned before, minis and interactives are already convention-only play. If you really want to attract players from far flung places to come to a big convention, make it worth their while. The focus of the big convention should be to make it a completely "regionless" event. And not just one or two slots (like midnight madness.)Bring all the regional/metaregional mods together in one place - which most people will NEVER get to play, by virture of the regional nature of LG. In other words, make the convention special, not the modules. THAT would be a reason to go to a big convention. Heck, I'd go to Gen Con and play every slot I could, and judge a couple of regional mods from my area! Give my regions authors a wider audience. Make the wider audience a little more aware of the storyline of the Pale. In turn, I'd get to learn more about Keoland, or Bissel, or whereever. Premiering a mod is great for a big convention, but taking something from the CORE plot arc and making it available for a one time only event just isn't right.
TetsujinOni 07-23-07, 10:42 AM	Con only mods are a great way to incourage attendance of the large cons.... Oddly, it does not appear that Gencon needs any help running out of space in which to add tables for more LG. Facility constrains supply to the point of only the elite and lucky being able to participate. The fact that if I had the time and money and wifely approval to attend Origins or GenCon, and I still likely would not [1] manage to get a seat at the Core Special, or Undermountain, or whatever other high-profile event has one of the events you and WotC are promoting as 'big con only, no second chances', makes the notion that big con only events will serve as a draw for new attendees questionable at best. [1] barring buying a ticket second hand.
codyknotts 07-24-07, 02:33 AM	Oddly, it does not appear that Gencon needs any help running out of space in which to add tables for more LG. Facility constrains supply to the point of only the elite and lucky being able to participate. The fact that if I had the time and money and wifely approval to attend Origins or GenCon, and I still likely would not [1] manage to get a seat at the Core Special, or Undermountain, or whatever other high-profile event has one of the events you and WotC are promoting as 'big con only, no second chances', makes the notion that big con only events will serve as a draw for new attendees questionable at best. [1] barring buying a ticket second hand. Another reason for the elitism that is permenates the decision making. These decisions breed it. It makes the rest of us shlub players feel less powerful and important. Combined with the fact that if you are on the wrong coast or area or whatever it is more expensive and less attractive to play. These adventures should be allowed.
Necrochaos 07-24-07, 08:09 AM	The word/feeling at Origins is that Gencon and Origins have lost that special feeling for RPGA players. The thought was to keep the specials available for Origins and Gencon only. This way, people will come to the convention to play LG. The other core mods are available for homeplay at some point in the year. People could not to the cons and still play the cores. And if they release the specials, they could play all the mods available without supporting the con. So what reason does this give RPGA to hold the mods at the con if most people will catch them at their local game shop and not support the convention (which costs Wizards dearly)? This is the just the feeling I got from the convention. I judged 8 slots at Origins and we sat almost anyone who came to play the special including those with generic tickets. Remember, more tickets will be on sale at the beginning of the con. They do not presale all the tickets online. Plus you can usually find someone who has a special ticket they don't need because of a slot zero or scheduling conflicts. I have a feeling that the Origins special will be Origins only, but we will have to see what the Circle has to say about it.
TetsujinOni 07-24-07, 09:29 AM	The word/feeling at Origins is that Gencon and Origins have lost that special feeling for RPGA players. The thought was to keep the specials available for Origins and Gencon only. This way, people will come to the convention to play LG. The other core mods are available for homeplay at some point in the year. People could not to the cons and still play the cores. And if they release the specials, they could play all the mods available without supporting the con. Again, GenCon doesn't appear to need the help, though from my internal industry contact, Origins has some need for help... Either way, the RPGA contingent from my local group which is able to attend Origins and GenCon consists of the same group it did before, and will next year. It is particularly unattractive to those who can't sell their spouses on being gaming widows for days rather than hours at a time.... and it doesn't much matter WHAT attraction they provide for the con. the only CORS I've interacted with was Pits of Azak-Zil (burned to run it), and I'd love to have the chance to play some of them in the future - high risk, high reward, unique location adventures are interesting for the challenge and the potential rewards both...
heirodule 07-24-07, 10:30 AM	I don't see major problems with Homegaming it. - I've heard that Homeplay versions of the Origins special have some of the access reduced during conversion. Often the big 3 do a special set-up for the Specials (i.e. 3-D dungeon maps). Hence the premiere event is still "special". Its been a long while since DDXP or origins have done 3d dungeons. They don't even have full-color laminated maps like they used to. If the RPGA wants to make specials special, they should make that happen.
thalen 08-03-07, 08:39 PM	I live on the West Coast. Up until recently, we had a premier event out here, but they have gotten rid of it because (and I'm nearly quoting here) it would have been too much work to make it more successful and they wanted to concentrate on their bigger shows. So if you live in, say, New Jersey, you can fly to Origins or GenCon for around $120 round trip, or even drive it. (Lots of people drove to GenCon SoCal from San Francisco, a 7-hour-ish drive, only an hour or two shorter than the drive from NYC to Origins.) It's now a good $300, and over 8 hours of travel time, for FLYING out to one of these events. And that's if you book 4 months in advance. And somehow people are surprised that we out west might be a bit put out by the fact that the East Coast gets all these opportunities to do neat things that we don't get any more? Feh.
WotC_Tulach 08-04-07, 03:31 AM	I live on the West Coast. Up until recently, we had a premier event out here, but they have gotten rid of it because (and I'm nearly quoting here) it would have been too much work to make it more successful and they wanted to concentrate on their bigger shows. And somehow people are surprised that we out west might be a bit put out by the fact that the East Coast gets all these opportunities to do neat things that we don't get any more? Feh. The West Coast does have a premiere show. It's called PAX (Penny Arcade Expo), and runs the weekend after Gen Con Indy. All the special Gen Con Indy content will be there. It's in Seattle. You can still get round-trip tickets from San Francisco for under $100 from Alaska Airlines. Tickets from LAX will run you around $150-$200 round-trip. In addition, the convention's more affordable than Gen Con Indy. The weekend passes cost less, and you don't have to pay a per-game fee to play (all RPGA games are free).
Redfist 08-04-07, 12:11 PM	If you're only interested in LG, PAX isn't as interesting since it isn't running the new CORE mods. Just CGR, Special + OpenFiesta (with no judges yet). But your point is valid. However, it would STILL be nice to have 1 special per year available as a home game. Flying to Seattle or Indy from where I live costs 200+, hotel costs $, the con costs $. At least if you're flying to Indy you have more LG mods to amortize the cost over.
chesspiece 09-10-07, 12:25 PM	I still haven't found any official announcements. But looking at the RPGA site, it appears that CORS7-02 Rise of the Spider Queen received general release: http://events.wizards.com/rpgaweb/external/econplay.asp?scenariocd=RSPQU1LG Convention: 5-July/07 Retail / Game Day: 1-Oct/07 Home: 1-Nov/07
Necrochaos 09-10-07, 09:17 PM	I believe that is correct. It is on the schedule for a Michigan con next weekend.
dkay807 09-17-07, 08:01 PM	It seems that CORS7-02 is now available to be ordered as a Game Day. Yay!
gomeztoo 09-18-07, 04:38 AM	I would actually like to see the Gen Con Special be made available for homeplay. Mainly because I don't get to go to GenCon of course;) The Gencon Special also had a hard time limit, though through clever reconnessance we managed to play till the end. We didn't get the 'special' treasure though (because we were too smart). Not that I care - it was fun anyway. I personally feel that specials should generally stay limited to the 'special' cons. Because, well, that makes them specual. I don'ty buy the 'we get bigger challenges' or 'we get more treasure', because the first isn't true (I have seen/heared of tougher Cores/regionals), and the second doesn't interest me. The thing that makes a special, well, special is the time limit and that it is only run once (in general). If you make it commonly available it just becomes a Core with more traesure. Not that I don't want to play Spider Queen, mind. But if you release it for home play it simply ceases to be a special. The only exception to this was Isles of Woe - and that was because it took a whole weekend to play.
darrell_uk 09-18-07, 09:36 AM	With two, or is it three, core specials produced a year, releasing one for home play whilst limiting the other(s) to specific events, as has been the practise for the last couple of years, is a very good system IMO.