Valar Project, Inc. to release the “Book of Erotic Fantasy” in October 2003 - the first roleplaying game, compatible with the best selling Dungeons & Dragons ™ fantasy roleplaying game, that deals directly with sex and sexuality.

OK, my final opinion on this work is going to depend on the quality of the product (Yes, I'm a gamer. You don't like it, too bad). As far as whether or not it's a good idea in the first place, there are a number of schools of thought:

School 1: "Don't do it, it'll just give the Jack Chicks of this world more ammo to shoot at RPGs." A true and valid argument, but rather moot, since the fundie hordes have no trouble finding their own ammo.

School 2: "Don't do it, sex has no place in D&D." True for some groups, not for others. Not a reason not to publish the book at all.

School 3: "Go for it! Screw the fundie hordes! If they want to hate us, we'll give them reason!" Moot argument again - fundie hordes have no trouble finding reasons to hate us.

There are probably other opinions on this matter. However, one thing about this whole situation that has amused me is the reaction of Wizards of the Coast, which released the following statement:

Wizards of the Coast is in no way associated with the product, "The Book of Erotic Fantasy," referenced recently on [websites]. We find the subject matter distasteful and inappropriate and do not endorse, condone, or approve of its use with the Dungeons & Dragons game. While the OGL license allows anyone, even our employees, to produce products that are compatible with Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards does not approve or control the theme of any third-party D20 product. For Immediate Release Contact: Anthony Valterra
Valar Project, Inc.
1909 N. 47th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
206.675.8552

This is just hilarious to me, coming as it does from the same people who released The Book of Vile Darkness with such fanfare, with sealed "mature content" excerpts in Dragon magazine, and promises that WotC was really pushing the envelope here, no question, yup, this was for adults only, really bad stuff, shock your pastor with this etc. etc. Anyway, for them to turn around and get all starched in the bum about somebody else's sex in D&D book seems to me to be at least a little bit hypocritical.