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First, I understand that creating a new magazine is a mighty obstacle that Paizo would rather not take on. I'm not finding fault for this.
Second, I understand that Pathfinder is going to consist of a solid adventure path in a new world that will contain both content for the DM to run the adventure and players to immerse themselves in the world. The comparison has been made with Red Hand of Doom. Of course, this is great, so long as you like the adventure path. But before I address that, let me continue...
Third, I *think* Gamemastery is designed to function either as a mini-adventure, like the multitudes for free download at WotC, or perhaps a solo adventure, like Barrow of the Forgotten King.
What I want, and probably will not receive, unless WotC resurrects Dungeon under their own control, is ... Dungeon. Or atleast a Dungeonesque periodical that has not one LONG campaign or one SHORT campaign, but rather a trio of campaigns to choose from. That was the magic of Dungeon - there was always something of interest.
Now, getting back to my concerns.
If I don't like an adventure path, such as Pathfinder, validation for a subscription is non-sensical. Moreover, dependant on the price, I may or may not be interested in buying a Gamemastery adventure. I may be alone here, but again, that is my draw for Dungeon - multiple choices and reasonable price.
What I don't understand, in going back to the first point, is why Pathfinder, or some other "book" can't exist that takes themes from Dragon and Dungeon, combines them and releases them as "Books."
I appreciate the structure of magazine sales, but if you can get around those hurdles with your book, Pathfinder, why not construct your books to take up where Dragon and Dungeon have let off? Even for the new price, it would still make total sense, and if successful, would still likely draw a notable consumer base, particular if each "book" had the stock quality you speak highly of, the choices of a Dungeonesque periodical, as well as the variety of player-based (and Gamemaster-based) information as a Dragonesque periodical.
Clarification or explanation would be nice on this point.
*bump*
While I suspect that distribution and name recognition are significant reasons, the fact of the matter is that they've chosen not to, and this far into the development of a new product, their model isn't likely to change until they've gotten some market research on what people like and dislike about the new model ONCE THEY'VE SEEN IT.
I have no doubt that the editors know EXACTLY which types of articles were popular in the magazines and are working to replicate to the degree they can the articles that were most popular.
That said.... I will also miss the 3 adventure an issue format, and would suggest to Erik, who brought up the possibility of a yearly book of adventures from those who weren't able to get slots on the Pathfinder and Gamemastery schedule, that instead he consider a quarterly publication similar in size to pathfinder (perhaps slightly larger... maybe 128 pages (the actual red hand of doom page count) with 5-6 shorter adventures. DMs will get frustrated with a once a year selection; a four release a year format would increase recognition of the new product; it would make the freelancers happy; and I think it would fill the niche of Dungeon for those who aren't interested in APs. That said... four releases a year means a constant drain on editing resources, and also COULD pull readers away from Pathfinder (since they'd have something of a viable option).
Also, the above solution doesn't address the Dragon content issue.
- Ashavan
I tend to believe the paizo employees when they say the reason that they do not do new magazines like that is the extreeme cost of starting up a new magazine that does not have name recognition. If they could afford high six or even seven figure digits to start new magazines I am pretty sure they could have worked something out with WotC to keep the liscenses for a while longer.
I like the idea of the smaller adventure compilations comming out quartly, but think that they would definatly have to wait to see the response to the first one before they made that kind of descision.
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I like the idea of the smaller adventure compilations comming out quartly, but think that they would definatly have to wait to see the response to the first one before they made that kind of descision.
True. And yes, I may be barking up the wrong tree here. It is quite possible that Paizo has moved on. I'm just curious if a periodical is a consideration. Hecks, I'd be happy with a quarterly release. I'd just like to know whether this is something Paizo has considered ... or is willing to consider.
The only thing I know about something like this is that, apparently, campaigns in Pathfinder (published ones, at least) will be of varying length. So this first one may be 1st to 15th levels, but maybe the next one will have a more narrow scope: maybe the adventures will have elements that are modular and open enough to allow mixing and matching. It's not the same, I will admit, especially from a price tag perspective, but between this and Gamemastery, you shouldn't be left completely in the dark.
Chief Technical Officer
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Monte Cook, I believe, has suggested that Paizo is contractually prohibited from publishing a periodical...
Monte's supposition is incorrect. I've posted at length in several other threads explaining many of the reasons that, while we would happily have continued publishing Dragon and Dungeon as long as possible, we're not the least bit unhappy to be out of the magazine business. Unless you have a couple of titles with decades of history, it's a really lousy business to be in.
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Right Vic. I gathered that. But isn't there a way to publish a "book" that captures the spirit of Dungeon, i.e., multiple adventures at various levels, with perhaps the inclusion of some of Dragon's essence, i.e., player and DM tools alike?
Someone had suggested a quarterly book previously.
That would be wondrous.
Or is this something that Paizo just isn't interested in doing anymore?
A quarterly "grab bag" adventure anthology with several different authors, new and upcoming as well as people we've heard a lot about would be pretty cool.
I have seen Erik Mona post here in a thread on EN World about the idea of producing an annual equivalent of a "Best Of Dungeon Magazine" (obviously with a different title though). It would have about 30 or so new adventures like you would see in a typical issue of Dungeon and be about 150-200 pages long.
Here is a quote:
Earlier today, while pondering this issue, I came up with the idea of a fairly sizable annual collection of, say, 30 or so of this type of adventure, written 100% by "new" authors who query and submit the modules to us. In this case I mean "new" authors who have not yet been assigned a Pathfinder adventure or GameMastery Module. This would be a stand-alone softcover book, most likely. Let's say 150-200 pages long. Anyone think that would be fun?
Personally I love this idea and would definitely buy it if they decided to go ahead with it.
Olaf the Stout
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I have seen Erik Mona post here in a thread on EN World about the idea of producing an annual equivalent of a "Best Of Dungeon Magazine" (obviously with a different title though). It would have about 30 or so new adventures like you would see in a typical issue of Dungeon and be about 150-200 pages long.
Here is a quote:
Earlier today, while pondering this issue, I came up with the idea of a fairly sizable annual collection of, say, 30 or so of this type of adventure, written 100% by "new" authors who query and submit the modules to us. In this case I mean "new" authors who have not yet been assigned a Pathfinder adventure or GameMastery Module. This would be a stand-alone softcover book, most likely. Let's say 150-200 pages long. Anyone think that would be fun?Personally I love this idea and would definitely buy it if they decided to go ahead with it.
Olaf the Stout
I'm game!