Shadowrun

Catalyst Game Labs => Catalyst's Shadowrun Products => Topic started by: AJCarrington on <10-27-14/2102:13>

Title: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <10-27-14/2102:13>
From the CGL home page (http://www.catalystgamelabs.com/2014/10/27/catalyst-november-december-street-dates/), upcoming release dates:

Nov 19:

Shadowrun Beginner Box Set ($19.99)
The Shadowrun Beginner Box Set is the first-ever introductory box set for one of the most enduring and popular role-playing settings in history. The box provide hours of excitement and adventure on the mean streets of the Sixth World, giving players to chance to inhabit enthralling characters and show the world what they’ve got.

With pre-generated characters, a simplified ruleset, a ready-to-run adventure, a solo adventure for one character, adventure hooks, and non-player characters to throw into any situation, the Beginner Box Set has everything players need to dive into the fantasy-infused cyberpunk of Shadowrun. Including, of course, a handful of six-sided dice. Players can take on the role of a powerful street samurai, a spell-slinging shaman, a charismatic troll, and more as they struggle against the mighty powers of the world and look for ways to survive—or even thrive.

With details on the backstory and history that made the setting a legend, the Shadowrun Beginner Box Set is a complete tool for players looking to launch on new and extraordinary adventures. The nuyen and the glory are yours for the grabbing. Go get ’em!

Hell On Water, a Shadowrun novel ($12.95)
Six shadowrunners. Three mysterious packages. And twelve kilometers of a dangerous, dilapidated bridge across one of the wildest sprawls of the Sixth World.

It should be a simple job. Retrieve three sealed packages, then take them across the city of Lagos to their destination. All the runners’ skills will be test–they’ll face ambushes, double-crosses, and more, and along the way they might be able to answer the question of just what’s in those packages, and why they’re so important.

The team has a lot on their side, including a street samurai who’s a legend on the streets, a hotshot rigger with a lot of enemies, a young shaman seeking justice, a decker with a dark secret, and a pair of pros from Seattle trying to keep up with everything the unfamiliar sprawl throws at them. But the deadly streets and sinister neighborhoods of Lagos contain their own unique dangers, and it’ll take every trick the runners know to complete their missions and escape the city in one piece…

Dec 03:

Shadowrun: Runner’s Toolkit: Alphaware ($59.99)
SCAN THIS, CHUMMERS
Say yes to any of this? Then Runner’s Toolkit: Alphaware is the box set for you.

Designed as the perfect stepping-stone between the Shadowrun Beginner Box Set and Shadowrun, Fifth Edition, this box can fill a number of roles. Whether you’re looking for more adventures and options to move beyond the Beginner Box Set, laying the groundwork for your gaming group to move fully onto Shadowrun, Fifth Edition, or providing adventures, maps, and other tools to use in conjunction with the core rulebook, you’ll find this kit invaluable.

Runner’s Toolkit: Alphaware contains:
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: JTCMidas on <11-02-14/2210:10>
Sad to see no listing of Run Faster... I thought it would be this year.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-02-14/2240:42>
Note that these are print releases...digital ones tend to simply "happen". Quite possible that we could see a digital release and print pre-order from CGL later this year.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Imveros on <11-03-14/1031:16>
Sad to see no listing of Run Faster... I thought it would be this year.
.

I'm all for them taking their time. I'd like to see run faster be a nice solid book. And if it isnt, then they need time to shore up the barricades at HQ before we storm it with out torches and pitchforks...
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Namikaze on <11-03-14/1215:36>
I want to make it clear that I am not trying to start up a conversation about Catalyst's ability (or inability) to put out quality material.  I'm simply giving some historical precedence for the opinion that I have.

Imveros is right.  I don't know if you saw it or not, but after Street Magic and several errata came out, people on these forums went ballistic.  I can only imagine what it was like over at Dumpshock (mostly because I won't go there if I can help it).  In the end, after all the flames died down, at least one forum member got banned and several people simply stopped posting altogether.  Jason Hardy came out and said that several changes were being implemented with regards to the editing and publishing processes.  It was rather a huge deal, and Catalyst was (rightfully) trying to get back in everyone's good graces.  Even I, who have been known to heavily defend Catalyst, was questioning their ability to put out well thought out material.

So if Run Faster takes an extra month or six months or a year, but heralds the beginning of a new era for Catalyst, I'm completely supportive of it.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PeterSmith on <11-03-14/1424:58>
So if Run Faster takes an extra month or six months or a year, but heralds the beginning of a new era for Catalyst, I'm completely supportive of it.

If we need an extra month or two to get the book right, so be it. If we need an extra six to twelve months then something is severely wrong.

In both cases a problem exists and needs to be rectified.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: 8-bit on <11-03-14/1432:45>
I agree with you Namikaze, except for one thing.

If Catalyst needs another month or two, that's fine. If they need six months to a year, then I would appreciate it if they came out and said it. I know they are really hesitant to release ETA dates, as people come down on them for it, but I would rather have something like this than be left in the dark. Especially since they already teased us with Run Faster artwork.

"Due to our changes in our editing and publishing processes, Run Faster will be delayed for (insert approximate number here) months/days. We are doing this to help ensure quality in our products, and we appreciate your patience."

It should probably be more official sounding, but at least giving us a heads-up would be extremely welcome. If they explain that they are delaying the product to ensure quality, then I think many people would be much more patient than if they did nothing while people wait a long time in anticipation for a new book that seems to be months late for no mentioned reason.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Namikaze on <11-03-14/1751:18>
To be clear, I don't actually think that the lack of Run Faster on that list actually indicates a problem or a delay.  If there was a problem or delay though, I think we'd all understand.  The changes that were made probably affected some timelines I would imagine.  It reminds me of a time that I was told to work on a simulation for the US Army, and my boss wanted it ready in a couple months.  I already had the tools, no big deal.  But at the last minute the tools were completely changed, and all the work that I had done thus far needed to be reviewed for compatibility and updating (as necessary).  We ended up being late on delivery, but the product was awesome.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Sir_Prometheus on <11-04-14/1723:36>
I'd like to see a .pdf a few weeks before it's sent off to the printers, please. 
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-20-14/2152:52>
For those in the US, looks like the Beginner Box Set has started to hit some of the online outlets, FRP Games, as an example.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Zar on <11-21-14/1523:12>
Not really understanding why the Alphabox cost so much.  It doesn't have anything that Rulebook doesn't.   Why would someone buy that over the rulebook or better yet why would someone buy both?
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-21-14/1816:58>
Fair enough questions, I guess. I've got it on order and will see when it arrives (I collect...sigh... ::)). I think, for a group, it has some value, but it comes comes down to the individual.

From the Shadowrun Tumblr (http://shadowrun.tumblr.com/) page, Gamescape (http://www.gamescapesf.com/) has them in stock:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B21Yo3ZIIAEoitN.jpg)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Critias on <11-22-14/1326:00>
Not really understanding why the Alphabox cost so much.
Because boxed sets full of glossy stuff are expensive. 

Quote
It doesn't have anything that Rulebook doesn't.   
Yes, it does.

The boxed set primarily exists to replace, not augment, the rulebook, but there is material in there that doesn't exist anywhere else.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Jamelfr on <11-24-14/1552:05>
Any news about Hell on Water? :)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-24-14/1704:33>
It's available in some stores (saw listed at FRP Games (http://www.frpgames.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=107279)) and due out this week at Barnes & Nobles (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadowrun-jason-hardy/1119642323?ean=9781936876808). No word yet on the digital release, though I expect we'll see something on that soon.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Jamelfr on <11-24-14/1719:55>
Thank you! I am looking forward for the digital release. :)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-25-14/0725:43>
Me too ;)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PiXeL01 on <11-25-14/1755:55>
I would like the digital version in hand by December 21st ;)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Patrick Goodman on <11-26-14/0922:33>
Jason mentioned on FB that the book should be on sale on Black Friday.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-26-14/1824:21>
Thank Patrick...missed that post. Much appreciated.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PiXeL01 on <11-27-14/0324:05>
Awesome. Looking forward to it
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Jamelfr on <11-27-14/1045:18>
Jason mentioned on FB that the book should be on sale on Black Friday.

The Shadowrun FB? I should check it more often. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Rift_0f_Bladz on <11-27-14/1244:15>
What does the Alphabox have that is nowhere else, if I may ask?
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Critias on <11-27-14/1352:53>
Jason mentioned on FB that the book should be on sale on Black Friday.

The Shadowrun FB? I should check it more often. Thanks for the info.
I'm pretty sure he actually posted it to his personal FB, not the official one.  Just a geek being excited about his book coming out, I think.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-27-14/1608:21>
Barnes & Nobles has it listed for release tomorrow (Nov 28)...hoping my FLGS has a copy coming in as well...to supplement the ePub version (which I'll actually be reading ::))
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PiXeL01 on <11-28-14/0122:20>
It's been November 28th in my part of the world for close to 16 hours now. Where are my PDFs!?! ^^
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Sendaz on <11-28-14/0356:08>
I would suspect you have to wait for 8-9 am their time so probably a few hours yet. :P
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PiXeL01 on <11-28-14/0509:20>
Curse it! Releases should follow the Date Line, not local time ;)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Sendaz on <11-28-14/0534:05>
but then all the gamers would move to Hawaii or Fiji.


hmm... that's not a bad idea. :P

Sun AND Fun
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PeterSmith on <11-28-14/1010:25>
but then all the gamers would move to Hawaii or Fiji.

Can't speak for Fiji, but Hawaii? Guh. It's a third-world country disguising itself as a state. Beautiful to visit, stay long enough and you start making plans to get back to the Mainland.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Namikaze on <11-28-14/1301:16>
but then all the gamers would move to Hawaii or Fiji.

Can't speak for Fiji, but Hawaii? Guh. It's a third-world country disguising itself as a state. Beautiful to visit, stay long enough and you start making plans to get back to the Mainland.

So true.  My uncle moved there from Texas, as he's a bigwig in the hospitality industry.  He moved back a year later.  It's a lot of fun to visit, but when almost half the population is on welfare, it's not much different from a gussied-up Haiti.  Back when the laws were implemented to allow anyone to draw welfare and unemployment, the rule was that you had to work at least 30 hours a week for your previous employer to qualify.  So all the employers started handing out 29-hour work-week schedules, and refusing overtime.  Thus, a lot of people have two 25- to 29-hour jobs and still get no insurance or other benefits.  The rest are straight-up welfare cases.  It's a horrible situation over there for those that live there.  But it's a wonderful place to visit, because Hawaii does a lot to cover up the bruises and such.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-29-14/1515:22>
It's available in some stores (saw listed at FRP Games (http://www.frpgames.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=107279)) and due out this week at Barnes & Nobles (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadowrun-jason-hardy/1119642323?ean=9781936876808). No word yet on the digital release, though I expect we'll see something on that soon.

Well, not sure what happened, but Hell on Water is not available in paperback from BN any more, or available in digital format (yet). It is still available from FRP Games (also available form TheWarStore (http://www.thewarstore.com/product94102.html)) though...strange.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Jamelfr on <11-29-14/2039:54>
Nothin on Amazon (Canada) either... Oh well, it will give me time for my credit card to chill a little after Black Friday frenzy.  ;D
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-29-14/2224:29>
A sentiment I completely understand... 8)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: SlowDeck on <11-30-14/0052:30>
Aetherology and London Falling are out.

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/140720/Shadowrun-Aetherology
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/140722/Shadowrun-London-Falling
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <11-30-14/0802:45>
London Falling (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=London&x=0&y=0) is also available from CGL both in PDF and print (pre-order and combo) format; Aetherology (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3385{1}1) is PDF only.

Suspect that the print price of London Falling is incorrect...listed at $12 (same as PDF), when should likely be $19.99 or $24.99.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Csjarrat on <11-30-14/1217:50>
Dtrpg is down as I write this. What's aetherology all about?
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: JackVII on <11-30-14/1221:00>
Dtrpg is down as I write this. What's aetherology all about?
Sounds like the metaplanes and its denizens from the blurb I read earlier.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: 8-bit on <11-30-14/1223:27>
Dtrpg is down as I write this. What's aetherology all about?
Sounds like the metaplanes and its denizens from the blurb I read earlier.

Yup, I got my hands on a copy. It has some new spirits, new astral phenomenon, and lots of information about the metaplanes. I think it was $7? It's not a big supplement, but it's worth it, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Csjarrat on <11-30-14/1522:51>
Cheers, might pick it up then
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Herr Brackhaus on <11-30-14/1923:55>
Is London Falling a CMP release, and if so, which CMPs are included?
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Kincaid on <11-30-14/2027:58>
Is London Falling a CMP release, and if so, which CMPs are included?

Swing Vote, Five Minutes to Midnight, Silicon Slick, and Depth Charge, which were 2012 CMPs.  This updates them to the split 4A/5E format used in books like Sprawl Wilds.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Namikaze on <12-01-14/0120:05>
I'm enjoying the fluff of Aetherology right now, but I haven't gotten into the crunchy stuff yet.  The metaplanes sound far more interesting than they did before, and I've almost got a mind to have a planewalker game, ala Planescape: Torment.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PiXeL01 on <12-01-14/0147:19>
I am impressed with that product too. Have a mission called "Mr. Darke's Protege"  in mind due to crawlers and other entities ^^
 Also been thinking to throw my runners in something like the Dark Sun universe which the plane Miggon could be a candidate for.

Sadly there are some mistakes in it. Metaplane of Faerie is a glaive? Interesting ...
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Michael Chandra on <12-01-14/0724:34>
Is London Falling a CMP release, and if so, which CMPs are included?

Swing Vote, Five Minutes to Midnight, Silicon Slick, and Depth Charge, which were 2012 CMPs.  This updates them to the split 4A/5E format used in books like Sprawl Wilds.
Score! More filler missions while I eagerly wait for season 5 to get more stuff finished. ^_^
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Kincaid on <12-01-14/0829:21>
Is London Falling a CMP release, and if so, which CMPs are included?

Swing Vote, Five Minutes to Midnight, Silicon Slick, and Depth Charge, which were 2012 CMPs.  This updates them to the split 4A/5E format used in books like Sprawl Wilds.
Score! More filler missions while I eagerly wait for season 5 to get more stuff finished. ^_^

I skimmed these for the first time last night and some of the runs are rough.  They're CMPs, so that's to be expected, but...yikes.  Not for the uninitiated. 
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Michael Chandra on <12-01-14/0906:50>
It's either that or Dragon's Song, which some of my players already played 3 of at Aethercon 2013. ^_^
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <12-01-14/0923:47>
Downloaded these last night...looking forward to reading them this week. One thing that struck me about London Falling was that the product values with much better that the previous CMP compilations...really liked the art and layout.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PiXeL01 on <12-01-14/0940:22>
I was wondering about the delay between convention and commercial release. Is there a set limit or the the whim of the company?
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Herr Brackhaus on <12-01-14/1057:20>
Sure seems like release is on somewhat of a whim to me.

Elven Blood, which contains CMPs 2011-04, 2012-05, -06, -07, and -08, was released for SR4A only on 2012-09-17.

Sprawl Wilds, which contains CMPs 2010-01, -02, -03, and -04, was released for SR4A/SR5 on 2013-07-11.

Firing Line, which contains CMPs 2010-05, -06, -07, and -08, was released for SR4A/SR5 on 2013-08-28.

London Falling, which contains CMPs 2012-01, -02, -03, and -04, was released for SR4A/SR5 this weekend.

All of the CMPs from 2011, with the exception of -04 which is contained in Elven Blood, along with all of the 2013 and 2014 CMPs are as of yet unreleased as far as I'm aware.

Additionally, SRM04-05 ("On A Silver Platter") contains a CMP2010-02 called Copycat Killer, which is different from the CMP2010-02 called Carbon Copy included in Sprawl Wilds.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Namikaze on <12-01-14/1135:45>
I'm sure there are factors that we aren't necessarily aware of being on the outside looking in.  But yeah, the CMP releases are pretty scattered.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: SichoPhiend on <12-01-14/2200:15>
I couldn't help but notice that there are no log sheets for London Falling which begs the question... Are they legal for missions?
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Bull on <12-02-14/0105:47>
Convention to Public releases involve a lot of factors. 

The biggest is on "how print-ready are these?"  CMPs are frequently end up a lot rougher in format when they're getting run at conventions, since we don't need them to be "pretty".  So there's no art, often no fiction, the text hasn't been proofed, etc.  These are often knocked out in a short time frame so that we have new missions for the entertainment of the masses :)

The ELven Blood stuff was an experiment, and with Rusty Zimmerman at the writing end of those, we were able to make sure the writing and everything was up to snuff. Even still, I had to put in several very long days to make sure they got to layout in time to make our print deadlines for the cons.  And the interior art was almost all completely recycled from older products (I think we had one new piece of interior artwork that our Art Director did up for me on short notice).  The Cover Art was intended to be recycled as well, but then we got an amazing piece of art in from Victor Moreno and it was amazing, so we used it instead.  Thus it had a quick turn around time.

Robert McKittrick has been taking point on taking these and cleaning them up for release, but it's sometimes a slow process.  Especially with the SR5 conversions.  We're also getting some new art for the interiors as well.

London Falling had originally been planned for a Gen Con release, but had to get bumped.  Usually the CMP collections we try and release at the cons (fitting their theme) a couple years after we run them, then release them for sale in stores a couple months after the cons (We get some early copies printed and shipped out for them special).
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Bull on <12-02-14/0106:26>
And as a note, 05-04 is off for approval and layout, and art is about 95% done.  05-05 is in process. 
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Herr Brackhaus on <12-02-14/0525:23>
Thank you for the insight, chief :)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: PiXeL01 on <12-02-14/0609:01>
Yes, thank you very much indeed :)
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Michael Chandra on <12-02-14/0651:05>
And as a note, 05-04 is off for approval and layout, and art is about 95% done.  05-05 is in process.
Whoo! :) I've been throwing my players through filler Missions patiently waiting. ^_^ They'll enjoy returning to Chicago again.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <12-02-14/1732:50>
And as a note, 05-04 is off for approval and layout, and art is about 95% done.  05-05 is in process.
Thanks Bull...really looking forward to these.
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Kincaid on <12-03-14/0829:09>
Yay!  Looking forward to the wind coming off of Lake Michigan instead of Lake Superior!
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <12-17-14/2204:51>
Jason just posted on FB (https://www.facebook.com/shadowruntabletopgame/photos/a.175243239590.122069.13520584590/10152902818639591/?type=1) that both Hell on High Water and Dark Resonance are available from BN:

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10868090_10152902818639591_8506341433209841956_n.jpg?oh=41cf903dd6f680a647549a91947b71c1&oe=55435921&__gda__=1429799551_c17aa0e29d3be84dbd186f12055484cd)

I was able to pick up Hell on High Water a couple of weeks back from an online retailer here in the US, but first I've seen word that Dark Resonance had been released. Jason also noted that we should be getting word on digital releases soon. ;D
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: Sendaz on <12-18-14/1800:53>
picked up both novels at the local B&N while I am back in the States so good timing for me. :)


Netcat and SlammO! in Dark Resonance?  Neat.   
Title: Re: Upcoming Releases Nov/Dec 2014
Post by: AJCarrington on <12-21-14/1508:54>
Just ordered a copy of Dark Resonance from Amazon...will fit quite nicely under the tree ;D Now we just need that digital release... ::)