And yes, the individual adventures in the Adventure Path are getting a little shorter. We'll be dropping from an average of 50 pages down to 40 pages, and we'll use the extra space to present a short side-quest adventure in each Pathfinder that's tied thematically to the concurrent adventure.
(The primary reason we're shortening the adventures is one of simple resources—it's very difficult to develop and edit a 50 page adventure and stay on a monthly schedule. I suspect that a 60 page one would be IMPOSSIBLE to do on a monthly schedule. A 40 page one, on the other hand, is easy mode.)
For the record, I'm glad to hear about this change. I like the idea of having an unrelated (though thematically tied) side adventure in every volume of Pathfinder. I think it makes each volume a little more flexible and a little more...nimble? Does that make sense? The cool thing is (if I understand correctly) is that even if you aren't currently running the adventure path you can still find an occasional adventure for whatever campaign you're currently in. That sounds cool to me. And it gives each volume the chance to explore something a bit different. Sounds awesome! I can't wait!
I'm glad the adventure modules will now be every other month. I was starting to fear an overload of material. (I know the alternating months will be the PC Companion, but that's not an adventure)
Let me make sure of this--I can retain my GameMastery/Pathfinder Modules subscription, and my Pathfinder AP subscription, and still choose NOT to subscribe to these "Pathfinder Companions," correct?
Creative Director
|
Let me make sure of this--I can retain my GameMastery/Pathfinder Modules subscription, and my Pathfinder AP subscription, and still choose NOT to subscribe to these "Pathfinder Companions," correct?
Yes. I believe so. The end result for you will be continuing to get a monthly Pathfinder installment, but you'll only get a module once every other month.
The Chronicles line is a separate entity, and therefore a separate subscription.
|
Creative Director
|
James Jacobs:
Whilst pleased to hear that more Golarion data is on the way, I am slightly concerned by some of the potential pitfalls of this rise in levels of background product release; I hope that at Paizo someone will be dedicated to the role of 'Golarion continuity editor' to vet chronicles and modules- even the novel line when it comes out- to ensure that no major bloopers (such as those another company seems to regularly let slip through into one of their major campaign settings) affect Golarion.
Right now, we're all kind of working as continuity editors, to be honest. I've read almsot everything we've put out... the modules and portions of Classic Monsters Revisited being the major exceptions. Mike McArtor's read even more of it, and he's actually turning into the main continuity guy in the editorial pit.
Now and then, disconnects WILL pop up between continuity, but there's been no "major bloopers" that I know of yet. And hopefully we'll be able to keep things that way.
Hey this sounds like a really good change to the lineup. Was just wondering one thing though any reason the modules are $12.99 and the companions are $9.99?
Sounds to me that Paizo is setting up the possibility of the Gamemastery title for 4th edition modules not tied to the pathfinder setting. There have been statements about how concerned they may be with 4th edition working with the setting.
|
Right now, we're all kind of working as continuity editors, to be honest. I've read almsot everything we've put out... the modules and portions of Classic Monsters Revisited being the major exceptions. Mike McArtor's read even more of it, and he's actually turning into the main continuity guy in the editorial pit.
*gasp*
Continuity editors! I'm getting teary eyed.
I wished another company had realized this was something they needed when they started 3E.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
|
Pres man may be on to something here. I guess with the half-announced "big news" next week, we might very well see a split between 3.5 material (Pathfinder, for the moment) and 4th Ed (Gamemastery).
For the moment, Pathfinder is the major name associated with Paizo (AFAICS), so it makes sense to bring the "solid earner" into that fold, while using the less-recognized brand for the risky business of testing the 4th Edition waters.
The Chronicles line is a separate entity, and therefore a separate subscription.
Good deal; I'm a homebrew setting addict from WAY back. I'd actually prefer to have the setting info and the adventures separate (so that I can buy the latter without the former), and now you've done it for me! Thanks again.
Sounds to me that Paizo is setting up the possibility of the Gamemastery title for 4th edition modules not tied to the pathfinder setting. There have been statements about how concerned they may be with 4th edition working with the setting.
Pres man may be on to something here. I guess with the half-announced "big news" next week, we might very well see a split between 3.5 material (Pathfinder, for the moment) and 4th Ed (Gamemastery).
For the moment, Pathfinder is the major name associated with Paizo (AFAICS), so it makes sense to bring the "solid earner" into that fold, while using the less-recognized brand for the risky business of testing the 4th Edition waters.
Except...
This is what Vic Wertz said on Friday in this very thread.
We're not introducing an additional Module line, we're just renaming the existing line. And nothing about the content is changing. All Modules are still set in the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting, just like they've always been.
Though... *IF* they do convert, which has not been stated because they neither have the GSL or the rules, the individual modules are a more logical place to begin conversion.
If that ever actually happens.
|
Creative Director
|
Hey this sounds like a really good change to the lineup. Was just wondering one thing though any reason the modules are $12.99 and the companions are $9.99?
Because modules are much more difficult to create; since the entire game is "at play" in their creation (you have to juggle ALL the rules and ALL the world continuity during development and design), it takes more of our resources to create these.
Also: Only one person in your group buys a module. In theory, EVERYONE in your group could buy a Companion. AKA: We suspect we'll sell more of the Companions than the modules, therefore we're comfortable selling them at a lower price.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not in marketing, so I might be off on my reasons above, but I'm pretty sure they're close to right, at least.
|
Chief Technical Officer
|
We'll be using ... the GameMastery brand to designate setting-independent roleplaying accessories.
Sounds to me that Paizo is setting up the possibility of the Gamemastery title for 4th edition modules not tied to the pathfinder setting.
I see how you could infer that, but the key word in my sentence above is actually "accessories," not "setting-independent." Examples of accessories are Critical Hit/Fumble Decks, Item Cards, Flip-Mats, Map Packs, the Campaign Workbook, the Combat Pad, and Spell Templates.
Modules—regardless of edition—don't really fit there anymore, which is why we moved them.
|
Chief Technical Officer
|
Hey this sounds like a really good change to the lineup. Was just wondering one thing though any reason the modules are $12.99 and the companions are $9.99?Because modules are much more difficult to create; since the entire game is "at play" in their creation (you have to juggle ALL the rules and ALL the world continuity during development and design), it takes more of our resources to create these.
Also: Only one person in your group buys a module. In theory, EVERYONE in your group could buy a Companion. AKA: We suspect we'll sell more of the Companions than the modules, therefore we're comfortable selling them at a lower price.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not in marketing, so I might be off on my reasons above, but I'm pretty sure they're close to right, at least.
While James' first reason is correct, it's not enough to account for a $3/copy difference. His second reason is the real big one. We expect to sell more copies of each Pathfinder Companion than we do of each Pathfinder Module, and higher print runs mean lower per-copy print costs.
|
|
Companions also likely to continue to sell long after their initial release date at a much higher rate. New players months later will still have interest in the Companions, whereas there are (and will be) sooooo many modules a new DM is less likely to go after the old ones unless there's a specific reason to get the modules.
For example, a new DM today might say.. I like Rise of the Ruinlords, which modules take place in Varisia. There are only two of them, instant sales. Unless he's interested in altering his campaign world, the Falcon's Hollow stuff won't immediate draw as an introduction purchase until there's a some material supporting where in the world it is. :)
|
And yes, the individual adventures in the Adventure Path are getting a little shorter. We'll be dropping from an average of 50 pages down to 40 pages, and we'll use the extra space to present a short side-quest adventure in each Pathfinder that's tied thematically to the concurrent adventure.(The primary reason we're shortening the adventures is one of simple resources—it's very difficult to develop and edit a 50 page adventure and stay on a monthly schedule. I suspect that a 60 page one would be IMPOSSIBLE to do on a monthly schedule. A 40 page one, on the other hand, is easy mode.)
I am loving Pathfinder totally. Can't wait for the next AP to start but I am disappointed about the 10 page loss to the adventures. They have been so awesome.
The Pathfinder/Gamemastery line is by far the premier product of its type availabe today (IMHO). I cant remember the last time I bought a non-pazio product actually. I hope that both will stay 3.5 focused, which well selfish, will continue to satisfy my RPG bug as neither I nor any members of the three groups I game with weekly plan on rolling to yet another addition.
Keep up the great work!
One silly question ¿All the anterior Gamemastery Modules were placed in Golarion and bring information of the world?
One silly question ¿All the anterior Gamemastery Modules were placed in Golarion and bring information of the world?
Yes. All the modules were set in Golarion.
Yes. All the modules were set in Golarion.
One silly question ¿All the anterior Gamemastery Modules were placed in Golarion and bring information of the world?
Thanks, then i will buy the remaining modules ^^