paizo.com Recent Posts by bigmacpaizo.com Recent Posts by bigmac2019-12-12T18:38:19Z2019-12-12T18:38:19ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Yggdrasil Fanzine (PFRPG) PDFbigmachttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9r1z/discuss?Yggdrasil-Fanzine#212017-02-08T13:16:29Z2017-01-31T22:12:41Z<p>Wow! I never heard about this until now. Nice work.</p>
<p>I've crossposted a link to this over at the Midgard forum at The Piazza: <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=17279" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Yggdrasil Fanzine</a>.</p>Wow! I never heard about this until now. Nice work.
I've crossposted a link to this over at the Midgard forum at The Piazza: Yggdrasil Fanzine.bigmac2017-01-31T22:12:41ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Print On Demandbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2hhyc&page=2?Print-On-Demand#832016-12-20T18:48:44Z2016-12-20T18:48:44Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Vic Wertz wrote:</div><blockquote>We don't actually have to •think• about those specs—printers usually provide a pre-made setting file that we use when we output a print-ready PDF for them. (For all I know, they set the dot gain at 0 these days.) But it does mean that we can't just take the file we made to target an offset press in China and send it to a PoD printer in the US. At best, you need a new setting file, and at worst, you need to adjust your page sizes and bleeds.</blockquote><p>DriveThru use Lighting Source. And Lightning Source claim on <a href="http://www.ingramcontent.com/publishers/lp/lsi/offset_print" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this page</a> that they do "Traditional Print Services • Offset Print Runs" and have the ability to switch seamlessly from digital printing to offset printing.
<p>I wonder if Lightning Source have worked out how to go the <i>other</i> way yet.</p>
<p>DriveThru RPG seems to be leaping ahead with this technology. (And WotC seems to be doing their best to help DriveThru get ahead of Paizo.)</p>
<p>I was hoping that Paizo would be the company taking the lead on this several years back.</p>Vic Wertz wrote:We don't actually have to *think* about those specs—printers usually provide a pre-made setting file that we use when we output a print-ready PDF for them. (For all I know, they set the dot gain at 0 these days.) But it does mean that we can't just take the file we made to target an offset press in China and send it to a PoD printer in the US. At best, you need a new setting file, and at worst, you need to adjust your page sizes and bleeds.
DriveThru use Lighting Source. And...bigmac2016-12-20T18:48:44ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [d20pfsrd.com] Starjammer: Pathfinder in Space!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2shob&page=4?d20pfsrdcom-Starjammer-Pathfinder-in-Space#1812016-05-30T06:12:07Z2016-05-30T06:12:07Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ambrosia Slaad wrote:</div><blockquote><p> John <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/fansofd20pfsrd/permalink/1094869847252482/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">posted the following</a> to the Fans of D20PFSRD.com Facebook group this morning:
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">John Reyst (May 29 @ 9:38AM) wrote:</div><blockquote><p>So to head off those of you who have heard about Paizo's Starfinder product.</p>
<p>d20pfsrd.com Publishing was developing a product called "Starfinder", announced a couple of years ago. Development stalled for some time but is now in wrap up phase and could theoretically be released this summer.</p>
<p>Paizo called me a few months ago discussing their plans to release a product in 2017 called Starfinder but noticed I have something in the works with that name and wondered what could be done. I suggested that I'm not 100% married to the name Starfinder and would happily change it.</p>
<p>Erik Mona indicated Paizo would be happy to share the development files for Starfinder as they develop it so that my team could</p>
<p>a. Help playtest it,
<br />
b. Retrofit MY product to match the new rules, and
<br />
c. Develop an SRD website to support it similar to d20pfsrd.com.</p>
<p>That seemed a more than reasonable arrangement thus, <b>the product formerly known as Starfinder by d20pfsrd.com Publishing, is now called Starjammer and should theoretically release sometime around Gen Con 2016.</b></p>
<p>I, and the others on my team, are all under signed NDAs so we can't discuss the details of their product or plans more than that.</blockquote></blockquote><p>He also posted that at The Piazza (although, ironically, not in the topic about his own product. (The topic at The Piazza, about this game, has been renamed to avoid brand confusion with Paizo's product.) Is there any chance we can get a Paizo forum moderator to rename this topic?Ambrosia Slaad wrote:John posted the following to the Fans of D20PFSRD.com Facebook group this morning:
John Reyst (May 29 @ 9:38AM) wrote:So to head off those of you who have heard about Paizo's Starfinder product.
d20pfsrd.com Publishing was developing a product called "Starfinder", announced a couple of years ago. Development stalled for some time but is now in wrap up phase and could theoretically be released this summer.
Paizo called me a few months ago discussing their plans to...bigmac2016-05-30T06:12:07ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [d20pfsrd.com] Starjammer: Pathfinder in Space!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2shob&page=4?d20pfsrdcom-Starjammer-Pathfinder-in-Space#1792016-05-30T06:09:07Z2016-05-30T06:09:07Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Freehold DM wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">bigmac wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Malwing wrote:</div><blockquote>I'm just surprised that the subject seems to have blown up lately. I can understand where it's kind of empty territory. As many scifi or scifantasy products as I collect I still haven't seen single products that fit most of my needs adequately.</blockquote><p>Maybe, after Paizo publish the SRD for •their• Starfinder system, somebody will use it to create a retro-clone game that emulates Spelljammer (and emulates it •properly• instead of putting a science fiction spin on it).
<p>Something like that would fit •my• needs.</p>
<p>What sort of needs do you have, that these games are missing? </blockquote><p>Starfinder in "modern" Golarion times would be Spelljammer.
<p>It's what I'm going to do anyway.</p>
<p>It's an option for my Kingmaker game(should the players go in that direction) and in the Iron Gods game that will come afterwards. </blockquote><p>I'd be interested in that, but it really needs it's own topic.
<p>(Alternatively, you would be most welcome come over to the <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewforum.php?f=2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Spelljammer forum at The Piazza</a> and post as many "[Golarionspace]" topics, as it takes to get a Spelljammer crystal sphere for the Pathfinder solar system done. :-) )</p>Freehold DM wrote:bigmac wrote: Malwing wrote:I'm just surprised that the subject seems to have blown up lately. I can understand where it's kind of empty territory. As many scifi or scifantasy products as I collect I still haven't seen single products that fit most of my needs adequately.
Maybe, after Paizo publish the SRD for *their* Starfinder system, somebody will use it to create a retro-clone game that emulates Spelljammer (and emulates it *properly* instead of putting a science...bigmac2016-05-30T06:09:07ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [d20pfsrd.com] Starjammer: Pathfinder in Space!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2shob&page=4?d20pfsrdcom-Starjammer-Pathfinder-in-Space#1722016-05-29T11:44:02Z2016-05-29T11:44:02Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Malwing wrote:</div><blockquote>I'm just surprised that the subject seems to have blown up lately. I can understand where it's kind of empty territory. As many scifi or scifantasy products as I collect I still haven't seen single products that fit most of my needs adequately.</blockquote><p>Maybe, after Paizo publish the SRD for •their• Starfinder system, somebody will use it to create a retro-clone game that emulates Spelljammer (and emulates it •properly• instead of putting a science fiction spin on it).
<p>Something like that would fit •my• needs.</p>
<p>What sort of needs do you have, that these games are missing?</p>Malwing wrote:I'm just surprised that the subject seems to have blown up lately. I can understand where it's kind of empty territory. As many scifi or scifantasy products as I collect I still haven't seen single products that fit most of my needs adequately.
Maybe, after Paizo publish the SRD for *their* Starfinder system, somebody will use it to create a retro-clone game that emulates Spelljammer (and emulates it *properly* instead of putting a science fiction spin on it). Something like...bigmac2016-05-29T11:44:02ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [d20pfsrd.com] Starjammer: Pathfinder in Space!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2shob&page=4?d20pfsrdcom-Starjammer-Pathfinder-in-Space#1712016-05-29T11:38:02Z2016-05-29T11:38:02Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">d20pfsrd.com wrote:</div><blockquote> Also, the question of adventure paths and such greatly depend on how well this does. I already have in mind a writer for such a project, one with Paizo author-ship experience in such things. It just depends on their availability and interest (and as stated, how well this one does.) </blockquote><p>What's the deal with this being called Starfinder and Paizo announcing something called Starfinder?
<p>Are we going to have two different Starfinder products for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game or have you sold this concept to Paizo?</p>d20pfsrd.com wrote:Also, the question of adventure paths and such greatly depend on how well this does. I already have in mind a writer for such a project, one with Paizo author-ship experience in such things. It just depends on their availability and interest (and as stated, how well this one does.)
What's the deal with this being called Starfinder and Paizo announcing something called Starfinder? Are we going to have two different Starfinder products for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game or...bigmac2016-05-29T11:38:02ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Paizo Publishing's 10th Anniversary Retrospective—Year 0 (2002)--The Thrill of Starting Something Newbigmachttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5ld43&page=2?Paizo-Publishings-10th-Anniversary#782016-03-01T01:22:41Z2016-03-01T01:22:41Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Vic Wertz wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">golem101 wrote:</div><blockquote><p> The "$1 for everything" part reminded me of that weird spot in Robocop.</p>
<p>It has to be a helluva photocopier! </blockquote>It is admittedly on its very last legs right now, and probably won't survive to our actual tenth anniversary, but considering it wasn't brand-new when we got it, it has held up very, very well. </blockquote><p>This is a great article, but I have to know what happened to that photocopier.Vic Wertz wrote:golem101 wrote:The "$1 for everything" part reminded me of that weird spot in Robocop.
It has to be a helluva photocopier!
It is admittedly on its very last legs right now, and probably won't survive to our actual tenth anniversary, but considering it wasn't brand-new when we got it, it has held up very, very well. This is a great article, but I have to know what happened to that photocopier.bigmac2016-03-01T01:22:41ZRe: Forums: Community Use: [Community Project] Wayfinder #15 Call for Submissionsbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2swub&page=4?Community-Project-Wayfinder-15-Call-for#1562015-12-26T16:36:33Z2015-12-26T14:31:52Z<p>It is a bit last minute, but I've tried to get you a bit of signal boost via <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=14920" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a topic at the Pathfinder forum at The Piazza</a>. Good luck!</p>
<p>(And you are welcome to post a regular open call for submissions in the Pathfinder forum at The Piazza.)</p>It is a bit last minute, but I've tried to get you a bit of signal boost via a topic at the Pathfinder forum at The Piazza. Good luck!
(And you are welcome to post a regular open call for submissions in the Pathfinder forum at The Piazza.)bigmac2015-12-26T14:31:52ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=1188?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#593522015-12-23T20:57:41Z2015-12-23T20:57:41Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Arrius wrote:</div><blockquote><p> More of a professional history question: how far did your work go on the 3.0 Warcraft III Player's Guide, and are there any lingering records or documents from that period? It was due to be published on Feb 2002/2004.
</p>
As I recall online, the work was joint between you and one Paul Peterson. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warcraft-III-Players-Guide-Campaign/dp/0786926651" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Link to Amazon page.</a> </blockquote><p>I finished work entirely on that project; it was going to be my first hardcover credit for D&D, but then WotC decided to get out of the licensed game scene (in part, I believe, to an under-performing Starcraft RPG project they'd just done, but I could be mis-remembering).
<p>The project was in editing when it got cancelled.</p>
<p>My section was most of the night elf stuff, the sample adventure, the blood elf stuff, and a chunk of spells and monsters and orc stuff. All of this was a few years before World of Warcraft hit, of course.</p>
<p>They gave me a spiral-bound printout of the edited but not laid out complete book, which I still have around here somewhere, but the book itself was never published. WotC sent the files over to Sword & Sorcery studios and they went ahead and did their own d20 version. I got a thank-you credit on the front page, as did the rest of us who worked on the book, but the contents were pretty different at that point. </blockquote><p>Thanks for your answer to the question Arrius asked you here after <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=14830" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">I asked about your work over at the World of Warcraft forum at The Piazza</a>.
<p>Arrius didn't quite ask about all the things I asked over there, so I'll ask you the rest of the stuff myself, if you don't mind. :-)</p>
<p>I saw that WotC had already registered an ISBN for your cancelled book, but I had never heard about it before then. Did WotC release anything like a preview or a press release before they cancelled the book?</p>
<p>How did your unpublished work end up with Sword and Sorcery Studio? Did Wizards of the Coast sell on the licence, including your work? Or did you sort that out with Sword and Sorcery Studio independently? (Either way I'm glad your stuff was not wasted, even if I would love to see what the original form of it would have been.)</p>
<p>It must be frustrating to spend ages making stuff for fans to play with only to have it get buried at the last moment. When you wrote the book, were you hoping to stick with the Warcraft II campaign setting and make more books for it? Or did WotC see the project as a one-shot (like Ghostwalk)? (The title "Player's Guide" kind of makes me think there might have been a "Dungeon Master's Guide" and a "Monsters of Warcraft" book to follow.)</p>
<p>Did you run any test Warcraft III games, while creating the book? Was there every anything like a Web Enhancement planned for it?</p>
<p>Did you get a chance to look over what Sword and Sorcery did with your work? If so, how much do you think the rules changed from your rules to their rules? (Is the difference between your unpublished game and their game bigger or smaller than the difference between 3.5 D&D and Pathfinder RPG?)</p>James Jacobs wrote:Arrius wrote:More of a professional history question: how far did your work go on the 3.0 Warcraft III Player's Guide, and are there any lingering records or documents from that period? It was due to be published on Feb 2002/2004.
As I recall online, the work was joint between you and one Paul Peterson. Link to Amazon page.
I finished work entirely on that project; it was going to be my first hardcover credit for D&D, but then WotC decided to get out of the licensed game...bigmac2015-12-23T20:57:41ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [d20pfsrd.com] Starjammer: Pathfinder in Space!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2shob?d20pfsrdcom-Starjammer-Pathfinder-in-Space#292015-07-22T21:25:08Z2015-07-22T21:25:08Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Bodhizen wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">bigmac wrote:</div><blockquote><p>I've <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13852" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">crossposted this over at the Spelljammer forum at The Piazza</a>.</p>
<p>How much of Starfinder would be useful for a Spelljammer fan who is happy with the existing Spelljammer rules, but looking for additional material to raid from your book and add to their SJ game? </blockquote><p>First off, thank you very much for the cross-posting! That's very kind of you.
<p>Secondly, the direction that we're going with in regard to Starfinder is going to naturally depart from the way that Spelljammer works. If we were to predicate spacefaring vessels on the notion that they're all going to be powered with the same spelljamming helms that you find in Spelljammer, for example, we'd violate Hasbro's IP, and we definitely do not want to do that. That would be an easy way to kill this project before it really starts. Therefore, there are going to be changes, out of necessity, that one would have to purposefully ignore in order to forge compatibility between systems. I wish it didn't have to be that way, but I fear that Starfinder is going to be an alternate system rather than an adjunct system.</blockquote><p>Oh sure, it is going to have to be different. I would not expect anything else.
<p>And even if you have been inspired by Spelljammer (as well as other fantasy space product lines like Dragonstar and Space 1889) you are going to want to cut your own path.</p>
<p>But there are going to be some things that might be similar, in all games that fit into the same general niche.</p>
<p>I'm guessing that NPCs would be things that players of other space games could raid and repurpose, for example.</p>
<p>I'm guessing that space monsters would be things that players of other space games could also raid.</p>
<p>Here are a couple of other questions:</p>
<p>Will you have open-decked ships, or ships that work more like spaceships from the Flash Gordon cinema serial adventures?</p>
<p>Will you have planets and planetary systems?</p>
<p>Those are the sort of things that a SJ fan may or may not be able to raid.</p>Bodhizen wrote:bigmac wrote:I've crossposted this over at the Spelljammer forum at The Piazza.
How much of Starfinder would be useful for a Spelljammer fan who is happy with the existing Spelljammer rules, but looking for additional material to raid from your book and add to their SJ game?
First off, thank you very much for the cross-posting! That's very kind of you. Secondly, the direction that we're going with in regard to Starfinder is going to naturally depart from the way that...bigmac2015-07-22T21:25:08ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [d20pfsrd.com] Starjammer: Pathfinder in Space!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2shob?d20pfsrdcom-Starjammer-Pathfinder-in-Space#262015-07-22T23:49:05Z2015-07-22T20:03:15Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Bodhizen wrote:</div><blockquote><p> On behalf of John Reyst of <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">d20pfsrd.com</a>, we are pleased to announce the upcoming product, entitled "Starfinder", brought to you by myself, and <a href="http://paizo.com/people/GeorgeLokiWilliams" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">George "Loki" Williams</a>.</p>
<p>"Starfinder" will be a primary guide to plan and play adventures in space. Travel between worlds, fight space pirates, or become one yourself! Discover new alien species and use amazing feats to help you become a great spacefaring vessel captain if you choose! Customize your vessel to create the perfect vehicle to suit your playstyle.</blockquote><p>I've <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13852" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">crossposted this over at the Spelljammer forum at The Piazza</a>.
<p>How much of Starfinder would be useful for a Spelljammer fan who is happy with the existing Spelljammer rules, but looking for additional material to raid from your book and add to their SJ game?</p>Bodhizen wrote:On behalf of John Reyst of d20pfsrd.com, we are pleased to announce the upcoming product, entitled "Starfinder", brought to you by myself, and George "Loki" Williams.
"Starfinder" will be a primary guide to plan and play adventures in space. Travel between worlds, fight space pirates, or become one yourself! Discover new alien species and use amazing feats to help you become a great spacefaring vessel captain if you choose! Customize your vessel to create the perfect vehicle...bigmac2015-07-22T20:03:15ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Adventures: Module for Free RPG Day 2014 - "Risen from the Sands" any details?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qs3y?Module-for-Free-RPG-Day-2014-Risen-from-the#142014-06-22T16:34:42Z2014-06-22T16:34:42Z<p>There is a thread called <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=12271" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[Golarion] Pathfinder Module: Risen from the Sands</a> over at the <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewforum.php?f=56" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pathfinder forum at The Piazza</a>.</p>
<p>Not many replies yet, but there might be some comments from people who grabbed a copy.</p>There is a thread called [Golarion] Pathfinder Module: Risen from the Sands over at the Pathfinder forum at The Piazza.
Not many replies yet, but there might be some comments from people who grabbed a copy.bigmac2014-06-22T16:34:42ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [Kickstarter] Pathfinder-Compatible Larry Elmore's Sovereign Stone RPGbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pov2?Kickstarter-PathfinderCompatible-Larry#112013-04-25T20:46:29Z2013-04-25T20:46:29Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Aarontendo wrote:</div><blockquote> What sort of page counts are we looking at? I'm quite interested but never saw the old edition :) </blockquote><p>I've been making a <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=10312" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">list of Sovereign Stone products over at the Other Worlds forum at The Piazza</a> and you can compare the size of unconverted products there, with what Tony just posted above.
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Jadeite wrote:</div><blockquote>That's all for the moment, I'm currently undecided due to the high shipping costs.</blockquote><p>I'm in the UK and often am unable to buy things from US companies, because of the large shipping fees. The US postal service has pulled all of its cheap options and most companies send stuff air-mail now. And air-mail is much more expensive than surface-mail. There are a few companies that have worked out how to use consolidated shipping providers to get much lower international rates, but they are in the minority, because bulk shipping information is not widely promoted.Aarontendo wrote:What sort of page counts are we looking at? I'm quite interested but never saw the old edition :)
I've been making a list of Sovereign Stone products over at the Other Worlds forum at The Piazza and you can compare the size of unconverted products there, with what Tony just posted above. Jadeite wrote:That's all for the moment, I'm currently undecided due to the high shipping costs.
I'm in the UK and often am unable to buy things from US companies, because of the large...bigmac2013-04-25T20:46:29ZForums: Website Feedback: Publisher wants image support for Compatible Products from Other Publishers forumbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pkyn?Publisher-wants-image-support-for-Compatible#12013-03-17T13:38:06Z2013-03-17T13:38:06Z<p>Hi,</p>
<p>A publisher of third-party Pathfinder RPG products is asking for Paizo to support image tags, so that he can post press releases in the <a href="http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/pathfinderRPG/licensees" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Compatible Products from Other Publishers forum</a> that show what the product looks like.</p>
<p>Would someone from the Paizo staff please head over to <a href="http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pktc?Im-Calling-Out-the-Paizo-Forums-Staff" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this thread</a> and give the guy some assistance.</p>
<p>Cheers.</p>Hi,
A publisher of third-party Pathfinder RPG products is asking for Paizo to support image tags, so that he can post press releases in the Compatible Products from Other Publishers forum that show what the product looks like.
Would someone from the Paizo staff please head over to this thread and give the guy some assistance.
Cheers.bigmac2013-03-17T13:38:06ZRe: Forums: Website Feedback: I'm Calling Out the Paizo Forum's Staff!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pktc?Im-Calling-Out-the-Paizo-Forums-Staff#332013-03-17T19:41:13Z2013-03-17T12:49:23Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">ConflictRoleplaying wrote:</div><blockquote><p>If this is where Pazio’s fans are going to get there news and announcements from third-party publishers, <b> why can’t we add a simple picture of the product we are announcing?</b></p>
<p>Just to be clear, I am not calling for the entire forums to support images and video. The cost for storage and bandwidth would be a tremendous burden. What I am saying is, how about allowing registered third-party publishers to add a single image to our announcements. </p>
<p>For Example (same announcement):</p>
<p>BoardgameGeek: <a href="http://rpggeek.com/thread/944880/conflict-pvp-pvp-for-pathfinder-rpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://rpggeek.com/thread/944880/conflict-pvp-pvp-for-pathfinder-rpg</a></p>
<p>vs.</p>
<p>Paizo: <a href="http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pkb3?Advanced-Player-vs-Player-Mechanics-and" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pkb3?Advanced-Player-vs-Player-Mechanics-and</a></blockquote><p>Yo u call for a "single image" but then link to an example that has •two• images and an embedded YouTube clip. So if you got what you asked for, it would not actually allow for that product announcement to be made in the same way it was over at RPG Geek. Maybe you should just ask for images to be supported rather than propose that they restrict the images to one per top post.
<p>Are there other parts of the Paizo forums where they •do• support images (or embedded YouTube clips)? If they support this elsewhere, they might be able to change the settings on this subforum, or manually add 3rd Party Publishers into a group to give them the ability to add images. But if you are asking for something they don't support in their own forum, maybe that would require money to be spent on reprogramming their system. If that is the case would you be happy to stump up the cash? Would you be happy to rally round the 3rd Party Publishers to get them to chip in? Or are you hoping that Paizo will fund any changes out of their own pocket?</p>
<p>Also, the thread title "I'm Calling Out the Paizo Forum's Staff!" comes across as a bit aggressive. Have you actually been in discussions with the forum staff and had them tell you to get lost or somesuch? If the moderators here have no power to do what you are asking, it seems a bit rude to "call them out" instead of escalating a private query to the next level. And if you have not actually spoken to the forum staff before today, then "calling them out" could be counter-productive. It could make you look like someone acting a bit trollish, rather than make you look like "someone with a great idea that is going to help Paizo sell more 3rd Party Publisher product in their stores". This could potentially help Paizo sell product, but I think you need to think about how you pitch the concept, so that people hear the message (and not just hear random anger).</p>
<p>And with the example you linked to being "Go to www.ConflictPvP.com to buy my stuff" it seems like you would be wanting to use this forum to drive sales •away• from Paizo's store, rather than drive sales •towards• their store. So I'm not actually sure that what you are proposing is going to actually earn them cash in the future. So what is in it for them? What does Paizo get out of doing this? If you can make that a bit clearer, perhaps you can motivate them to make the changes you would like to see.</p>
<p>Also this might not be the best place to make a request. This is a forum for people to discuss 3rd Party Products, not one for people to ask for tech support. Perhaps the <a href="http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizo/websiteFeedback\" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Website Feedback</a> forum would be a better place to get a response from someone that can actually change the settings on the website.</p>
<p>Anyhoo. Good luck marketing your stuff.</p>
<p>EDIT: I posted a thread in the Website Feedback forum for you: <a href="http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pkyn?Publisher-wants-image-support-for-Compatible" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Publisher wants image support for Compatible Products from Other Publishers forum</a>. Hope that gets someone from the team over here.</p>ConflictRoleplaying wrote:If this is where Pazio’s fans are going to get there news and announcements from third-party publishers, why can’t we add a simple picture of the product we are announcing?
Just to be clear, I am not calling for the entire forums to support images and video. The cost for storage and bandwidth would be a tremendous burden. What I am saying is, how about allowing registered third-party publishers to add a single image to our announcements.
For Example (same...bigmac2013-03-17T12:49:23ZRe: Forums: Website Feedback: Does Paizo have an affiliate program?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2iscz?Does-Paizo-have-an-affiliate-program#52012-08-07T18:07:42Z2012-08-07T18:07:42Z<p>There has been almost four years since this thread was started. Is Paizo any closer to being able to offer an affiliate program?</p>
<p>A conventional affiliate scheme, that pays in cash, would probably be best for most people, but even a scheme that gives credits, that can be used to buy items from the Paizo store could be useful for some organisations.</p>There has been almost four years since this thread was started. Is Paizo any closer to being able to offer an affiliate program?
A conventional affiliate scheme, that pays in cash, would probably be best for most people, but even a scheme that gives credits, that can be used to buy items from the Paizo store could be useful for some organisations.bigmac2012-08-07T18:07:42ZRe: Forums: Other RPGs: Has support for the nWoD completely dried up?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2o7dr?Has-support-for-the-nWoD-completely-dried-up#152012-06-17T09:09:27Z2012-06-17T09:09:27Z<p>I actually thought that White Wolf was awesome right up to the moment that they shut down their d20 System product lines and stopped selling the stuff I wanted to buy.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ryan Dancey wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Some corrections to the corrections.</p>
<p>I was hired to be the Chief Marketing Officer in November of 2007. The acquisition happened in 2006 and was complete before I was hired. My job was to oversee the global sales & marketing of the company's MMO EVE Online and to prepare to market the upcoming World of Darkness MMO.</p>
<p>When I arrived at CCP White Wolf had already ceased to exist as a stand-alone entity. There was no White Wolf marketing department, no White Wolf accounting department, and no White Wolf publishing department. The tabletop gaming products the company was producing were being managed by folks who also had duties with other aspects of CCP's operations.</blockquote><p>Thanks for the information Ryan.
<p>I've never really understood the relationship between White Wolf and Sword and Sorcery Studios, but I really loved the 3e stuff, like Scarred Lands and would love to see that come back as PoD or see it get relaunched as Pathfinder.</p>
<p>Is S&SS owned by CCP or did it revert to someone else or get sold off?</p>I actually thought that White Wolf was awesome right up to the moment that they shut down their d20 System product lines and stopped selling the stuff I wanted to buy.
Ryan Dancey wrote:Some corrections to the corrections.
I was hired to be the Chief Marketing Officer in November of 2007. The acquisition happened in 2006 and was complete before I was hired. My job was to oversee the global sales & marketing of the company's MMO EVE Online and to prepare to market the upcoming World of...bigmac2012-06-17T09:09:27ZRe: Forums: Conversions: Al-Qadimbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2nwkf?AlQadim#92012-04-09T00:17:04Z2012-04-09T00:17:04Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Justin Franklin wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Jason Nelson wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I ran a 3.5 AQ campaign for a year or so. We played up to around 9th level or so and then ended the campaign to try 4th Edition. Alas... :)</p>
<p>I did a bunch of conversion stuff for that campaign, which I have on my laptop, but it's not posted anywhere online. I actually never quite finished my magic system conversion (I reordered all the spells into new schools more themed for AQ). One quirk I put into the campaign that I thought was fun was a HEAVY emphasis on regionalism, with lots of 'background' feats based on race and where in the AQ world you were from, and the same was true with spells. There were things you couldn't just take unless you were from there or traveled there and spent some time. It did add an incentive to travel! </blockquote>Jason you should convert it to Casmaron and get Paizo to put it out.;) </blockquote><p>If you don't want to do that, maybe you could compile it into a netbook and get Candlekeep to host it.
<p>Candlekeep took two Maztica netbooks from the Maztica Alive team. I'm sure they would also love to host stuff from Al-Qadim fans.</p>Justin Franklin wrote:Jason Nelson wrote:I ran a 3.5 AQ campaign for a year or so. We played up to around 9th level or so and then ended the campaign to try 4th Edition. Alas... :)
I did a bunch of conversion stuff for that campaign, which I have on my laptop, but it's not posted anywhere online. I actually never quite finished my magic system conversion (I reordered all the spells into new schools more themed for AQ). One quirk I put into the campaign that I thought was fun was a HEAVY...bigmac2012-04-09T00:17:04ZRe: Forums: Conversions: Al-Qadimbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2nwkf?AlQadim#42023-11-04T03:43:15Z2012-04-08T13:29:50Z<p>The Piazza has an Al-Qadim forum and you can find some threads about conversions over there:
<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1039" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[3e] Al-Qadim 3.5 (by Kynn Bartlett)</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=359" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (The Sha'ir)</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=338" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Equipment)</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=337" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Skills and Feats)</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=333" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Character Races)</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=334" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Descriptive Elements)</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=330" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Character Backgrounds)</a></ul></p>
<p>(There is even a 4e conversion thread there, but that is probably of limited use to you.)</p>
<p>Nate Christen is the guy that dropped all the Pathfinder threads. At the time he dropped them, they had not been playtested.</p>
<p>There is also a general Al-Quadim links thread: (<a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=44" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Other Al-Qadim Websites</a>) where people are trying to collate a list of all the Al-Qadim fansites and communities that are out there.</p>The Piazza has an Al-Qadim forum and you can find some threads about conversions over there:
[3e] Al-Qadim 3.5 (by Kynn Bartlett)
Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (The Sha'ir)
Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Equipment)
Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Skills and Feats)
Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Character Races)
Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Descriptive Elements)
Al-Qadim Pathfinder Conversion (Character Backgrounds)
(There is even a 4e conversion thread there, but that is probably of...bigmac2012-04-08T13:29:50ZRe: Forums/Dragon Magazine: General Discussion: Maztica articles?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2igzz?Maztica-articles#322011-09-18T19:19:17Z2011-09-18T19:19:17Z<p>The Maztica Alive Team (mostly Seethyr - who has turned himself into "the Michael Knight of Maztica") have now created <a href="http://www.candlekeep.com/library/notebook.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">two Maztica netbooks that you can download from Candlekeep</a>:
<br />
<ul><li><i>Monsters of the True World</i> and
<br />
<li><i>The Great Skyhome</i></ul></p>
<p>Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the download links.</p>
<p>This isn't the only stuff that Maztica Alive has done. You can see other things at the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MazticaAlive " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Maztica Alive Yahoo group</a>.</p>
<p>Seethyr has also been very active on <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=39" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the Maztica forum at The Piazza</a>. He is currently looking at <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=6538" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">nine projects for Maztica Alive to work on next</a>:</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Seethyr wrote:</div><blockquote><p>1. <b>The Land of the Holy Sun: A Guide to Lopango</b> - Thorough investigation of the southern subcontinent of <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=4093" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lopango</a> and its diverse races and peoples.</p>
<p>2. <b>Claw and Venom: The Scorpionfolk of the True World </b>- Guidebook to the societies of the <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4484" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">scorpionfolk</a> of the True World. Includes the short adventure module, The Den of Scorpions. Also provides additional detail on the Underdark of Maztica.</p>
<p>3. <b>Myths and Legends of the True World </b>- Detailed events and stories from the True World’s past told by the Most Honored Father and sage of Payit. Includes game information of creatures, people and items from each individual tale. Includes the tale of <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=4384" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Diamond Eyes</a> and the myth of Kai Kai and Tren Tren among others.</p>
<p>4. <b>Remnants of the Past: Ruin based Adventures in the True World </b>- A collection of ruin based scenarios set in the True World including The Ruins and The Ruins of Esh Alakar.</p>
<p>5. <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=6318" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><b>Blood Offering</b></a> – The first full length Maztica Alive adventure. A dungeon crawl set in an ancient step pyramid where Maztican vampires and their werejaguar servants prey upon unsuspecting “tourists.”</p>
<p>6. <b>Islands of the True World </b>- Guide to the lands and inhabitants of the numerous islands surrounding the True World including Lopango Payos, and even Maztica’s own version of “Monster Island,” among others.</p>
<p>7. <b>The Great Pyramid: Maztica and Planescape </b>- A guidebook to Maztica’s unique cosmology and its ties to the rest of Faerun.</p>
<p>8. <b>Fangs and Feathers: A Guide to Hishna and Pluma Magic </b>- A comprehensive guidebook to the magic of the hishnashapers and the plumaweavers including spells and items of all levels of power.</p>
<p>9. <b>The Scales of War: The Underwater Realms of the True World </b>- A guide to the underwater realms and kingdoms near the shores of the True World. Includes kingdoms of the sahuagin and the vast merman sunken kingdom Nu.</blockquote><p>From the conversation over at The Piazza, it is looking like number six and number nine might be merged into one project.
<p>Seethyr is also hoping to work on a "generic set of rules (a Player’s Handbook/DM’s guide if you will) for Maztica in general", but is hoping to do this in a way that fits in with the work of David Schwartz.(Personally, I'm hoping that this final idea might turn into a 3rd edition Maztica Campaign Setting and will do for Maztica what FRCS did for Faerun.) Does anyone know how to contact David, so that I can put him in touch with Seethyr?</p>The Maztica Alive Team (mostly Seethyr - who has turned himself into "the Michael Knight of Maztica") have now created two Maztica netbooks that you can download from Candlekeep:
Monsters of the True World and
The Great Skyhome
Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the download links.
This isn't the only stuff that Maztica Alive has done. You can see other things at the Maztica Alive Yahoo group.
Seethyr has also been very active on the Maztica forum at The Piazza. He is currently...bigmac2011-09-18T19:19:17ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Bits & Mortar - will Paizo sign up?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lwbo?Bits-Mortar-will-Paizo-sign-up#422011-09-11T20:27:36Z2011-09-11T20:27:36Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Deanoth wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Bigmac,
</p>
You mentioned that the subscription plan goes away so to speak with the initiative that you have planned regarding Paizo becoming involved. Those of us that do subscribe would do what then drive to the brick and mortar store to get the PDF's? Then why would any one subscribe with Paizo any longer? </p>
<p>This is what Vic was talking about. You can't just make those go away for them. It is one of the perks of subscribing AND mitigating the shipping cost. This is a plan that Paizo has in place, expecting them to just up and change that plan is not a great idea what so ever on many levels, on a marketing level though there is way to much at stake for Paizo to stop now.</blockquote><p>I'm not sure where you got this from, but just to be clear: I have no desire for Paizo to stop doing their subscription deal. A deal is a deal and any deal can help end customers to save cash.
<p>The subscription deal works for some customers. It doesn't work for all of them. This scheme, which I've got no connection with, was another deal that I thought that Paizo might not be aware of. It is still pretty new and they had it closed to new publishers for a while. It took them a while to integrate the products from Mongoose when they joined.</p>
<p>Anyhoo, despite not being a subscriber myself, I hope that deal carries on and that the people that subscribe to product lines find that it works for them.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Deanoth wrote:</div><blockquote>I am not saying this is a bad idea for what you are wanting to do but this is not something IMHO that Paizo would be interested in. It will help the sales for the smaller companies though that you are getting involved, with the brick and mortar stores and printed issues and getting a free PDF is a great thing and should more then increase their sales. </blockquote><p>It does seem that Paizo are not getting involved in the scheme (which is not my scheme) but I think it is something to follow if you want the same sort of deal that you get from Paizo subscriptions. It would seem that going directly to Paizo for some Pathfinder RPG products and going via participating RPG stores for third party Pathfinder RPG products will save customers the most cash.
<p>Things may change over time (on both sides) so I think that fans of both dead tree and PDF should keep an eye on the situation from time to time.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">ralantar wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Blah Blah.. my business model is threatened by new technology. So you all should support me so I don't have to adapt to reality. </p>
<p>Did I sum it up right?</blockquote><p>You didn't sum up the OP right. That was more "Blah Blah... I've seen this Bits & Mortar thing that is really cool. Will Paizo join in?"
<p>You are right that bricks and mortar stores will need to adapt.</p>
<p>I can't buy out of print gamebooks in London, UK and have to look for them on the Internet. I often find RPG stores selling stuff online on Amazon and other online book retailers. That is one way they can adapt. Sadly the British stores I know think they can't do that and I'm currently importing stuff from US retailers. (That is good for the US stores, but bad for the UK stores which will have less and less of my cash.)</p>
<p>One of the three RPG stores in my town decided to adapt a different way. They sold out to property developers. That was a bit "Meh!" but hopefully it will increase the sales of the other two stores and keep them alive.</p>
<p>Things could go either way, really. It isn't my reality or your reality. There is only one reality, but I don't think any of us can anticipate it exactly.</p>
<p>For all I know illegal downloads could destroy the entire gaming industry (including WotC and Paizo) and we could all be left fighting over a slowly diminishing pool of second hand RPG books and lamenting the "good old days" when companies made roleplaying books. But if that ever happens, we will be a bunch of old farts doing a hobby that nobody bothers doing any more. Or we might all get priced out of the market by rich "collectors" that pay $2,000 for gamebooks that they put into a safe and never read. :-O</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">waynemarkstubbs wrote:</div><blockquote>I am already in Europe. I suspect that may account for some of the difference in attitude towards FLGS. In the UK where I am originally from, and in the other places in Europe I have experienced, they don't really exist like they do in the US. They certainly don't have room to play. They tend, where they exist at all, to be small, cramped, dusty, crammed with stock, and generally unpleasant places. They are places you go to buy stuff, not to hang out.</blockquote><p>I know what you mean, but they are not all like that. Leisure Games in North Londond is pretty clean and during the last FreeRPG Day they gave up a little of their office space at the back to double the amount of play area in the shop.
<div class="messageboard-quotee">waynemarkstubbs wrote:</div><blockquote>Since I can now buy my stuff cheaper in a more convenient form online, why on earth would I miss them? </blockquote><p>A deal is a deal is a deal. Sometimes stuff is cheaper online. I buy stuff online too (especially as some of the stuff I want is not available in stores). But there are shipping charges (especially if you are buying stuff from overseas) and shipping charges can rub out the savings of <i>some</i> deals.
<p>If a bricks and mortar store can sell me something for the same price, I'll go with them, as it gives me the option to browse. And if they can give me a free PDF, that loads the deal in their favour. Of course if RPG publishers can do what Paizo have done and give a free PDF at their end, that is going to win them customers.</p>
<p>Someone earlier spoke of cutting out the middle men. I'd be happy to see both publishers and RPG stores cut out the distribution chain and offer low price to end users.</p>
<p>I know of a couple of RPG designers who have gone into self-publishing, so they can cut out the publisher. We certainly live in interesting times. :-)</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Drogon wrote:</div><blockquote>I have to admit, I'm surprised that stores don't have room to play in Europe. We in the States tend to be under the impression that Europe is the Mecca of game playing, and all game stores there are thriving breeding grounds for creativity and fun. Thanks for crushing my future travel dreams... </blockquote><p>There are some awesome game stores in the UK, but the industry as a whole, pretty much shrivelled up after 2nd Edition AD&D. Games Workshop is massive, but moved entirely into their own products and focused on Wargaming. Virgin Games Centre used to have two shops in Oxford Street, then they sold out to someone that sold computer games. And Hamleys, which used to claim to be the largest toy store in the world, had about a quarter of a floor for AD&D books other RPG books and miniatures, but when I went in there during the early 3e era a sales assistant told me he thought that D&D didn't exist any more (and he was an ex-player)!
<p>The stores that we have left are the ones that are doing stuff right, but with a recession kicking in and biting them with increased costs and punters with less free cash, they can't afford to stand still. They need to constantly be innovating to get ahead.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Skeld wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">bigmac wrote:</div><blockquote> ... </blockquote><p>Paizo doesn't offer the option to download a free PDF of any product a customer buys as a one-off, but instead reserves the free PDF as an enticement to subscribe rather than buy singular products here and there.
<p>That alone would seem to preclude them from participating in your program.</blockquote><p>It certainly looks that way, Skeld. (And its not <i>my</i> program by the way.)
<p>Maybe things might change one day. When some of the Pathfinder stuff is several years old, it won't be competing against subscriptions of new product. And helping RPG stores to "shift" old Pathfinder stock might help encourage them to buy new Pathfinder stock.</p>
<p>Alternatively, Paizo might do some sort of deal to help encourage people to buy their own old stock one day.</p>
<p>Keep watching the skies, says I.</p>Deanoth wrote:Bigmac,
You mentioned that the subscription plan goes away so to speak with the initiative that you have planned regarding Paizo becoming involved. Those of us that do subscribe would do what then drive to the brick and mortar store to get the PDF's? Then why would any one subscribe with Paizo any longer? This is what Vic was talking about. You can't just make those go away for them. It is one of the perks of subscribing AND mitigating the shipping cost. This is a plan that...bigmac2011-09-11T20:27:36ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Bits & Mortar - will Paizo sign up?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lwbo?Bits-Mortar-will-Paizo-sign-up#412011-09-11T19:15:56Z2011-09-11T16:09:15Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Andrew Tuttle wrote:</div><blockquote><p> bigmac,</p>
<p>It seems to me (based on the tone, tenor, and content you've offered in a thread you started) you are heavily-invested (either emotionally or financially) in one of two things. </p>
<p>You either are:
<br />
<ul><li>associated in some larger way with a physical location that offers for sale materials targeted towards "Role-Playing Games," (you're a stake-holder in a "Brick-and-Mortar" store)
<br />
or
<br />
<li>you don't believe you should have to pay "extra" when multiple-modes of delivery are made available for the sale of materials designed to support "Role-Playing Games."</ul></p>
<p>Yes? No?</blockquote><p>Sorry for the delay.
<p>Actually no to both of those.</p>
<p>I am just an end customer. I have no connection with any RPG store, the Bits & Mortar program or any RPG publisher.</p>
<p>The second thing is really not something I've brought up in this topic. I'm not sure why you have. If I didn't want to pay more for a PDF of something, I could just scan it in myself and make my own PDF.</p>
<p>I think that the Bits & Mortar scheme, and the publishers that are backing it are doing something that might help some RPG stores to pull in some customers. My original post was to ask if Paizo could join in. Vic has already said that they can not. Maybe that might change in the future. Maybe it won't. I've got my answer. There is no big deal.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Andrew Tuttle wrote:</div><blockquote><p>I hope you'll show me the courtesy of a response (not just because I'd like to know, but to improve my perception of you based on what I consider the gross discourtesy you showed Vic Wertz <a href="http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/general/bitsMortarWillPaizoSignUp&page=1#5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><b>earlier here</b></a> dismissing his considered input on Paizo's strategy regarding digital delivery of content).</p>
<p>I await your reply,</blockquote><p>I'm not sure how you thought I was being grossly discourteous to Vic Wertz. To be honest, I'm pretty baffled that you are treating me like I'm trolling.
<p>I clearly said that I think it is great that he explains things, rather than just saying "no" at the start of the post. I think that is something that is really great about him, compared to some other RPG people that don't have the time to answer random enquiries from random customers. The bottom line is that Vic Wertz's time is money and him talking to us on the forums is brilliant. I think my first statement made that pretty clear.</p>
<p>I went on to point out how this situation was not exactly the same as the post that I had been referred to. I didn't say that Vic was stupid or mistaken. Just that the circumstances are different to setting up remote sales. I don't think that pointing out the two situations as being different is rude. You did. I'm not sure why. I'll try to explain where I'm coming from for you.</p>
<p>The thing that I have in mind is that (in case you or others don't know) Paizo sinks a lot of cash into being one of the top two supporters of the FreeRPG Day scheme (the other being Wizards of the Coast). FreeRPG Day is free to punters, but Paizo pay to make the free stuff (and the RPG stores that get the stuff pay for the cost of shipping). (And I've been following FreeRPG Day for the last few years and Paizo and WotC have both put in the most product every year.) I'm not sure exactly how much that Paizo have sunk into FreeRPG Day over the years, but I'm betting that it is a substantial amount of cash. So I know that Paizo <i>is</i> doing what it can to support bricks & mortar stores.</p>
<p>While a few other customers have written off physical stores (and some publishers have gone totally PDF and pulled out of the sales chain that physical stored depend on) Paizo is continuing to support the stores (and online RPG outlets) by continuing to stay in the dead-tree market.</p>
<p>I think that Vic and the rest of the Paizo team <i>would</i> support this kind of concept if they were sure that it would not damage their subscription sales. The problem I see is that the security they put into their own system would need to somehow be duplicated in order to satisfy them that PDFs would not get redistributed. I suppose that they could do it in house, but it would have a prohibitively high cost. (Which would obviously make it a non-starter.)</p>
<p>Hopefully things might change in the future that makes this easier. But if that does not happen, then I hope that the other publishers find that this scheme increase sales to the level that it is a financial boost to them.</p>Andrew Tuttle wrote:bigmac,
It seems to me (based on the tone, tenor, and content you've offered in a thread you started) you are heavily-invested (either emotionally or financially) in one of two things.
You either are:
associated in some larger way with a physical location that offers for sale materials targeted towards "Role-Playing Games," (you're a stake-holder in a "Brick-and-Mortar" store)
or
you don't believe you should have to pay "extra" when multiple-modes of delivery are made...bigmac2011-09-11T16:09:15ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Bits & Mortar - will Paizo sign up?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lwbo?Bits-Mortar-will-Paizo-sign-up#402011-09-11T15:38:51Z2011-09-11T15:38:51Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Vic Wertz wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">bigmac wrote:</div><blockquote>As I said, I think that this is different enough from the concept of remote subscription selling that Paizo would need to consider it separately. </blockquote><p>You're correct that it's a different issue, with a different key problem, which several people have already pointed out: Subscriptions are our bread-and-butter, and subscribers need subscriber perks. For some of our lines, the only real perk subscribers get is the free PDF. If we offered free PDFs with any print purchase, there would be no point in subscribing for many people, and that would be a problem for us.
<p>And you're also correct that even if we solved that issue, we'd still have an issue with security when it comes to the Bits & Mortar implementation. While some of the things you suggest we could do to get around that are potentially reasonable, they're also a pretty big shift from what Bits & Mortar is actually doing.</blockquote><p>Thanks for your consideration Vic.
<p>Given that Paizo is always one of the leading supporters of FreeRPG Day, I wonder if, one day, you might be able to find a way to support this sort of concept without undermining the subscription service.</p>Vic Wertz wrote:bigmac wrote:As I said, I think that this is different enough from the concept of remote subscription selling that Paizo would need to consider it separately.
You're correct that it's a different issue, with a different key problem, which several people have already pointed out: Subscriptions are our bread-and-butter, and subscribers need subscriber perks. For some of our lines, the only real perk subscribers get is the free PDF. If we offered free PDFs with any print...bigmac2011-09-11T15:38:51ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Tales: Dark Tapestry ePubbigmachttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8k9m/discuss?Pathfinder-Tales-Dark-Tapestry-ePub#182011-08-16T20:38:09Z2011-08-16T20:38:09Z<p>I love what Elaine Cunningham did with The Radiant Dragon (for Spelljammer) and I love the SJ elements she included in Evermeet: Islands of Elves (for Forgotten Realms), so I'd love to see Dark Tapestry get turned into a trilogy that explores Golarion's solar system.</p>
<p>But will Paizo please please please please please publish this as a <i>proper</i> book.</p>
<p>Publish this as a proper book (or a Print on Demand book) and you have a customer here, for this <i>and</i> any sequel that Elaine Cunningham writes.</p>I love what Elaine Cunningham did with The Radiant Dragon (for Spelljammer) and I love the SJ elements she included in Evermeet: Islands of Elves (for Forgotten Realms), so I'd love to see Dark Tapestry get turned into a trilogy that explores Golarion's solar system.
But will Paizo please please please please please publish this as a proper book.
Publish this as a proper book (or a Print on Demand book) and you have a customer here, for this and any sequel that Elaine Cunningham writes.bigmac2011-08-16T20:38:09ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Distant Worlds (PFRPG)bigmachttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8qib/discuss&page=3?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Distant-Worlds#1092011-08-16T19:58:20Z2011-08-16T19:58:20Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">xorial wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">bigmac wrote:</div><blockquote><p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7336686@N03/4993071792/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pathjammr Kitteh</a></p>
<p>In ur campaign settin. Convertin ur wurld into Spelljammr crystal sfere. </blockquote><p>You are too evil, David. :P
<p>BTW, you do know who this is from Facebook. </blockquote><p>I've never met you in my life! ;-)
<p>BTW: I've <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=6863" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">crossposted this over at The Piazza's industry news section</a>, as they have a ton-o-fans of SJ that will probably be interested. (Maybe someone from Paizo could come over and post news of other Pathfinder stuff.)</p>xorial wrote:bigmac wrote:Pathjammr Kitteh
In ur campaign settin. Convertin ur wurld into Spelljammr crystal sfere.
You are too evil, David. :P BTW, you do know who this is from Facebook. I've never met you in my life! ;-) BTW: I've crossposted this over at The Piazza's industry news section, as they have a ton-o-fans of SJ that will probably be interested. (Maybe someone from Paizo could come over and post news of other Pathfinder stuff.)bigmac2011-08-16T19:58:20ZRe: Forums: Conversions: PF Spelljammerbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2mnpz&page=2?PF-Spelljammer#642011-08-14T01:29:34Z2011-08-14T00:12:33Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tom_Kalbfus wrote:</div><blockquote>Spelljammer was fun. Now will Pathfinder adopt the whole nine yards, with 500,000 gp Helms, hammerships, and planar gravity fields for small objects?</blockquote><p>They can't do an exact copy of Spelljammer, as that could be seen as IP theft. But they can do some pretty close stuff, especially as Spelljammer was inspired by real things.
<p>Take helms - you can't have a "Spelljamming helm" as a giant seat that uses a spellcaster's spells to move a ship. But given the number of SJ fans that moan about the cost of using a Spelljamming helm•, I think that Paizo might actually be better off not having them. If Paizo come up with a ship that just gets treated as a magic item, they can start with a clean slate and everyone is going to accept that.</p>
<p><i>• = As opposed to the other fans who moan that people that want to remove the disruption to spellcasting are ruining the balance of SJ.</i></p>
<p>Hammerships are out, but Paizo wouldn't be limited to the sort of ships that sail on the sea. They could have ships that look a bit like real-world airships as well as ones that look a bit like aeroplanes or helecopters••. So while they might not be able to go with the exact sea-ship, fish-ship, insect ship, birdship mix that D&D used, they could invent new categories of fantasy space ships and give each one a different way to handle movement•••.</p>
<p><i>•• = "Airships" could for example be filled with a fantasy type of air rather than scientific air. Gnomes that collect the marshgas that bubbles up in swamps might be a good way to avoid doing it scientifically. "Planes" could instead have wings that flap or could be made by killing a dragon, skinning it and then fitting the skin and wings onto a frame. Helecopters could be based on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci_helicopter.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Leonardo de Vinci's "Aerial Screw"</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>••• = An airship could be able to hover on the spot and launch attacks on buildings. It would also tend to stay the right way up. A plane could swoop around the sky and make the same sort of attacks as birds. This could add dogfights to the game. A helecopter could take off and land in a very small area (like the courtyard of a castle). This might make it a specialist ship that is great for invasions, but poor at ship-to-ship fighting.</i></p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tom_Kalbfus wrote:</div><blockquote>I'm working on a Spelljammer version of Earth's Solar System, which includes a fantasy version of Mars, and Venus, and a Roman gods pantheon where deities of the same name reside on each planet, doesn't mean they are easy to find, if one lands on the planet, but each planet reflects a bit of the character of the residing deity.</blockquote><p>Are you aware that several other people have started (but not finished) this idea?
<p>Check out <a href="http://lost.spelljammer.org/DrawingBoard/worlds/Terraspace/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Terraspace</a> on Beyond the Moons.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tom_Kalbfus wrote:</div><blockquote>Mars for example, has a lot of warring nations fighting for scarce resources on Mars' dry surface, it includes a Lowellian canal system. Venus is a cloud covered planet who's entire land surface is covered with jungle, even at the poles. The Moon looks starkly different, covered with crater lakes, mare seas, and sylvan forests on the shores. Earth looks like Earth, though this is a fantasy version of Earth, the continents and geographic outlines are the same, the nations inhabiting the surface are different, as well as there being fantasy races and monsters populating it. </blockquote><p>As I said to someone else working on Terraspace (over at <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/thepiazza/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3003" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Piazza), you might want to check out Sean K. Reynolds work on Barsoom</a>. You might also want to look out for a campaign setting called Sundered Reaches. If you are not trying to make something commercial, you could just drop one of those in.Tom_Kalbfus wrote:Spelljammer was fun. Now will Pathfinder adopt the whole nine yards, with 500,000 gp Helms, hammerships, and planar gravity fields for small objects?
They can't do an exact copy of Spelljammer, as that could be seen as IP theft. But they can do some pretty close stuff, especially as Spelljammer was inspired by real things. Take helms - you can't have a "Spelljamming helm" as a giant seat that uses a spellcaster's spells to move a ship. But given the number of SJ fans that...bigmac2011-08-14T00:12:33ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Distant Worlds (PFRPG)bigmachttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8qib/discuss?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Distant-Worlds#452012-02-14T19:55:31Z2011-08-06T21:30:37Z<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7336686@N03/4993071792/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pathjammr Kitteh</a></p>
<p>In ur campaign settin. Convertin ur wurld into Spelljammr crystal sfere.</p>Pathjammr Kitteh
In ur campaign settin. Convertin ur wurld into Spelljammr crystal sfere.bigmac2011-08-06T21:30:37ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [Super Genius Games] Tell Us What To Print, Get a Free PDF!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2mdom?Super-Genius-Games-Tell-Us-What-To-Print-Get#462011-06-11T13:21:56Z2011-06-11T13:21:56Z<p>Thanks for considering those of use who still prefer the dead-tree format Owen.</p>
<p>I'll have a think about my own answers soon, but in the meantime, I've posted <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=6473" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a thread about your question over at The Piazza</a>. Hopefully that will bring a few more people in.</p>
<p>EDIT: I've also crossposted this at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=322309813953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">We want Print on Demand from Paizo</a> group on Facebook and posted a <a href="http://dndnexus.com/2011/06/11/super-genius-games-to-sell-print-versions-of-pdf-products/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">news story about you on D&D Nexus</a>.</p>Thanks for considering those of use who still prefer the dead-tree format Owen.
I'll have a think about my own answers soon, but in the meantime, I've posted a thread about your question over at The Piazza. Hopefully that will bring a few more people in.
EDIT: I've also crossposted this at the We want Print on Demand from Paizo group on Facebook and posted a news story about you on D&D Nexus.bigmac2011-06-11T13:21:56ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Deep 6 FaWtLbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lusz&page=22?Deep-6-FaWtL#10662011-03-12T08:28:30Z2011-03-12T08:28:30Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Studpuffin wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Mairkurion {tm} wrote:</div><blockquote> The universe is using catchy songs to demand I befriend him! </blockquote>Patrick and I are the universe to you? Awww, that's so sweet! </blockquote><p>Do you by any chance have the d20 System stats for [Spoiler omitted]?Studpuffin wrote:Mairkurion {tm} wrote: The universe is using catchy songs to demand I befriend him!
Patrick and I are the universe to you? Awww, that's so sweet! Do you by any chance have the d20 System stats for [Spoiler omitted]?bigmac2011-03-12T08:28:30ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Deep 6 FaWtLbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lusz&page=21?Deep-6-FaWtL#10302011-03-11T23:30:12Z2011-03-11T23:30:12Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mairkurion {tm} wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">bigmac wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Urizen wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Mairkurion {tm} wrote:</div><blockquote> WHO IS•• spoiler omitted ••? Is he on Paizo? </blockquote><p>Hahahahahaahahahahahaa
<p>Hooohohohooooo</p>
<p>Yes, he is. Rarely. Most of us know him from other locations that's Spelljammer related. Funny guy.</p>
<p>You got those FB notifications, I see.</p>
<p>Hehehehehheeee </blockquote>Other locations? Do you mean the <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewforum.php?f=2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Spelljammer forum at The Piazza</a>, where I mostly hang out? </blockquote>The Piazza is a cool place, from my past looks at it. </blockquote><p>:-)
<p>There is also a modest <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewforum.php?f=56" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pathfinder forum at The Piazza</a>, although I don't think any Paizo employees have signed up yet. (Contrast that with the <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewforum.php?f=61" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Talislanta forum at The Piazza</a> where the professionals almost outnumber the fans.)</p>Mairkurion {tm} wrote:bigmac wrote: Urizen wrote: Mairkurion {tm} wrote: WHO IS** spoiler omitted **? Is he on Paizo?
Hahahahahaahahahahahaa Hooohohohooooo
Yes, he is. Rarely. Most of us know him from other locations that's Spelljammer related. Funny guy.
You got those FB notifications, I see.
Hehehehehheeee Other locations? Do you mean the Spelljammer forum at The Piazza, where I mostly hang out? The Piazza is a cool place, from my past looks at it. :-) There is also a modest Pathfinder...bigmac2011-03-11T23:30:12ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Deep 6 FaWtLbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lusz&page=21?Deep-6-FaWtL#10232011-03-11T23:11:19Z2011-03-11T23:11:19Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Urizen wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Mairkurion {tm} wrote:</div><blockquote> WHO IS•• spoiler omitted ••? Is he on Paizo? </blockquote><p>Hahahahahaahahahahahaa
<p>Hooohohohooooo</p>
<p>Yes, he is. Rarely. Most of us know him from other locations that's Spelljammer related. Funny guy.</p>
<p>You got those FB notifications, I see.</p>
<p>Hehehehehheeee </blockquote><p>Other locations? Do you mean the <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewforum.php?f=2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Spelljammer forum at The Piazza</a>, where I mostly hang out?Urizen wrote:Mairkurion {tm} wrote: WHO IS** spoiler omitted **? Is he on Paizo?
Hahahahahaahahahahahaa Hooohohohooooo
Yes, he is. Rarely. Most of us know him from other locations that's Spelljammer related. Funny guy.
You got those FB notifications, I see.
Hehehehehheeee Other locations? Do you mean the Spelljammer forum at The Piazza, where I mostly hang out?bigmac2011-03-11T23:11:19ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Deep 6 FaWtLbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lusz&page=21?Deep-6-FaWtL#10122011-03-11T23:01:36Z2011-03-11T23:01:36Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mairkurion {tm} wrote:</div><blockquote> WHO IS•• spoiler omitted ••? Is he on Paizo? </blockquote><p>Never heard of him. ;-)Mairkurion {tm} wrote:WHO IS** spoiler omitted **? Is he on Paizo?
Never heard of him. ;-)bigmac2011-03-11T23:01:36ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Bits & Mortar - will Paizo sign up?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lwbo?Bits-Mortar-will-Paizo-sign-up#92011-02-20T22:12:43Z2011-02-20T22:12:43Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">LazarX wrote:</div><blockquote>Too little.... too late. If Brick and Mortar stores like Barns and Noble and Bordersm can't survive in the new economy, what makes you think that niche book stores will fare any better? I also note that all of the signers are essentially third base minor league title holders, not a single major publisher among them. It's a worthy goal but the lack of the big boys will doom them just as much as the League of Nations was doomed by the U.S. refusing to sign on board.</blockquote><p>Mongoose Publishing has signed up. I think they count as a major publisher, even if the others do not.
<p>I don't know if the scheme (or the publishers) is the thing you think will be doomed, but perhaps the offer of a free PDF will sweeten the deal, when punters are browsing printed books in their local store. And if we buy books published from certain companies, the store is more likely to reorder them.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">LazarX wrote:</div><blockquote>Many Paizo customers also get thier material by subscription... the free PDF bonus being too good to pass up.</blockquote><p>So I hear. But there are a lot of customers who do not subscribe, for one reason or another.
<div class="messageboard-quotee">LazarX wrote:</div><blockquote>Perhaps Paizo could support this in a limited way by offering those items which are sold as dead tree format only.</blockquote><p>The scheme only applies to dead tree format products. You have to actually buy a printed product to get the same product as a free PDF. (Customers would still need to come to Paizo for all of the PDF-only products.)
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Areteas wrote:</div><blockquote>FLGS != B&N or Borders, both of which try to cater to a huge swath of potential customers and tastes and suffer for it with a burden of unsold, overpriced goods that most consumers prefer to purchase elsewhere (Borders $19.99 CDs, I'm looking at you). Sure, it's a rough time to be a b&m retailer, but there are some comic/gaming stores that are turning a profit and keeping up with sales from prior years - the fact that they foster a certain community of loyal repeat customers helps. The closest the big chain retailers come to this is via rewards programs (which I gather partially contributed to Borders' recent financial issues).</blockquote><p>The thing about stores like Borders is that they don't actually care about gaming and will drop RPG material, like a stone, as soon as it becomes less profitable than other types of books.
<p>Specialist RPG stores are more "valuable" to companies like Paizo, because they actively market RPG products (rather than just shifting them) and RPG stores are much more likely to arrange game demonstrations that bring new people into the hobby.</p>
<p>I think this is the reason that Paizo already support things like Free RPG day, which is aimed at those specific stores.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Areteas wrote:</div><blockquote>I'm surprised Bits & Mortar didn't approach Paizo straight off (assuming they didn't and we didn't hear about it) and try to work out a system that can interoperate with Paizo's existing digital sales; it would seem to me that Paizo has a big, big chunk of the RPG PDF market (and many of the publishers in that list sell through Paizo.com). If they could make it work, though, I would be much, much more likely to buy dead wood products, whereas currently I lean towards PDFs because they're cheaper and more portable. I enjoy having a physical copy of the books, but oftentimes price is the chief determinant in my purchases (as I imagine it is for most). From Paizo's perspective, if this were adopted, I wonder if the likely uptick in book+PDF sales through FLGS would offset the loss in revenue from these not being direct sales (they have to share profits with the FLGS and distributor, after all)?</blockquote><p>Bits & Mortar seems to be fairly new (I only heard about it from one of my local stores - hello to Leisure Games in London :-) - today).
<p>It is possible that Bits & Mortar have asked Paizo.</p>
<p>From my understanding, a B&M deal would only apply to Paizo's internal printed RPG material, to the fact that they are so successful at selling PDFs for third parties should not come into the deal. (Although if third parties started doing a print+PDF deal via B&M that might have an impact.)</p>
<p>I'm actually the other way around from you. I find PDFs useful for searching for things, but find dead tree versions of books much much easier to read, so I choose printed books. For me, a PDF is a "backup" to a printed book that I can carry around on a memory stick - <i>not</i> an alternative to one.</p>
<p>And I'm a "browse before I buy" customer, so this sort of deal is far far more likely to get me buying more Paizo stuff than one of their blind-faith subscription plans.</p>
<p>I see a role for both printed products and PDF products, but I think the way that punters have previously been invited to choose between print and PDF means that the two formats have kind of been competing with each other. If PDF sales eat into print sales too much, they could make the format non-viable. And if publishers get forced to go PDF-only, it isn't going to be in the interest of local RPG stores to promote their products.</p>
<p>The future is a big unknown. Is Paizo better off <i>with</i> retailers or <i>without</i> them? Only time can tell.</p>LazarX wrote:Too little.... too late. If Brick and Mortar stores like Barns and Noble and Bordersm can't survive in the new economy, what makes you think that niche book stores will fare any better? I also note that all of the signers are essentially third base minor league title holders, not a single major publisher among them. It's a worthy goal but the lack of the big boys will doom them just as much as the League of Nations was doomed by the U.S. refusing to sign on board.
Mongoose...bigmac2011-02-20T22:12:43ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Bits & Mortar - will Paizo sign up?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lwbo?Bits-Mortar-will-Paizo-sign-up#62011-02-20T15:03:04Z2011-02-20T15:03:04Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Dale McCoy Jr wrote:</div><blockquote> I just want to point out that Pathfinder Compatible Publishers <b>4 Winds Fantasy Gaming</b> and <b>Jon Brazer Enterprises</b> proudly participate in Bits and Mortar. </blockquote><p>Thanks Dale. I really hope that this has reciprocal benefits to companies that have jumped in to support this experiment. Having both dead-tree and PDF versions of a product really adds value to customers. I do hope that publishers that provide this get supported in the retail stores.Dale McCoy Jr wrote:I just want to point out that Pathfinder Compatible Publishers 4 Winds Fantasy Gaming and Jon Brazer Enterprises proudly participate in Bits and Mortar.
Thanks Dale. I really hope that this has reciprocal benefits to companies that have jumped in to support this experiment. Having both dead-tree and PDF versions of a product really adds value to customers. I do hope that publishers that provide this get supported in the retail stores.bigmac2011-02-20T15:03:04ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Bits & Mortar - will Paizo sign up?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lwbo?Bits-Mortar-will-Paizo-sign-up#52011-02-20T14:59:47Z2011-02-20T14:59:47Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Brian E. Harris wrote:</div><blockquote><p> They've stated that they won't.</p>
<p>As a reason, they've stated that they are unwilling to let their digital content not go through their proprietary watermarking process, and there's no way to do that via the Bits & Mortar system. </blockquote><p>Have they specifically mentioned Bits & Mortar or are you talking about what Robert linked to? (That is about local stores reselling PDF subscriptions and is a similar but different issue.)
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Robert Hawkshaw wrote:</div><blockquote> <a href="http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/general/tornBetweenSubscriptionsAndSupportingMyFLGS&page=1&source=search#48" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/general/tornBetweenSub scriptionsAndSupportingMyFLGS&page=1&source=search#48</a></blockquote><p>Good old Vic Wertz, taking the time to explain why he can't say "yes" instead of just saying "no". There are a few people in the RPG industry who take the extra time to communicate with fans and I really appreciate them all (even when they don't have good news for me).
<p>That thread is about local stores selling PDF subscriptions, rather than giving away free PDFs with dead tree books.</p>
<p>I think the two issues are slightly different. Let me highlight some of Vic's obstacles:</p>
<p><b>Dealing with the schedule of subscriptions vs printed product:</b> This is not what the Bits & Mortar initiative is about. I buy a Pathfinder module in my local store, and either get a PDF copy from them or a download link to get it when I get home. A lot of Vic's logistical issues were dealing with that - so those issues vanish.</p>
<p><b>Dealing with payments between the local store and Paizo:</b> Again, this is not what the B&M initiative is about. The deal is buy a printed product - get given a PDF free. Money may not need to change hands. There would be a cost to giving away free PDFs. Paizo already supports Free RPG Day, so would probably need to consider the financial hit on a similar basis. Local stores pay to be part of Free RPG Day (and I'm pretty sure that none of that cash gets to Paizo) but with PDFs being non-physical items, it would probably be a lot cheaper (per unit) to support this. (Essentially the economic issues boil down to: can Paizo build an economic model that enables them to sell dead tree product that includes a free PDF in the cost to the end user.)</p>
<p><b>Watermarks and Paizo's security:</b> Maybe this isn't handled as well as Paizo would like, by the B&M system. However, Vic already seems to have worked out that it <i>would</i> be solved if retailers and customers went through Paizo's internal system. (Maybe that restricts Bits & Mortar users to going through Paizo, but "free PDF via Paizo download" is more attractive to a customer than "no free PDF".)</p>
<p><b>Working out who is a "real" retailer:</b> Bits & Mortar have this covered. Paizo could leave authentication to them and step in after they do the work.</p>
<p><b>Retailers needing to have a Paizo account:</b> Retailers that sell Paizo stuff <i>should</i> have an account here. They <i>should</i> be being pro-active and learning about the product that they sell. They should be networking to ensure that Pathfinder fans know the location of their store. Bits & Mortar is already getting them to sign up and have accounts on their website, if a second signup to access Paizo's bespoke watermarked PDFs was required, I think that many would go for it. Paizo has a "Subscriber" flag for people on the message boards, how about having a "proud Paizo retailer" flag for B&M authenticated stores and how about having a system where I can use the Paizo website to find out who sells Paizo products near me? These local stores are supposed to be places where I can be "sold" on using Pathfinder. Any improvement to the relationship between stores and Paizo would be a good thing. (And if one retailer doesn't want to go for it, that isn't a reason to not allow the rest of them to go for it. The stores who do get onboard could be given advertising packs to download and that might help them sell more stuff to customers.)</p>
<p><b>Customers needing to have a Paizo account:</b> Again, I don't see this as a problem for customers. I go to my local store and they tell me that if I sign up to Paizo, they will email me a code that allows me to download a watermarked PDF of that book - for free. Most RPG groups search the interwebs for stuff that goes with their games. I think that most Pathfinder groups will contain at least one person who has visited the Paizo website. And there are already Pathfinder freebies that you need to sign up to get. A Bits & Mortar freebie could just fit into that chain. And Paizo's tracking means that I get errata and updated versions of PDFs, that is all the more reason for me to sign up. (There would be extra work to work out that someone was entitled to a free PDF, but the rest of the structure has already been designed by Paizo. In some ways, they are more advanced than Bits & Mortar, because they could track freebies and calculate how well their products were doing on a location by location basis.)</p>
<p><b>Ensuring the customer has bought something from the store:</b> This is one of the larger logistical issues. I get the impression that Bits & Mortar are partially going on an honour system and trusting retailers to "not be a dick". But I'm sure that retailers get delivery notes. If Paizo need more tracking then a retailer that buys four copies of a product could scan in the delivery note to prove that they bought them. Tracking could mean that the retailer who provides proof of purchase can have four PDF vouchers added to their Paizo account and could give those vouchers to the four customers that buy the dead-tree copies. I'm not sure the system would be full-proof, as it is possible that someone out there would try to take back the printed product for a refund, and it wouldn't be possible to "delete" their free PDF. (And adding a requirement to prove that dead-tree product has been bought would add a level of admin to the system. If B&M already handle this, then it could be routed via them. But if B&M don't go up to Paizo's standards, that would give them a choice of trusting stores to "not be a dick" or paying for their own admin.)</p>
<p>As I said, I think that this is different enough from the concept of remote subscription selling that Paizo would need to consider it separately.</p>
<p>I know that Paizo already support Free RPG Day, so I believe that they would be prepared to consider the concept. The main question would be: "how many people currently buy both dead-tree and PDF versions of things?" because Paizo would loose <i>some</i> money if it chose to support local retailers.</p>
<p>But that cost would be balanced against the fact that this is an area where Bits & Mortar publishers (and potentially Paizo) can use 21st Century technology to try to help keep local retailers in business. And with local retailers being the "front line" of RPG merchandising, I think there is an economic advantage to keeping as many of them as possible "alive".</p>
<p>I'll be very interested to see what (if anything) Paizo can do.</p>Brian E. Harris wrote:They've stated that they won't.
As a reason, they've stated that they are unwilling to let their digital content not go through their proprietary watermarking process, and there's no way to do that via the Bits & Mortar system.
Have they specifically mentioned Bits & Mortar or are you talking about what Robert linked to? (That is about local stores reselling PDF subscriptions and is a similar but different issue.) Robert Hawkshaw...bigmac2011-02-20T14:59:47ZForums/Paizo: General Discussion: Bits & Mortar - will Paizo sign up?bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lwbo?Bits-Mortar-will-Paizo-sign-up#12011-02-20T00:55:54Z2011-02-20T00:55:54Z<p>I just found out about a multi-publisher effort to support local gaming stores. It is called <a href="http://www.bits-and-mortar.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bits & Mortar</a>. The aim of Bits of Mortar is to ensure that PDF gaming does not kill off local gaming stores. Here is the blurb from their homepage:</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Bits & Mortar wrote:</div><blockquote><p><b>Bits and Mortar</b> is a pro-retailer, pro-brick-and-mortar, pro-PDF, pro-eBook initiative backed by several game publishers (<a href="http://www.bits-and-mortar.com/who-are-we" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">find out who</a>). <b>We love real, physical brick and mortar game stores, and we want to see them survive — and thrive — even as the digital content options for gaming become more prevalent.</b></p>
<p>Plenty of customers out there want the best of both worlds. They want the easy portability of an e-book, and the lasting durability of one made out of paper, glue, and ink. They want to be able to support their favorite local game stores, and they want to be able to support their favorite publishers. The Bits and Mortar initiative is all about making sure they don’t have to choose one or the other. <b>We want them to choose both, every time.</b></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-bigger>Here’s What We Offer</span></p>
<p><ul><li>If a customer buys a book published by a Bits & Mortar publisher (<a href="http://www.bits-and-mortar.com/who-are-we" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">see the list of publishers here</a>) from their local game store, and that book is available online as a combined print and PDF bundle, <i>we will give them the PDF at no additional charge</i>. It’s a free value-add and a thank you from the publisher for supporting their local game store.</p>
<p><li>Better yet, we will make it possible for that local game store to <i>give the PDF to the customer directly</i>, keeping the sale completely “in house”.</p>
<p><li>When a B&M publisher has a product up for preorders online, offering a free PDF for those who preorder, we will work with retail stores to provide that same offer in-store. Your customers won’t have to choose between getting access to something early online and supporting their favorite store — they’ll get to do both in one place.</ul></p>
<p>Interested? <a href="http://www.bits-and-mortar.com/how-do-i-join" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Read more on how to sign up</a>.</blockquote><p>The following publishers have already signed up:
<p><ul><li><a href="http://4windsfantasygaming.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">4 Winds Fantasy Gaming</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.arcdream.com/home.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arc Dream Publishing</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bully Pulpit Games</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://cellar-games.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cellar Games LLC</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://cobwebgames.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cobweb Games</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.contestedground.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Contested Ground Studios</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.cubicle-7.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cubicle 7</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.dig1000holes.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dig a Thousand Holes Publishing</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.enginepublishing.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Engine Publishing</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.evilhat.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Evil Hat Publishing</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://galileogames.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Galileo Games Inc</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.interactionpoint.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Interaction Point Games</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://jonbrazer.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jon Brazier Entertainment</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.lotfp.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lamentations of the Flame Princess</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mongoose Publishing</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://nevermetpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nevermet Press</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.pelgranepress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pelgrane Press</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.rogue-games.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rogue Games</a>
<br />
<li><a href="http://twoscooterspress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Two Scooters Press</a></ul></p>
<p>Would Paizo be willing to sign up to something like this?</p>I just found out about a multi-publisher effort to support local gaming stores. It is called Bits & Mortar. The aim of Bits of Mortar is to ensure that PDF gaming does not kill off local gaming stores. Here is the blurb from their homepage:
Bits & Mortar wrote:Bits and Mortar is a pro-retailer, pro-brick-and-mortar, pro-PDF, pro-eBook initiative backed by several game publishers (find out who). We love real, physical brick and mortar game stores, and we want to see them survive — and thrive...bigmac2011-02-20T00:55:54ZRe: Forums: Second Darkness: Paizo Blog: Into the Blackbigmachttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5l9yj?Into-the-Black#22012-11-15T22:32:09Z2011-01-14T01:18:46Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Caedwyr wrote:</div><blockquote><p> There appears to be a signature in this drawing, but I cannot make it out clearly.</p>
<p>The image was used in Children of the Void, which lists the following artists as contributors:</p>
<p>Cover: Steve Prescott
<br />
Contributing Artists: Concept Art House, Andrew Hou, Ben Wootten, Kevin Yan, Iker Serdar Yildiz.</p>
<p>I have been unable to find the image in any of their online portfolios. </blockquote><p>The artwork is on the first page of the Into the Black chapter (pages 48-55). For some reason the contents call this chapter The Stars Are Right (which is actually the name of the foreword). :-?
<p>I see what seems to be a signature on the bottom of the column between the feet of the two humans.</p>
<p>It looks like "SLA" or maybe "SZA". That doesn't match any of the names, but maybe Concept Art House has someone with those initials.</p>Caedwyr wrote:There appears to be a signature in this drawing, but I cannot make it out clearly.
The image was used in Children of the Void, which lists the following artists as contributors:
Cover: Steve Prescott
Contributing Artists: Concept Art House, Andrew Hou, Ben Wootten, Kevin Yan, Iker Serdar Yildiz.
I have been unable to find the image in any of their online portfolios.
The artwork is on the first page of the Into the Black chapter (pages 48-55). For some reason the contents...bigmac2011-01-14T01:18:46ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: GameMastery Guide Preview: Things Get Weird!bigmachttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lazu&page=2?GameMastery-Guide-Preview-Things-Get-Weird#872010-09-11T15:23:51Z2010-09-11T15:23:51Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Well... our hardcover books generally shy away from expanding Golarion-specific content. We do try to keep from crossing the pure rulebooks with world flavor streams.</p>
<p>There's nothing about the other planets in the book as a result. That'll have to be it's own book. </blockquote><p>Thanks James.
<p>Just so you know, if Paizo ever puts out that planet book, I <b>will</b> buy it!</p>
<p>I might even read it in the laundromat on a Sunday. ;-)</p>James Jacobs wrote:Well... our hardcover books generally shy away from expanding Golarion-specific content. We do try to keep from crossing the pure rulebooks with world flavor streams.
There's nothing about the other planets in the book as a result. That'll have to be it's own book.
Thanks James. Just so you know, if Paizo ever puts out that planet book, I will buy it!
I might even read it in the laundromat on a Sunday. ;-)bigmac2010-09-11T15:23:51ZRe: Forums: Conversions: d20 Modern Database Coming Soon!bigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7j5?d20-Modern-Database-Coming-Soon#32010-09-11T15:14:37Z2010-09-11T15:14:37Z<p>I've crossposted a link to this to the <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1422#p59700" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Useful Links thread in the d20 Modern forum (over at The Piazza)</a>.</p>
<p>Please feel free to come over and search out people who can help you keep d20 Modern alive.</p>I've crossposted a link to this to the Useful Links thread in the d20 Modern forum (over at The Piazza).
Please feel free to come over and search out people who can help you keep d20 Modern alive.bigmac2010-09-11T15:14:37ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: The News is Bulls__tbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2kq96?The-News-is-Bullst#492010-09-11T14:40:22Z2010-09-11T14:40:22Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Charlie Bell wrote:</div><blockquote>2. Do not rely on US sources for news. They are hopelessly polarized, contaminated, and Amero-centric. Important s~~@ happens outside of our borders and our wars. BBC News is good but nevertheless still see #1. </blockquote><p>The BBC has also gone downhill. I'm still annoyed that neither BBC News 24 or ITN have appologiesed about the misreporting of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Jean_Charles_de_Menezes" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">death of Jean Charles de Menezes</a>. These two rolling news channels (one of which has now ceased operation) were so hungry for reports that they grabbed a guy claiming to be a witness and interviewed him all day.
<p>The basis of his "story" was that he saw Jean Charles de Menezes (who he did not name) get chased by the police, vault over the Underground ticket barriers, run down the escalator, trip on the doorway of the train and then have a policeman jump on top of him and shoot him.</p>
<p>However, they layout of London's Underground stations means that it is impossible to see both the ticket barriers and the trains in most stations (including Stockwell) and the BBC reporters, and their producers should have been able to tell that the story was flawed (even if they could not tell that it was total BS).</p>
<p>What is wrong with all reporters these days is that they do not challange facts, because they are too worried that another reporter will get the scoop.</p>Charlie Bell wrote:2. Do not rely on US sources for news. They are hopelessly polarized, contaminated, and Amero-centric. Important s~~@ happens outside of our borders and our wars. BBC News is good but nevertheless still see #1.
The BBC has also gone downhill. I'm still annoyed that neither BBC News 24 or ITN have appologiesed about the misreporting of the death of Jean Charles de Menezes. These two rolling news channels (one of which has now ceased operation) were so hungry for reports...bigmac2010-09-11T14:40:22ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: GameMastery Guide Preview: Things Get Weird!bigmachttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lazu&page=2?GameMastery-Guide-Preview-Things-Get-Weird#672010-05-30T22:17:06Z2010-05-23T22:47:48Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">F. Wesley Schneider wrote:</div><blockquote><p>If you're looking for pages of content on space ship movements and maneuverability, effects of 0 gravity on combat, and the dangers of being exposed to space, don't get your hopes up. This is isn't Pathfinder: Space, or Pathfinder: Pirates, or Pathfinder: Charlemagne's Knights. It's a book about considerations and tools for Game Masters, not a catch-all of wacky rules content. What there is, though - as far as space goes - is a lengthy discussion on creating planets, elements of alien worlds, space travel (via portals, vessels, spells, and such), and extraterrestrials, providing details and advice on what GMs who want to run such games should consider and include should they want to take their games in whatever directions they please. While there are tons of new rules in this book, rather then making its a scatter shot of 50 off the wall topics, the rules in the GameMastery Guide focus on utility and flexibility rather than getting weirdly specific (sorry, no slug chariots and radiation magic herein).</p>
<p>All that being said, if you want to use the space travel section as a springboard, and consider the new ship statistics and combat rules through the lens of space travel, a cagey GM could easily create some pretty interesting (even Spelljammer-like) rules. That's not the specific intention, of course, but then again, the book easily provides a launchpad to build exactly what a GM needs, which, after all, is exactly what the GMG is all about. </blockquote><p>Well, you certainly have attracted the interest of the Spelljammer fan community with this product. There is <a href="http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3649" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a discussion about GameMastery Guide over at The Piazza's Spelljammer forum</a>.
<p>From your above comments, I would say that this book is not going to be an instant conversion of Spelljamer to PFRPG rules, but it still might be useful to 3rd edition fans (or even 2nd edition fans) who want to raid Pathfinder products for the fluffy bits.</p>
<p>I would personally like to know if the GameMastery Guide's Parallel Worlds section expands upon the existing space canon (found in <a href="http://pathfinder.wikia.com/wiki/Children_of_the_Void" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Children of the Void</a>) and give SJ fans another look at The Sun, Aballon, Castrovel, Akiton, Verces, The Dispora, Eox, Triaxus, Liavara, Bretheda, Apostae and Aucturn. I think that some content that adds to that, could be very useful in aiding the fans that want to create "Golarionspace" and add it to their existing Spelljammer game.</p>
<p>Is that the sort of thing you are doing? Or are you showing people how to create new worlds in new solar systems?</p>F. Wesley Schneider wrote:If you're looking for pages of content on space ship movements and maneuverability, effects of 0 gravity on combat, and the dangers of being exposed to space, don't get your hopes up. This is isn't Pathfinder: Space, or Pathfinder: Pirates, or Pathfinder: Charlemagne's Knights. It's a book about considerations and tools for Game Masters, not a catch-all of wacky rules content. What there is, though - as far as space goes - is a lengthy discussion on creating planets,...bigmac2010-05-23T22:47:48ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Print On Demandbigmachttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2hhyc?Print-On-Demand#162010-03-03T01:38:56Z2010-03-03T01:37:49Z<p>Thank you very much for your detailed reply, Vic.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Vic Wertz wrote:</div><blockquote> It's not just cost here—it's quality as well. Honestly, I don't think Lulu—or POD in general—is quite •good• enough yet, especially when it comes to color. We spend a lot of time and money on art and printing to make our products look as good as or better than anything else in the industry, and I don't think current POD standards would show that very well.</blockquote><p>Hmm. I can see an issue with this. Paizo puts a ton of colour art into things and also uses glossy paper. I do know that sort of thing puts up the price of PoD products.
<p>This might be less of a stopping block with old school products, as they tend to have more black and white content, and were designed for an era of non-glossy paper.</p>
<p>I think that WotC are completely out of touch with reality, for discontinuing the TSR PDFs that you and DriveThru were selling, and I think that pretty much all of those retro-design products would have worked well as PoD products.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Vic Wertz wrote:</div><blockquote>Further, my understanding is that many POD bindings don't hold up very well with heavy use over time; they might work well for books that get read a few times before being put up on a shelf, but RPGs get worked over harder than most books. A notable game publisher recently launched their own POD setup, and ended up having to scrap the whole thing after they realized that the binding failure rate on the finished product was much higher than anticipated.</blockquote><p>I've got a copy of Majestic Wilderlands and the binding for that is loose sheets glued onto the spine of the book - compared to the binding for your Children of the Void, which is made up of a number of slim booklets glued onto the spine.
<p>I don't anticipate having any problems with Majestic Wilderlands (or your book), but then I try to look after my books.</p>
<p>I have had glued textbooks fall apart in the past, but that seems to be down to some sort of brittle glue that seems to rot. (If I was rich, I'd probably do some destruct testing on RPG books, just to find out who does good binding.)</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Vic Wertz wrote:</div><blockquote>And then cost... well, I don't know what Lulu's actual cost-of-goods are, but given their volume, I think it's safe to say that if •we• had a POD printer in the warehouse, •they• would still probably be able to produce any given book for a lower cost that we could—after all, it's what they do. But let's pretend for a moment that we could exactly match their cost-of-goods on a given product, or that we just did it through them. The closest equivalent I can find on Lulu for a Pathfinder AP volume (100 pages, full color) is the full-color edition of Open Design's <a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/kobold-ecologies-vol-1-full-color/4780337" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kobold Ecologies Volume 1</a>. If you assume that Open Design and Paizo have to clear roughly the same profit margins on our products, then it follows that we'd have to price our imaginary POD Pathfinder AP at pretty much the same price as Open Design has priced that book: $34.99. And frankly, that's just too much to ask, especially when we're talking about a copy of a book that's visibly inferior to the press-printed copies that we charge $19.99 for. If we tried to charge that for a POD copy of an out-of-print book, I think most gamers would just seek out a used copy on eBay instead. I know I would.</blockquote><p>True. But there comes a time when collectors drive second-hand product prices up to stupidly high levels. I've seen people trying to sell Towers of High Sorcery for over £100. Compared to that stupid price, a price of double the original RRP would seem fair.
<p>Assuming that Pathfinder is a long term success (and I hope it is) there will be ToHS-like products in your range (that people fight over). Part of the reason, I like the idea of PoD is that it covers products that get a second following.</p>
<p>Still, I suppose you will have time before Paizo-grognoids exist.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Vic Wertz wrote:</div><blockquote>At any rate, if you want numbers, I can't be precise, but using the above hypotheticals, I can ballpark that we'd need unit prices to drop about 40% before it starts to make a whole lot of sense. (To actually do it in-house, which would allow us to offer combined shipping with our other stuff, I'd say it'd have to drop even more, as an operation like Lulu has the benefit of spreading the cost of their POD equipment over a larger number of products in the same amount of time than we could.) And that decrease in cost has to •also• come with an increase in binding quality and print quality.</blockquote><p>Hmm. I suppose the in-house benifits would be great for your US customers. I'm not sure they would be so good for your UK, Australian or other non-US customers, but then I don't suppose we are as large a customer base.
<p>(I would love to see Paizo be successful enough to have a UK branch, like TSR had for a short while.)</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Vic Wertz wrote:</div><blockquote>Honestly, my suggest to folks who want printed copies of our PDFs—find a local service bureau, and ask them to print and bind your PDF. That way, you're in control of your own personal balancing act between quality and cost, and we don't have to stand behind a product that's both too expensive and not good enough for our standards.</blockquote><p>That is a great suggestion. However, I have heard that some people have had problems getting a print bureau to print things. Apparently, some of the print shops are concerned that customers with PDFs may be trying to infringe copyright.
<p>I went to a print shop in Central London (as I am currently trying to find a place that will print and bind <a href="http://www.dlnexus.com/adlatum/sourcebook.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adlatum Campaign Setting</a>•) and got told that I would need written permission from the authors/owners before they would do it.</p>
<p><i>• = Adlatum Campaign Setting is brilliant, by the way. Someone should hire the people who made it.</i></p>
<p>That caution (from the print shops) seems logical to me (even though it is in my way). If I get a print shop to print your stuff, I am kind of stepping on your toes. Maybe you intend some of the freebies to be printed, so you don't mind. But I could easily see a bandit trying to take advantage of that and then trying to whack out bootleg copies of freebie PDFs like "Pathfinder: Council of Thieves Player's Guide" on eBay.</p>Thank you very much for your detailed reply, Vic.
Vic Wertz wrote:It's not just cost here—it's quality as well. Honestly, I don't think Lulu—or POD in general—is quite *good* enough yet, especially when it comes to color. We spend a lot of time and money on art and printing to make our products look as good as or better than anything else in the industry, and I don't think current POD standards would show that very well.
Hmm. I can see an issue with this. Paizo puts a ton of colour art into...bigmac2010-03-03T01:37:49Z