News From Lockhaven

SpydersWebbing · July 19, 2014, 8:31pm

luke:

Hello guardmice,
I come bearing news from Lockhaven. This isn’t an official announcement, but I finally have some actual news for you all and I wanted to share.

Tonight, I delivered the Mouse Guard second edition rulebook file to Archaia. David and I have been at work on the second edition for the last six months. We’ve been gently tweaking rules and reediting the book, both in the text and art. It’s been my pleasure to have David involved at every step of the process. A few weeks ago he was here in NYC and sat with me as we recreated all of the patrols using the revised recruitment rules. It’s been great to work so closely with him.

I tried to keep the changes to Mouse Guard is minimal as possible. I like Mouse Guard. It’s light and open, while providing enough structure that the game moves along without too much effort. The main areas that changed:
[ul]
[li]Conflict: Thor and I simplified the individual team and multiple team rules. It’s all very straight-forward now. We did not include the rules from Torchbearer, btw. If you want those rules, you can play TB or port them yourself.
[/li][li]Wises: We gutted wises and ported over the systems from Torchbearer. This necessitated some minor changes to the Traits rules, too.
[/li][li]Recruitment: I rejiggered Recruitment to make it faster and to make the characters slightly more skilled to start, with a solid base of skills.
[/li][li]The Mouse Guard dice and cards are now a part of the basic rules explanations in the main rule book.
[/li][/ul]

Aside from that, we made little tweaks here and there while trying to preserve the character and atmosphere of the game. We did not include any of the boxed set material in the main rule book. Why? Because the rule book is too big as it is. We don’t need to add more material. And because we’re revising all of those materials. Most of the boxed set materials—booklet, cards, dice and screen—will be available as separate items and everything will also be included in a revised second edition boxed set. At this time, the boxed set materials are with the editor. Once I receive the corrections, I’ll make the changes and send the finished files to Archaia and production can begin in earnest. Hopefully that will happen in the next two weeks.

After I submit the rest of the files, the production is once again in Archaia’s hands. It could take three months, it could take three years. It’s hard to tell with them. But your steady pressure over the past few years tweeting at them, talking to them at shows and emailing them has really made a difference. So keep it up! We’re almost there!

In the meantime, David and I have been working on a side project that we’d like to share with you. It’s a small board game—Sword & Strongholds—taken from the Mouse Guard comics. We’re publishing it (not Archaia) and we’re going to launch the Kickstarter this week (the current plan is Tuesday). Hopefully, this will tide you over until the RPG materials are done. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Thanks!
-Luke

*Team Rules: found 'em pretty straightforward, but if you made them easier to work with I’m happy to see what they’re like.
*Wises- not a fan of this change, the wises rules are my least favorite in the otherwise awesome game Torchbearer. Could you explain a bit more why you went with Torchbearer rules? What’m I missing here?
*Recruitment- Those rules were so fast already! I’m really excited to see how you improved them!

I guess my major question is this: I own the original box set. I thought the original game was perfect (and my wife adores the game, which is always helpful!). What do I gain by getting a new edition?

Yepesnopes · July 22, 2014, 4:53am

A second edition of the Mouse Guard game??? I cannot wait! I give you my VISA straight away!

I missed the Boxed set of the first edition, this time is not going to happen! I will buy everything!!

MaSc · July 23, 2014, 7:17am

These are really great news. Let’s hope Archaia won’t take too much time.
Thank you David and Luke for sharing this news with us.

Yepesnopes · July 24, 2014, 11:49am

I missed that part! I am starting some gentle spamming to them

majis · July 30, 2014, 6:14am

Do you guys know can I order it to Europe?

MaSc · July 30, 2014, 3:32pm

Sure, just ask a friendly comic dealer. I bought my copy of first edition at Comix, Hannover. But you will have to wait for Archaia announcing the 2nd Edition in the Comic Previews. Usually three months before release.

luke · July 31, 2014, 6:13pm

Hiya Spyder,
Not going to force you or your wife to buy the boxed set! I’m very glad you two like the game. Personally, I think there are weak parts of the design, so I tweaked them a bit for this new edition.

Best,
-Luke

jessecoombs · August 3, 2014, 8:00am

Luke, I’d love to hear your thoughts on Mouse Guard’s design, especially now, being years out from the original release.

Jaysun · August 3, 2014, 1:59pm

I have the original hardback but, I missed out on the boxed set. That said I’ll be sure to pick up the 2nd edition once it’s released. As far as S&S I just backed it and definitely looking forward to playing it. It will be cool to incorporate S&S into a MG rpg session.

SpydersWebbing · August 5, 2014, 8:35pm

Hey Luke!

I didn’t mean to come off as cranky! I was asking on a more technical level what you found weak about the original version of the game. I love picking apart mechanics and, since I haven’t run across any problems with Mouseguard, was wanting to be enlightened as to what you saw. I mean, chances are I’ll geek out and try and buy it anyway.

briansommers · September 23, 2014, 10:48am

almost two months since the last post.
I was getting ready to purchase the pdf of mouseguard now but I’m going to wait for version 2.0

When can we purchase the pdf of v2? and where does everything stand.

luke · September 23, 2014, 7:28pm

Hiya,
I’ve submitted all files to the publisher. You can direct all inquires to them via twitter: @archaia and @boomstudios. It really does help when you ask!

Squeak_Easy · October 1, 2014, 3:49am

I would also recommend pestering them on their facebook pages as well!

luke · October 1, 2014, 9:50am

Please consider this opportunity to inquire with @Archaia about the progress of the MG RPG 2E.

Rusty_Tincanne · December 13, 2014, 10:28pm

This is slightly off topic. Sorry for that, but I have a few questions:

Weren’t the 1st edition RPG rules available for purchase form Archaia? I do not see them on their website now. Anyone have a lead for them?
Is there any discussion of making the 1st edition rules (pdf) available for cheap/free now that the 2nd edition is done, but stalled? (I am not trying to get something for nothing here, but I have been patiently waiting on Archaia to do a reprint of the 1st ed/print of the 2nd edition for 1.5 years now! I have read almost every thread on this forum and want to start playing already!)
Luke and Thor, if you two play MG at this point, are you using the 1st edition rules or your new rules?

I have emailed Archaia multiple times expressing interest in the 2nd edition of the RPG. I have never received a response. I don’t believe they are listening.

Thanks!

EDIT: I did find this: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/96735/Mouse-Guard-RPG-New-Rules-New-Missions, but it looks to just be the supplement, not the entire rules. Is that correct?

David_Petersen · December 14, 2014, 8:09pm

Rusty:

Here are the full rules from Drivethru RPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/60496/Mouse-Guard-Roleplaying-Game?manufacturers_id=119 (on discount)

luke · December 15, 2014, 6:41pm

Hi Rusty,
Sorry for the delay. We’re trying as best we can to get the game out. You’ve been waiting two years, we’ve been waiting four!

We’re almost there.
-L

Rusty_Tincanne · December 15, 2014, 8:12pm

Thanks to both of you for the responses. I relocated the Archaia tweet (from October, or so) about an early 2015 release date. That, along with the loan of the rulebook from an unexpected source, has bolstered my patience. The book is fantastic, of course, and finally reading the rules makes all the posts I have read make a LOT more sense! :rolleyes:

(As an aside, my first question was supposed to be asking about Archaia selling a pdf of the rules, not a book. )

Yepesnopes · December 18, 2014, 12:46pm

I am going so much to get the box edition this time!!

Squeak_Easy · January 31, 2015, 6:59am

Same here, I’m going to try and preorder it through my FLGS!!

Also, here is an article about the upcoming release:

[b][u]NEW ‘MOUSE GUARD’ RPG[/u][/b]
Second Edition Releases in April
January 30 2015 @ 2:49 pm CT

BOOM! Studios announced its Archaia Entertainment imprint will release a second edition of the award-winning Mouse Guard Roleplaying Game in April. The release will include both a hardcover rulebook and a box set edition.

The Eisner Award-winning Mouse Guard comic is an all ages anthropomorphic epic fantasy series written and drawn by David Peterson. The RPG, designed by Luke Crane and David Petersen, was the winner of the 2009 Origins Award for “Best Role-Playing Game” (see “‘Pandemic,’ ‘Awakening the Bear’ Win ‘Origins’” ), and Archaia released a box set in 2011 (see “‘Mouse Guard’ RPG Box Set”).

The new Mouse Guard Roleplaying Game Box Set, Second Edition includes everything players need to know about the world of the Guard. The revised and update rulebook includes information for forming patrols and leading missions and features new art from David Petersen. Additional Action, Weapon, and Condition cards are also included. The box measures 8.5” x 8.5” x 2.5”. MSRP is $69.99.

The new Mouse Guard Roleplaying Game, Second Edition hardcover is a 320-page, full color, 8” x 8” volume. MSRP is $34.99.