 RPGnews:I'm here this week with the webmasters of http://www.swrpgnetwork.com also known as the Star Wars RPG network. My first question to you is how did this site come about?
Moridin: Essentially, we both knew that the dual-system community would be something larger than an individual could handle. We'd long known each other and respected each others' work, so it made sense to combine our efforts rather than trying to compete. Not only did that free us up some time, but it also gave us a starting stats database of almost 600 entries, a great way to start. Armage's site design, combined with my ability to update daily, gave us a partnership that lets us compliment each other with our strong points. It was half from necessity, half from convenience that we got together, but so far the partnership has brought nothing but praise for the both of us, so we must be doing something right.
Armage: We really wanted something eye-catching and interesting for people to visit but also be informative. I had tried that with my previous site, IMS, but it just didn't work as well as I had wanted it to. I also had barely enough time for one system (D6) -- taking on the task of doing material for d20 would have been overkill. So, after seeing that Moridin had the same ideas about it as I did, we decided to join forces - and there you have it.
RPGnewsIt sounds like a match that was destined to be. How have your fans received this new site?
Moridin: Fan response has been nothing short of eye-popping. Even back when I was webmastering the Star Wars RPG Database, which at the time I thought was one of the top sites as far as visits go, I never got this kind of response. Through the commenting system on our page, we can really get a good feel for what our fans think of our individual pieces of work. For the most part, we've gotten very little but high praise.
Armage: Definitely, definitely. We received about 10,000 hits on our teaser within the first week it was up; we're now averaging 6,000 pageviews per day sitewide, which is the most I'm aware of on any SW-RPG website. It's very encouraging, seeing as how we've been around for a very short time.
Moridin: The biggest thing has been that we're trying very hard to cater to the site's fans, and they know it. When the community demands something -- stats for a new book, a particular expansion of the rules, etc. -- we work hard to be the best on the scene. Our fans know that we won't be able to do EVERYTHING at once, but they do know we have their wants and needs in mind when creating stats. Additionally, by acting as the only vigilant daily news source on the web for Star Wars RPG (a practice which I modeled off of TheForce.Net back with my old site, and brought with me to http://www.swrpgnetwork.com), we give fresh content as well as
keep our fans "in the know." That way, they have a leg up on all the people down at the local gaming store, which I think people really appreciate.
Armage: Trying to get all the content we can out to the fans is difficult. We're just two guys, with real lives outside of the Internet (unfortunately, as we'd love to get paid for what we do). And then there's the always-hated writer's block that strikes from time to time. But for the most part, when the community asks for something, we try to obey, and it makes us feel good when we receive positive comments.
RPGnews: The site looks great, has WOTC welcomed you as they did Eric Noah's site?
Moridin: It's a very different situation with the Star Wars team. Of course, they've been nothing but helpful to us, and it's been great. However, the Star Wars team is smaller than the D&D team, and are put under a LOT more stress. So, unlike Eric's site we don't have a lot of writers coming to us with news bits and the like. It happens, of course...we've scooped the Official Site a few times thanks to tips from the inside. But really we go to them more. We have an excellent relationship with the WotC guys, and they never fail to
answer any question we pose them (that they can anyways).
Armage: Trying to coordinate things with the SW-RPG team is difficult -- I liken it to trying to thread a needle, only with the thread and the needle heading at each other at 90 miles per hour... But that's mainly due to what Moridin said -- they are a small and busy team that has little time for official news, much less trying to talk directly to us.
Moridin: They've done interviews, rules clarifications, given us insight into new products, and overall been very congenial. While we haven't seen them showing up on our message board that often, I DO know that they read it. Additionally, I was chosen to be the moderator for their Official Mailing List, so I'm in contact with many of them that way. But like I say, our whole site
benefits from the good relationship with WotC.
Armage: I can confirm what Moridin just said. They do visit our site, but other than that they don't participate too much in what we do -- and that's fine with us. At this point we'd be flattered if they mentioned our name while talking in the bathroom :-)
RPGnews: It's good to see that Wizards of the Coast has been so welcoming with the fan created sites. Has Lucas Arts contacted you in anyway? Have you tried to contact LucaFilm?
Armage: I assume you mean LucasFilm (LFL), as LucasArts is LFL's electronic gaming subsidiary. We have had dealings with people from the "official side" of things, but for the most part it's been limited to us making requests for information and such. We did get JD Wiker to appear on Gamers Tavern a netradio show about RPGing, so we do have *some* influence, I suppose.
Moridin: In a sense, yes. I'm currently writing articles for Star Wars Gamer, and those have to go through Lucasfilm for approval. In fact, I recently had to send two extended article proposals to Lucasfilm before I could even get permission to write the articles. However, we don't really hear anything from the bigwigs that work with "Uncle George." Even as large as we are, the fan community gets little notice from the Ranch, if any.
Armage: Like I said earlier, we'd be flattered to get a mention in an internal memo or something. We're still die-hard fanboys who fawn at any recognition -- our dream is to be hired by Wizards to work in their Star Wars division. That would be flat-out cool.
Moridin: Incidentally, last year I was lucky enough to get a chance to sit down and talk with Iain McCaig, who is a concept artist on Episode II (who also worked on Episode I). We chatted about concept art, which I use extensively for ideas to flesh out my vision of the Star Wars universe. It was fascinating and very insightful, and I learned a lot from him about the way he visualizes characters, ships, locations, etc. I can honestly say that my work on prequel-era stats was influenced by his mindset, and his work on Episode I provided many derivative concepts which I used on the site.
RPGnews: What plans do you have for the future of the site? How do you plan to grow?
Moridin:Right now, I think my biggest focus is trying to get all the stats in our database converted to have both d20 and D6 stats. In the future, we'll be supporting both systems equally, so it's very important that we can appease both fan bases. We're also working on monthly "serial articles" as I call them. Once a month I write an article called "Infinities," which presents an alternate-reality of Star Wars in a similar vein to the upcoming comics. Additionally, we continue to produce in-depth supplements and provide daily news. So right now, I'm looking to focus on the content we have and continue to produce more in the same vein.
Armage: I'm somewhat iffy about converting everything to d20, especially since I have the larger half of things to convert. We have pledged to put out future material in both d20 and D6, but as far as previous material goes, it's every man for himself :-) I do have a few article concepts in the works, as well as some half-done supplements and whatnot, so we're not lacking for content at this
point -- just time.
Moridin:We've got other things in the works too, but none very pressing. The idea of producing our own Campaign Setting (also in the form of a serial article) has been tossed around, but nothing solid yet. We're continually listening to what our fans want, so really we will go in whatever direction the community demands.
Armage: I also have on my back the burden of keeping up the swrpgnetwork.com's code base and server. I don't mind, as it keeps my skills sharp, but it does take away from my time for writing SW-RPG material. And since I also administer the Web's largest SW-RPG bulletin board (yes, bigger than Wizards'), the HoloNet, I have to budget my time. We do have some ideas for the future, but nothing finalized, and nothing we're comfortable sharing right now. We're just concerned with making sure we have what the community wants.
RPGnews: Will you be combining holonet and swrpgnetwork?
Armage: The HoloNet, for those that don't know, is part of another great SW-RPG site, Starwars-rpg.net. I've run the HoloNet ever since the site was started, back in October 1999. I think that swrpgnetwork.com could only be better if the HoloNet came under its aegis, but I have an obligation to the great guys over at Starwars-rpg.net, so with them it shall stay for the time being. But to borrow a few words from a powerful master, "Always in motion is the future."
RPGnews: As far as your campaign setting goes, do you have any information to share?
Moridin:There's really nothing to it yet. We've only discussed the ideas, but a few things I think you can be sure of: it will be both D6 and d20 compatible, and will probably work to span the three major eras. Knowing the two of us, we'll probably go out of our way to allow it to support a wide variety of character types.
Armage: Definitely. But don't get too excited about a campaign setting yet - we have far more interesting things in the pipeline.
RPGnews: Do you see a day when you have all of the nessecary information? Is there an end to your conversions?
Moridin: Not possible! To tell you the truth, there will never be enough information. The next 4 years are going to be a very exciting, and busy, time for us. We've got two new movies which will forever shape the face of Star Wars gaming, plus the continuation and conclusion of the New Jedi Order books. Following that, we all know the Star Wars license will never die. As long as I still can, I know I plan to continue providing the best stats I can for stories in the Star Wars universe. The movies plus the EU will continue to give us not only source material for stats, but also inspiration! We draw so much inspiration from the Official sources to make our own material, which is why I think our work retains the Star Wars feel.
Armage: There will be no end for the Star Wars Universe, and thus there will be no end to the possibilities for swrpgnetwork. I couldn't imagine the flow of information suddenly being cut off
Moridin: As for an end to the conversions, sure...only a few hundred more database entries to go! There will always be minor conversions, of course...many will want to see D6 stats for things published by Wizards of the Coast, and we're more than happy to oblige. Armage, being the D6 diehard he is, will no doubt leave the requests for conversions to d20 up to me I'm sure.
Armage: Well, that's not *entirely* true... I'm proficient in creating stats for both systems, so that's not a problem. (Though Moridin is quite right - I *am* a D6 diehard. ) Time is the problem, as I've mentioned. I'd love to convert everything - maybe that will happen, maybe not. If you can give me a 36 hour day without making me go insane, then I'd definitely do it.
RPGnews: Do you have any advice to any beginning Star Wars DM's?
Moridin: Respect continuity, but don't become obsessed with it. You'll help maintain a great level of "Star Wars" feel if you can respect continuity, but you should never feel compelled to have to read every single book, comic, sourcebook, etc. before starting a game. Other than that, have fun, listen to your players, and don't try to steer the story any more than absolutely necessary. Give players some freedom, and let them explore the universe. And visit SWRPGNetwork and the Holonet often to stay active in the comminity - the advice of hundreds of players is far more valuable than the little I can offer in one paragraph.
Armage: In addition to what Moridin said, I always encourage the use of props -- handouts, music, action figures, and anything else will, when used properly, add tremendously to a gaming session. Also, when running a game, relax and try to enjoy yourself. Don't treat GM'ing as an obligation -- because as soon as it becomes that, you're not doing it for the right reasons.
RPGnews: Any advice to those webmasters out there looking to create a new site?
Moridin: Be original. For the sake of all things right and good, be original. It's okay to craft stats for things that come from Official sources, but please craft the stats yourself. Stats thieves are none too popular in the online community. We've recently had a problem with a copycat, and it's been nothing but a hassle for us, and it dilutes the sense of community we all share.
Armage: Originality is key. I have seen plenty of sites that just copy stats from other places. They don't amount to much, and if they steal from the published work of official authors, they're downright insulting. (It hurts even more when you have someone stealing your own work wholesale, without your permission, as what is happening with this copycat.)
Moridin:, and follow a consistent format. Don't be afraid to start small, and offer something no one else offers. More of the same won't be very valuable, and won't give people a reason to visit your site.
Armage: Go for content above flashiness. The design should be pleasing but efficient, and shouldn't hamper navigation. Even swrpgnetwork has problems with that, being that it is a fairly large site with a lot of options. Websites are a dynamic process -- change is necessary. Keeping things static for too long leads to staleness, and that means fewer and fewer visitors.
RPGnews: Any final thoughts?
Moridin: Running swrpgnetwork, moderating the STARWARS-L mailing list, keeping in touch with contacts, writing articles, and still acting as a full-time human in the real world has been difficult. At the same time, it's been nothing but rewarding. I've gotten to know Armage and other members of the community very well, and I won't deny that the popularity of our work is very, very pleasing. I hope to continue as a part of the comminuty for a long time to come.
Armage: I've been doing this whole online SW-RPG thing since 1996, when I first donned the title of "The STATS Man". I've had good times and bad times -- thankfully the bad times have been few -- and I've seen many changes, including the decline of WEG and the confusion thereafter. I've met new people, expanded my writing skills, learned a few programming languages, and made contacts in the industry. My time so far has been well-spent, and I don't regret a moment of it.
Moridin: To anyone who reads this: Listen to Gamer's Tavern and call in. It's a great place to meet other gamers, and hey, you get to talk to Armage and I live.
Armage: I wasn't aware that was a good thing... Remember, visit swrpgnetwork for continuous news updates and new SW-RPG content. And may the Force be with you . . . always.
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