Monte Cook Joins the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game™ Team
Co-creator of 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons® to act as Rules Consultant
May 12, 2008 (BELLEVUE, Wash.) – Paizo Publishing®, LLC today announced that Monte Cook, the co-creator of 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons and author of the 3.5 PHB and DMG as well as the Ptolus™ campaign setting and the recent Book of Experimental Might™, has joined the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game team as a Rules Consultant.
"This is going to be a lot of fun," said Monte Cook. "Pathfinder is a fresh spin on a rules system that I love and the guys at Paizo are great to work with. They produce nothing but the highest quality products."
"Monte Cook is a legend of third edition and of the Open Gaming movement," said Paizo’s Publisher, Erik Mona. "He’s also a great DM, and has the best mind for mechanics I’ve ever seen. To have one of the original third edition designers helping us with the Pathfinder RPG is like a dream come true. With Monte’s involvement, I am certain that the future of the edition he helped to create will be very long and very fruitful."
"I am really excited to be working with Monte on this project," said Paizo’s Lead Designer, Jason Bulmahn. "His advice has been a great help to the Pathfinder RPG. When it comes to rules design and knowledge of the 3.5 system, there is absolutely no one better."
Monte Cook will also be contributing an introduction to the final Pathfinder Roleplaying Game hardcover, scheduled for an August 2009 release.
The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game is a tabletop fantasy roleplaying game that will serve as the anchor for Paizo Publishing’s popular line of Pathfinder adventures, sourcebooks, and campaigns. Last March marked the beginning of a year-long Open Playtest of the new rules, which are based on the popular 3.5 rules available under the Open Game License. The Pathfinder RPG is designed with backward compatibility as one of its primary goals, so players will continue to enjoy their lifelong fantasy gaming hobby without invalidating their entire game library. To learn more about the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and to download the free Pathfinder RPG Alpha playtest document, visit paizo.com/pathfinderRPG.
*brain explodes*
Awesome!
Really Great News! Congrats!
*does a little dance.*
Crap. Now my co-workers are looking at me funny.
WOW!
Well well well. That is interesting news. Congratulations on gathering up another fantastic creative mind to add to the insane melting pot that you already have (and yes, insane is a reference to Nicholas Logue).
This is awesome news!
WELCOME MONTE! GLAD TO HAVE YOU ON TEAM B!
Team Bulmahn that is! ;)
Because I've been happy with Jason, and I'm glad he's getting some help from the 'Mazin' M.C.!
SWEET!!! Welcome to Paizo, Monte!
Aw man, I had high hopes for Pathfinder to un-Monte 3.5. Now that hack is involved.
Monte Cook Joins the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game™ Team
Like Manna From Heaven.
I just purchased both Books of Experimental Might and was going to make a suggestion to PAIZO that they review the alternate rules for consideration for Pathfinder if not down right adopt them and then get Mr. Cook on board!
Then to see this - it's like all the stars are right at last.
Now if PAIZO can just purchase the rights to the 3.5 OGL/SRD away from WOTC and therefore be allowed to use all the Complete and Races books - all would be perfect.
This ... is ... awesome!
The news actually made my ... well ... evening
*brain explodes*
That was pretty much my reaction, as well.
For all who wish to stay with the 3.5/OGL model at their tables, for whatever reasons personal or technnical, there is a home for us...
...and it is here.
Here I will remain.
Monte Cook Joins the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game™ TeamI just purchased both Books of Experimental Might and was going to make a suggestion to PAIZO that they review the alternate rules for consideration for Pathfinder if not down right adopt them and then get Mr. Cook on board!
Then to see this - it's like all the stars are right at last.
PRPG is to be backwards compatible, the books of experimental might are a whole new take on the 3.5 OGL.
I'm firmly against that!
Director of Game Design
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Well, it looks like my little secret is finally out. Monte and I have been chatting for quite a while on this project and had a meeting a couple of weeks ago to hash out some details. Monte has been absolutely great to work with, and his Malhavoc books have been a big inspiration for me (I am looking at you Book of Experimental Might and its sequel).
I am currently working with Monte on the inclusion of some of his rules into the Pathfinder RPG. More to come soon. If you want a preview, pick up BoEM and its sequel.
Woo Hoo. Good Times
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
PRPG is to be backwards compatible, the books of experimental might are a whole new take on the 3.5 OGL.I'm firmly against that!
Monte's involvment doesn't necessarily indicate that it won't be backwards compatible. That's an awfully big assumption to make.
Aw man, I had high hopes for Pathfinder to un-Monte 3.5. Now that hack is involved.Monte had nothing to do with 3.5... very few people that did 3.0 were around for 3.5.. which is sad.
I suppose I failed my humor check. Maybe I'll edit in a line about how 3.5 was a good first step to un-Monte third edition, and I was hoping Pathfinder would fully un-Monte it.
Or is it de-Monte?
Either way, it was a critical fumble of a joke, so pulling a random card from the fumble deck (Don't ask why I have both critical decks at work ;) ), I get:
Stop hitting yourself!
The attack deals damage to you instead of the target.
Well, it looks like my little secret is finally out. Monte and I have been chatting for quite a while on this project and had a meeting a couple of weeks ago to hash out some details. Monte has been absolutely great to work with, and his Malhavoc books have been a big inspiration for me (I am looking at you Book of Experimental Might and its sequel).
I am currently working with Monte on the inclusion of some of his rules into the Pathfinder RPG. More to come soon. If you want a preview, pick up BoEM and its sequel.
Woo Hoo. Good Times
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
If the world and it's gaming family were proportionaltely smaller, I'd be offering you and Monte brews at the local pub tonight.
As life can be, I'll be there in spirit whenever one of your local fans can take up that flag.
*hint to the locals*
M
HOLY F&#$IN BAT S!#+ BATMAN!!!
THIS ROCKS!!!
This is REALLY good news!
I can't wait to have the final version of PFRPG in my hands!
Either way, it was a critical fumble of a joke, so pulling a random card from the fumble deck (Don't ask why I have both critical decks at work ;) )
The joke was fine Ken, he just didn't read the whole post.
WOOHOO! MONTE!
I like alot of his stuff, this should be great
(lets hope he doesnt go to over the top with some of the rules from the book Like the 2 differnt types of hit points)
Believe it not... you guys just made me cry with this news. That is so freakin' awesome.
Welcome aboard Monte.
Well, it looks like my little secret is finally out. Monte and I have been chatting for quite a while on this project and had a meeting a couple of weeks ago to hash out some details. Monte has been absolutely great to work with, and his Malhavoc books have been a big inspiration for me (I am looking at you Book of Experimental Might and its sequel).
I am currently working with Monte on the inclusion of some of his rules into the Pathfinder RPG. More to come soon. If you want a preview, pick up BoEM and its sequel.
Woo Hoo. Good Times
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
This is great news - until your post confirmed it, I wasn't sure whether it is a true rumor or not, but now that it is confirmed I am very happy. You guys have been doing an excellent job even without Monte, but Monte's knowledge of 3E rules and his creativity with the rules will surely help make the product even better.
On the topic of incorporating his BoEM rules, I would love to see the rule caster level = spell level (hence, 20 spell levels rather than 9, or 21 spell levels if 0th level spells are counted) make it into PFRPG. Yes, backward compatibility is the issue, but I don't think the impact on backward compatibility would be all that bad. Another issue would be how to decide how many spells of each level a wizard (cleric, etc.) can memorize per day (unless a spellpoint system is used), but I am sure you and Monte could work something out!
I just started reading over BOXM II. I really liked BOXM and I like that some of the ideas may be included.
SWEET!!!!!!
I must have been asleep for a while, because I didn't even know there was a sequel to BoXM...Talk about a failed Perception check!
PRPG is to be backwards compatible, the books of experimental might are a whole new take on the 3.5 OGL.
I'm firmly against that!
As even Jason B. implies in his message just below yours - not all rules from BOXM would break the backwards compatibility standard. Adding extra combat maneuvers (like throwing! and knckback) and class abilities, alternate damage and dying rules, etc. are where 3.P is heading anyway.
Let's trust these guys know what they are doing and will give us a product that meets all our needs and aspirations!
Monte Cook Joins the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game™ Team
Get this on the Blog Joshua!
Monte Cook Joins the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game™ Team
*CRAPS PANTS*
*shaking and jumping in chair at Work*
Wooooot!
Fantastic news.
Welcome aboard Monte!
Hm....methinks THIS was the subject of the recent "secret meeting."
Methinks you are right. :o)
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I'm pretty sure I'd read somewhere that Monte felt like his time as an RPG designer was winding down. If thats true I'm doubly happy that he found a project to keep him excited in product development. MC is one of my favorite designers, from AE to the CoC book he did at Wizards, if there was any question about whether or not Paizo had become the true home for D&D, its answered now.