I hate to be a pain, but I have a bit of a problem. I've been looking for the answer to my dilemma on the messageboards, but apparently I missed it somehow. Please help.
Here's my dilemma:
Some time ago I chose the transition option of having my remaining issues of Dragon and Dungeon converted to issues of Pathfinder. I also signed on as a charter subscriber to Pathfinder. Having received Pathfinder #1, I'm afraid I have to tell you that I'm not satisfied. It's a fine product, I suppose, but it's really not what I want.
If it's possible, I'd like to return the copy of Pathfinder #1 and the player's guide I received, cancel my subscription, and convert everything to store credit. Can I do that? If so, how?
I have a similar opinion. Don't get me wrong, Pathfinder looks cool, but Dungeon had 3 adventures an issue, Most of which where standalone. Standalone adventures are incredibly useful when DMs need a short sidearc, Just want to run a quick game but don't have the time to write their own adventure, or the like.
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I have a similar opinion. Don't get me wrong, Pathfinder looks cool, but Dungeon had 3 adventures an issue, Most of which where standalone. Standalone adventures are incredibly useful when DMs need a short sidearc, Just want to run a quick game but don't have the time to write their own adventure, or the like.
That's what D&D Insider is for. I'm still hoping that Pathfinder will find a way to include the kinds of content we saw in Dragon, if not.. well won't be keeping Pathfinder long.
So far I like what I see.. but space and expense are going to win out if there's nothing I can use as a player in here.
I'm afraid my problem with Pathfinder has little to do with the fact that it's not enough like Dragon or Dungeon. I have other complaints.
And I don't think I'll be getting D&D Insider, either. I'm sticking with 3.5e for the foreseeable future.
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can you not satisfy the need for additional shorter adventures by using the Gamemastery moduals? I also REALLY like the D20 converted classic moduals. just curious. If you havn't looked at them they are quality items.
The other thing to consider is that Pathfinder is more than just an adventure path. It's a whole new campaign setting. The maps of Sandpoint and the surrounding regions offer alot of opportunities to create your own side adventures. I for one was getting kinda burnt out on the standard D&D settings. Varisia is a breath of fresh air, IMO.
I just tend to see it as more than the adventure. Of course if your not happy with it that's cool too. I'm sure it's not for everybody. Just thought I'de maybe give ya an additional viewpoint to help.
I actually like the idea of starting a whole new setting from scratch and being in on the ground floor. I also like Paizo's quality in general. I'm of the opinion that Paizo-designed adventures generally show more creativity and attention to detail that most adventures on the market. My complaints lie in other areas.
Oh. Sorry. What are your complaints, out of curiosity? I imagine any paizo official would be curious as well.
Well, I didn't really want to get into it, but here goes.
First, certain elements of the adventure are offensive to me. I know somebody is thinking already that I could just leave those parts out, but they would be missing the point. It's not that I don't want to use those parts of the adventure, it's that I don't want to read those parts myself. Since my children are also budding gamers I don't even want the product around because I don't want them to read it, either. Ditto for Crown of the Kobold King, btw.
Second, I was really hoping that Paizo would abandon or at least tone down the "horror movie" feel that has been creeping into their products over the last year or three, but I see no evidence that this is the case. They seem to be opting for more of that sort of thing, not less. Of course I understand that it sells and that many Paizonians love it, but I'm not one of them.
Third, I really hate the art. I know it's kind of silly for that to be an issue, but to me it is. I don't know why - it's sort of a personal preference thing. Whether it's the anime-influenced style (I just started another fight here; I KNOW some Paizonians don't see any anime influence but bear with me), the long-eared elves, or the cartoony portraits, it just sets my teeth on edge.
Fourth, some of the new stuff strikes me as just plain silly. The Sandpoint Devil is a prime example. I mean seriously, a fanged horse that walks upright? That strikes me as a bit sophomoric at best. I'm not trying to insult anyone, but it seems rather weak to me.
Fifth, I don't like the price. I know Paizo told us up front what the page count would be, but somehow it didn't register with me. I was expecting something more substantial. I also know that in terms of pure content Pathfinder is roughly equal to what it's replacing in Dragon and Dungeon magazines. And I know that Pathfinder has much higher production values than most other publications. Nonetheless, I would rather put up with advertising, lose the glossy paper, or otherwise reduce the production values if it meant bringing down the price.
But don't misinterpret my intentions here: I'm not trying to hate on Paizo. Frankly, they're a great bunch of designers. It's just that I think I would be better off buying individual Pathfinders after I've had a chance to check them out (or, better yet, see them reviewed by people I trust) rather than subscribing. I'll also buy individual Gamemastery mods after I've had a chance to check them out. And I'll continue to buy item cards (which I think are just plain brilliant)and similar game aids. I merely prefer to avoid certain things that I feel (strongly) negatively about.
Hi Bubbagump,
Thanks for letting us know what you found objectionable in Pathfinder and thanks for giving it a try. We're always interested in feedback from our customers and some of your concerns I've never heard before. So thanks!
The best option we can provide to you is coming soon (certainly before Pathfinder #2 ships) and it will allow you to convert what remaining dollars you have in transition funds into store credit.
Stay tuned for more info!
Creative Director
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Sounds like picking up Pathfinder and our modules at the store and looking through them beforehand is the way to go for you, then. But in the interests of full disclosure... what you saw in Pathfinder 1 is pretty much the direction we're going for all the Pathfinders to come.
With the exception of the "cartoony" art. As you can see from our latest blog post, where we preview art from Pathfinder 2... the "cartoony" art won't be going forward. That was a necessity of the time for Pathfinder 1 since we had some production problems and timing problems and resource problems with getting the art side of things done up. Those problems are all better now, and Pathfinder 2 and on will have art more in the style of what readers of Dragon and Dungeon and other WotC products expect.
But your concerns for the other points are valid. And they'll likely not be changing much. In fact, in "Skinsaw Murders," the gore is indeed increased over what's in "Burnt Offerings." This in mind, Pathfinder may, unfortunately, not be the product for you.
Thanks for clearing this up for me, Paizo. Please don't think there are any hard feelings on this end. I realize that you have to do as the market demands, especially in light of recent events. I still feel that you have the best bunch of designers in the business, and you have numerous other products that I'll certainly find more to my liking.
While some of the modules doubtless fall under the same "horror movie" heading (Nick Logue, I'm looking at you) there are several of them that you might want to check out. Conquest of Bloodsworn Vale and Seven Swords of Sin are not particularly gruesome (although D2 is very deadly for PCs).
But, you're the only one that knows your taste, so by all means, check them out!
I certainly will. As I said previously, Paizo has the best bunch of designers in the business. I look forward to future releases.
While some of the modules doubtless fall under the same "horror movie" heading (Nick Logue, I'm looking at you)
::hides::
I'm gonna write a non-sicko module soon I promise!!! Well, actually, "Hangman's Noose" does NOT fit that bill...so maybe not soon, but someday!
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While some of the modules doubtless fall under the same "horror movie" heading (Nick Logue, I'm looking at you) there are several of them that you might want to check out. Conquest of Bloodsworn Vale and Seven Swords of Sin are not particularly gruesome (although D2 is very deadly for PCs).
But, you're the only one that knows your taste, so by all means, check them out!
the only scene in Bloodsworn that may be offensive IMO is
While some of the modules doubtless fall under the same "horror movie" heading (Nick Logue, I'm looking at you) there are several of them that you might want to check out. Conquest of Bloodsworn Vale and Seven Swords of Sin are not particularly gruesome (although D2 is very deadly for PCs).
But, you're the only one that knows your taste, so by all means, check them out!
hmm... in D2 I seem to remember
But it was my favorite of the Game Mastery modules out so far, and that was only 1 scene.
With the exception of the "cartoony" art. As you can see from our latest blog post, where we preview art from Pathfinder 2... the "cartoony" art won't be going forward. That was a necessity of the time for Pathfinder 1 since we had some production problems and timing problems and resource problems with getting the art side of things done up. Those problems are all better now, and Pathfinder 2 and on will have art more in the style of what readers of Dragon and Dungeon and other WotC products expect.
<whew!>
Thanks for that info, James. I did not like the cartoony (including Kyle's stuff) art either. I have nothing against Kyle, but I personally don't like it for Pathfinder.
As for the other adult/horror themes, no problemo for me. Hell I wish there was a Cthulhu mythos in Pathfinder (if my DM is reading this... hint hint).
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The best part is that I thought D1 was too soft. haha! As a long-time horror fan I am surprised that Burnt Offerings was offensive to some. It feels like old school D&D to me, but maybe others don't enjoy the darker 1st edition style that so many of us seem to love. It's far from offensive to me but I guess that's what happens when you grow up on the Deodatto cannibal trilogy :)