Feel free to answer none, one or more of these questions.
Question #1
Does Wizards of the Coast have any OGL material? There is plenty of great 3.5 material that would be splendid to use, but as I understand, none of it is usable. Is that right?
Question #1b
Golarion is off limits as it is Product Identity. Proper names of places, people, etc. included. I'm pretty sure this is correct as well.
Question #2
If I've read and understood the Open Gaming License correctly and Paizo's terms of use, in my 3PP I am allowed to reference the books that appear in the list below:
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook™ (PZO1110)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game Bestiary™ (PZO1112)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Bonus Bestiary™ (PZO9500-3)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: GameMastery Guide™ (PZO1114)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Advanced Player’s Guide™ (PZO1115)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Bestiary 2™ (PZO1116)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Magic™ (PZO1117)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat™ (PZO1118)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Bestiary 3™ (PZO1119)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Advanced Race Guide™ (PZO1121)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Equipment™ (PZO1123)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: NPC Codex™ (PZO1124)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Campaign™ (PZO1125)
Pathfinder® Roleplaying Game: Mythic Adventures™ (PZO1126)
I may not reference other products but if I understand correctly, as long as the material itself is OGL, I can use it, reproduce the rules for said material and credit it in my OGL at the back of the 3PP.
Question #3
What would be the average pricing for a 3PP adventure, PDF Format only.
So far, my initial concept of the product brings it to the equivalent number of pages of a Pathfinder Module, maybe even a little more. I'd say anywhere from 35-50 pages, give or take.
This would include:
- The adventure itself (level 1-3)
- Backdrop information on the region.
- New material (monsters, equipment, etc.)
There will definitely be maps, though most likely black and white. Artwork remains to be determined.
Question #4
Let's imagine my product is finished. Editing, artwork, maps, etc.
What's the next step to getting my product sold? Is there a chance to have it hosted on sites such as Paizo.com/DriveThruRPG?
What's the general terms of sale?
I've not been able to find this information before and I was interested in how 3PP are sold.
Question #5
This is in fact a special question to one Eric Morton. Your material is downright inspiring, archetypes and monsters included. Having used them frequently in my gaming, are they open to use in 3PP products. If so, what would be the correct credits to such material.
I thank everyone who has the kindness to answer any of my questions.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Feel free to answer none, one or more of these questions.
Question #1
Does Wizards of the Coast have any OGL material? There is plenty of great 3.5 material that would be splendid to use, but as I understand, none of it is usable. Is that right?
Absolutely none of their setting material, to the best of my knowledge, has been made OGL. Some of the rulebook content has though - from what I recall in addition to the content at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35 you can also use the rules from Unearthed Arcana (which hasn't been officially SRDed as far as I know but can be gotten from http://www.d20srd.org/ There's also the d20 modern SRD stuff.
Question #1b
Golarion is off limits as it is Product Identity. Proper names of places, people, etc. included. I'm pretty sure this is correct as well.
Yep!
Question #3
What would be the average pricing for a 3PP adventure, PDF Format only.So far, my initial concept of the product brings it to the equivalent number of pages of a Pathfinder Module, maybe even a little more. I'd say anywhere from 35-50 pages, give or take.
For a first-time 3PP, you're looking at the $4-$5 mark I'm thinking, going up to around double that once people see you as someone they can trust to put out a quality product.
Question #4
Let's imagine my product is finished. Editing, artwork, maps, etc.What's the next step to getting my product sold? Is there a chance to have it hosted on sites such as Paizo.com/DriveThruRPG?
Yes for both.
For Paizo, go look hereFor DTRPG, go here
Generally, they take a commission fee each time they sell one of your products, if going PDF (note that DTRPG also offer the option to do print-on-demand so people can order a printed copy from them and they run it off and ship it out.)
Also, I'd suggest taking a look at the Pathfinder Compatibility Licence to see if you want to use that on your products.
Finally, I'd suggest getting this (it's free):
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/17585/ePublisher-Guide?it=1&filte rs=0_2892_0_0_0
It's a bit dated now, but most of the advice in it is still very applicable.
Thank you so much Matt,
I didn't expect an answer so soon and you've essentially solved a lot of my problems.
Thanks for pointing me to the Pathfinder Compatibility License, I completely forgot it existed.
I'll be downloading the ePublisher guide right away and giving it a read.
I'd also add that you may want to do something smaller (say, 16 pages for $1-2) early on. People are far more willing to take a risk on a $1-2 product to see how good you are.
Free samples work too (maybe give away the first level of a dungeon for free, and sell the other 3 levels.)
EDIT: And you're welcome :)
Oh, and a bit more:
Check out https://www.createspace.com/ as another avenue for sales. It's Amazon's own PDF/Print-on-demand publisher, and can get your product into Amazon's online catalogue.
On the downside, it's a lot more fiddly and techy to deal with that website and they demand insane things like page counts that actually work (which usually means a multiple of 4) ;)
I also think (but don't quote me here) they may charge a higher percentage of the sales than Paizo and DTRPG do.
Thanks again for all the advice!
I'll definitely consider product sizes and free samples as well.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You can also sell your PDFs thru d20pfsrd d20pfsrd STORE selling info.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4; Contributor; Publisher, Legendary Games
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Oh, and a bit more:
Check out https://www.createspace.com/ as another avenue for sales. It's Amazon's own PDF/Print-on-demand publisher, and can get your product into Amazon's online catalogue.
On the downside, it's a lot more fiddly and techy to deal with that website and they demand insane things like page counts that actually work (which usually means a multiple of 4) ;)
I also think (but don't quote me here) they may charge a higher percentage of the sales than Paizo and DTRPG do.
In terms of percentage, CreateSpace actually takes less.
They take 20% on sales directly through the CreateSpace webstore. That store requires people to sign on for a membership; even though it's free, it's a hassle layer that based on my experience so far disinclines people from wanting to buy from that store. Still, you may get some sales that way.
They also crosspost your products onto amazon.com and amazon.eu; they take 40% on sales through amazon.
Paizo takes 50% on print products. Selling through Paizo also means ordering the product yourself and paying tax and shipping to Paizo.
I haven't used the DrivethruRPG print-on-demand service. I recall that their rates for comparable print products were about 15-20% higher than CreateSpace; however, DrivethruRPG does allow you to print hardbacks, which CreateSpace doesn't. I don't recall what percentage DTRPG charges on top of the actual print cost.
I can't speak to the quality of the DTRPG POD product, but I've been very happy with the quality of the CreateSpace books we've done.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I haven't used the DrivethruRPG print-on-demand service. I recall that their rates for comparable print products were about 15-20% higher than CreateSpace; however, DrivethruRPG does allow you to print hardbacks, which CreateSpace doesn't. I don't recall what percentage DTRPG charges on top of the actual print cost.
I can't speak to the quality of the DTRPG POD product, but I've been very happy with the quality of the CreateSpace books we've done.
Create Space is cheaper on B&W (96 page softcover 8.5x11 B&W CS =2.15, LS=3.52)
Drivehthru/lightning source is cheaper with its standard coler (96 page soft cover full color 8.5x11 CS =7.57, LS=$4.48).
However note that Drivethru/lightning source is cheaper on shipping than createspace especially for international customers.
Drivethru takes 35% for nonexclusive cusotmers (25% if exclusive)but it has far more traffic that create space for RPGs.
Thanks again for all the advice. It's touching to see so many known names helping out.
|
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4; Contributor; Publisher, Legendary Games
|
I was comparing premium color, which for a 40-page book is 5.80 on DrivethruRPG's print program, 3.65 on CreateSpace. The difference gets larger beyond that, as DTRPG's marginal cost increment is 10 cents per page, vs. 7 on CreateSpace.
I had this sort of question answered by the Store Ninja a few months back. Generally, what that allowed products list means is the "flavor text" of those products can be used. You can use mechanical crunch found in any Paizo product, such as requiring a spell from the latest splatbook in the construction of a magic item you invent, but can't pull down any lore for a new race from that same new book.
This is fortunate, as I have a "Channel the Gift" fetish when it comes to item creation requirements. :o)
Regarding pricing, my first product was released back in Feb. 2012 at $2.99 for about 30 pages. Today, my template holds about 100% more words per page and I charge $6.99 for 35 pages, so I actually charge less per word now than then. Go figure.
The freebie approach doesn't seem to work very well for targeted products, though it does increase overall sales pretty well. It's the Old Spice Guy effect.
Also, a question. I always stumble over my feet when writing a cleric, for obvious reasons. Do we have a good listing of communal open source gods, particularly a list that contains racial deities?
I had this sort of question answered by the Store Ninja a few months back. Generally, what that allowed products list means is the "flavor text" of those products can be used. You can use mechanical crunch found in any Paizo product, such as requiring a spell from the latest splatbook in the construction of a magic item you invent, but can't pull down any lore for a new race from that same new book.
The other important part to that is that if the book isn't on the allowed products list, you can't refer to it in your product in any way. You can't say (for example) "see Goblins of Golarion for the Ankle Biter feat" as Goblins of Golarion isn't on the list, but you could include the rules for the Ankle Biter feat in your product as Goblins of Golarion states that all of it's mechanics are Open Game Content.
Oh, and it's worth mentioning also that to use that product list you have to be using the Pathfinder Compatibility License (and follow it's terms and conditions) as well as the OGL.
Also, a question. I always stumble over my feet when writing a cleric, for obvious reasons. Do we have a good listing of communal open source gods, particularly a list that contains racial deities?
I'm pretty certain all of the Golarion/Pathfinder gods are declared as Product Identity.
ref: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advanced/advancedNewRules.html#_religion -traits where the trait list appears to have been sanitized of any mention of specific names.
For that reason, be *very* careful of using external sites such as pathfindercommunity.net as a source, as in some case they've copied not only the mechanics but the flavor text from a book onto their site. e.g.
http://www.pathfindercommunity.net/magic/spells/sign-of-the-dawnflower - and while not 100% certain, I think this oversteps OGL usage.
On a similar note, I'm not entirely sure where the Iconics stand, as they are in the PRD but their names are technically Product Identity, which I personally take to mean their names are in the PRD purely as a means to find them, but that their presence there isn't an automatic granting of permission to reproduce the name, just the stats if you wanted to make someone similar (the PRD doesn't actually state anywhere that I can find that it's text is 100% OGL, while I believe the d20SRD is, which is why I tend to be very careful and double-check the PRD against Paizo's Product Identity declarations)
So yeah. Legal minefield :) If in doubt, ask Paizo, of course!
As for actual gods you *can* use, I'd say look at http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/domains which lists a 3rd party product list of deities. Obviously pick up the 3pp book in question to be 100% certain that the names of those deities are open.
EDIT: that 3pp list is better shown fully at http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/gods-3rd-party-publishe rs/gods-of-porphyra-pdg along with more details (such as typical worshippers), and appears at first glance they've OGLed their entire pantheon.
See, stuff like that makes me glad I'm not in publishing. I'd have thought "See Goblins of Golarion for the ankle biter feat" would have been much better than simply giving out the ankle biter feat. Legal stuff is hard and lawsuits suck.
IKR? :) Referencing the product would have driven more people to buy the Paizo book, but then it gets very iffy over trademark ownership of things like Golarion, which they have to prove they're protecting and not allowing people to use all over the place or they'll lose them.
Still, it's more open than we had when we could only say "requires the use of the Dungeons and Dragons Player's Handbook by Wizards of the Coast", which itself was far more open than pre-OGL.
EDIT: There's also sales to think about of course, if your book requires 20 other books in order to use a feat, spell, or monster from each then you're limiting the audience substantially, and you can't necessarily rely on every rules mechanic from every book being online.
EDIT: There's also sales to think about of course, if your book requires 20 other books in order to use a feat, spell, or monster from each then you're limiting the audience substantially, and you can't necessarily rely on every rules mechanic from every book being online.
John may take offense to this one :P
As it is, I'm a huge fan of racial deities. Not having Kurtulmak, Garl Glittergold, and Moradin in my portfolio hurts like none other.
EDIT: There's also sales to think about of course, if your book requires 20 other books in order to use a feat, spell, or monster from each then you're limiting the audience substantially, and you can't necessarily rely on every rules mechanic from every book being online.
John may take offense to this one :P
Oops, I should clarify I meant leaving the customer being reliant on the internet to access references - it could be they've taken a laptop or tablet somewhere without internet access (I'm informed such places exist, despite my being unable to locate them personally), and being stuck with a half-usable PDF.
One of things I love about the OGL is being able to embed any additional rules and stat blocks right there in the product to keep cross-referencing to a minimum.