Darwin’s World: Time is the Enemy
Since we announced we’d obtained a license to work on an updated and expanded version of the Darwin’s World setting for the Savage Worlds RPG, a lot of work has gone into getting it ready. However, it’s also been a long time since our last Darwin’s World development update.
We initially put our time and energy into getting Feeding Grounds released as a Jumpstart adventure. This meant focusing on the game mechanics and other aspects that had to be updated to the latest version of the rules, Savage Worlds Adventure Edition (SWADE) so the Jumpstart could be released as a self-contained (if limited) product. Doing so meant jumping around to update and convert things in an order that otherwise would have been illogical, but it had to be done that way.
Once Feeding Grounds was out the door, we had to dive back into getting the rest of the main book ready for release. This has eaten up a lot of time, but I’ll explain why.
Darwin’s World isn’t a Straight Conversion
We aren’t just taking the previous Savage Worlds version of Darwin’s World and putting in simple rules and game mechanic updates. The original d20 version of the main book was a massive beast that contained materials that were cut out of the Savage Worlds version, for one. We wanted to reintroduce this “lost” content to produce a more comprehensive release. The Savage Worlds version also included content that wasn’t in the d20 corebook (e.g., the section on the Metal Gods) but was taken from supplements we want to re-release on their own. This meant a significant amount of reorganizing materials from a number of sources.
Beyond this, there was also a need to clean up the initial manuscript with a new edit. This was due to errors that made it into the original products, but also a need to bring down the word count to accommodate the content being brought back in the new, Nuclear Edition of Darwin’s World. We want to keep the page count manageable, which also keeps the price down for you. As such, we did some editing for clarity, readability, and reducing redundancies–nothing major, but still time-consuming.
So, Where Does That Leave Us?
The biggest chunks of text to be edited are nearly done. These are the sections of background text and setting that are largely unbroken by game mechanics and the like. After that, the primary rules sections and character game mechanics need another look to ensure everything works together following the initial rush to get them ready for Feeding Grounds.
The creatures section is also done and waiting for feedback from playtesters.
The major sections that have barely been touched yet are equipment, weapons, and neural powers.
Lastly, the art that was originally only in black and white is being colored so the PDF, at least (and perhaps a deluxe print on demand version), will be in full color.
Progress marches onward in the Twisted Earth of Darwin’s World!
Steven Trustrum
Steven Trustrum has been writing in the RPG industry since the end of the '90s and publishing via Misfit Studios since 2003. Aside from writing and publishing role-playing game content, he ... dabbles ... in content and social media marketing.