A Tale of Two Covers

Friday, August 1, 2014

The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Class Guide is only a few weeks from release, and we're all getting excited about what the book has to offer. Over the last several weeks, we've revealed a ton of details about the 10 classes in the book, from hints at their game details to a look at the backgrounds of the iconic characters that represent them in the book's art. Looking over the final hardcover here on my desk, I'm enormously proud of the work our team has put into it, and I'm grateful for the tireless efforts of our playtesters, who made the Advanced Class Guide shine with their diligent testing and commentary. We could not have done this book without you, and we're all really pleased with how it came together.

With one major exception.

The cover of the Advanced Class Guide contains a huge error of the most embarrassing kind imaginable—we printed the book with the wrong logo.

That's right, the Advanced Class Guide, in many ways the most important release of the year, features the wrong logo. Instead of the "Pathfinder Roleplaying Game" logo, the hardcover's front cover features the "Pathfinder Adventure Path" logo.

The story of how something like this slipped through our assiduous quality controls turns out to be pretty boring. On the third round of back-and-forth changes after the book was sent to the printer, an image link somehow got changed, switching the logo to the wrong one at the absolute last minute. After the last minute, in fact. We have sign-off approval sheets for every stage of editing. Multiple employees sign off on the correct logos, on the trademark circle, on the "printed in country," basically on every single element of a book. But this error was introduced after all of those safeguards had been correctly adhered to, and the first time we noticed the mistake was when the first copies arrived from the printer.

Naturally, we were mortified and checked with our printer about turning around a ship with tens of thousands of copies of our book, destroying them, and reprinting from scratch. That effort would have cost more than $100,000, and resulted in literally tons of 99.9999% correct books going into a landfill. We've had considerable success over the last few years, but honestly there's a lot more that we can do with $100,000 to benefit the game above and beyond wiping some egg from our faces. Ultimately, after lots of consideration, we decided that it wasn't worth the expense to fix the logo.

And to be clear, the misprint concerns about three square inches on the front cover. The logo on the spine is correct. The logo on the cover page is correct. The logo on the back is correct. The logo on every spread in the book is correct. One image link broke, to one logo. Yes, it's the most important one, and yes, that's very embarrassing, but ultimately it makes no difference to the book's content. Many folks I've shown the book to did not even notice the difference, as the logos are very similar.

We've already shipped the book to a few distributors. Subscribers could start receiving them as early as next week. Many of you will notice the different logo, and will naturally have questions. I wanted to get out in front of that and explain what went wrong, and why we decided not to fix it.

It's a bummer. It's something we'll fix on subsequent printings, assuming that we do them. We considered making a sticker, or a paper wrap-around cover, or just about anything, but ultimately decided that it wouldn't make much of a difference. The covers are screwed up. Putting a little sticker over the mistake wouldn't fix the mistake, it'd just make the book look even more messed up.

So, yeah. Lame. The Advanced Class Guide has the Pathfinder Adventure Path logo on it. We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause to bibliophiles everywhere. Know that we feel your pain.

The book remains incredible, despite the cosmetic error. We're sure you'll really like it, and we've taken what steps we can to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future.

Thanks for your understanding.

Erik Mona
Publisher

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Tags: Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
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Grand Lodge

4 people marked this as a favorite.
Morgana wrote:
Scribbling Rambler wrote:
So there was an error in the logo reigon??
You are a cruel, cruel man. You probably just gave James a horrific flashback.

Cosmo's fault, somehow.

Both the misprint and the mistaken impression of my cruelty.

Scarab Sages

Logan Bonner wrote:
LuniasM wrote:
Hear that, guys? 50 more classes confirmed! Can't wait!
I sure hope the hybrid adept/expert isn't OP.

I would so play that.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Don't mention the Destiny of the Sands sheets! Really mucked up my filing system those did...
:-)


18 people marked this as a favorite.
Logan Bonner wrote:
I sure hope the hybrid adept/expert isn't OP.

The person who I hear is real good at doing the thing blurs the lines between the adept's natural adequacy and expert's studied competence.

The person who I hear is real good at doing the thing can choose up to 1d10 class skills.

Spells per day: 3; Class spell list: jury-rig.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: I bet a person who I hear is real good at doing the thing is proficient in the use of lots of weapons. Yo, you should ask your aunt Tammy about it, her kid Larry went to school with them back inna day.

Class features

Summon my brother Tommy, who's real good with his hands and has totally done electrical before (Ex): At 2nd level, a person who I hear is real good at doing the thing can call a bro, as the arcane bro ability. (See the forthcoming Pathfinder RPG Dude Codex.)


1 person marked this as a favorite.

We do appreciate Paizo's attention to detail, and considering how many sourcebooks you print in a year which don't have any lapses of quality control, I think 1 is forgivable :) Sometimes $#!^ happens, and you just move on. I would have been more concerned if this had affected the content inside the book. Thanks for the heads up noticed, but I really wouldn't be too concerned about it. The sad part is, that I really don't look at the covers of my books (even despite the great art) so I don't even think I would have noticed.

Scarab Sages

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Mark Seifter wrote:
Logan Bonner wrote:
Mark Seifter wrote:
Logan Bonner wrote:
LuniasM wrote:
Hear that, guys? 50 more classes confirmed! Can't wait!
I sure hope the hybrid adept/expert isn't OP.
Hey, that one's my pet class Logan. The iconic is going to have a loving family and plenty of friends.
Like... *still* have? Like... alive? o_O
Yes. Don't worry, the artistocrat/warrior hybrid's entire kingdom died during the fall of imperial Lung Wa.

I am crazy excited for the next book in the path. Adept/Expert hybrid, Aristocrat/Warrior hybrid.... Is it weird that even though I know it's a joke there's a part of me that feels like those combos would actually be really good and should get a book?


6 people marked this as a favorite.
Garrett Guillotte wrote:
(See the forthcoming Pathfinder RPG Dude Codex.)

*adds to wishlist*

Dark Archive

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I welcome the new direction of the AP line. Folks have been wanting big adventures, so this is a good thing. ;)

I hope I get a "rare" ACG cover. :D

Grand Lodge

2 people marked this as a favorite.

So, will this AP be sanctioned for PFS play? Easiest 3 XP ever, and some fun stuff for the chronicle!


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Put me in the column of people who wouldn't have noticed.
But I do find the comments pretty funny.


3 people marked this as a favorite.

If this is the biggest error in the book we're going to have a damned good time with it.


11 people marked this as a favorite.

Intolerable! Beyond the pale of incompetence! Absolutely the last straw! Heads should roll! Clearly there is no recourse for me but to cancel all my subscription lines and sell my entire accumulated collection of Paizo products.

Customer Service, please do not cancel any of my subscriptions.

Designer

15 people marked this as a favorite.
Ssalarn wrote:
Mark Seifter wrote:
Logan Bonner wrote:
Mark Seifter wrote:
Logan Bonner wrote:
LuniasM wrote:
Hear that, guys? 50 more classes confirmed! Can't wait!
I sure hope the hybrid adept/expert isn't OP.
Hey, that one's my pet class Logan. The iconic is going to have a loving family and plenty of friends.
Like... *still* have? Like... alive? o_O
Yes. Don't worry, the artistocrat/warrior hybrid's entire kingdom died during the fall of imperial Lung Wa.
I am crazy excited for the next book in the path. Adept/Expert hybrid, Aristocrat/Warrior hybrid.... Is it weird that even though I know it's a joke there's a part of me that feels like those combos would actually be really good and should get a book?

The Adept/Expert is called the Dabbler. They gain the ability to customize their spell list a little bit, just like how expert customizes their skill list. The Aristocrat/Warrior is called the Warlord, and they focus on the sort of aristocratic style of "fair" combat and lording over strongholds of lower level warriors. Aomidori, the iconic warlord, went berserk after her kingdom was destroyed by the rising successor state of Lingshen poisoning their water supply. She was only saved when Kess and Reiko convinced her not to attack the army of Lingshen singlehandedly but instead to focus her anger and become an adventurer with them.

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32

4 people marked this as a favorite.
Scribbling Rambler wrote:
So there was an error in the logo reigon??

>.<

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32

Perram wrote:
But it seems you guys could go with one new fancy Pathfinder logo, and brand the lines separately.

I'm not sure I understand what you're suggesting here.

Scarab Sages

3 people marked this as a favorite.
Mark Seifter wrote:
The Adept/Expert is called the Dabbler. They gain the ability to customize their spell list a little bit just like how expert customizes their skill list. The Aristocrat/Warrior is called the Warlord, and they focus on the sort of aristocratic style of "fair" combat and lording over strongholds of lower level warriors. Aomidori, the iconic warlord, went berserk after her kingdom was destroyed by the rising successor state of Lingshen poisoning their water supply. She was only saved when Kess and Reiko convinced her not to attack the army of Lingshen singlehandedly but instead to focus her anger and become an adventurer with them.

You realize you have to actually do this now, right? That level of cool detail can't be relegated to a joke... 8^)


Arazyr wrote:
Mark Seifter wrote:
The Adept/Expert is called the Dabbler. They gain the ability to customize their spell list a little bit just like how expert customizes their skill list. The Aristocrat/Warrior is called the Warlord, and they focus on the sort of aristocratic style of "fair" combat and lording over strongholds of lower level warriors. Aomidori, the iconic warlord, went berserk after her kingdom was destroyed by the rising successor state of Lingshen poisoning their water supply. She was only saved when Kess and Reiko convinced her not to attack the army of Lingshen singlehandedly but instead to focus her anger and become an adventurer with them.
You realize you have to actually do this now, right? That level of cool detail can't be relegated to a joke... 8^)

Well, he kind of stole it ....


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Morgana wrote:
Scribbling Rambler wrote:
So there was an error in the logo reigon??
You are a cruel, cruel man. You probably just gave James a horrific flashback.

This.

I've worked in the printing business; specifically designing the layouts in the Design Department. When my company made a mistake, we ate the cost.


What, do they expect me to apologize or somethin'?

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

Isn't there and ENnie award for Cover? I think we have a nominee for next year!


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Mark Seifter wrote:
The Adept/Expert is called the Dabbler. They gain the ability to customize their spell list a little bit, just like how expert customizes their skill list. The Aristocrat/Warrior is called the Warlord, and they focus on the sort of aristocratic style of "fair" combat and lording over strongholds of lower level warriors. Aomidori, the iconic warlord, went berserk after her kingdom was destroyed by the rising successor state of Lingshen poisoning their water supply. She was only saved when Kess and Reiko convinced her not to attack the army of Lingshen singlehandedly but instead to focus her anger and become an adventurer with them.

You, sir, have won the internet this day.

Grand Lodge

7 people marked this as a favorite.
Adventure Path Charter Subscriber

Ever since RothRL:AE, people have been clamoring for a new AP hardcover. :D

-Skeld

Contributor

4 people marked this as a favorite.

I love this thread.


Logan Bonner wrote:
We on the design team are really not looking forward to writing the remaining five volumes of the Advanced Class Guide Adventure Path. Geez, 50 more classes!

there best not be any delays either! better put on that pot of coffee, pop some no-doze, drink a case of red bull and get to it, it'll be a dark, foggy and -hopefully- repressible 6 months but i know you guys can do it!


Logan Bonner wrote:
We on the design team are really not looking forward to writing the remaining five volumes of the Advanced Class Guide Adventure Path. Geez, 50 more classes!

I want that! Shut up and take my money!


1 person marked this as a favorite.

There is a mistake on the hardcover?

What's a hardcover?

;)

Paizo Employee Developer

11 people marked this as a favorite.
Garrett Guillotte wrote:
Logan Bonner wrote:
I sure hope the hybrid adept/expert isn't OP.

The person who I hear is real good at doing the thing blurs the lines between the adept's natural adequacy and expert's studied competence.

The person who I hear is real good at doing the thing can choose up to 1d10 class skills.

Spells per day: 3; Class spell list: jury-rig.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: I bet a person who I hear is real good at doing the thing is proficient in the use of lots of weapons. Yo, you should ask your aunt Tammy about it, her kid Larry went to school with them back inna day.

Class features

Summon my brother Tommy, who's real good with his hands and has totally done electrical before (Ex): At 2nd level, a person who I hear is real good at doing the thing can call a bro, as the arcane bro ability. (See the forthcoming Pathfinder RPG Dude Codex.)

* copies *

*pastes*


Gisher wrote:

There is a mistake on the hardcover?

What's a hardcover?

;)

It's those things they sell that aren't PDFs. Yeah, I didn't know either.


You say "Grievous printing error.",I say "Collectible cover!." Misprinted McQuarrie Star Wars action figures are a hot commodity in the action figure world, as is the original edition of "The Hobbit." I see this as an opportunity to buy something limited.

Liberty's Edge

That is an unfortunate mistake. Though, I kind of want one of the mistake prints just to have it cause it would be kind of neat to have. Just that collector instinct in me to have it.

Pathfinder Adventure Card Game Designer

6 people marked this as a favorite.

At last count, Cindy Crawford was doing just fine despite having a blemish on her face. I think we're good here.


2 people marked this as a favorite.

Can we get the error on the PDFs too? :(

Silver Crusade

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Poor Ravingdork.


5 people marked this as a favorite.

BOOYAH!!! Gremlins SCORE!!!!

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

I want one!


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber

The only way this will be unforgivable is if we don't get our regularly scheduled minis preview!


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Problem with books: words. Put no words on books, no type-ohs. This very simple.

Grand Lodge

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Paizo is printing hardcover adventure paths again. Curse of the Crimson Throne Anniversary Edition confirmed!


I hope you've put plenty of roleplaying opportunities in this AP. If it's all crunch I'm going to be seriously disappointed.

Also, is this the first non-Golarion adventure path?


Pathfinder Starfinder Society Subscriber

Well, you certainly foiled the people interested in rare collecibles. Had you made an effort to destroy the copies of the Advanced Class Guide with the bad logos, the few books that somehow survived the purge would become immensely valuable. But with the bad logo being the default for the first printing, it really won't have any collectible value beyond that of any other first printing.

On the other hand, the gamers would be annoyed at the unexpected delay in getting out all of that delicious crunch.

I am very glad that you guys decided to please the gamers rather than the collectors with this one.

Paizo Employee Publisher, Chief Creative Officer

3 people marked this as a favorite.
Robert Jordan wrote:
The only way this will be unforgivable is if we don't get our regularly scheduled minis preview!

Working on it now.


Yeah, I would much rather have the book on time with this typo than wait to get it fixed.

That being said, we need a new line of high-end stickers.
With the "pathfinder roleplaying game" logo on them.
Problem solved ;-)

Grand Lodge

Well, this IS the reason I don't subscribe anymore.

At least I will have a collectors item to offer if/when the second printing goes live.

Paizo Employee Publisher, Chief Creative Officer

Kindasorta working on that, too! :)


Meh. It's what on the inside that counts.

Well, that's what they tell me anyway...

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Erik Mona wrote:
Kindasorta working on that, too! :)

SPIRE OF NEX.


Erik Mona wrote:
Kindasorta working on that, too! :)

*cracks a whip*

Get back to the mini blog!

*Grumbles in Orcish*


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber
Erik Mona wrote:
Robert Jordan wrote:
The only way this will be unforgivable is if we don't get our regularly scheduled minis preview!

Working on it now.

^ Reasons why we love you guys.

Lantern Lodge RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16

Paizo's doing us a favor, really. All these misprint books are gonna skyrocket in value, I tell ya, skyrocket!

Sincerely, cool on you guys for being so transparent and open about an accidental oopsie. I, for one, am glad you chose not to take such a financial hit and destroy all those books that many of us would still take in a heartbeat and use the money for more cool things like Kobolds of Golarion 2: The Koboldening.


So... this will be the Collector's Edition.

Mistakes like this happen all the time, are corrected, and then the value of the first batch that got through the process uncorrected goes through the roof.

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