Dunno if it's been discussed elsewhere, but searching gives dispersive result.
Anyone knows if Paizo has something in mind for a Pathfinder (and maybe Golarion)-based videogame for console/pc or a mmorpg (like DDO, but hopefully far better)?
I think this has been touched upon before at somepoint. Something about having to give up the Intellectual Property to whoever produces the game or something. cant recall exactly what was said, only that it was unlikely.
Uh? WotC retains the property despite the ocean of games built upon DnD, no? What would be the difference with Paizo?
Chief Technical Officer
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I know it's a complex subject, but there sure is a lot of misinformation in this thread already!
First of all, it's important to realize that there's a big distinction here between rules and setting, or, more accurately, between Open Game Content and Product Identity.
Since the rules of the Pathfinder RPG (and most Pathfinder products) are designated as Open Game Content under the Open Game License, that document governs what people can and can't do with the rules. If you follow the OGL, you can use the Open Game Content.
(It's a misconception that one can't create video games using the OGL. There are media restrictions in the *d20 license*, but that doesn't come into play here. In fact, the OGL specifically calls out "translations [including into other computer languages]" as allowable.)
The OGL, though, prevents you from using trademarks owned by others (such as "Pathfinder" or "Paizo") without permission, so even though you can make a game based on the mechanics of the Pathfinder RPG, you can't actually say that the game uses the Pathfinder RPG rules without our permission. (Our Pathfinder RPG Compatibility License allows people to indicate that their books and PDFs are compatible with the Pathfinder RPG, but that license specifically does *not* extend to video games.
Apart from the rules, our setting material is all designated as Product Identity, and is thus explicitly not available for use under the OGL. (Copyrights and trademarks ensure that it is also not available for use by others.) Our Community Use Policy allows non-commercial use of some of it, but none of it is available to commercial publishers without specific permission.
We hope to some day partner with an established video game producer to create a video game using some of this content, but at this time, we're not in talks with any particular parties to do so. (If you know [or are] a professional video game publisher with a good reputation, we're willing to talk about it, but we're also not in any particular hurry.)
We hope to some day partner with an established video game producer to create a video game using some of this content, but at this time, we're not in talks with any particular parties to do so. (If you know [or are] a professional video game publisher with a good reputation, we're willing to talk about it, but we're also not in any particular hurry.)
If I was (or knew) a videogame publisher I'd arrange things so that the name of that game would sobstitute the word "Epic" in all dictionaries, but unfortunately I'm just someone who was wondering why this option hasn't had a serious thought. Maybe Pathfinder must still grow bigger and even more popular, but I just hope a game (and a very good one) may come out as soon as possible.
Thanks for the clarification.
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So Vic, I have a question of a less technical nature for you: when are we going to see a Pathfinder videogame? God that would be awesome!!!! please, pretty please!!!!
(whatever you do, please make "The Bleaching" a feature of that game if you select gnome as a race! :) :P :) )
I'm so making an elf fighter/mage/eldritch knight with elf curved sword if this happens... :)
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The Pathfinder videogame should be a side-scrolling 2D beat'em-up in the lieu of Golden Axe or TOWER OF DOOM !
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Chief Technical Officer
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To be clear, we think certain other media, including video games, movies, tv, and novels, are a big deal—good ones can build your audience in a big way, while bad ones can ensure that you never get that chance again. So we're proceeding very carefully on all of those fronts; we won't do any of those things until we know they'll be *great*.
while bad ones can ensure that you never get that chance again.
Remember, if Uwe Boll ever offers to direct a Pathfinder movie, just say no!!!!
Remember, if Uwe Boll ever offers to direct a Pathfinder movie, just say no!!!!
Or Michael Bay!! noooooooooooooo!!
If there were to be a pathfinder video game, I'd want it to be like BioWare's original Baldur's Gate. Nothing beats the top down party control for D&D IMHO.
I would want it to be more Neverwinter Nights.
I'm sick of RTS games with RPG elements. I want to play a role playing game. Where I play a role. Not manage a whole crowd of people.
I guess I'm still mad that they butchered NWN2.
while bad ones can ensure that you never get that chance again.Remember, if Uwe Boll ever offers to direct a Pathfinder movie, just say no!!!!
Don't even say it! You'll jinx it!!!
Stupid Bioware coming up with their own kick ass fantasy setting >.>
Dragon Age in Golarion would be the best thing ever.
As Soon as I win the lottery, I'll fund it...LoL
Not if I win it first!
*Runs out to liquor store*
...
*Comes out of liquor store 20 minutes later with 12 bottles of irish whiskey*
...Why do I get the feeling I'm forgetting something?
*Comes out of liquor store 20 minutes later with 12 bottles of irish whiskey*
...Why do I get the feeling I'm forgetting something?
Plum wine. I wanted some Japanese plum wine. The BIG bottle.
And you forgot my Haksusan sake!Plum wine. I wanted some Japanese plum wine. The BIG bottle.*Comes out of liquor store 20 minutes later with 12 bottles of irish whiskey*
...Why do I get the feeling I'm forgetting something?
And my Wild Turkey Rare Breed! *shakes fist*
And my Wild Turkey Rare Breed! *shakes fist*And you forgot my Haksusan sake!Plum wine. I wanted some Japanese plum wine. The BIG bottle.*Comes out of liquor store 20 minutes later with 12 bottles of irish whiskey*
...Why do I get the feeling I'm forgetting something?
No no, I didn't forget to buy any of those...
*hic*
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To be clear, we think certain other media, including video games, movies, tv, and novels, are a big deal—good ones can build your audience in a big way, while bad ones can ensure that you never get that chance again. So we're proceeding very carefully on all of those fronts; we won't do any of those things until we know they'll be *great*.
Eer, does that mean like SciFi channel great or Lord of the Rings great?
Eer, does that mean like SciFi channel great or Lord of the Rings great?
Nickelodeon circa 1993 *Great*. Now shush. :P
Eer, does that mean like SciFi channel great or Lord of the Rings great?Nickelodeon circa 1993 *Great*. Now shush. :P
And thus, F. Wesley Schneider instantly became my hero.
Back on topic: Theoretically, let's say I'm an independent video game developer. By this interpretation of the OGL, I can interpret the Pathfinder rules into a video game, using class / spell / ability names and tweaking the mechanics, so long as I don't use any of the Pathfinder setting specific content?
Because what I'd like to see is the spiritual successor to Tower of Doom and Shadow over Mystara.
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Chief Technical Officer
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Back on topic: Theoretically, let's say I'm an independent video game developer. By this interpretation of the OGL, I can interpret the Pathfinder rules into a video game, using class / spell / ability names and tweaking the mechanics, so long as I don't use any of the Pathfinder setting specific content?
So long as you follow all of the other requirements of the OGL, you can use anything designated as Open Game Content in that fashion.
(Since we're talking legal nitpicky things here, I have to point out that the non-open material is not exactly the same as "any of the Pathfinder setting specific content," though. More precisely, you can't use our "trademarks, registered trademarks, proper names (characters, deities, etc.), dialogue, plots, storylines, locations, characters, artwork, and trade dress.")
I don't know about that....
Nickelodeon circa 1993 *Great*. Now shush. :P
Ignoring "Rocko's Modern Life" for a moment, was there really anything truly great on Nickelodeon after "Danger Mouse" went off the air?
Ignoring "Rocko's Modern Life" for a moment, was there really anything truly great on Nickelodeon after "Danger Mouse" went off the air?I don't know about that....
Nickelodeon circa 1993 *Great*. Now shush. :P
Doug, Ren and Stimpy, Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Adventures of Pete and Pete, and Eureeka's Castle were all on around then.
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Chief Technical Officer
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Doug, Ren and Stimpy, Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Adventures of Pete and Pete, and Eureeka's Castle were all on around then.Ignoring "Rocko's Modern Life" for a moment, was there really anything truly great on Nickelodeon after "Danger Mouse" went off the air?I don't know about that....
Nickelodeon circa 1993 *Great*. Now shush. :P
Clarissa Explains It All.
INVADER ZIM?!
Philistines.
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Well now that Atari and Hasbro are fighting over the decaying corpse that is the D&D Video Game licensr there may be a real shot here at seeing a Pathfinder video game. Bioware has finally given WotC/Hasbro both fingers with Dragon Age being based on its own system so they are out but there has to be some developer that can pull it off.
Actually I think a casual/browser version of a tactical rpg could be a fun way to introduce Pathfinder to the masses. Make choices in combat as easy as sending a text message or using simple menus. Something you wouldn't have to constantly keep an eye on, but could be run live if desired. Using a relatively simple set of of tiles for various environments would make it easy to assemble new modules. Don't worry about using voice actors unless you want to make a particularly fancy module. Commission music from fans. Could even do Open Calls for the different modules.
Most gaming platforms use casual games as part of their core marketing strategy anymore. A big huge production like Dragon Age, Elder Scrolls, an MMO, or (and I'm sad about this, too) the Baldur's Gate series wouldn't be in Paizo's best interest financially. Something casual might not require lottery winnings to fund, either. If the numbers are right, there are over 11 or 12,000 Pathfinder Society players, and if the base game were to run somewhere in the $10-20 range, with additional modules coming out at $1 each (or $3 for bigger budget ones) later on, the price would be right for a lot of people. Just a matter of getting the talent together.
*noddles* I totally understand.
Me, too. Except I'd use a different word in place of "be."
I wander if he is thinking what I am thinking. I would go into detail, but I might break a few board policies.
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I wander if he is thinking what I am thinking. I would go into detail, but I might break a few board policies.*noddles* I totally understand.
Me, too. Except I'd use a different word in place of "be."
I don't know. Does it involve whip cream, kitchen utensils, and a rubber chicken? If not, I have no clue.
I don't know. Does it involve whip cream, kitchen utensils, and a rubber chicken? If not, I have no clue.I wander if he is thinking what I am thinking. I would go into detail, but I might break a few board policies.*noddles* I totally understand.
Me, too. Except I'd use a different word in place of "be."
There is a fair amount of ambiguity in this whole sub-thread. I mean 'eviscerate' fits, but there's that 'when I grew up' angle, why wait on such an non-age-related activity: you can remove internal organs from others at any age - it's just your skill that improves with time.
So, it's definitely something you can only do when older.
'vote for'?
I'm not sure what party politics Clarissa would support. Hmm... interesting.
;->
Actually I think a casual/browser version of a tactical rpg could be a fun way to introduce Pathfinder to the masses. Make choices in combat as easy as sending a text message or using simple menus. Something you wouldn't have to constantly keep an eye on, but could be run live if desired. Using a relatively simple set of of tiles for various environments would make it easy to assemble new modules. Don't worry about using voice actors unless you want to make a particularly fancy module. Commission music from fans. Could even do Open Calls for the different modules.
This made me think, what about a Facebook or iTunes app? It wouldn't need to be anything amazing, just better than D&D: Tiny Adventures.
Trust me, that wouldn't be hard.