The new year brought changes and gifts for Earthdawn fans, but I want to take a look back at the start of 2011. I opened up the 2011 New Year Poll at the start of 2011 to find out what Earthdawn fans hope for and what would be their highlight for the upcoming year. The results of the poll were already discussed over here, but now that 2011 is over, we can look back at which expectations were fulfilled and which hopes seem to be still far far away from realization.
The three “most wanted” requests of the poll were:
1. Almost 20% of the total 127 votes selected “An official free Third Edition character generator provided by RedBrick would be my highlight” as the most wanted release/announcement for 2011. Well, to make it short: There was and still is no clue that RedBrick is even working on that, but maybe this is on RedBricks schedule and they are working on it behind the scenes. You never know. In the meantime we have to look for alternatives and in my opinion is the best choice so far, the fan project of Lortas and his crew. They are still developing the Earthdawn Character Editor. The latest 0.36 version released on 20th Dec. 2011 can be downloaded HERE. Remember that it is an alpha version, for bugs, critics and opinions have a look at the RedBrick forum.
2. 15% and with that, the second most votes received “The announcement that a "Travar" City book is being made”. I dug through several sources and announcements for upcoming products but it looks like that other city sourcebooks have a higher priority, which I’ll talk about later. So 2011 brought no announcement that a Travar book is in the making. Sorry folks.
3. Close behind followed, with 14% of the votes, “An epic campaign for Barsaive will/would be my highlight”. Hooray!! Finally we got an expectation, mentioned in the poll, which seems to become true. I cite here from an interview, held between Dammi, Drucifer and me, which you can read in full length over here:

Taken together, all these books contain the main building blocks needed to publish an epic campaign called Chronicles of War, which aimed to finally push the brewing conflict between Throal and Thera over the edge.

Remember that this epic campaign can be made after several other book releases, which means no release date or schedule is foreseeable atm.

Well these were the three most expected and hoped for entries of the poll. That’s why I tried to write about them a little bit more. The rest of the entries and their actual state, with reference to the clues and announcements, are in short collected in the following table:


The poll offered the option “Other”, which let you enter your own expectations. The following four “other responses” were entered:

When looking back I would say that 2011 was a good year, in Earthdawn matters, even ending it like this. Nevertheless, thank you for voting, hoping and especially RedBrick for producing.

Dammi opened a discussion thread on the RedBrick forum regarding the question if Earthdawn fans would be interested in audio files in which Earthdawn Legends are told. The files would be released in addition to the forthcoming Earthdawn Legends book (no release date yet).
At the forum you’ll find a poll, discussions and of course a detailed description by Dammi about this idea.

A sample mp3 file is available at the RedBrick download section to get an idea what this project could look like. The sample tale is called “The Legend of Rune and Sangblade” made by Markus Watt and Dan Boice. Would you want this? Would it be useful? What do you think? Discuss it at the forum.

On January 2nd 2011 I opened up the New Year Poll for 2011 to reflect your expectations and wishes for upcoming Earthdawn releases. Now that the poll is closed, I want to show you the results of the 127 votes:

The poll offered the option to type in your own expectations under the topic “Other”. The following 4 “Other” expectations were sent in:

- Earthdawn 3rd Ed Virtual Tabletop Framework for 'MapTool'

- A Blood Wood Nations Book

- plot advancement

- The release of an English version of the Little Treasures novel

So, now to the first three places of the poll. Most await an official free 3rd Edition character generator. The result didn’t surprise me that much, but is there any hope for an official character generator coming in 2011? I think not, because the development and programming of an official character generator hasn’t been requested or announced by RedBrick so far. But maybe they are working on it in the background, you never know. But thanks to the fans there are already reliable character generators out there.

The second place shows that your hopes for a “Travar City” book are high. The question is here too, is it coming? I would say that RedBrick would make a huge mistake by not thinking about to produce a “Travar City” book. If it will be announced this year is not foreseeable but my 15th circle adept powers tell me that it will be produced!

The third place “Epic Campaign for Barsaive” is the one and only that I am sure about that RedBrick will produce such a book in the foreseeable future, but this year? Again, no releasing schedules tell us anything. But the story of Barsaive has to go on and epic events have to come to Barsaive, so why shouldn’t they make a book about several options how Barsaive could change and develop. The only thing I hope for is that they won’t send it into “Chaos”, like another company tried to.

Maybe at the end of the year 2011 we can look back at which expectations were fulfilled or which project was announced or is underway. Thanks for voting and participating!

Btw small-mini-announcement: Tanelorn (german)

The following poll shall reveal your expectations and hopes for RedBrick's 2011 releases that are planned or should be planned. Just tell us what your highlight of the year 2011 would or will be. You are allowed to pick up to THREE choices you favor or agree most with and I also added the option to write your own expectation to the poll. May your hopes and highlights become true.

Well, today your VOTE is questioned. Which of the following 10 pictures is in your opinion the best, neatest, greatest and most eye-catching Earthdawn picture ever.

       

1. Jeff Laubenstein	2. John Howe	3. Sade	4. Brom
5. Johannes Bech	6. Kathy Schad	7. Tony Szczudlo
8. Les Edwards	9. Tony Szczudlo	10. Kathy Schad

 

 

Of course there are several other pictures that should be in that list. But I guess this was a good start to show some of the best Earthdawn pictures.