o_O
Mairkurion, how could you? I could have gone all day without the visual. <shudders>
Mairkurion, how could you? I could have gone all day without the visual. <shudders>
I was good with it until the singing began. For me, that's where it went gonzo.
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Why didn't I see it before?! With failing subscriptions and a doomed RPG release, it's the llamas that will save Paizo! Oh coo-hoolay oh happy day! Thank you, RPGnet guy! Thank you, llamophiles! There's no need for desperate email campaigns!
Strips off clothes, rubs chile powder all over body, prances around the thread spraying everyone with Cool-Whip while singing "The Eyes of Texas are Upon You."
And here I was hoping for "Twinkle twinkle little bat."
I'm not a business whiz, but companies in financial trouble don't hire new people and expand their products. Call me when Paizo starts laying off or products start getting cut.
You mean like what WotC has kind of been doing?
Director of Brand Strategy
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I'm not a business whiz, but companies in financial trouble don't hire new people and expand their products. Call me when Paizo starts laying off or products start getting cut.You mean like what WotC has kind of been doing?
WotC's had the same MO for years. The same thing happened around Christmas time after the release of 3.5. They need tons of people to help design and launch a new edition, but after the initial burst of sales on release, I imagine sales level off pretty quickly, and the realization hits that they have more staff than they need. The inevitable result is that people lose their jobs and more freelancers are called in. Also, WotC's layoff's last year were by and large in the online department, which had been a disaster since Gleemax was first announced and implemented.
All the "grow your penis" emails I get have a hint of desperation about them. Does that mean they're going out of business?
...God, I hope not, those guys are miracle-workers.
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I'm more concerned with the LGSs.
I have heard of several who are in real trouble. My own LGS is in the process of collapsing and the owner has been running it as a specific RPG store since the early 80s -- something rare enough to be proud of.
This week he's moving to a location roughly 1/3 the size because of poor revenues. A couple months ago Power cut electricity off the store for a week until the LGS could get it turned back on.
I help by having Paizo send my subscription products to my LGS and then I pay the LGS for holding my packages for me. I have Noble Knight Games and anywhere else I might buy from do the same. Every little bit helps them out.
Help out your LGS! Trust me, you want them to be around even in the days of internet.
Oh, and help Paizo, too.
Just not WotC!
-W. E. Ray
Flat is the new up. Paizo and Steve Jackson are pretty much the only gaming companies getting my money these days. Well, I guess Fantasy Flight gets some from time to time too. I'm happy to spend my dollars on good stuff even when times are tight.
Oh. And. Only one of my (F)LGSes is very F. I try to buy things from them when I can.
M
I remember hearing a few years ago that the Swedish goverment gave clubs of 5 or more people that met on a regular basis a stipend (small, but still) to buy equipment as a way to discourage living on video games. Gaming groups used it to buy gaming books. I'd love to see something like that in america.
Indeed. You're thinking of Sverok. Then there's Studiefrämjandet. Working with them means making a few accomodations (you need to be open for anyone) and a bit of paperwork, but they're a big help to keep gaming clubs stay afloat. One of a few upsides to having one of the world's highest tax burdens I suppose ;)
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I'm more concerned with the LGSs.
I have heard of several who are in real trouble. My own LGS is in the process of collapsing and the owner has been running it as a specific RPG store since the early 80s -- something rare enough to be proud of.
This week he's moving to a location roughly 1/3 the size because of poor revenues. A couple months ago Power cut electricity off the store for a week until the LGS could get it turned back on.
I help by having Paizo send my subscription products to my LGS and then I pay the LGS for holding my packages for me. I have Noble Knight Games and anywhere else I might buy from do the same. Every little bit helps them out.
Help out your LGS! Trust me, you want them to be around even in the days of internet.
Oh, and help Paizo, too.
Just not WotC!
-W. E. Ray
I buy my Battletech stuff from my FLGS, and think I'll see if they can order the Overlord from IWM. If I can, they're about to get a mini order to boot.
which had been a disaster since Gleemax was first announced and implemented.
I'm not sure its fair to describe Gleemax as 'implemented'.
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Too bad we don't get a Paizo-purchase incentive in Obama's stimulus package.I remember hearing a few years ago that the Swedish goverment gave clubs of 5 or more people that met on a regular basis a stipend (small, but still) to buy equipment as a way to discourage living on video games. Gaming groups used it to buy gaming books. I'd love to see something like that in america.
Color me on board for this.
I have to admit that is a interesting way of getting people away from the television screen & off the couch! Did the Swedish goverment give the stipend to the group or did each person in the group get a portion of it? I don't think that would work to well here because someone or somebody would complain saying that role playing gamers were being singled out for special treatment.And I believe this didn't single out gamers: old ladies' knitting clubs could apply for it. Otherwise don't know how these would work in USA, but things like these work rather well in Nordic countries...Yea, I remember the guy saying that any club that met on a regular basis could ask for money. Sports groups asked for funs for sports equipment. etc. This would be a great way to stimulate non-housing sectors of the economy and make people feel good at the same time. Just a thought.
Yes, here in sweden you can actually get paid to play D&D or to start a book reading club or whatever. Not much money, but it's at least some money. And here is some information in english in case no one believes it :-)
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That said, we're not completely immune to the poor economy; while we had hoped to have increased sales this year, we're mainly flat... but given that most companies sales are down—and even severely down—in this economy, it's pretty hard to complain about flat.In an age where (artificial) breast and buttock size seems the rage in the media, here's one of the instances where being flat is all that.
Yeah--haven't you heard? "Flat" is the new "Up" ... that's good news!
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This is a rumour that I hear from retailers here in Australia. Paizo is in trouble.. or they made the wrong decision and not going 4th Ed. I think that alot of places here jumped on the new bandwagon of 4th Ed. In saying that, they are still selling 3.5 or Paizo stuff... but they are not supporting it by running sessions in store.
I think this rumour is put forward by store owners on the ground hedging their bets on what is popular.
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This is a rumour that I hear from retailers here in Australia. Paizo is in trouble.. or they made the wrong decision and not going 4th Ed. I think that alot of places here jumped on the new bandwagon of 4th Ed. In saying that, they are still selling 3.5 or Paizo stuff... but they are not supporting it by running sessions in store.
I think this rumour is put forward by store owners on the ground hedging their bets on what is popular.
Hi Masika, where in Aus are you? Melbourne here.
I think you'll hear different rumours, depending on who you ask. Retailers may have one view based on sales or product availability, but more often than not a retailer's view is biased by their own pet gaming preferences, and 3E vs 4E is a passionately debated topic clouded by personal bias.
Certainly, Paizo products are well supported and appear to be selling well in MindGames (Melbourne city store).
Dungeon of Magic appear to make most of their business from Magic cards, and their support of RPG products tend to be inconsistent. He held a clearance sale of all 3.5 products in anticipation of 4E, and then wonders why roleplayers abandoned the store when there were no D&D product available for months. So when he stocked a few copies of Paizo's adventure paths, the low level ones sold, and he was left with high level ones, and again wonders why no-one is buying the product. a) he needs to be seen to support a line long enough to build a reputation as being the place to go for that product; b) he needs to be familiar enough with building a new line to realise that people will purchase entry-level adventures before migrating to the higher level ones; c) if you order short, supplies run out next time someone is looking for it.
I think retail Pathfinder faces two hindrances: 1) there was huge expectation and demand for the Pathfinder Beta, but it sold out early; and 2) consistent shipping of new product to Australian shores has never been guaranteed, and with a continuing line such as an adventure path, this is crucial. Therefore, any dedicated Pathfinder fans order by subscription, the FLGS misses out, and there is the perception that the product isn't selling well locally. You can't blame a retailer for not stocking a product because all of his customers are ordering it direct via subscription. This is a problem, because the game lacks visibility on store shelves, so people who walk into the store purchase 4E insteaad.
I think the situation may turn around when Pathfinder RPG and Pathfinder Bestiary are released and start appearing on store shelves. Both of these products appeal to anyone still holding interest in 3.5, and should breathe new life into the 3.5/Pathfinder market. Anyone who missed out on the softbound Beta will now be able to get their hands on the hardcover RPG, and interest should start expanding once again.
The recently released Community Use Policy and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatibility License should also pump a healthy amount of visibility and interest as 3rd party product support and fan sites start appearing. Pathfinder will more and more be seen as having a thriving community and being a viable alternative to 4E.
And one more thing, don't wait for your FLGS to offer Pathfinder sessions in store. Approach them and offer to run them in store yourself! I'm sure they won't say no to attracting potential customers, especially if they stock Pathfinder Companions (player guides), Flip Maps, and other things you and your players may need to enhance their enjoyment of the game. There are two Pathfinder Society scenarios released per month. Get in and get involved!
I have run Hollow's Last Hope and Revenge of the Kobold King in store at MindGames as game day events. I've also been running Pathfinder Society scenarios at Melbourne conventions, including Unicon last October, Arcanacon last January, and Conquest coming up over Easter. We ran one or two tables per session at Arcanacon over four days, 20 players ran through 11 sessions, which I think is a great outcome given that this is Pathfinder's first appearance at these cons, running alongside dedicated long-time Living Arcanis players and the 4E juggernaut.
I think there is a lot of buzz about Pathfinder, but it needs those in the know to help spread the word and encourage others to give it a go. My experience has been that everyone who has tried it, wants more! Having a player signed up for one session, hearing him ask if he can sign up to play the whole four days after just one game, is the kind of enthusiasm I'm talking about.
If you hear rumours like the ones from your FLGS, try to put them straight. Pathfinder is destined for great things, and it's been exciting to have been along for the journey.
I'd happily buy Paizo stock to stomp the rumor.
Who's with me?!
Can you buy stock? I'm pretty skeptical that there is any publicly traded stock available - in fact I'd be a bit surprised if there was any stock at all. I mean I'm sure the company has owners but I doubt the owners have their stakes worked out in stocks...could be wrong though.
IIRC, there is no possibility of acquiring stocks of paizo nor any other possibility of participating in its ownership. IIRC, paizo is owned completely by Lisa Stevens, and last time this topic came up, there were absolutely no plans of changing this.
Stefan
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This is a rumour that I hear from retailers here in Australia. Paizo is in trouble.. or they made the wrong decision and not going 4th Ed. I think that alot of places here jumped on the new bandwagon of 4th Ed. In saying that, they are still selling 3.5 or Paizo stuff... but they are not supporting it by running sessions in store.
I think this rumour is put forward by store owners on the ground hedging their bets on what is popular.
Hi Masika, where in Aus are you? Melbourne here.
I think you'll hear different rumours, depending on who you ask. Retailers may have one view based on sales or product availability, but more often than not a retailer's view is biased by their own pet gaming preferences, and 3E vs 4E is a passionately debated topic clouded by personal bias.
Hi there,
I am in regional Queensland. I do correspond and visit Brisbane a bit. I also buy from stores in Melbourne.
Most retailers I know, going for WotC as their main go to and 4th Ed has exploded in Brisbane. Fastbreak has made it its thing and the hold annual cons.
Up here, from a stores perspective, the debate is over. They push the customers and stock to 4th Ed.
Too bad we don't get a Paizo-purchase incentive in Obama's stimulus package.I remember hearing a few years ago that the Swedish goverment gave clubs of 5 or more people that met on a regular basis a stipend (small, but still) to buy equipment as a way to discourage living on video games. Gaming groups used it to buy gaming books. I'd love to see something like that in america.
It was (and still is, I believe [though I wouldn't bet against those pesky liberals and conservatives running the show at the moment to have removed it]) for so-called "study circles" and is much older than video games.
This is a rumour that I hear from retailers here in Australia. Paizo is in trouble.. or they made the wrong decision and not going 4th Ed.
It's still possible that the Pathfinder RPG might not do well. But to say that Paizo is in trouble now because of the direction they took is too premature, I think. No one will really know if they made the wrong decision until summer, I suspect.
I think what's happening with Australia is the fact that it's not at the forefront of the publishing wave. When 4e came out, there was a big fanfare in the US and Canada, insufficient printings for Amazon, yadayadayada. Then people finally got their copies. Then people had a chance to play the game.
The verdict? I didn't convert from 3.X because I had a long ongoing campaign and conversion would be too painful. Two of my longstanding players are also DMs, so they tried 4e for their own campaigns. One quickly decided he hated it, and why. The other is plugging along gamely, but isn't that thrilled.
So rather than use my 3.X and the large pile of house rules, my game will is switching to the Pathfinder system and I'm looking forward to the full hardback version of the rules.
I expect the same situation will happen with a lot of gamers in Australia about a year from now.
...though I own the majority.
Aha! So it is you who is running it into the ground!
Into the good, solid ground whence the tides of misfortune shall ne'er remove it...