Decipher, canon and original material

[bhannah_3]

Does anyone know what restrictions (if any) exist on Decipher when it comes to publishing orginal (i.e. non-canon) material? Looking through the PG, and NG and the Starship books (the only ones I have), everything seems to conform to what is generally considered to be canon. I doen't own Aliens yet but from the list of species in it, it looks like there are no original ones there and likewise in the SOM the only thing that I'm aware of as being 'new' is the name given to the Regulans.

Does this mean that unlike FASA (who invented a lot) or LUG (especially with their alien books), Decipher will only be publishing something if we've previuosly seen it either on TV, in the movies or the Encyclopedia?

I'm looking forward to the Mirror universe book but one that sticks to the facts established in the five episodes we've seen would be very different to one that indulged in speculation of what the Mirror universe is like.

[KillerWhale]

To my knowledge, all the stuff they publish has to be approved by Paramount. So I'd say they are free to do as they please, as long as Paramount gives it a go.

[Greg Smith]

There's a lot of non-canon stuff created to give backgrounds to many of the races in aliens. Sure the Anticans were seen on screen, but all the stuff about their culture etc is new.

[Phantom]

I have asked this question before, and I'm a little worried that the info that Dec can put out will eventually run out...If they have to strictly abide by canon (Paramount.) I hope the agreement isn't too rigid, otherwise a Romulan Sourcebook (if one is pending) will only cover stuff from Nem...YUK!

[Doug Burke]

Originally posted by Phantom
I have asked this question before, and I'm a little worried that the info that Dec can put out will eventually run out...If they have to strictly abide by canon (Paramount.) I hope the agreement isn't too rigid, otherwise a Romulan Sourcebook (if one is pending) will only cover stuff from Nem...YUK!

From what I've heard (and seen), the agreement Decipher has is pretty much the same as the one LUG had. New info can be developed, but still must pass approval from Paramount before it can be published.

[T'lara]

Originally posted by Phantom
I have asked this question before, and I'm a little worried that the info that Dec can put out will eventually run out...If they have to strictly abide by canon (Paramount.) I hope the agreement isn't too rigid, otherwise a Romulan Sourcebook (if one is pending) will only cover stuff from Nem...YUK!

Becareful, showing your dislike for anything Rick Bermen and Brannon Braga do. You might get slammed and in trouble other Posters being called a Basher and wrong because you do not like it. I say post what you feel but reading threads on this board it seems those of us not happy and have real gripes are just Bashers looking to cause problems. Just post happy thoughts, Phantom. I do because I am tired of people with nothing supporting them just accusing me of Bashing.

[Capt Daniel Hunter]

Sorry for the OT post, but....

There's a huge difference between simply stating an opinion (as Phantom just did) and bashing. Some people should learn the difference. Some individuals have no respect for opinions other than their own, yet demand everyone respect their opinion. And any evidence to back them up is usually totally subjective, or pure speculation. If you make a statement you should be able to prove your point. If you can't it's simply an opinion, and stating it as anything else is wrong, IMHO.

IMHO, it's all in the way people present their opinion. There are plenty of people on this board who I disagree with, but they comport themselves with respect and courtesy. And they don't get apoplectic when someone challenges their opinions, or disagrees with them. Those are the people whose opinions I respect, and who I take seriously.

Getting back on topic, I would really like to see Decipher produce some original sourebooks along the lines of some of the old FASA ones. The Triangle was one of FASA's best settings, and I would seriously like to see Decipher produce something along those lines, with plot hooks, NPCs and the like.

[Phantom]

Originally posted by Capt Daniel Hunter

Getting back on topic, I would really like to see Decipher produce some original sourebooks along the lines of some of the old FASA ones. The Triangle was one of FASA's best settings, and I would seriously like to see Decipher produce something along those lines, with plot hooks, NPCs and the like.

An updated Triangle Sourcebook would be very nice indeed. One of my favourite Trek settings, and i'm not one for non-SF settings. It had everything, regular SF possiblities, traders/pirate/merc games, and espionage. Jeez, I wish I could find the old Triangle books...At least until Dec does something with it. But, I wouldn't hold your breath.

[Capt Daniel Hunter]

I LOVE the Triangle. While I don't expect Decipher to ever do anything with it, it would be nice to see them produce some equally nice setting sourcebooks.

I'm currently using the Triangle for my two Motion Picture era games, so I have been writing up some of the NPCs and planets for our game forum (pretty handy for the players to access). Haven't gotten that far with it yet though.