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As an avid reader of the Pathfinder modules and adventure path, I've been keeping my eyes on the authors, and of late I've noticed something: Paizo employees are making more and more of said products. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing. I always enjoy a company who can both hire out and do some of the adventure writing. This tells me that their lives are calming down (as much as may be expected of Paizo). I'm glad that their schedule has lightened, or has seemed to, but of course, I have a question.
Why the reduction in freelancing? I know that everyone at Paizo loves the game, as do everyone on the boards, and I know the contributors love writing the stuff.
But looking again, I see that Amber Scott and Owen Stephens (forgive any misspellings) are doing some Pathfinder Chronicles Products. So maybe the venues are switching. I'll leave the answers to the Paizo guys, but I'm curious as to what freelancers think on the matter. The Lords certainly have their opinions, and that's welcome too.
Oh, and when is a) the next GameMastery open call and b) RPG Superstar!(tm)
Finally, a shout out to Mr. McArtor, as much as I can give, on his latest venture in life. Where he goes, the Paizo community, I believe, will support him, and I am almost sure that we'll see more city ninjas coming our way for years to come.
I think this was in the realm of "we weren't sure if this was going to be 3.5 or 4e or or or" as to why the adventures weren't given to freelancers. I imagine that with that particular issue settled, we'll see more freelancers returning to the fold.
Don't forget that the Set Pieces (the sidetrek adventures starting in PF #13) is another way to showcase new authors.
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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This has a lot to do with setting the groundwork and not knowing what we were going to do with the edition switch and wanting to stay as versatile and nimble as possible.
Plus, we employ some great writers!
Everything at the office moves much more smoothly when members of the staff are _not_ writing for our books, and we're going to see something of a reduction this year.
That means, of course, more freelance opportunities for all. :)
--Erik
Plus, we employ some great writers!
I have to agree. I don't want to give anyone over there a big ego, but Burnt Offerings (written by James Jacobs) was, in my opinion, one of the best adventures I've ever read and played. It was excellent. I also think Hollow's Last Hope (by Jason Bulmahn and F. Wesley Schneider) was one of the best ever. Very, very well done.
So basically, I'm looking forward to more work by those guys...
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Creative Director
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Yeah; what Liz and Erik said upstream. We're right in the middle now of a two-headed beast that more or less forced us to narrow down on the out-of-house freelancers.
1) We released several core products that are going to serve as the backbone of the Pathfinder world; products that we wanted to maintain a tight control over.
But the MAIN reason is this:
2) For several months near the start of the year, we were unsure what edition of the game we were going to be using come summer. If we were going to switch to 4th edition, we would need to learn the new rules FAST and would need freelancers who could do the same. Since we had no control over when and who got to see the 4th edition rules (although if we were switching to 4th, we knew that at least WE would have the rules), a lot of the projects got sort of temporarilly assigned to a lot of in-house authors. Then, when the situation with the GSL drug out for months, by the time we had to make our decision to stick with 3.5 for now and aim at the Pathfinder RPG (a decision I am 100% glad we made, by the by), work was already proceeding at a frantic pace.
SO. Going forward, expect a lot less of the Paizo folk writing stuff, and expect a lot more great freelancers (like Keith Baker, Todd Stewart, Amber Scott, Christine Schneider, Owen K. C. Stephens, and J. D. Wiker).
Also, we're hosting a seminar at Gen Con on just this topic, so if you get a chance, do stop in! We'll even have some new news in this regard there. If you're not going to be at Gen Con, no worries, I'm sure someone on these boards will have a recording soon after.
I also think Hollow's Last Hope (by Jason Bulmahn and F. Wesley Schneider) was one of the best ever.
Hey, thanks there! As that was our first true product set in Goarlion, I'm still proud that the first character ever illustrated for our world was not some white dude.
Aside from that, all your favorite parts, yeah, those were mine. :P
Its quite undestantable that Paizo would start out with everything inhouse as they stabilish what is Golarion and Pathfinder. We are doing a similar job on our MMO/novels, even though from the begining it was ment to be a work for many hands. But only after we got everything defined and set. Writers would need a guideline (like in Paizo's case the APs, setting book and companions) to actually KNOW what they are working with
I for one am waiting for the oppotunity to hit Paizo with resumes, portfolios and proposals (as Im sure I made obvious by now) ;)
On GenCon, I hope some good soul do record it for us poor foreigners uncapable of attending the event. I promise Ill will be in GenCon sometime in the future. Even if by then Im a senile old guy waving my copy of AP#468
Also, we're hosting a seminar at Gen Con on just this topic, so if you get a chance, do stop in! We'll even have some new news in this regard there. If you're not going to be at Gen Con, no worries, I'm sure someone on these boards will have a recording soon after.
I also think Hollow's Last Hope (by Jason Bulmahn and F. Wesley Schneider) was one of the best ever.Hey, thanks there! As that was our first true product set in Goarlion, I'm still proud that the first character ever illustrated for our world was not some white dude.
Aside from that, all your favorite parts, yeah, those were mine. :P
Working the midnight oil guys? ;)
BTW, Wes I just need to give you some crap for misspelling Golarion.
Maybe he was refering to a new "deadline monster" for the next AP issue ;)
Beware the Goarlion!
Owen K. C. Stephens, and J. D. Wiker
Owen and JD are writing pathfinder books? What, which, where?!
Maybe he was refering to a new "deadline monster" for the next AP issue ;)
Beware the Goarlion!
Actually, according to the Deadline monster template, it would be a Goarlionbear, which I'm sure is quite nasty. (Unless Goarlions can wield katanas, in which case the Goarlionbear is actually a step down.)
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Also, we're hosting a seminar at Gen Con on just this topic, so if you get a chance, do stop in! We'll even have some new news in this regard there. If you're not going to be at Gen Con, no worries, I'm sure someone on these boards will have a recording soon after.
Hey, thanks there! As that was our first true product set in Goarlion, I'm still proud that the first character ever illustrated for our world was not some white dude.
Aside from that, all your favorite parts, yeah, those were mine. :P
Once again... I beg of thee to do some seminars at GenCon UK also...
and what the hell is Goarlion? ;-)
Goarlion is the herald of Rovagug! Speak Goarlion's name three times and Goarlion will... no... no... AIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Contributor
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I recently convinced my closest friend to subscribe to Pathfinder Chronicles. He's an incredibly talented writer and a current student in the Literature PhD program at Rice University. After he got his first product, he brought up the idea of writing for the Pathfinder line. It's the first time in many years that either of us has expressed a desire to publish game materials.
Looking around the boards and at the impressive list of names on the Campaign Setting Book, it's obvious that competition to write for Pathfinder will be incredibly tough. Still, I'm inspired enough to want to throw my own hat into the ring. (Heck, it's even got me back on track toward writing a series of books for my daughters...something I've been kicking around in my head for a few years.)
As for the GenCon seminar, I hope that some kind soul will record/transcribe the lecture. I won't be able to make it to GenCon anytime in the foreseeable future.
and what the hell is Goarlion? ;-)A lion with tusks?
It's half gorilla, half armadillo, half lion, and half ManBearPig.
Why do I get the feeling that one of these days we're going to see a goarlion in print? ;)
and what the hell is Goarlion? ;-)
I'm not exactly certain but they sound awesome.
You know, you can make another interesting anagram with Golarion :
Noir Goal.
("noir" is french for black, and a genre of movies)
You know, you can make another interesting anagram with Golarion :
Noir Goal.
Here's another anagram: A Ringolo
(For those folks who don't live in Ontario and might not know what Ringolos are: http://www.olddutchfoods.ca/eng/humpty_ringolos.html#)
Noir GoalWhat about Noir Gaol? Gaol means "prison" and is the archaic predecessor to the modern "jail."
'Tis true! Two of my players' last names is "Gaylor" (gaoler). Makes for all kinds of fun.
And "Noir Gaol" sounds like good slang for a city jail with a bad rep. :D
I can't believe i missed this one :
On Gloria !
Contributor
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Owen's writing "Guide to Absalom" and the adventure for Pathfinder #18, "Descent into Midnight." JD's writing the adventure for Pathfinder #17, "A Memory of Darkness."Owen K. C. Stephens, and J. D. WikerOwen and JD are writing pathfinder books? What, which, where?!
And both contributed to the PCCS Hardcover. :)
BTW, Wes I just need to give you some crap for misspelling Golarion.
2 AM, buzzed, weekend. Icsh geht spel antthing antway Icsh wanet. :P
and what the hell is Goarlion? ;-)
You can read all about Deadline Monsters on this thread.
About a new title for Pathfinder scribes ?
Pathwriters ?
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Director of Brand Strategy
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Owen's writing "Guide to Absalom" and the adventure for Pathfinder #18, "Descent into Midnight." JD's writing the adventure for Pathfinder #17, "A Memory of Darkness."Owen K. C. Stephens, and J. D. WikerOwen and JD are writing pathfinder books? What, which, where?!
JD's doing the main adventure or the set piece?
JD's doing the main adventure or the set piece?
Main adventure, I believe.
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Finally, a shout out to Mr. McArtor, as much as I can give, on his latest venture in life. Where he goes, the Paizo community, I believe, will support him, and I am almost sure that we'll see more city ninjas coming our way for years to come.
What? Wait? Did I miss something? What happened to Mike?
I guess i missed something imporant.....I was too distracted fending off these dam goarlions!!!
I just began reading The Guide to Darkmoon Vale - STUNNING! Brilliant writing. Good job.
side note: Veector! Hilarious on the say its name three times.....very funny.
Robert
What? Wait? Did I miss something? What happened to Mike?I guess i missed something imporant.....I was too distracted fending off these dam goarlions!!!
Robert
Mike's a traitor. I mean...uh...Mike left for some other job in another field.
;)
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What? Wait? Did I miss something? What happened to Mike? I guess i missed something imporant.....I was too distracted fending off these dam goarlions!!! RobertMike's a traitor. I mean...uh...Mike left for some other job in another field.
The way I hear it his gninja skills were needed in a interdimensional battle against evil.
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What? Wait? Did I miss something? What happened to Mike?I guess i missed something imporant.....I was too distracted fending off these dam goarlions!!!
Robert
Mike's a traitor. I mean...uh...Mike left for some other job in another field.
;)
Mike left and it's just a side note in a posting?
Or did I miss the thread about it?- Günther
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The way I hear it his gninja skills were needed in a interdimensional battle against evil.
This is all gnews to me.
Are gninjas related to goarlions?
or are they specially trained in the art of fighting gnewts and gnolls
Sorry to hear Mike leaving us. Where is he going?
Once again - great job on the Darkmoon Vale guide - excellent work; I have alwasy enjoyed his stuff.
Dont forget to take your gnun-chuks!
Robert
What? Wait? Did I miss something? What happened to Mike?I guess i missed something imporant.....I was too distracted fending off these dam goarlions!!!
Robert
Mike's a traitor. I mean...uh...Mike left for some other job in another field.
;)
Mike left and it's just a side note in a posting?
Or did I miss the thread about it?- Günther
You missed two threads about it actually, one in this subforum and one in the off-topic subforum.
Mike apparently didn't want his leaving to be a big deal and asked for there to be no official send-off. He just wanted to ride off into the sunset...like a traitor. ;)
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Contributor
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You missed two threads about it actually, one in this subforum and one in the off-topic subforum.
Mike apparently didn't want his leaving to be a big deal and asked for there to be no official send-off. He just wanted to ride off into the sunset...like a traitor. ;)
*gninja minion sword to the spine*
*gninja smoke*
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...and what the hell is Goarlion? ;-)
A lion with tusks?
It's half gorilla, half armadillo, half lion, and half ManBearPig.
It's the Beast of Royston Vasey!
You missed two threads about it actually, one in this subforum and one in the off-topic subforum.
Mike apparently didn't want his leaving to be a big deal and asked for there to be no official send-off. He just wanted to ride off into the sunset...like a traitor. ;)
*gninja minion sword to the spine*
*gninja smoke*
Yowch!
Hey, what happened to me? I can't stand anymore.
Hey, what happened to me? I can't stand anymore.
Tee hee!
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You missed two threads about it actually, one in this subforum and one in the off-topic subforum.
Mike apparently didn't want his leaving to be a big deal and asked for there to be no official send-off. He just wanted to ride off into the sunset...like a traitor. ;)
Thanks for the update even though I couldn't find those two threads you mentioned, but if it is Mike's decision to leave silently, so be it.
Good luck with your new endeavours, Mike, and hopefully still often reading your works at Paizo!
- Günther
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You missed two threads about it actually, one in this subforum and one in the off-topic subforum.
Mike apparently didn't want his leaving to be a big deal and asked for there to be no official send-off. He just wanted to ride off into the sunset...like a traitor. ;)
Thanks for the update even though I couldn't find those two threads you mentioned, but if it is Mike's decision to leave silently, so be it.
Good luck with your new endeavours, Mike, and hopefully still often reading your works at Paizo!
- Günther
And in the Off Topic forums there was The Great McArtor Experiment.
Was sad at the time, but hey, Mike seems to still be around plenty even though hanging out on these boards isn't part of his job any more :) and he's still writing for Paizo as a freelancer, including Dragons Revisited, which is presumably the product he begged James Jacobs for in an embarrassing fashion :P