I really like all the new Pathfinder stuff that I am seeing. I am very happy to support Paizo and I would also like to support my FLGS.
Just wondering if there is a way to run subscriptions through my FLGS?
I would love to pick up both my hard-copy and free subscription pdf at my local store.
I know that the pdf's are watermarked with our account information and I understand that is an important feature that needs to remain, but I am wondering if there is a work-around?
Thanks for all you do. I've really enjoyed reading about the PaizoCon updates.
Chief Technical Officer
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We've love to be able to do this, and we've brainstormed possible ways to do it on a number of occasions, but we've never come up with an answer that didn't have at least a few problems.
You can find some of them starting here.
Thanks for your response and the link. I read them. Neat to see that you were thinking of this stuff as far back as 2007.
One thought: could you offer a pdf only subscription?
Quick question: I know that you can cancel the subscriptions at any time if you don't want a particular item. I assume that you can then restart the subscription, say a month later, if you desire to resume. Does that mess up your system?
We've love to be able to do this, and we've brainstormed possible ways to do it on a number of occasions, but we've never come up with an answer that didn't have at least a few problems.
You can find some of them starting here.
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Director of Brand Strategy
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Thanks for your response and the link. I read them. Neat to see that you were thinking of this stuff as far back as 2007.
One thought: could you offer a pdf only subscription?
Quick question: I know that you can cancel the subscriptions at any time if you don't want a particular item. I assume that you can then restart the subscription, say a month later, if you desire to resume. Does that mess up your system?
A pdf-only subscription comes up a lot but has generally been dismissed as not profitable for Paizo, at least under any currently considered business models. As for canceling and joining item by item, there's nothing stopping you from doing so but it does mess up their system. Not that it'll break the machine, but subscriber numbers are used to gauge how much interest there is in a product when they print them. If they think in June that you'll be one of their subscribers in September, they'll be sure to print you a copy. If you cancel for the September issue (along with a significant enough number of fellow subscribers) they've printed something that they now have sitting on the shelf. I imagine the number of people doing this is pretty small, but it seems disingenuous to me to make a commitment to subscribe and then flip-flop on it month to month.
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Chief Technical Officer
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A pdf-only subscription comes up a lot but has generally been dismissed as not profitable for Paizo, at least under any currently considered business models. As for canceling and joining item by item, there's nothing stopping you from doing so but it does mess up their system. Not that it'll break the machine, but subscriber numbers are used to gauge how much interest there is in a product when they print them. If they think in June that you'll be one of their subscribers in September, they'll be sure to print you a copy. If you cancel for the September issue (along with a significant enough number of fellow subscribers) they've printed something that they now have sitting on the shelf. I imagine the number of people doing this is pretty small, but it seems disingenuous to me to make a commitment to subscribe and then flip-flop on it month to month.Thanks for your response and the link. I read them. Neat to see that you were thinking of this stuff as far back as 2007.
One thought: could you offer a pdf only subscription?
Quick question: I know that you can cancel the subscriptions at any time if you don't want a particular item. I assume that you can then restart the subscription, say a month later, if you desire to resume. Does that mess up your system?
Yoda speaks the truth.
That all makes sense. I agree with your comment about making a subscription commitment, especially considering the generous discounts and the free pdf that comes with it. I appreciate all the feedback (especially from Vic) on this thread.
A pdf-only subscription comes up a lot but has generally been dismissed as not profitable for Paizo, at least under any currently considered business models. As for canceling and joining item by item, there's nothing stopping you from doing so but it does mess up their system. Not that it'll break the machine, but subscriber numbers are used to gauge how much interest there is in a product when they print them. If they think in June that you'll be one of their subscribers in September, they'll be sure to print you a copy. If you cancel for the September issue (along with a significant enough number of fellow subscribers) they've printed something that they now have sitting on the shelf. I imagine the number of people doing this is pretty small, but it seems disingenuous to me to make a commitment to subscribe and then flip-flop on it month to month.Thanks for your response and the link. I read them. Neat to see that you were thinking of this stuff as far back as 2007.
One thought: could you offer a pdf only subscription?
Quick question: I know that you can cancel the subscriptions at any time if you don't want a particular item. I assume that you can then restart the subscription, say a month later, if you desire to resume. Does that mess up your system?
I have to say that charging only $9.99 for the Corebook pdf solves all problems for me. I will cheerfully buy a hard copy from my FLGS and a pdf from y'all.
Thank you!
You know, if there's an item in your description you don't want, you might be able to work out something with your FLGS, like sponsor a contest or something like "everyone who buys something today gets entered in a raffle to win a free copy of Product X, courtesy of Basilforth." And maybe they'd be so kind as to offer you some kind of discount or credit for the product you're offering.
I was scratching my head on that one for a minute. You mean: 'subscription' not 'description', right?
That is a great idea and a good way to promote the PF products. I could easily see myself offering Pathfinder promos to gamers at a store event. (Though it will take me a bit to get familiar enough with PF to DM the games.) I have actually run demonstrations for another game company in recent years and offered freebies and discounts to people that participate. Before I started to demo products, the game store was just another retail outlet to me. If I could get something cheaper online I would.
I started as a demonstrator because I loved the game I was playing and because of the friendships I already had. But shortly after I started to run demos, I realized that the local FLGS was a treasure and needed to be preserved. The wonder of wandering the aisles looking at new stuff and old stuff. I've played these games for thirty years now and I still feel like a kid in these stores!
As a demo dude, I interacted with the store owner on an entirely different level: as a diplomat for my game. My relationship was not only an interested consumer, but rather someone who wanted a win-win-win for the gamer, the game company and the game store all at the same time. After a few sessions, I got to know the store owner a little and started to understand his perspective as a gamer and a businessman. The store owner has been incredibly generous with time and space in his store. A FLGS is more of a community effort than say a McDonald's or a franchise book store. You lose a franchise bookstore and so what? You lose a FLGS and there is a hole in your heart and mind. The local gaming community will suffer and you will be much less likely to play the same games at home. (In my opinion.)
There is something cool and fun about going to a store, setting up a game and summoning your friends and followers to the event. There is an excitement that builds that can't entirely be replicated at my house. Though we have plenty of fun at home as well. It's just that the store events are like a drug that make me feel as though I am part of a larger cause. It is very satisfying to see people engage in an event that you have designed, organized and promoted. Plus, there is a genuine satisfaction in seeing the store benefit as well.
So, this is a long-winded way of saying that I will very likely support both Piazo and my local store buy purchasing the hard copies locally and the pdf's from youse guys. I have heard that some game companies are exploring options for selling pdfs through FLGS. I don't know the details of how that will work though....
You know, if there's an item in your description you don't want, you might be able to work out something with your FLGS, like sponsor a contest or something like "everyone who buys something today gets entered in a raffle to win a free copy of Product X, courtesy of Basilforth." And maybe they'd be so kind as to offer you some kind of discount or credit for the product you're offering.
Yeah, I meant subscription. It was late. ;)