What's really going on with "Know Your Role"?

[Adam Smasher]

OK, I haven't weighed in in a while so my turn.
--Great to hear the book is finally out, however my games distributer said it wasn't available yet. any known timeframe that it will be sent to distributers and to which ones it will be sent?
--As far as the roster in the book goes, I can totaly understand the reasons behind it. If your going to have rules to create your own GMs or Divas it makes total sence to have examples of the "official" ones included in the book. And it has the Huricane (one of my faves!).
--Roster books would be great, and to be honest Tone and Cindi, you don't really have to predict the future. I see it a bit like this (being a bit of a freelance games designer I think about these things sometimes): You have the core book with it's roster. You then put out two source books, one on Smackdown and one on Raw. Each would feature all the wrestlers who are currently on that show as of the start of the book's process (like now for instance). Now if someone is traded, fired or whatever that's OK because their stats would still be available to someone who wants them. If someone changes their gimick or if new guys come in during the year, that's OK too because your next books could be something like Rookies or something. And to keep the "wrestling" fans happy, maybe you could split the Divas into their own book. Just my 2c worth there. Feel free to ignore me.
--How are special matches handled in the core book? Have you given any thought to doing a book on nothing but special matches?
--Since it is a d20 system, can I assume that I can use racial templets from other d20 games to make soem really wild things like Hardcore Orcs or Elf Luchadors?
OK, that's all for me now. Thanks guys for your good work and keep on rollin', dice that is!

[Tone Cold]

--any known timeframe that it will be sent to distributers and to which ones it will be sent?

The major ones like Alliance will get it... Whoever carries Raw Deal will be the distribution channels for KYR as well, I'm sure. Shipping, as I understand, should start in a week or two, after CI gets the shipment in from the printer.

--How are special matches handled in the core book? Have you given any thought to doing a book on nothing but special matches?

The core book has quite a few specialty matches in it. There's steel cage, ladder, battle royal, falls-count-anywhere, and others. We have discussed various types of sourebooks for expansion, but nothing really concrete since CI is doing the "wait and see" thing with KYR.

I personally would like to do a supplement for each of the major PPVs, starting with WrestleMania: how to run it, stats for legends appeared in it, rules for special matches fought in the long history of WM, etc.

--Since it is a d20 system, can I assume that I can use racial templets from other d20 games to make soem really wild things like Hardcore Orcs or Elf Luchadors?

I suppose you can! A fantasy WWE (not the one WWE is pushing online) would be something different, or maybe cross it into the Star Wars universe

Good suggestion on the roster book(s)... we may end up doing something like that.


Tony

[ringsyde]

I've solved the great mystery of the "KNOW YOUR ROLE" roving release date.

It seems that Waldenbooks is turning into Borders EXpress all across the country, and as a result, their stock release dates will vary greatly on a number of products. Also, Borders is now saying they will not carry the WWE KYR book. Finally, G-Mart (my favoirte comics and games store) confirmed that Comic Images' initial KYR stock will go to gaming, collectible and comic stores before it ever sees the light of day in a national retail store the likes of Walden, Barnes and Noble or Borders.

This means we have to stop looking at those places for this product and focus on comic and game shops for a while. Normally, I'm smart enough to have figured this out all by myself, but I go goofy from time to time, so forgive me if my revelation is old news.

My interest in this game is growing once again. Let's hope the payoff is well worth the effort.

[CynthiaCM]

This thread may interest you guys. It was started by someone who has seen the final game.

[ringsyde]

I don't know if anyone has beaten me to the punch, but I'd like to thank you (Cynthia) for your regular updates, your willingness to discuss your work with us, and for the product itself. I'm very anxious to play after having read the linked thread.

Again, thanks for your updating and sharing of info.

[CynthiaCM]

ringsyde said:

I don't know if anyone has beaten me to the punch, but I'd like to thank you (Cynthia) for your regular updates, your willingness to discuss your work with us, and for the product itself. I'm very anxious to play after having read the linked thread.

Again, thanks for your updating and sharing of info.

You're welcome. The design team has pretty much been the sole P.R. team for KYR. We're very proud of the game and enjoy spreading the word whenever possible. So, in other words, it's our pleasure.

[CynthiaCM]

I thought you guys might like this "actual play" post made on the RPG.net forums.
--------------------------------------------------

So me and my buddy James, who also bought a copy at Origins, finally
got together to try out the KYR rules in actual play last night.

We've each built a couple wrestlers, and agree whole heartedly with
the opinion that this is the best application of the OGL system to
date. However, the proof; as they say; is in the pudding. We
decided to set the matches "in continuity" for my upcoming 'Wild West
Wrestling' campaign, designed to simulate a Texas-based indy fed.

Let's see what happened . . .

***Match 1***

Minion (Rough Superstar 1) w/ "Maharishi" Gary Brown (Manager 1)
versus "Golden Boy" Joe Houston (Power Superstar 1)

The "Manster" Minion started this one off quickly, with a pair or
chops to the Golden Boy's trapezeous region, driving the former High
School football star to his knees.

Minion then turned to his manager, the Maharishi, for instruction.
Sensing an opportunity, Houston took the 3-point stance and launched
himself at Minion executing a textbook spear . . . but to no avail
(thanks to the impervious feat)

Shocked by Houston's sudden offense, Maharishi Brown lept to the ring
apron, attractin the referee's attention. Whatever the "Golden Boy"
had in mind will forever remain a mystery, Minion yanked the former
All-State linemen to his feat, into the air, and sent him crashing
into the mat courtesy of a helacious Choke Slam (a Critical Hit).

Minion then covered Houston for an easy 3-count.

***Match 2***

"The Beast From Bora Bora" Fuzzy Troll (Rough Superstar 1) versus
"The Ultimate Male" Flex Lavender

As the bell rang Flex Lavender sidestepped Fuzzy Troll's kick to the
gut, and successfully retaliated with a chop to Fuzzy Troll's chest.

As the Fuzzy Troll clutched at his chest, Flex Lavender circled
behind his opponent and applied a rear chinlock.

Fuzzy Troll escaped from the chinlock, but was obviously on the ropes
as he rose and walked right into a Flex Lavender flapjack.

Stepping over his opponent, the hated Flex Lavender began to pose,
showing off his chisled physique to an unappreciative crowd.

While Flex Lavender posed, Fuzzy Troll climbed to his feat, rebounded
off of the ropes and clobbered the unaware Flex Lavender with a
double axe handle to the back.

As Flex Lavender crawled towards the ropes, Fuzzy Troll began a
brutal series of stomps; a series which did not cease once Flex
Lavender reached the ropes. This error in judgement cost Fuzzy Troll
the match, as the referee was forced to disqualify him.

It took the referee, the time keeper, and two security guards to pull
Fuzzy Troll off from Flex Lavender. Flex Lavender then further
incited the crowd, and his opponent, by gyrating suggestively to the
audiences' boos and catcalls.

***Final Analysis***

This game rocks. The matches were very short, as we knew they would
be, as all the involved characters were 1st level; but were also
action packed.

Furthermore, not only did James and I have fun; a third friend,
Gerald found that watching a match can be almost as much fun as
playing.

Truth be told, when I bought the game I thought the $40.00 price tag
was a bit much, but having now played I can attest that it's worth
every penny . . .and more

[ChrisD]

So has anyone seen it in stores yet? More especially, Canadian stores?

[ringsyde]

I haven't seen it anywhere yet. What bugs me more than this is the fact that Comic Images hasn't answered a single E-mail I've sent them (inquiring about ordering the game or locating stores that may have it).

[Tone Cold]

Comic Images is slow to reply probably because (1) they're undermanned, (2) they haven't quite figured out the nuances of RPG distribution (KYR being their first RPG) and thus have trouble answering. Just my guess, though.

The latest news I got is that the bulk shipment from China should reach New York by end of July, then depending how fast it clears Customs, it'll hit the stores 7-10 days later.

Far as I know, you can special order a copy from your FLGS or Amazon.com. I myself am expecting copies for sales by Gen Con Indy and Summer Slam.


Tony

[ringsyde]

I had to dig this thread up from the past because I just got the game yesterday. A few friends and I got together to run a show, and I have to say we had one helluva lot of fun.

We spent an hour creating Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and Andre the Giant. Then we opened the show (Saturday Night's Main Event) with Hogan, Savage and Andre versus Rock, Triple H and Big Show. We figured since SNME always started with the biggest match on the card, why not?!! The undercard was Rhyno versus the Hurricane and Chris Jericho versus Taijiri.

I honestly can't recall having this much fun with an RPG since I was a teenager playing TSR's Marvel Superheroes RPG. We discussed moves and strategy (woulf Andre go for power moves against Big Show, or would he humble the youngster with actual wrestling?), and the d20 rolls created some pretty interesting situations.

Cynthia and the entire staff involved with this game should be commended for putting together KYR. You guys made a bunch of near-geezers who haven't rolled the dice in years pretty happy. The proof that this game is good lies in the fact that everyone wanted to know when the first expansion would hit the shelves. I've been using the WWE Smackdown Versus Raw strat guide to get stats and info to create other guys (y'see, video game strategy guides do come in handy), but these guys were hugry to get an expanded roster.

I tell you, between this and the aforementioned videogame, I've been in wrestling nirvana. That's a great thing, considering how tragically bad the wrestling week started.

[CynthiaCM]

I'm glad you like KYR, RingsYde. The team put in a lot of work on it, so it's a real treat to hear about folks playing and enjoying it.

BTW, who won the main event?

[ringsyde]

Andre pinned Big Show first, Rock and Savage got DQ'ed (I smell a feud coming), then Triple H dominated, pinning Hogan and Andre To win the (elimination style) match.

Hurricane and Jericho won the undercard matches.

When next we meet, we plan to have Rock versus Savage, Andre versus Triple H., Angle versus Guerrero and Batista versus Hogan in our inaugural WWE Championship tournament. I can't wait!

[Talison]

Just got back from Origins 06 and it was the first time I saw the book anywhere. But I was still interested and I picked it up. I like what I read, I liked it a lot. Gonna try to run some matches tomorrow.

Any word on anything new for the game?

[canadianpittbull]

I haven't seen it anywhere in my neck of the woods in Canada.

[Talison]

Yeah, I hadn't seen it anywhere as far as a store or whatever. I was looking through RPG Book resellers' inventories at Origins and stumbled on a slightly damaged copy for $20.

[thefamoustommyz]

I ordered my copy from Amazon.com last year...only ran some exhibition matches with it, though.

Nothing remotely solid about any further support for it.

[thefamoustommyz]

For those who have a copy, but no one to play with, there's a nice little play-by-post fed going on here: wshillard.proboards106.com/index.cgi