Atheosis >>>

Aliens in 40k aren't Star Trek aliens. They aren't humans with some weird shit on their foreheads. They are true aliens, and that means that their psychology is very different from ours. 40k aliens do not make good characters for a roleplaying game in my opinion.

This is another one of those topics that are going to polarise the hobbyist community as much as Marines... or Eldar.  

On my behalf?  I disagree with you.  Not disrespectfully, though.  What I would rather suggest is that the 40k aliens aren't really that different from the Star Trek ones, though, beyond the fact that I'm sure that Gene Roddenberry is not kicking himself (err, from the grave) about not hiring GW artists and writers (believe it or not).  They do a very good job of creating some cool imagery and writing some text that vaguely talks about how alien they are without actually telling you how alienor not alienthey actually are.

If you look at the literature, though, it's not about being truly alien but being believably alien.  It often seems about being presented with what is described as an alien culture, and then being able to see familiarity in itonly to be baffled when they do something crazy (as determined by the plot).  The thing is, you can find examples of this kind of culture in the real world if you're willing to look at the type of norms that might be defined as Western gaming culture.  Delve into anthropology.  You will see how human beings with a whole slew of different mores, ideologies, metaphysical paradigms etc., will be as alien to you as a... well, whatever race you to see that is attempted to written up as anything other than a plot device.  

As a plot device aliens can be "alien" because you only have to justify whatever crazy action they're going to make.  As a PC race, they just have to believably described such that the PC can have some cultural context that extends beyond just a body to be placed in the cross-hairs.  Even though foreknowledge is kind of expected, we see this kind of "cross-hair" alien in Creatures Anathema and, forgive me, perhaps even things like Lure of the Expanse.

As always, though, YMMV.

Peacekeeper_b >>>

I think FFG could do far worse then the release a "Core Core Book" the biggest flaw or obstacle would be careers, as each "game" thus far has totally different careers.

Couldn't this be achieved with just playing a mathematical game?  Different "tier" points working on a different ratio?  Or just refer to the power levels as something discrete rather than encompassed by a different system?  x,000 points for Dark Heresy, 10,000-n,000 points for Rogue Trader, etc.

Peacekeeper_b >>>

However, a few generics would work (as I said a few years back when DH first came out, the D20 modern basic careers of Strong, Smart, Tough, Fast and so forth careers) with sub notes of how each of these new careers work in each game (for example, as rank 1"alternate career ranks" for DH, as part of the origin path for RT and whatever for however DW works).

That's one of the interesting things that I liked about skrittibak's (sp.) interpretation of 40k RPG.  Even more flexible than Dark Heresy Career Paths even though they are inherently based upon the same mechanic.  (It's where, for me, Dark Heresy gets into some interesting narrativism.)

Peacekeeper_b >>>

After that 40K Core Sourcebooks. The Xeno Codex with critters, gear, adventures, worlds and info that work for all three games. The Imperial Armoury full of gear for all three games. The Index Calixis as a setting guide and so forth.

I think that you might have Adam France drooling over you and wondering if you want to propose now, Peacekeeper_b! 

Peacekeeper_b >>>

Sorry, while not really well written, having finished the Kal Jerico trilogy of Necromunda Novels, it just sounds like a good 40K setting. Campy, sci-fi, fun.

Is there a way of talking about such things generically?  After all, hiveworlds have some shared imagery even before you go beyond the "every world is unique" thing as applied.

Kage

Some other imperial organisations that I believe could also be potentially explored in greater detail could also include the Ecclesiarchy as well as the various imperial subcults such as the redemptionists and quite possible the Imperial Navy too. 

Lightbringer said:

 The biggest offender ever was/is the Rifts setting. Each splatbook presented at least two or three new RCC/OCC's. After a while I got tired of trying to collect and keep up with them and dropped the whole game.

Illithidelderbrain said:

I agree. I hope Dark Heresy releases a Character Compendium in the future much like the real WFRP (2E) did with the Career Compendium.

Peacekeeper_b said:

That would certainly moderate what is rapidly becoming "rules bloat," or the idea that not only do you have to chase your way through the system, but also through numerous books to find the specific rule that you want.  (Assuming that you don't mind just making it up on the spot, that is!)

At one point there was also a call for "Path" books, or those that explored each of the individual Paths available for characters.  While a bit "D&D" sounding, a book that explored the Imperial Guard for "Guard," the seedy underbelly of the Imperium for "Scum," etc. might also be quite an interesting read.  (Though I admit that just because it says "Guard" doesn't mean that you have to be a member of the Imperial GuardI'm just using it as an example.)

Kage

I believe there is one more power level left to explore.  That's right, I talking about Warhammer 40k: Titanicus the RPG!  I for one look forward to stopping around the Universe crushing the enemies of the Emperor with my gigantic iron shod heels.

LOL... That's not actually that hard to do.  I'm going to have to put some thought into that.  

Kage

Kage2020 said:

I'd really love to see books like that. I'd gladly sell my soul, my kidney and my future baby for just such a book about the Machine Cult.

Well, fan interpretations of those aren't too far away but... well, they're fan interpretations.  Take them with how little or how much salt you think is needed.

Kage

Morangias said:

Your soul and future baby, you say? Step right this way... that's right, straight into my office. I have a great part-exchange plan I'm sure you're dying to see!

You think Death Watch is a far as far as FFG should go? Nonsense.

Crusade

Do I want to play a Primarch? Why yes, yes I do.

TS Luikart said:

I think that you gave many Marine fans a nerdgasm right there, T.S. Luikart. 

Again, not hard to do a game of Primarchs.

Kage

Kage2020 said:

Well then... Horus Heresy RPG?:O Not THAT impossible...

TorogTarkdacil said:

Other than FFG previously stating that they can't cover areas previously covered by GW fluff, and so they can only cover completely new areas (like Calixis, Koronus and Jericho).

So it's unlikely we'll ever see source books for different sectors previously in GW fluff, or different time-eras (like the Horus Heresy).

TorogTarkdacil said:

An official one?  As MILLANDSON points out, not likely.  Could fans craft it if they wanted?  For sure.

Kage