Artemesia said:

A lot of folks seem to forget that the Imperium have Non-Aggression Pacts with both the Eldar and the Tau.

And they've even worked with some clans of Orks as well...

But from 4+ ed they decided its just war war war war war and nothing else in the game and forgot all about the co-op stuff that could happen..

Velvetears said:

There's a difference between ceasefires, temporary alliances of convenience, etc, and civilisation-spanning non-agression pacts.

What exists between the Eldar and the Imperium is not a non-agression pact. Partly because there is no singular Eldar civilisation (every Craftworld, Exodite Colony and Corsair Fleet is an independent political entity), partly because many Eldar view humans as little more than animals, and partly because the self-interest of the Eldar frequently outwieghs any notions of 'playing nice' with the humans. By comparison, human civilisation is built upon a philosophy of absolute human dominance of the galaxy... something which does not easily allow for other species to stick around.

Now, when it remains in the interests of both parties to 'play nice', then diplomacy and not-shooting-eachother occur... for a while. It might be a powerful mutual foe, it might be simply an understanding to not get in the other's way (as exists in the Calixis Sector when the Kaelor Craftworld passes through every millennium), or it might be some other reason... but that shouldn't be mistaken for a lack of hostility.

Similarly, while the Damocles Gulf Crusade ended in ceasefire (due to mass redeployment of Imperial forces to higher-priority warzones), that has not stopped violence between Imperial and Tau forces in the decades and centuries since - amongst other things, the Tau have aggressively expanded their territories, often conquering Imperial worlds, and the Imperium has fought back.

Imperial forces utilising Ork and Kroot mercenaries aren't exactly commonplace, but they happen often enough to be worth consideration... but these again tend to be short-term matters, inspired more by the idea that an alien that dies killing my enemies is preferable to a human dying to kill those enemies, as by any notion of peaceful cooperation.

I realize from reading the Horus Heresy novels that the Imperium doesn't like alien species and consorting with them is generally a bad thing, I guess I would just like to hear/play more stories outside of the space marines.

I imagine the work around would be to have people play in Tau space. You could get away with playing Eldar, Tau, Kroot, humans, ect. Some good roleplay from racial differences, without everyone frothing at the mouth screaming XENO and shooting.

It would be a nice thing to see, rules for playing an Alien race in 40k.  WHFRPG system before FFG got it had rules for playing a Chaos Knight and other creatures of Chaos.  Those were some fun games to run.

It wouldn't be hard to do up a little supplement style book to play various races.  They wouldn't need to do much with their area of living.  Just leave that up to the ST/GM/DM.  I think running a Tau based game would be nice.

I am, very much so, going to put a psychic thought out into the universe that somewhere along the line, there will be a limited release of an Ork Freebootaz RPG book.  That's right, much like Rogue Trader, you play the Boss or Nob crew of a Ork pirate ship.  This should be the humourous 'black sheep' of the RPG line.  Made up of equal parts Humour, ridiculousness, and inter-party fighting.  Almost Paranoia in the 41s millennium.  But with Orks.  

C'mon.. you know you want this. an RPG where there is a stat block for what colour your vehicle is..  Or an area on the character sheet that says Dakka: and the proper response is NOT ENUFF!  This must be made, and to direct this at the FFG powers that be, in proper (oxymoron to be sure) Ork fashion!

OI!  YOU LAZY GITZ!  KWIT MUCKIN ABOUT AND DO THIS! 

Start supporting rogue trader.

It was my understanding in that the recent interview with Ross/Sam that it was alluded that such things (playable aliens)  might be more likely than we might think: 

Mord: As was asked back in the last interview with Ross, is there any chance of rules for Player Character Xenos? (Asked by lots of people and please say yes :P)

SS: Sadly, this is not something I can talk about at this point.  However, everyone here in the office are big fans of 40k (not that it needed repeating!), so it's safe to say we share many of your interests and desires.  Keep an eye on the website.   

Of course, that could mean anything, but hopefully it means that we might at least see some of the local races as playable.

Darned NDAs. 

Kage

Kage2020 said:

That does seem to hint at something.

Wilfred Owen said:

Just what, though?  Who knows.  Apart from the people that do, and they're not allowed to say anything or don't want to say anything (leaning more towards the former than the latter).

Kage

Kage2020 said:

Indeed, NDAs prevent all playtesters (myself included) from discussing anything and everything that takes part in the development process until such time as FFG announces something, and then we are allowed to comment on that.

Kage2020 said:

I'm probably convincing myself that they are planning something.  Just ignore me; I'm reading too much into it. 

Wilfred Owen said:

No worries.  I'm afraid that, as much respect that I might have for MILLANDSON, that this is another situation where it seems that the NDA is being used for an excuse.  If you cannot say something, stop telling us that you cannot say something.  Unless this is some whole political thing going on between FFG and GW then stop already.  Stop flim-flamming everyone.

DD.  Designer Diary. Double D's.   Is it as fake as the rest of the stuff that one sees in the media?

FFG and their playtesters desperately need to re-establish their trust with the fandom; their punters, or the people that buy their products.  I'm not sure there is any trust any more.  If I'm wrong?  Then cool.  I'm sure that there are going to be people nay-saying this premise, but the fact that I'm even suggesting it?  Well, is that nay-sayer a playtester?  A spin-doctor?

I think that the trust needs to be earned.  So, earn it.

Kage

No offence Kage, but I think you are seriously overestimating how much influence the playtesters have with FFG. It's not a matter of us trusting people, it's a matter of law preventing us from talking openly, so unless you would like to pay my legal costs for being sued for breach of confidence, I think I'll just stick to my NDA.

And please, don't involve us in any argument about how FFG/GW go about their business. FFG are not us and we are not FFG, and I'd appreciate being kept out of any argument that seems to place blame on me or my fellow playtesters when company policy is nothing to do with us. We only mention as much as we are allowed to mention usually because someone asks a question involving it (generally "where are the supplements?" or "Why is RT not being supported?"). If you don't want to listen to it, you are more than capable of ignoring that post, meaning that you don't need to read it and get annoyed and those that do want to hear it can. Something, no matter how small, is better than nothing, in my opinion at least, and I'm sure others feel likewise.

Wither way, thanks for essentially telling me to shut up, despite your comment of "respect". I'll just sit in the corner now like a good boy.

Kage2020 said:

So you'd rather those of us who want to talk but are constrained by law and circumstance said nothing? You want to be left with naught but increasingly-pessimistic and essentially incorrect speculation which essentially amounts to predictions of doom?

I want to go into detail about what I've written for FFG these past months. I imagine that everyone who has worked on FFG's current projects wants to talk about the things they've seen and contributed towards. And quite frankly, it's insulting to be accused of withholding this information out of what amounts to pettiness, using the legally-binding contracts and agreements we've signed as excuses to hide behind.