So when will final PDF be available??


Announcements

Liberty's Edge

Obviously the rules are pretty well decided if you're taking pre-orders on a book. When can we expect to have the final PDF version available for download?


August 2009. Rules are still in Beta playtest until a few months before then.

Grand Lodge

Adventure Path Charter Subscriber
Rauol_Duke wrote:
August 2009.

Probably right before, or during, GenCon 2009 (afterall, GenCon is where PF1, PF13, and the Beta launched).

That is also assuming you can buy a PDF version (or get one free with your purchase). I don't think the details on that have been released yet.

-Skeld

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

The finished PDF will be available for purchase on the same day as the finished print edition: August 13, 2009 (the first day of Gen Con).

Former VP of Finance

Shelley Stephen wrote:
Obviously the rules are pretty well decided if you're taking pre-orders on a book. When can we expect to have the final PDF version available for download?

Hey Shelley,

The rules are nowhere near finished. We have nearly a year of Beta playtesting before we finalize the ruleset.

We're taking preorders on the book as we have it scheduled for sale. We commonly take preorders on items that we have not yet produced, but will in the future. (Note, you don't actually pay for it until it ships.)


Any "free" pdfs for subscriptors? If there was some sort of subscription of course.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Hugo Solis wrote:
Any "free" pdfs for subscriptors? If there was some sort of subscription of course.

The Pathfinder RPG is not part of any subscription, but there will be ways that some folks will be able to get the PDF for free—we haven't finalized those details yet, though, so I can't say any more at this time.


Vic Wertz wrote:
The Pathfinder RPG is not part of any subscription, but there will be ways that some folks will be able to get the PDF for free—we haven't finalized those details yet, though, so I can't say any more at this time.

Ooh! Good to know! :-)


Vic Wertz wrote:
The Pathfinder RPG is not part of any subscription, but there will be ways that some folks will be able to get the PDF for free—we haven't finalized those details yet, though, so I can't say any more at this time.

Like Pathfinder Charter Superscribers that preordered the book more than a year in advance?

Liberty's Edge

evilash wrote:
Like Pathfinder Charter Superscribers that preordered the book more than a year in advance?

Yeah, that'd be a good way to piss people off. Consider that I'm not a "Charter Subscriber" despite my converting 30 issues of Dragon and Dungeon into Pathfinder, and extending my subscription indefinitely.


Vic Wertz wrote:
Hugo Solis wrote:
Any "free" pdfs for subscriptors? If there was some sort of subscription of course.
The Pathfinder RPG is not part of any subscription, but there will be ways that some folks will be able to get the PDF for free—we haven't finalized those details yet, though, so I can't say any more at this time.

Pathfinder Advantage would be good.

evilash wrote:


Like Pathfinder Charter Superscribers that preordered the book more than a year in advance?

Forcing people to become Superscribers would probably piss people off - it sure would piss me off.

Maybe there will be a Pathfinder RPG subscriptions that will contain the additional RPG stuff Paizo will come up with, like the Monster book or other stuff.


So the final book won't be OGL anymore?

Then I'll have to ask about how big will the difference in price between pdf and print edition be.

Also, will there be translations to other languages?

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Threeshades wrote:

So the final book won't be OGL anymore?

Then I'll have to ask about how big will the difference in price between pdf and print edition be.

Also, will there be translations to other languages?

As far as I know, the final edition will still be OGL. What gave you the impression that it wouldn't be?


Paul Watson wrote:
Threeshades wrote:

So the final book won't be OGL anymore?

Then I'll have to ask about how big will the difference in price between pdf and print edition be.

Also, will there be translations to other languages?

As far as I know, the final edition will still be OGL. What gave you the impression that it wouldn't be?

The fact that people are asking for ways to get a free copy of the pdf. That leaves me no other conclusion than the game not being OGL anymore.

Dark Archive

OGL has nothing to do with the PDF being free currently. The PDF being free right now is due to the open beta that Paizo is conducting to improve the rules. Once the Open Beta is finished the final product will be available for a set price determined by Paizo, currently listed at 49.99 or so.

OGL or Open Gaming License is a legal document designed by Wizards of the Coast allowing game manufacturers to produce products that can be used with or are compatible to Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition. It does not make a product free unless the publisher chooses to make it free, which is what Paizo has done with the Beta Test version of Pathfinder.


dm4hire wrote:

OGL has nothing to do with the PDF being free currently. The PDF being free right now is due to the open beta that Paizo is conducting to improve the rules. Once the Open Beta is finished the final product will be available for a set price determined by Paizo, currently listed at 49.99 or so.

OGL or Open Gaming License is a legal document designed by Wizards of the Coast allowing game manufacturers to produce products that can be used with or are compatible to Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition. It does not make a product free unless the publisher chooses to make it free, which is what Paizo has done with the Beta Test version of Pathfinder.

I see, then I simply misinterpreted the meaning of it. Thanks for clearing that up. I always thought that it includes the rules being freely available to anyone (hence the DnD online SRDs).

Thanks for clearing that up.


Threeshades wrote:

I see, then I simply misinterpreted the meaning of it. Thanks for clearing that up. I always thought that it includes the rules being freely available to anyone (hence the DnD online SRDs).

Thanks for clearing that up.

If you would like to create an online version of the final rules, I am sure *many* folks would flock to it. Just be sure that it is compliant with the OGL, and does not mention Pathfinder, Paizo or an of their IP (or is that PI).

-- david
Papa.DRB


Papa-DRB wrote:
Threeshades wrote:

I see, then I simply misinterpreted the meaning of it. Thanks for clearing that up. I always thought that it includes the rules being freely available to anyone (hence the DnD online SRDs).

Thanks for clearing that up.

If you would like to create an online version of the final rules, I am sure *many* folks would flock to it. Just be sure that it is compliant with the OGL, and does not mention Pathfinder, Paizo or an of their IP (or is that PI).

-- david
Papa.DRB

if that would be legal it would sure be an awesome thing to do. Though i dont posess enough skill necessary even for something as simple as making an SRD site. Also i don't have the condition to finish that.


The final version I will even get in hardcover
I would love a txt srd version of even the Beta rules.
The more I dig into the book, the more this is my version that I like the best in many years.


Threeshades wrote:


Also, will there be translations to other languages?

Yes, there will be translations.

Ulisses Spiele (the makers of Das Schwarze Auge, internationally known as Dark Eye) will be handling the German translation, starting with the beta rules (though they don't have a release date that I'm aware of), and I'm sure there are other companies for other countries.


In regards to a Pathfinder RPG SRD I must say that while I wholeheartedly support it, I have also found that the PDF is a very good reference work, as they made a great job of bookmarking it thoroughly.


KaeYoss wrote:
In regards to a Pathfinder RPG SRD I must say that while I wholeheartedly support it, I have also found that the PDF is a very good reference work, as they made a great job of bookmarking it thoroughly.

Maybe an SRD project could be started by several people, as bringing that whole book into a website format is a lot of work for one person.

About the translation: That's perfect, I was hoping I can get a book which I can give to my DM and players without them asking every third word from me.
Though I hope the translation will match the DnD book translations. I'd hate a totally inconsequential translation of the rules. that would just make them harder to work with when trying to get 3.5 material into your game.


I really hope there is support for an SRD out there. I do support buying the product. However, having a document that I can cut and paste from is a HUGE help when I DM. For example, I like to create a document of all standard monsters that I can reference for a game. I'd much rather have a few sheets of paper with me to reference, rather than several books, or my laptop. And it makes for a faster game.

I've also found that when I play, I like to type out the details of my spells to cut back on looking up information while in game. This was much easier with the SRD (copy and paste), and boy have I been doing quite a bit of typing with the new Beta rules in preparation for a game next Saturday.

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy

Threeshades wrote:
KaeYoss wrote:
In regards to a Pathfinder RPG SRD I must say that while I wholeheartedly support it, I have also found that the PDF is a very good reference work, as they made a great job of bookmarking it thoroughly.
Maybe an SRD project could be started by several people, as bringing that whole book into a website format is a lot of work for one person.

I know that one of these is already in the works, and I've helped add some stuff to it, but it's not my project, so I'll leave it up to those running the site to announce it when they are ready.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

yoda8myhead wrote:
I know that one of these is already in the works, and I've helped add some stuff to it, but it's not my project, so I'll leave it up to those running the site to announce it when they are ready.

Well I can't donate time, but I subscribe to d20srd.org for tehir goodies (the downloadable SRD is wonderful since firewalls block the site at work)

If this project you mention does similar, please let me know and I'll chip a few c-bills your way.

Jon Brazer Enterprises

[silliness]

Vic Wertz wrote:
I can't say any more at this time.

Oh vic, you can say whatever you want. The only questions are if what you say is both true and have any relevance to the subject at hand. I mean you could say, "Pathfinder RPG is the greater fantasy related publication ever in existance" and while it would be true, it isn't very relevant. Or you could say "the dish ran away with the spoon after jumping over the moon" and that would be neither true nor relevant. But you will have said something.

[/silliness]

I swear I am not on anything other then pure air.

The Exchange

dm4hire wrote:

OGL has nothing to do with the PDF being free currently. The PDF being free right now is due to the open beta that Paizo is conducting to improve the rules. Once the Open Beta is finished the final product will be available for a set price determined by Paizo, currently listed at 49.99 or so.

OGL or Open Gaming License is a legal document designed by Wizards of the Coast allowing game manufacturers to produce products that can be used with or are compatible to Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition. It does not make a product free unless the publisher chooses to make it free, which is what Paizo has done with the Beta Test version of Pathfinder.

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the final release scheduled in August '09 will end up LESS than $49.99. Like most, I'm on a monthly budget. As much as I would like to have a hard copy, I would have to wait and search Amazon for cheaper new-used copies whenever they may come available. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I'm not going to hold my breath. :P

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Threeshades wrote:
...how big will the difference in price between pdf and print edition be.

Pretty much every Paizo PDF we sell is priced at roughly 30% off the cover price of the corresponding print edition.


Quote:
Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the final release scheduled in August '09 will end up LESS than $49.99. Like most, I'm on a monthly budget. As much as I would like to have a hard copy, I would have to wait and search Amazon for cheaper new-used copies whenever they may come available. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I'm not going to hold my breath. :P

keep in mind that the Pathfinder RPG contains everything in one book for both players and DMs, in essence a PHB and DMG all in one. paying 50 bucks for it isn't much different than paying 25 bucks a piece for each book, and a bit better than the WOTC model of 35 for each. If on a budget, perhaps just hold onto a bit of cash and pick it up one month later :)


So while were talking about the final release.

Will there be monsters in it too, or an updated Monster book released along with it?
And what about the "DMG-part"? I mean the part of the book that was in the DM Guide in 3.X so far. Will it remain in the same book as the for-players part or will it get its own book?

If the DM and player sections stay in one book it will definately be more than worth the $49.99. (though it might be impractical while playing when both DM and players need to look inside)


Threeshades wrote:

So while were talking about the final release.

Will there be monsters in it too, or an updated Monster book released along with it?
And what about the "DMG-part"? I mean the part of the book that was in the DM Guide in 3.X so far. Will it remain in the same book as the for-players part or will it get its own book?

If the DM and player sections stay in one book it will definately be more than worth the $49.99. (though it might be impractical while playing when both DM and players need to look inside)

I hope the DMG part stays in. most of it is useful to players as well so everyone is advised to have both really in my opinion. nearly all my players have both PHB and DMG. As far as monsters, i believe Paizo has plans to release a bestiary book a month after the the final release if i recall correctly. will have "normal" fantasy monsters and the wonderful paizo creations to date, won't have the ones that are copywright by WOTC of course, but that still leaves a LOT open. After their classic monsters revisited i'm very eager to see what they do with a bestiary


Michael Miller 36 wrote:
Threeshades wrote:

So while were talking about the final release.

Will there be monsters in it too, or an updated Monster book released along with it?
And what about the "DMG-part"? I mean the part of the book that was in the DM Guide in 3.X so far. Will it remain in the same book as the for-players part or will it get its own book?

If the DM and player sections stay in one book it will definately be more than worth the $49.99. (though it might be impractical while playing when both DM and players need to look inside)

I hope the DMG part stays in. most of it is useful to players as well so everyone is advised to have both really in my opinion. nearly all my players have both PHB and DMG. As far as monsters, i believe Paizo has plans to release a bestiary book a month after the the final release if i recall correctly. will have "normal" fantasy monsters and the wonderful paizo creations to date, won't have the ones that are copywright by WOTC of course, but that still leaves a LOT open. After their classic monsters revisited i'm very eager to see what they do with a bestiary

as far as i remember there were like 4 copyrighted monsters in the Monster Manual I (not counting variations of each).

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Threeshades wrote:

So while were talking about the final release.

Will there be monsters in it too, or an updated Monster book released along with it?
And what about the "DMG-part"? I mean the part of the book that was in the DM Guide in 3.X so far. Will it remain in the same book as the for-players part or will it get its own book?

If the DM and player sections stay in one book it will definately be more than worth the $49.99. (though it might be impractical while playing when both DM and players need to look inside)

All the info GMs and players need will be in the single 560(ish)-page volume. We haven't announced a date for the monster book, but it will follow closely.

Grand Lodge

I think I will buy the PDF first and the book later. The reason I want the PDF is to cut and edit the parts I need on a daily basis and print that part. Also, so far anyway, I have been able to copy and paste from the Alpha and Beta easily enough, so I can copy and paste to note pages for individual adventures.

For example for RotRL I have taken the PDF that is in seperate parts, and created special folders to organize the materials I need. Then I have taken and copied bad guys uniquely to a seperate folder for each adventure. I can then take and copy and paste rules info for each situation and spells, so I can just play and not refer to a book. A few nights work can get everything I need for the whole campaign.

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
Threeshades wrote:
as far as i remember there were like 4 copyrighted monsters in the Monster Manual I (not counting variations of each).

There are a lot more then that.


SirUrza wrote:
Threeshades wrote:
as far as i remember there were like 4 copyrighted monsters in the Monster Manual I (not counting variations of each).
There are a lot more then that.

In the core set?

As for that one i only know Mindflayers, Beholders and Yuan-Ti are copyrighted (or at least copyrighted hard enough so no one else is allowed to use them) That's even just three. I cant think of anything else(maybe a few demons?).

Grand Lodge

Threeshades wrote:
SirUrza wrote:
Threeshades wrote:
as far as i remember there were like 4 copyrighted monsters in the Monster Manual I (not counting variations of each).
There are a lot more then that.

In the core set?

As for that one i only know Mindflayers, Beholders and Yuan-Ti are copyrighted (or at least copyrighted hard enough so no one else is allowed to use them) That's even just three. I cant think of anything else(maybe a few demons?).

Those are the only ones I know of as well. Darn shame about the Yuan-Ti.

Sovereign Court

Threeshades wrote:
Mindflayers, Beholders and Yuan-Ti are copyrighted

and Displacer Beasts and Umber Hulks


Zootcat wrote:
Threeshades wrote:
Mindflayers, Beholders and Yuan-Ti are copyrighted
and Displacer Beasts and Umber Hulks

and Githyank and Githzeri (sp?)

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Papa-DRB wrote:
Zootcat wrote:
Threeshades wrote:
Mindflayers, Beholders and Yuan-Ti are copyrighted
and Displacer Beasts and Umber Hulks
and Githyank and Githzeri (sp?)

And the Grell

Liberty's Edge

Paul Watson wrote:
Papa-DRB wrote:
Zootcat wrote:
Threeshades wrote:
Mindflayers, Beholders and Yuan-Ti are copyrighted
and Displacer Beasts and Umber Hulks
and Githyank and Githzeri (sp?)
And the Grell

Carrion crawlers and Slaad, too.


Krome wrote:
I think I will buy the PDF first and the book later. The reason I want the PDF is to cut and edit the parts I need on a daily basis and print that part. Also, so far anyway, I have been able to copy and paste from the Alpha and Beta easily enough, so I can copy and paste to note pages for individual adventures.

Now I feel dumb. I read this thinking, "what is he talking about. You can't cut and paste from a PDF."

Thanks for turning the light bulb on for me.

Too bad I already typed out every stat and spell for my game tomorrow.


Timespike wrote:
Paul Watson wrote:
Papa-DRB wrote:
Zootcat wrote:
Threeshades wrote:
Mindflayers, Beholders and Yuan-Ti are copyrighted
and Displacer Beasts and Umber Hulks
and Githyank and Githzeri (sp?)
And the Grell
Carrion crawlers and Slaad, too.

okay its a few more than i thought... but its still the minority. And from what i heard of paizo, they'll find worthy replacements.

Liberty's Edge

Threeshades wrote:
Timespike wrote:
Paul Watson wrote:
Papa-DRB wrote:
Zootcat wrote:
Threeshades wrote:
Mindflayers, Beholders and Yuan-Ti are copyrighted
and Displacer Beasts and Umber Hulks
and Githyank and Githzeri (sp?)
And the Grell
Carrion crawlers and Slaad, too.
okay its a few more than i thought... but its still the minority. And from what i heard of paizo, they'll find worthy replacements.

Ya think? :) I don't miss gith, slaad, grell, yuan-ti, displacer beasts, or umber hulks; I never used them anyway. And mindflayers and beholders are easily replaced with other aberrations. Most of my bad guys are some form of humanoid, anyway.

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