When 4E was announced, the market for 3.5 products died almost immediately as distributors and retailers no longer wanted products for an "obsolete" game. At that time, Necromancer has three adventures ready for printing but had to cancel them. These adventures are now collecting dust as Necromancer waits for an acceptable revision of the GSL.
Would it be possible for Paizo to release these "lost" Necromancer adventures through the "Game Mastery" line and turn the line into something similar to what White Wolf did with "Sword & Sorcery Studios"?
The Game Mastery line presently consists of "neutral" accessories. Paizo could publish Necromancer's 3.5 adventures under a "re-created" Game Mastery Adventures line. This way, Necromancer could continue to produce 3.x material but under Paizo's label which distributors and retailers would recognize and want. Since these adventures would be Game Mastery products rather than Pathfinder products, a license wouldn't be needed (beyond the OGL) and the adventures wouldn't be linked to the Pathfinder setting and thus remain setting neutral, like all of NG's adventures.
Currently, GameMastery products seem to be few and far between. I don't see why Paizo couldn't slip one of Necromancer's 3.5 adventure into the production/release schedule every once in a while. Paizo already intends to do Necromancer Games' 4E products which, in accordance with the GSL, will require an entirely new product line to be created. Why not just use an existing product line to make new Necromancer 3E products as well?
Of course, its probably not that simple and there's probably more involved than I'm aware of but it's just sorta my own personal theory/thought/idea of how Necromancer could get out of "idle" and back into action.
Chief Technical Officer
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First of all, we're happy with GameMastery's current branding; whatever we do with Necromancer will be done under a different brand—most likely the Necromancer brand, with a non-intrusive Paizo logo somewhere (much like you'll see with Monte Cook's Complete Book of Experimental Might).
You might recall that we announced our partnership with Necromancer before 4E was announced, and what you're asking for (apart from the branding) was pretty much what we planned at the time. After 4E was announced, Clark decided to await further information before deciding what to do with those products, and that's still where we stand—when Clark decides on the best route for Necromancer, we'll talk about how we can help him. Our relationship with him is not (and never was) tied to any specific edition.
To my understanding, Clark doesn't want to do more 3.5 products due to lack of interest in 3.5 from distributors and retailers. Paizo, however, doesn't seem to have such problems with their 3.5 products. I was just thinking that if these 3.5 adventures were released as part of an established and recognized Paizo brand (ie: GameMastery) then distributors and retailers WOULD be interested in them and thus Clark would be more inclined to publish them rather than sitting on them while playing the "waiting game" with the GSL.
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One aspect which I don't understand: If Necromancer Games is waiting and waiting for news on a new 4e GSL - what's preventing them to publish these 3.5e adventures before any such decision?
According to my knowledge GSL demands the discontinuation of 3.5 sales after signing it.
But why stop production and sale of 3.5e even before any decision pro/ contra 4e?
If it's because of any worries of by then unsold 3.5e adventures:
Why not publish it pdf-only for now?
If it's because of fearing insufficient demand for 3.5e products:
Why not just ask Paizo for their opinion and let them decide whether they would like to publish these products or not?
According to my knowledge GSL demands the discontinuation of 3.5 sales after signing it.
Just a quick clarification because I see this a lot, the GSL just forbids 3.5 products (technically OGL products) in the same product line as any GSL products, as well as the same content being in an OGL product and a GSL product.
That's why you see Goodman Games ending their 3.5 DCC line - because if they are producing 4e GSL DCCs, then they can no longer sell 3.5 ones. Goodman Games can still produce any 3.5 material that they want, it just cannot be in the same product line as the 4e/GSL products. And, yes, "product line" is a vague term, but that's what the GSL uses. And the "same content" clause prevents companies from running two different "product lines" with 3.5 and 4e versions of the same material.
Before the GSL was released, someone incorrectly leaked info that companies had to convert entirely to the GSL to use, but that is wrong. Furthermore, since 3.5 sales are so sparse (unless your company's name is "Paizo"), those who are going 4e/GSL aren't bothering with 3.5 anymore, even if they legally can.
So, if the gods are hearing this, what are the chances of a Judges Guild / Paizo / Necromancer production of a 3.5 or PF RPG of Tegal Manor? Am I out of my mind? Could this happen, or is that off the table forever?
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Chief Technical Officer
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So, if the gods are hearing this, what are the chances of a Judges Guild / Paizo / Necromancer production of a 3.5 or PF RPG of Tegal Manor? Am I out of my mind? Could this happen, or is that off the table forever?
Basically, where we stand is that Clark at Necromancer must first decide what he wants to do, and then we'll talk to him about if and how we can help him get it done. As far as we're concerned, nothing is off the table right now, but nothing is *on* the table, either.
Whether or not your request is something Clark wants to (or is legally able to) bring to the table is a question that only Clark might be able to answer.
Hey Vic, thanks for the answer on that. I haunt the boards over at Necro quite a bit. I have been in on a few discussions over there on the subject, but it does not seem to go far. I think Clark was pretty dissapointed about the GSL operating parameters. First that project was on hold for the release of 4e. Then it was on hold for the GSL. Then for the new and improved GSL....well, you know the long story. There are a few of us, cant be sure how many, who would really like to see this project finished. I think everything was basically done but sending it to the printers. I think if we ever stand a chance of seeing this in 3.5 or Pathfinder, its gonna be the good folks at Paizo who get it done.
It is good to hear that you are willing to work with Clark. It is comforting to know it is still possible, if unlikely.