Well, Monte cook has moved on from game design (mostly), but is listed as a 'design consultant' for PFRPG Beta. This means Jason chats with Monte about the project from time time I guess...
As I find myself (and see and feel many others) becoming more and more excited about PFRPG and the opportunity to see an advancement to the 3.5 system I think to myself "Self, wouldn't it be just great if Monte Cook came on board as a co-author with Jason Buhlman!!?"
Monte- Help make the version of D&D that heralded a golden age of gaming (with the OGL) for the original fantasy rpg be the absolute best it can be!!
Let us raise our voices to storm, post to my petition, and summon Monte from retirement to join the REVOLUTION!!!! (full time.. :)
One last time......
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I would love if Monte came out of self-imposed exile in this regard, but at the same time there are two things to consider:
1) The PRPG is essentially already written, there is little for Monte to contribute to except for his opinion on changing ideas, which is exactly what he is already doing.
2) Monte, by his own admission, is tired of writing for RPGs. I would rather have an enthusiastic Monte Cook working as an overseer than a Monte Cook held prisoner by our own desires, chained to a desk and forced to write for Paizo.
What I would like to see, and I don't think this is unreasonable, is a bit more public feedback from Monte. Maybe a commentary blog every month on what he is seeing, perhaps chapter by chapter. That would be icing on the cake.
But Jason is doing a phenomenal job, so let's give him credit!
I love the work Monte has done and I love reading Monte's blog. He's insightful and isn't afraid to voice certain things that designers with less experience wouldn't dare.
That said, I see Pathfinder as Monte's way of unofficially passing the torch. If he wanted to recreate 3.5 himself, he'd probably do it himself and release it as his own product (in fact he's done something kind of like that with BoXM I and II). If Monte wanted to jump back into it full time, I'd be happy to see him back in it, but right now it seems that he's doing what makes him happy. I know from experience how much more rewarding that can be.
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...and, while some people really like Monte's work, to be honest, it never really moved me all that much. I think it's great to have such named individuals involved, but really, Jason and the rest of the Paizoans are doing such a great job as it is right now, I am perfectly happy. Adding Monte is nice, but really, not having him isn't hurting Pathfinder, or Paizo's, cred at all.
I'm a huge Cook fan.
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I love Monte's stuff and am currently running a Ptolus / Arcana Evolved campaign. When that campaign wraps up, I'll be moving Ptolus to the Pathfinder Campaign setting as the main city (Aldoran if memory serves -- I haven't read the campaign setting yet) and running a combined Pathfinder / Arcana Evolved with Ptolus as the main city.
I see this as the best of all worlds. It allows me to take advantage of both the Ptolus and Pathfinder campaign settings and wealth of materials as well as allows my players to choose either AE or Pathfinder for their PCs.
I've been mixing straight 3.5 and AE in my current Ptolus campaign and it works quite well. The only key is to ensure that the magic systems don't mix. (Something that's easy to do. You're either an AE spell caster or a 3.5 spell caster, not both.)
That said, I see Pathfinder as Monte's way of unofficially passing the torch.
Thats how I like to think of it. I like to think of every edition being the vision of one person. EGG was the man behind 1E. Monte's edition was 3E. And now Bulmahn takes his place as the mind behind the true 4E. Yes, there were many people behind each of these men who influenced the way the game went, but at the end of the day, it was their work, their vision that made each edition special.
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I actually think it's kinda rude to say "Hey you're already doing this but it'll be so much better with this guy co-writing." I'm going to go start a petition to have Terry Goodkind start co-writing for Terry Pratchett. Monte Cook has already come on in an advisory status, to then say that isn't enough for us is slapping Jason in the face. I know that isn't your intent, but just keep in mind this is Jason's project to say hey get this person to write it too, is equivalent of saying Jason I don't think this will be as good if you write it by yourself.
Tough crowd.
My thread intent is/was to drum up some positive thunder for Monte Cook to join us more deeply. He was a big part of 3E and has an opportunity for a second shot at it. Sevond shots can be rare these days.
Certainly no impeachment of Jason Buhlman, who is doing a fine job IMO.
I am excited for a new treatment of our traditional game and want it to be the very best it can be!
Thanks,
D
P.S. Nice to see Darrin Drader here, another great author. Especially enjoyed Serpent Kingdoms for FR..
I would rather have an enthusiastic Monte Cook working as an overseer than a Monte Cook held prisoner by our own desires, chained to a desk and forced to write for Paizo.
I had visions of 'Misery' with Jason Buhlman playing the part of Kathy Bates.
Nothing against Monte Cook, but I think J. Buhlman is a strong enough writer and game designer to stand on his own.
Buhlman might not have the name brand recognition that Monte Cook has, but I like his adventures and modules a lot more than Cook's.
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I'm a huge fan of Monte's work. I'm already thrilled he's participating to the PRPG effort as rules consultant.
I agree, however, that the PRPG is essentially written, and think Monte is at the right level of responsability in this project. It's Jason's baby, and he's doing a darn good job with it.
Now, if we're talking of Monte designing a Pathfinder module, or, let's be crazy, participating to an AP, or, even crazier, writing a Ptolus supplement detailing the way one could fit the City by the Spire in Golarion, with campaign hooks and all, I would surely have a geekgasm!
I'm a huge fan of Monte's work. I'm already thrilled he's participating to the PRPG effort as rules consultant.
I agree, however, that the PRPG is essentially written, and think Monte is at the right level of responsability in this project. It's Jason's baby, and he's doing a darn good job with it.
Now, if we're talking of Monte designing a Pathfinder module, or, let's be crazy, participating to an AP, or, even crazier, writing a Ptolus supplement detailing the way one could fit the City by the Spire in Golarion, with campaign hooks and all, I would surely have a geekgasm!
Please, excuse my ignorance, but who actually is this Monte Cook? What has he written for Pathfinder? I cannot remember any adventure bearing his name...
If so, why bother to involve him in the PRPG, since he's now doing another job (if my understanding of the previuos posts is correct)?On the other hand, it would be nice to rather have Wolfgang Baur on board, especially if he could support the Pathfinder RPG project with his Kobold Quarterly!
Please, excuse my ignorance, but who actually is this Monte Cook? What has he written for Pathfinder? I cannot remember any adventure bearing his name...
Check the credits of your 3rd edition PHB, DMG and MM. :)
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Please, excuse my ignorance, but who actually is this Monte Cook? What has he written for Pathfinder? I cannot remember any adventure bearing his name...
If so, why bother to involve him in the PRPG, since he's now doing another job (if my understanding of the previuos posts is correct)?
On the other hand, it would be nice to rather have Wolfgang Baur on board, especially if he could support the Pathfinder RPG project with his Kobold Quarterly!
He has worked on D&D since 2nd ed. He was one of the lead designers of 3rd edition. Monte wrote the 3e DMG. He also started his own third party company for d20 products. He is, singly, one of the most influential names in the RPG industry. Open up your 3e PHB and you will see his name. His credits are legendary.
I go on like this because I have always in been in awe of Monte. He is my hero in a lot of ways.
www.montecook.com
Edit: Ninja'd by the most beautiful Lilith.
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Thats how I like to think of it. I like to think of every edition being the vision of one person. EGG was the man behind 1E. Monte's edition was 3E. And now Bulmahn takes his place as the mind behind the true 4E. Yes, there were many people behind each of these men who influenced the way the game went, but at the end of the day, it was their work, their vision that made each edition special.
Right on! Monte's torch still burns within Pathfinder.
In terms of legitimacy, Monte's blessing was essential, and the quality, history, tradition, and "care" for our shared mileau has been on all fronts accomplished by PAIZO.
@DMcCoy1693 - Very astute. PAIZO is where d&d actually continued..., and according to many of us, 4e could be known as 4i - the illegitimate edition.
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Thats how I like to think of it. I like to think of every edition being the vision of one person. EGG was the man behind 1E. Monte's edition was 3E. And now Bulmahn takes his place as the mind behind the true 4E. Yes, there were many people behind each of these men who influenced the way the game went, but at the end of the day, it was their work, their vision that made each edition special.Right on! Monte's torch still burns within Pathfinder.
In terms of legitimacy, Monte's blessing was essential, and the quality, history, tradition, and "care" for our shared mileau has been on all fronts accomplished by PAIZO.
@DMcCoy1693 - Very astute. PAIZO is where d&d actually continued..., and according to many of us, 4e could be known as 4i - the illegitimate edition.
I am agree with this sentiment as well.
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Please, excuse my ignorance, but who actually is this Monte Cook? What has he written for Pathfinder? I cannot remember any adventure bearing his name...Check the credits of your 3rd edition PHB, DMG and MM. :)...and your back issues of Dungeon and Dragon mags.
The Harrowing is still one of my favorite adventures to ever appear in Dungeon. I also got a ton of good stuff from his DMing articles.
..., and according to many of us, 4e could be known as 4i - the illegitimate edition.
Teehee. That made me giggle like a little girl.
As a reader of Monte's Journal, I see slim chances of him doing something more substantial to support pathfinder than giving good advice to Jason. He's moved on from game designer to other pursuits (writing fiction and non-fiction books). But maybe... sometime in the future... well, hope dies last.
I hope not. He was responsible for some of my least liked books ever (Book of Vile Deeds I'm looking at you)
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Yes, I think Monte is the "Gygax" of our age (though none will ever hold that original torch). I have heard many stories about Monte (all that I liked). And, I think I have read enough about Monte and his influences on Paizo to realize that he is intrinsically inside the spirit of Paizo much like Obi-Wan and Luke communed in Star Wars. Monte is forever a part of the game, and many have stepped up and embraced his vision of gaming through their admiration of his accomplishments as well as their recognition that more is possible. Everything that has been done by Paizo's Pathfinder screams "New Generation of creative talent". If Monte did retire, I can firmly say that his work has been taken up by equally competent masters. Not to brush Monte's vast offerings off, but Paizo already has a dream team that is rewriting the book yet again. For us to ask Monte to make Paizo better is like taking a Nascar and chaining another Nascar to the bumper of the first one, saying, "I think those two cars running tied together will REALLY make things run better."
Cheers,
Zuxius
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I hope not. He was responsible for some of my least liked books ever (Book of Vile Deeds I'm looking at you)
Um, Monte is probably one of the best and brightest game designers of this generation and, as many have already said, one of the authors/designers of Third Edition. Trust me, having him involved with Paizo and Pathfinder, even to a small degree, can only mean good things for the game and the company's profile in the industry.
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I actually think it's kinda rude to say "Hey you're already doing this but it'll be so much better with this guy co-writing." I'm going to go start a petition to have Terry Goodkind start co-writing for Terry Pratchett. Monte Cook has already come on in an advisory status, to then say that isn't enough for us is slapping Jason in the face. I know that isn't your intent, but just keep in mind this is Jason's project to say hey get this person to write it too, is equivalent of saying Jason I don't think this will be as good if you write it by yourself.
I don't think it was meant like that, I would say that the more talented people you have working on a project the better. Being able to bounce ideas off each other and the like can only make the end result better. He wasnt asking to have Monte come in and replace Jason, just to come on full time to help. Having the father of the d20 system on your team is never a bad thing.
As has been the situation in many other books, I'd be willing to bet that any major flaws in Monte's D&D works have more to do with WotC editors and such than his own talents. I gave up my intrest in writing journalism in high school due to editors constantly taking my work and "fixing" it into something completely different.
Either way Pathfinder is destined to be the start of a new era (or the continuation of the old/current) and I for one (of many) plan on being here to witness it all. (I'm very proud to say that I've been here since A1 and I can't wait to see the final product.)
I would like to see more of Monty in terms of commentary and suggestions to improve the game, though I do not expect a regular posting or article from Monty. No need to chain him to the desk and drain his brain of it's creative juices.
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Yes, I think Monte is the "Gygax" of our age (though none will ever hold that original torch). I have heard many stories about Monte (all that I liked). And, I think I have read enough about Monte and his influences on Paizo to realize that he is intrinsically inside the spirit of Paizo much like Obi-Wan and Luke communed in Star Wars. Monte is forever a part of the game, and many have stepped up and embraced his vision of gaming through their admiration of his accomplishments as well as their recognition that more is possible. Everything that has been done by Paizo's Pathfinder screams "New Generation of creative talent". If Monte did retire, I can firmly say that his work has been taken up by equally competent masters. Not to brush Monte's vast offerings off, but Paizo already has a dream team that is rewriting the book yet again. For us to ask Monte to make Paizo better is like taking a Nascar and chaining another Nascar to the bumper of the first one, saying, "I think those two cars running tied together will REALLY make things run better."
Cheers,
Zuxius
Well said. I think this reflects my thoughts. I love Monte but this is Jason's baby and I like what "his voice" has added to the game.
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I like the mechanics that Monte Cook has created, and I've always enjoyed his perspective on DMing, but I'd rather he remain in an advisory role than actually write for the setting, as his creative fluff tends to leave me cold. Arcana Evolved has sat on my shelf unopened for the last five years, as an example. I read through it once, thought it had some interesting ideas, but I never put any of it to use. While I enjoy his changes to the existing D&D system (from 2E to 3E), his new races, classes and monsters have never done anything for me.
I think it's great that Jason can call on Monte while redesigning the system Monte designed, that's a tremendous advantage, but yeah, I'd rather leave the writing to the fine staff of paizo.
I'm pro-Monte, his rule-desigining skills are quite good. The new ideas he brought on Arcana Unearthed are quite good, specially the "generic" magic system to avoid. Sign him in!
"Splatbooks" like BVD aside, Monte was in many ways the driving force behind all of 3rd edition -- the first time ever that D&D had a set of coherent, logical rules. His input into Pathfinder cannot help but be of tremendous use.
I notice that Sean K Reynolds is also aboard, working on gods and such for Golarion. Sean has a keen eye for mathematical quirks in the rules as well (see his writings on "the problem of absolutes" and on keen/Improved Crit stacking) -- even if people disagree with some of his points, his ability to spot them is nearly unmatched.
Jason has done a very fine job with the Pathfinder rules so far. His great strength is in vision and in class design, though, not in rules lawyering and unforseen quirks. Getting Monte and Sean to proofread the Beta to clear up inconsistencies, discrepancies, and overall vagueness in rules descriptions should be a priority before the hardcover is finalized.
Consider it signed
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I hope not. He was responsible for some of my least liked books ever (Book of Vile Deeds I'm looking at you)
And that book happens to be one of my most-used 3E books and favorites as a DM. Most of the magic items and some PrCs are what I wouldn't use, but otherwise I think the contents are top-notch in quality.
What kind of fiction is Monte Cook writing?
He could always do pathfinder fiction.
is there such a thing as Golarion fiction?
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is there such a thing as Golarion fiction?What kind of fiction is Monte Cook writing?
He could always do pathfinder fiction.
Apparently its just a matter of time.
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/general/nov elsSetInGolarion
is there such a thing as Golarion fiction?What kind of fiction is Monte Cook writing?
He could always do pathfinder fiction.
Apparently its just a matter of time.
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/general/nov elsSetInGolarion
got it. thanks. I'm in.
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Well, Monte cook has moved on from game design (mostly), but is listed as a 'design consultant' for PFRPG Beta. This means Jason chats with Monte about the project from time time I guess...
As I find myself (and see and feel many others) becoming more and more excited about PFRPG and the opportunity to see an advancement to the 3.5 system I think to myself "Self, wouldn't it be just great if Monte Cook came on board as a co-author with Jason Buhlman!!?"
Monte- Help make the version of D&D that heralded a golden age of gaming (with the OGL) for the original fantasy rpg be the absolute best it can be!!
Let us raise our voices to storm, post to my petition, and summon Monte from retirement to join the REVOLUTION!!!! (full time.. :)
One last time......
/signed.
Arcana Unearthed (Evolved) is one one shining example of his talent, dedication & creativity. He should be a bigger part of the wonderful evolution that is Pathfinder.
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You know Monte has stated that some new Malhavok stuff is coming out this year, starting with a Ptolus adventure called Dark Tidings, right?
Look here.
That said, I wish he would put out tons more...including the underdark campaign he ran to playtest Experimental Might. Pathfinder goodies would be great too!
"Splatbooks" like BVD aside, Monte was in many ways the driving force behind all of 3rd edition -- the first time ever that D&D had a set of coherent, logical rules.
Recheck your history. That was due to Johnathan Tweet adapting his Ars Magica rules to 3e. Monte Cook wrote the DMG, by the time he had gotten to it, the core system had already been set by Tweet.
Aside from the great things Monte has done, I must state something personal here. He's a great man of tolerance and wisdom and he likes hearing input from his fans. I mean, yes, people like us helped form 3.0 and 3.5. If it wasn't for people like us that kept buying the best products that were produced for their time (possibly the best edition of D&D imo), Monte would have never discovered his wonderful talent.
And I'm not saying his work at I.C.E. was shoddy. No, its bloody brilliant. A talented mind that constantly imagined new vistas and ways to see a fictional shared world.
When Ptolus was first hinted at in its majesty in the initial release of The Banewarrens, I used that city as a site for 10 levels of a campaign. When my friends informed me of the release of the book, Ptolus, I was ecstatic. I thought I had died and gone to Heaven.
Arcana Unearthed was the best non D&D H/C to be made up until that point. And Monty's legacy was going to usurp that with a piece that to this day either fills my table of players with hope or dread.
I bought Ptolus. Almost 700 pages of print material that I could have never made in my wildest fantasies even if I had cloned myself and had a roomful of secretaries like the guys at Kenzer Company (sorry, read the 4E Hackmaster and realize it was not written, but dictation). Plus, in the back of the largest city book ever was a cd-rom that held more pages of fluff.
I run Ptolus to this day, where it sits on an island in the Magnimar Bay Area. I felt that the world it was in had enough and the city Spire had been cleansed (as per the included campaign journal). Time for it to move...
But the best thing about Monte Cook...
2008 Spring Offensive. I'm running 6 slots of Ptolus gaming goodness, showing off the most abused book in my library. My friend Garrett emailed the man and stated, "Bruce is running your campaign at this con, what do you think?"
I wasn't looking for prize support. I'll take it! Anyone would, regardless. "We're pimping your ride, can we have some bumper stickers and patches for the people that run this gauntlet?"
Monte sends the 6 volume compilation of Ptolus CbtS Graphic Novel. Autographed. With a personal note in mine.
I've never cried over gaming product before. That moment at the Game Room right before the convention struck me as hard as getting third in a wrestling tournament. I was never so proud of my hobby and in admiration of a guy more than that moment.
Pretty much, if Monte releases something, I look it over at the store and while I might not read it immediately, it is often on my 'short stack' next to the bed. Monte's stuff rules. I didn't realize but that is about as gaming pun as it gets.
Monte's stuff rules.
Cheers!