NEW RELEASE: House Arano: The Aurigan Coalition

[Cubby]

which means we might be able to get XTROs

Landscape orientation remains a problem.

[DarkSpade]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I'd love to see the landscape TROs go the way of the unseen.   Portrait orientation books are way easier to read and could potentially include record sheets.

[Empyrus]

Portrait orientation would allow bigger images of 'Mechs, not to mention being kind of more logical orientation for pics of 'Mechs given that they are tall...

That said, the landscape format feels kind of more fitting for TRO. More manual-like, if that makes sense? Wonder if that was why FASA went with landscape orientation so long ago?

[Bedwyr]

I would lay down money that was so. The in-universe framing was always an elegant thing and the landscape contributed to the feeling.

[Maelwys]

Yes, it appears there's an error of some kind.  I suspect Wealth was supposed to be -100 (at least).  With just the fixed and flex XP from Major Periphery State, you start with -5 XP going in to the sub-affiliation, which has a 215 XP balance.  Off to the errata thread!

I also question the "Major Periphery State" bit. Should it be minor? I find it amusing that the rules state "Use any ATOW Life Paths" :)

[Doom]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I'd love to see the landscape TROs go the way of the unseen.   Portrait orientation books are way easier to read and could potentially include record sheets.

The portrait orientation worked just fine in the Combat Manuals.

[DarkSpade]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I'd love to see the landscape TROs go the way of the unseen.   Portrait orientation books are way easier to read and could potentially include record sheets.

To avoid derailing this thread, I've given this topic its own.

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=65735.0

[VhenRa]

There is one thing that annoyed me somewhat with the book... the scenario fighting the Cappies.

Should be a Commander and three Sub-Commanders, not a Sub-Commander and three NCOs. As much as I hate the Cappies [with the power of a thousand exploding suns...], I get their ranks right. Cappies have all their mechwarriors as officers.

[Annwn]

This will be my first BT book purchase since FASA (other than some novels) - I was excited to play another BT computer game and then see the lore expansion in the universe.  It will fit nicely with my old house books.  Had a few questions.  Do the pdfs and pod files typically get updated with errata?  Ie I read about some potential errata - the King Crab table, some misspellings or such, and some of the slight lore errors (ie like the Capellan rank one just above).  If I bought a pdf, would it be updated later?  If I held off on a print copy, would it potentially contain errata updates at some point?

Bonus question - Will House Arano print be available for purchase at GenCon? 

[Adrian Gideon]

PDFs are occasionally updated. The POD likely will not, as that would mean taking it down for about a month while the whole process starts over again.

[Robroy]

The more you know. I just figured that PODs were printed from an easily updated file, I take it that it is a little bit more involved then that.

[Adrian Gideon]

It’s simple in theory (isn’t everything)? But the procedure that’s in place is not. If it were, the book would have been out a month ago.

So, if we take the couple of minor errata we have, spend 5 minutes fixing them and upload the new file…the entire PoD product immediately goes offline for 2-4 weeks.

So…no. I understand the desire, especially with how “simple” it should be, to sit and wait until this product is perfected before purchasing, but no. There’s no such thing. TRUST me.

[Maingunnery]

Hopefully the POD providers will improve their processes over the coming years.

[Bedwyr]

So…no. I understand the desire, especially with how “simple” it should be, to sit and wait until this product is perfected before purchasing, but no. There’s no such thing. TRUST me.

My imagination supplies a comparison. When I design a circuit board (for which my school has no fabrication facilities), I have to translate that information into a package that a remote fabricator can use. They supply an automated checking tool to make sure that circuit traces lead to the supposedly intended places, the holes are both the right size and location, and nothing is impinging on any important bits and the spacing is enough for the precision I requested.

If the system is complex, I'll most likely get a call from a company engineer to talk through my design and intent before giving the go-ahead. A production run might be several hundred boards to several thousand. A prototype board (what I nearly always use) will usually be one to five of them. The latter is closest to PoD; you just keep fabricating the product as needed. And the process leading up to fabrication is going to be nearly exactly the same.

[Lastjedi]

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[abou]

I just received my POD copy today. It looks very nice. I did expect glossy paper in my head simply because of the color images. I honestly don't know why, but my brain just did that. Regardless, the presentation is solid.

I hope that this as a test bed finds success. I know that print quality won't match a planned run, but it shows promise.

[Colt Ward]

Checked CGL Store and still don't see it  :'(

Read the thread any?

[Adrian Gideon]

Checked CGL Store and still don't see it  :'(

Apologies, haven’t had an opportunity to put it up in the store yet.

[Bedwyr]

Likewise got the print version. It's very well put together and nice to see what the old house book format looks like in person.

[Lastjedi]

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[Bedwyr]

**MOD NOTICE**

Knock off the passive aggressive back and forth please.

[Robroy]

Got my PoD yesterday and spent today reading it. Just got to say I am quite pleased with it. As far as gloss vs. matte I do prefer the matte. The paper seemed to have a good weight to it and the pages seem well glued to the cover.

I do wish they would have gone into a little more background on the houses and planets, but then it is more open for GMs to flesh out.

I hope this PoD thing works out well for Catalyst as I prefer books to PDF.

Now I am looking forward to the Aurigan Reach 20 year update.  >:D

[Joewrightgm]

Just had a skim of the book: amazing.  I love it! Keep up the good work!

[ArchonDan]

I got my physical copy Friday. I’ve spend the day reading through it and really love it. I’m glad they used the old house book format, fits right in  :thumbsup:

I like the details on the units and that fact the scenarios all used the Mechs out of the new box sets. Really good tie in and supporting release

Here to hoping the PoD works out for CGL, it’s a great quality book.

[David CGB]

I got my physical copy Friday. I’ve spend the day reading through it and really love it. I’m glad they used the old house book format, fits right in  :thumbsup:

I like the details on the units and that fact the scenarios all used the Mechs out of the new box sets. Really good tie in and supporting release

Here to hoping the PoD works out for CGL, it’s a great quality book.

yes I would like to get a pod copy through them

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Double checking: the only way to get a physical copy is to order a POD, right?  It's not something that's going to be available as a general release?

[Colt Ward]

We were playing a couple table top games today to progress our local tournament.  I held the PoD Arano book in my hands, and honestly its hard to tell any difference from something done the traditional way.  I actually think the cover's shine and smooth texture were better than I usually see.

[Frabby]

Double checking: the only way to get a physical copy is to order a POD, right?  It's not something that's going to be available as a general release?

What's the difference? PoD is the general print release venue for this product and, as far as I've gathered, CGL is considering switching to PoD completely adding PoD to their distribution channels and is using House Arano as a test balloon.

I've been told a number of House Arano books were sold at Origins (and naturally sold out in under 24 hours); these would've been PoD copies as well.

Edit: It wasn't stated anywhere that CGL considered to switch to PoD exclusively, that was just me getting the wrong impression. Corrected above. Wouldn't want to start rumors.

[Lorcan Nagle]

We were playing a couple table top games today to progress our local tournament.  I held the PoD Arano book in my hands, and honestly its hard to tell any difference from something done the traditional way.  I actually think the cover's shine and smooth texture were better than I usually see.

My copy is still on the way, but I've ordered all the new PoD novels and they're basically indistinguishable from mass-market books. I've no reason to think the House Arano book will be any different.

[Weirdo]

CGL is considering switching to PoD completely and is using House Arano as a test balloon.

I don't recall anything saying they want to try going PoD only. Similarly, I've heard nothing that says future PoD products will be PoD only.

We know this:

1: House Arano is CGL's test for the PoD process.

2: House Arano's physical release is PoD only.

3: If this goes well, future products may also be PoD.

I don't recall seeing anything that said the products from #3 would only be PoD.