The Future of Paizo Video


PaizoCon General Discussion

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The Exchange

Adventure Path Charter Subscriber
Lisa Stevens wrote:
Consider this an extended Q&A from that seminar! :)

I have a question for Gates McFadden...I've got an artesian well on my property and the water pressure is lousy. Any suggestions?

Shadow Lodge

Sweet. the back of my head is in these :)

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Dane Pitchford wrote:
Sweet. the back of my head is in these :)

Oh! So that's you blocking the view? ;-)

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Lisa Stevens wrote:
I am always available to answer questions, so feel free to take your time.

I've got one for you.

Given that Paizo has now reached its 7th year anniversary, do you guys have any plans (or if you haven't planned that far out...any ideas) for what you'd want to do to celebrate your 10th anniversary? Road trip tours of local game stores? Special anniversary products? Something big for Pathfinder Society? A more elaborate PaizoCon?

--Neil


Lisa Stevens wrote:

If anybody has any questions that arise from watching these video clips, I am sure that Erik and myself would be more than happy to answer them here. Consider this an extended Q&A from that seminar! :)

-Lisa

Excellent!

With regard to the future of Paizo, would you like it to grow (as in, number of employees), or might such growth actually hurt more than help? (By potentially creating a different atmosphere.)

And, are you enjoying what you do? (You seem to.)

The Exchange

DaveMage wrote:
Lisa Stevens wrote:

If anybody has any questions that arise from watching these video clips, I am sure that Erik and myself would be more than happy to answer them here. Consider this an extended Q&A from that seminar! :)

-Lisa

Excellent!

With regard to the future of Paizo, would you like it to grow (as in, number of employees), or might such growth actually hurt more than help? (By potentially creating a different atmosphere.)

And, are you enjoying what you do? (You seem to.)

Well, I can answer that one, though unofficially. Lisa said that she will not let Paizo turn into a commercial juggernaut where she can't possibly have cohesion with everyone. She mentioned that Paizo will be capped at 40 personal. I believe it is near 22 or something at this moment. She does not want to run a large company where money is the emphasis (or the benchmark) to measure its success by. Though I suppose it would be a nice side effect.

She really struck a cord with me on this topic. It was a personal choice she made. Enjoy what you do and make a big difference. Hate what you are not doing, and swallow hordes of empty cash. I am sure she has her own thoughts, but I respect her choice 100%

In my opinion, greed is the evil that keeps you away from what is really important.

Sovereign Court

One question I would have asked if I was there (though it was kinda answered with the question on new rulesets)

Basically, would Paizo consider releasing one off/limited run setting books for non-Golarion settings, if you get a really interesting idea?

Paizo Employee CEO

NSpicer wrote:
Lisa Stevens wrote:
I am always available to answer questions, so feel free to take your time.

I've got one for you.

Given that Paizo has now reached its 7th year anniversary, do you guys have any plans (or if you haven't planned that far out...any ideas) for what you'd want to do to celebrate your 10th anniversary? Road trip tours of local game stores? Special anniversary products? Something big for Pathfinder Society? A more elaborate PaizoCon?

--Neil

To be perfectly honest, that is a bit far in advance for us to think about marketing plans. Product plans, sure. But we usually don't think about things like anniversaries too far in advance. When we had out 5th anniversary, Josh actually had a plan to run throughout the year with monthly sales, blogs, etc. We did some of it, but the plan, like most, didn't survive "meeting the enemy." The other thing that makes planning that far in advance hard is that we have no idea what the lay of the land might be then. Three years ago, we wouldn't have even had a glimmer that we would be releasing an RPG rulebook.

I can say that we will make it cool. Somehow. Just not sure exactly what that will be. Ask again towards the end of 2011. :)

-Lisa

Paizo Employee CEO

DaveMage wrote:
With regard to the future of Paizo, would you like it to grow (as in, number of employees), or might such growth actually hurt more than help? (By potentially creating a different atmosphere.)

I go on a bit about this in the video, but basically what I said there is that Vic and I don't want Paizo to ever get too big. We have 22 employees right now. I would like to have no more than 40 employees and prefer to be closer to 30. The main reason for this is the different atmosphere you mention in your question. I have seen a company go from one employee (me) to over 2000 in 1999. I would rather have a company that is small and feels like family, where I know the names of all my employees and know a bit about their lives and loved ones and such. Again, there is more in the video if you are interested.

Quote:
And, are you enjoying what you do? (You seem to.)

I have been working at a game company in some capacity since 1986. I started out doing it because I love to game and most importantly, I love to roleplay. When Wizards was sold to Hasbro, I had the opportunity to retire for the rest of my life. After one year, I was stir crazy and so Vic and I decided to start a company to do things that we love and in a way that we would be happy with. There have been times where I wish I had never started Paizo. There have been some really unhappy and stressful times when magazines got cancelled and the bills were piling up and it got hairy. At those times, I was most certainly NOT enjoying what I did. However, with all the changes in the past few years, Paizo has evolved into a company that I really enjoy working at and I am excited about the future. We still have our stressful moments, but since we are controlling our own destiny for the most part (I am looking at you economy), I couldn't be happier.

-Lisa

Paizo Employee CEO

Uzzy wrote:

One question I would have asked if I was there (though it was kinda answered with the question on new rulesets)

Basically, would Paizo consider releasing one off/limited run setting books for non-Golarion settings, if you get a really interesting idea?

I never say never to anything. But I will say this, getting into too many settings is a trap that TSR fell into back in the late 80's and early 90's. They divided their customers into smaller and smaller groups who went from D&D players to Realms players or Dark Sun players or Ravenloft players. Players of one setting wouldn't buy the products of other settings and so the numbers dwindled on each of the settings to the point where the company started to lose money on them and got into financial trouble.

Now one off books don't get you into this dwindling numbers problem if handled well. But it does take away your focus from what is making your company successful. And it distracts your customers. And what if they like your one-shot and start asking for more? If you say "no" then you have mad customers. If you say "yes" then see above. The trick would be to manage expectations ahead of time, which is tricky but not undoable.

So the idea would have to be REALLY interesting or strategic to us. I imagine something like that might exist out there, but it would have to get through the gauntlet that is Lisa to even get considered, and I would start off with my attitude at Unhelpful. :)

-Lisa

Sovereign Court

Lisa Stevens wrote:
DaveMage wrote:
With regard to the future of Paizo, would you like it to grow (as in, number of employees), or might such growth actually hurt more than help? (By potentially creating a different atmosphere.)

I go on a bit about this in the video, but basically what I said there is that Vic and I don't want Paizo to ever get too big. We have 22 employees right now. I would like to have no more than 40 employees and prefer to be closer to 30. The main reason for this is the different atmosphere you mention in your question. I have seen a company go from one employee (me) to over 2000 in 1999. I would rather have a company that is small and feels like family, where I know the names of all my employees and know a bit about their lives and loved ones and such. Again, there is more in the video if you are interested.

-Lisa

Y'know...

If it weren't for the great games, I would not be spending so much money on Paizo but I think my affection for Paizo goes beyond that and I think this post has helped me to see why.

Ian McKaye was once asked how he intended to expand his record label (Dischord) and he said something along the lines of: I'm not going to. I like knowing that everyone there is a nice person who I can chat to and whose families I have met. There is a modern myth that businesses are only succesful if they make more money every year and sell more product every year and expand into new markets every year, but that's not necessary. I just want my business to keep going for a long time, keep paying all of its staff and keep releasing good stuff - then it is a success.

I get that same vibe from Paizo, that it's not just about the money, and that puts a smile on my face.

I have the same thing with sports (support your local team, not the big rich one funded by someone who'd be a criminal if he came from a country with decent laws) and a whole load of other stuff.

I never thought I'd find the missing link between the independent punk scene and rpgs but Paizo is it.


Lisa Stevens wrote:
I would rather have a company that is small and feels like family, where I know the names of all my employees and know a bit about their lives and loved ones and such. -Lisa

One of the things I love that you do is have the name of your accountant in all of the books you make. I think that's a great way of showing that *all* employees play a part in making the company go - even those that don't write a single word in the product.

You really do have a special company and I hope you don't lose your passion anytime soon for what you do....

Likewise, your employees are a credit to your leadership. As a customer and fan, I really, really appreciate them taking the time to interract here (and elsewhere) on the messageboards. Not to be overly sappy, but it makes me feel like part of the Paizo family just visiting here.

Liberty's Edge

Lisa Stevens wrote:

I never say never to anything. But I will say this, getting into too many settings is a trap that TSR fell into back in the late 80's and early 90's. They divided their customers into smaller and smaller groups who went from D&D players to Realms players or Dark Sun players or Ravenloft players. Players of one setting wouldn't buy the products of other settings and so the numbers dwindled on each of the settings to the point where the company started to lose money on them and got into financial trouble.

Now one off books don't get you into this dwindling numbers problem if handled well. But it does take away your focus from what is making your company successful. And it distracts your customers. And what if they like your one-shot and start asking for more? If you say "no" then you have mad customers. If you say "yes" then see above. The trick would be to manage expectations ahead of time, which is tricky but not undoable.

So the idea would have to be REALLY interesting or strategic to us. I imagine something like that might exist out there, but it would have to get through the gauntlet that is Lisa to even get considered, and I would start off with my attitude at Unhelpful. :)

-Lisa

indeed this is an apresiated company vision :D

actually one of the reasons I favor Paizo, its vision and how wach product felt like are made with love... even if I not always agree with some visions regarding rules or some opinions regarding the hobby with one or another developer

The Exchange

Alrighty!

I will try to intercept some coming questions with this next video. Here we get into those great sounding ideas that lose a lot of money!

I give you The Future of Paizo Part 5.

Thanks again Paizo for allowing this video event to happen!

Paizo Employee CEO

DaveMage wrote:
One of the things I love that you do is have the name of your accountant in all of the books you make. I think that's a great way of showing that *all* employees play a part in making the company go - even those that don't write a single word in the product.

I can't take credit for this idea. West End Games back in the 80's always had all of their employees listed, including lawyers and accountants. And I always thought that was a nice touch. So we implemented that here.

-Lisa

Dark Archive

Zuxius wrote:

Alrighty!

I will try to intercept some coming questions with this next video. Here we get into those great sounding ideas that lose a lot of money!

I give you The Future of Paizo Part 5.

Thanks again Paizo for allowing this video event to happen!

I really enjoyed this one.

I'm wondering, after seeing though, and hearing Lisa's analysis of the cross-marketing of different gaming mediums and comics; if the location of sales isn't part of the ... "demise" ... of the industry.

Considering the research, it almost (well, it does) feels ironic that the primary location most people seem to get their RPGs is comic book stores; even though the research suggests that most of the primary consumers in the facility won't buy them.

In other words, comic shops might not actually be a target rich environment, even though that's where they're stocked. It just catches me like stocking romance novels in gas stations - sure you'll sell a few, but not what you'd sell in the appropriate venue.

Liberty's Edge

mmm video game.

I'll help develop it, because I played TOEE and I like turn-based and it's truer to DnD's roots, and I suffered all the bugs so I know how to make sure they don't happen... Squirrel!!


Lisa/Vic:
Still waiting on Part 6 of the video to release so these questions may have been answered already, but:
1) Where do you see the future executives of Paizo coming from seventy or eighty years down the line, when you eventually retire? (I know Lisa has 'half-elven blood' according to her profile, so she'll be just about in her prime by then, but other excutives may not be so fortunate by birth... :D )
Do you have friends/relations 'in the next generation' who might be interested in keeping the company going?
Or will a sad day come when Paizo comes to an end or is sold to a corporation such as Disney or Hasbro?
2) (Less solemn question) What sort of office space are you looking for in Birmingham (UK) for your European office? (Treat this as an opportunity to expound upon your overseas plans, if you like. :) )
3) Given that I see accounts in messageboard posts and chats in the chatroom where parents play Paizo modules through with their children, what about some sort of monthly 'subscription' newsletter for younger members of the community?
A number of organisations do such things, I believe. Over here in the UK I was a junior member of the National Trust, and received such a newsletter (although that was a number of years ago, and I'm not sure if they do it still).
Or do such things not work, in a RPG market/environment?

I'll post more questions/thoughts if I think of them.

Paizo Employee CEO

VagrantWhisper wrote:

I really enjoyed this one.

I'm wondering, after seeing though, and hearing Lisa's analysis of the cross-marketing of different gaming mediums and comics; if the location of sales isn't part of the ... "demise" ... of the industry.

Considering the research, it almost (well, it does) feels ironic that the primary location most people seem to get their RPGs is comic book stores; even though the research suggests that most of the primary consumers in the facility won't buy them.

In other words, comic shops might not actually be a target rich environment, even though that's where they're stocked. It just catches me like stocking romance novels in gas stations - sure you'll sell a few, but not what you'd sell in the appropriate venue.

Hmmm, I haven't gone back and watched the video myself, but I would be surprised if I mentioned that RPGs were sold in comic stores mostly. It is actually a small part of our sales pie. Now game stores on the other hand (ie. stores that mostly sell games, though they could sell comics too, but have a large and robust selection of games) play a much larger role in our sales mix.

I think that it is more likely that a gamer will go to a game store that is geared towards game buying to buy his products than a place like a comic book store or a book store. But not everyone has a FLGS near them, so you need to get your products out into as many venues as possible to find that customer. They may not all be the most fertile ground in the world, but it all adds up.

-Lisa

Paizo Employee CEO

Charles Evans 25 wrote:


1) Where do you see the future executives of Paizo coming from seventy or eighty years down the line, when you eventually retire? (I know Lisa has 'half-elven blood' according to her profile, so she'll be just about in her prime by then, but other excutives may not be so fortunate by birth... :D )
Do you have friends/relations 'in the next generation' who might be interested in keeping the company going?

I actually don't look ahead QUITE that fare Charles. :) However, I am planning for my succession for when I eventually retire, though I don't think Paizo well ever be entirely rid of me until I am dead. :) I will figure out a way to keep Paizo going beyond my demise, rest assured.

2)

Quote:
(Less solemn question)[/ooc] What sort of office space are you looking for in Birmingham (UK) for your European office? [ooc](Treat this as an opportunity to expound upon your overseas plans, if you like. :) )

I doubt we will ever have a European office. Having been involved with those from other companies that I have worked at, they tend to be more of a problem than a cure. However, there could come a time down the road. You never know. :)

Quote:

3) Given that I see accounts in messageboard posts and chats in the chatroom where parents play Paizo modules through with their children, what about some sort of monthly 'subscription' newsletter for younger members of the community?

A number of organisations do such things, I believe. Over here in the UK I was a junior member of the National Trust, and received such a newsletter (although that was a number of years ago, and I'm not sure if they do it still).
Or do such things not work, in a RPG market/environment?

I really don't know about this one. We have only talked tangentially about products aimed at younger children and strategies for such, but right now we are so focused on building our business aimed at adults, that we just don't have time for things like this. But sometime in the near future, we'll start these discussions, because we will need to find a way to help make new Pathfinder gamers from the youth of today. Perhaps something like this will work?

-Lisa

Dark Archive

Lisa Stevens wrote:

Hmmm, I haven't gone back and watched the video myself, but I would be surprised if I mentioned that RPGs were sold in comic stores mostly. It is actually a small part of our sales pie. Now game stores on the other hand (ie. stores that mostly sell games, though they could sell comics too, but have a large and robust selection of games) play a much larger role in our sales mix.

I think that it is more likely that a gamer will go to a game store that is geared towards game buying to buy his products than a place like a comic book store or a book store. But not everyone has a FLGS near them, so you need to get your products out into as many venues as possible to find that customer. They may not all be the most fertile ground in the world, but it all adds up.

-Lisa

Ahhh - ya it is entirely possible I mis-interpreted what you were saying, thanks for the clarification.

Having said that, it may just be my jurisdiction, but comic shops are the primary venue for getting RPG materials in these parts. Out of the 4 or so stores that have product available locally, only 1 of them is not a comic book shop.

In truth, it has put a whole new perspective on what kind of sales bias is there though, when I hear such things as certain games or editions selling poorly - it only seems to make sense in the end, since such a small portion of revenue, or cross-polinated sales, are actually from that particular segment of the market locally.


Lisa Stevens wrote:
Charles Evans 25 wrote:


1) Where do you see the future executives of Paizo coming from seventy or eighty years down the line, when you eventually retire? (I know Lisa has 'half-elven blood' according to her profile, so she'll be just about in her prime by then, but other excutives may not be so fortunate by birth... :D )
Do you have friends/relations 'in the next generation' who might be interested in keeping the company going?
I actually don't look ahead QUITE that fare Charles. :) However, I am planning for my succession for when I eventually retire, though I don't think Paizo well ever be entirely rid of me until I am dead. :) I will figure out a way to keep Paizo going beyond my demise, rest assured. ...

Ooh. Something involving golden tickets in products, a 'living dungeon crawl', and Jason Bulmahn and James Jacobs popping up to sing 'oompa loompa' every time a candidate fails?

Paizo Employee CEO

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Ooh. Something involving golden tickets in products, a 'living dungeon crawl', and Jason Bulmahn and James Jacobs popping up to sing 'oompa loompa' every time a candidate fails?

Now that is a very troubling vision that will be in my head all day.

<tilts head up to look at camera, raising fist in anger...> Wooonnnnkkkaaaa!!!!!

:)

-Lisa

Scarab Sages

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Ooh. Something involving golden tickets in products, a 'living dungeon crawl', and Jason Bulmahn and James Jacobs popping up to sing 'oompa loompa' every time a candidate fails?

Will you settle for me?

starts singing

Oompa Loompa doompadee doo
I've got another puzzle for you
Oompa Loompa doompadah dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me

What do you get from a glut of TV?
A pain in the neck and an IQ of three
Why don't you try simply reading a book?
Or could you just not bear to look?

You'll get no...
You'll get no...
You'll get no...
You'll get no...
You'll get no commercials

Oompa Loompa Doompadee Dah
If you're not greedy you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the Oompa
Oompa Loompa doompadee do

Paizo Employee CEO

Oompa Loompa what do I see?
Aberzombie singing to me
Oompa Loompa what should I do?
A fifth of vodka should do nicely thats true!

-Lisa

The Exchange

I confess. I will have to post Part 6 (and the last of that series) sometime after my return from Minnesota. Yep, I'm feeling it.


Lisa Stevens wrote:

Oompa Loompa what do I see?

Aberzombie singing to me
Oompa Loompa what should I do?
A fifth of vodka should do nicely thats true!

-Lisa

FTW! :lol:

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Zuxius wrote:
I confess. I will have to post Part 6 (and the last of that series) sometime after my return from Minnesota. Yep, I'm feeling it.

Where in Minnesota are you going? I grew up there and can recommend some great food places or game stores.

The Exchange

Erik Mona wrote:
Zuxius wrote:
I confess. I will have to post Part 6 (and the last of that series) sometime after my return from Minnesota. Yep, I'm feeling it.
Where in Minnesota are you going? I grew up there and can recommend some great food places or game stores.

Wow, small world!

Well, I lived there from 1998 to 2007. I consider myself from Saint Cloud if anywhere else. I even drove for Spee-Dee Delivery based out of Saint Cloud, for a spell. I am fairly well versed with Eden Prairie as I delivered in that area 5 days a week. I even delivered the lights for the Viking's Practice field.

I will be heading up to some real hick areas like Staples and Brainerd. My wife's family is from Randall and she is native Minnesota herself. Accent and all.

I would love to hear your recommendations! The only time we ever went to Minneapolis was to hit concerts so I am not well versed in that area as I should be. I have been to the Mall of America. I love ethnic food such as Somali, Indian and of course Arabic.

As far as gameshops, I would take anything you would recommend Erik. Of course!

The Exchange

As I close in on the next 24 hours of leaving, I could not resist the temptation to "Not Pack", to "Not Get Sleep" to "Not Finish Bottling My Beer" and to go to Minnesota "Not Prepared".

I give you The Future of Paizo Part 6 . Thank you everyone for taking part in this creative process of mine. When I return I will start a new thread with a new seminar. Enjoy!

Liberty's Edge

Zuxius wrote:

As I close in on the next 24 hours of leaving, I could not resist the temptation to "Not Pack", to "Not Get Sleep" to "Not Finish Bottling My Beer" and to go to Minnesota "Not Prepared".

I give you The Future of Paizo Part 6 . Thank you everyone for taking part in this creative process of mine. When I return I will start a new thread with a new seminar. Enjoy!

Fantastic!! Thank you :D

Grand Lodge

These video post were great. Thank you so much for posting these.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Zuxius wrote:


Well, I lived there from 1998 to 2007. I consider myself from Saint Cloud if anywhere else. I even drove for Spee-Dee Delivery based out of Saint Cloud, for a spell. I am fairly well versed with Eden Prairie as I delivered in that area 5 days a week. I even delivered the lights for the Viking's Practice field.

I will be heading up to some real hick areas like Staples and Brainerd. My wife's family is from Randall and she is native Minnesota herself. Accent and all.

I would love to hear your recommendations! The only time we ever went to Minneapolis was to hit concerts so I am not well versed in that area as I should be. I have been to the Mall of America. I love ethnic food such as Somali, Indian and of course Arabic.

As far as gameshops, I would take anything you would recommend Erik. Of course!

Ok, since you're familiar with Eden Prairie, it won't be too difficult to find the home of the absolute BEST HAMBURGERS in the world, which is to say THE LION'S TAP. You absolutely do not want to miss this. I ate there 3 times in 5 days last time I went home to visit family. Delicious.

If you are still in the mood for hamburgers and want to explore a bit of Minneapolis, you certainly cannot go wrong with MATT'S BAR, home of the famous Jucy Lucy (two burger patties with cheese cooked between them, all sealed-up like). Again, delicious. Great fries here, too.

While you're in Minneapolis, you'll definitely want to check out DREAMHAVEN, one of the absolute best science fiction/comic stores in the country. They have so much unbelievably awesome stuff here that you are destined to be pulled out by your family, as you will simply not want to ever leave. I believe this is Neil Gaiman's personal comic store, so it's got some cred.

If you're really into science fiction, you simply cannot beat the selection at UNCLE HUGO's science fiction bookstore. It's like a huge used bookstore where everything is science fiction. Oh, and there's an equal-sized mystery bookstore called UNCLE EDGAR's built right into it.

I hit all four of these locations, sometimes repeatedly, every time I visit the Twin Cities. You should, too.

Lastly, the best game store I have ever been to in my life (judging by both service and selection) is THE SOURCE COMICS AND GAMES, just outside Minneapolis. This used to be MY comic shop before I answered the clarion call to join the staff at Wizards back in 1999, and the store continues to impress on each of my return trips. You will not want to miss this awesome store.

That's it for now. If you don't have a WHITE CASTLE where you live, Minnesota is a good place to experience it, as they're fairly widely distributed around the Twin Cities. It's an acquired taste, but definitely a memorable experience.

--Erik


Herald wrote:
These video post were great. Thank you so much for posting these.

Ditto that!

Thanks Zuxius - and Paizo!

Sovereign Court

Oh but there is more!

How to Break Into Print in Kobold Quarterly

This is the full hour seminar ... you can watch online of download a quicktime version. The picture quality of the mp4 is not great (but the audio is fine); I'll see if I can do anything about it.

Now that I have gotten over the rendering issues (long story), there will be more coming.

EDIT: If I am able to work out a better visual copy for the mp4, probably be re-rendering the quicktime to larger dimensions (as internet archive creates derivative formats), then there may be a window where it won't be available for view, but I will post here before I begin uploading the remake.

EDIT PT 2: Also note, as this is a HUGE file (the mp4 is over 200MB), you may want to let it download a bit before you start playing it ... unless you are on some whacked out heavy duty mega bandwidth (and Internet Archive feeds it out to you fast enough).

The Exchange

Erik Mona wrote:
Zuxius wrote:


Well, I lived there from 1998 to 2007. I consider myself from Saint Cloud if anywhere else. I even drove for Spee-Dee Delivery based out of Saint Cloud, for a spell. I am fairly well versed with Eden Prairie as I delivered in that area 5 days a week. I even delivered the lights for the Viking's Practice field.

I will be heading up to some real hick areas like Staples and Brainerd. My wife's family is from Randall and she is native Minnesota herself. Accent and all.

I would love to hear your recommendations! The only time we ever went to Minneapolis was to hit concerts so I am not well versed in that area as I should be. I have been to the Mall of America. I love ethnic food such as Somali, Indian and of course Arabic.

As far as gameshops, I would take anything you would recommend Erik. Of course!

Ok, since you're familiar with Eden Prairie, it won't be too difficult to find the home of the absolute BEST HAMBURGERS in the world, which is to say THE LION'S TAP. You absolutely do not want to miss this. I ate there 3 times in 5 days last time I went home to visit family. Delicious.

If you are still in the mood for hamburgers and want to explore a bit of Minneapolis, you certainly cannot go wrong with MATT'S BAR, home of the famous Jucy Lucy (two burger patties with cheese cooked between them, all sealed-up like). Again, delicious. Great fries here, too.

While you're in Minneapolis, you'll definitely want to check out DREAMHAVEN, one of the absolute best science fiction/comic stores in the country. They have so much unbelievably awesome stuff here that you are destined to be pulled out by your family, as you will simply not want to ever leave. I believe this is Neil Gaiman's personal comic store, so it's got some cred.

If you're really into science fiction, you simply cannot beat the selection at UNCLE...

Wow! Thank You very much Erik! Looks like I get to show my wife something about Minnesota for a change. The book stores are right up her alley. After careful triangulation I see that 3 of your destinations are close to each other. I might hit them as soon as I get off the plane!

Thank you again.

Ted Brew Ha-Ha


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Erik Mona wrote:
too much to quote in one shot

Erik, reading this was almost like reading a map of my honeymoon. Too bad Phoenix Games closed down or that would've been another good stop for geek. They had a nice selection of OOP materials.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

I spent thousands and thousands of dollars at Phoenix Games between 1988 and 1999 or so. Most of my miniatures come from there. Sniffle.

Silver Crusade

Thanks so much for all the videos!

The Exchange

Thanks guys!

i am at north central speedway in brainerd. watching modified stock car racing. look forward to tuesday. at that time i will visit erik's list of must hit destinations.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Erik Mona wrote:
I spent thousands and thousands of dollars at Phoenix Games between 1988 and 1999 or so. Most of my miniatures come from there. Sniffle.

We did a lot more then sniffle that day. We'd planned out this great geek pilgrammage day around the entire area. We finally made it there and found it was now a bicycle repair shop.


Lisa Stevens wrote:
Charles evans 25 wrote:

3) Given that I see accounts in messageboard posts and chats in the chatroom where parents play Paizo modules through with their children, what about some sort of monthly 'subscription' newsletter for younger members of the community?

A number of organisations do such things, I believe. Over here in the UK I was a junior member of the National Trust, and received such a newsletter (although that was a number of years ago, and I'm not sure if they do it still).
Or do such things not work, in a RPG market/environment?
I really don't know about this one. We have only talked tangentially about products aimed at younger children and strategies for such, but right now we are so focused on building our business aimed at adults, that we just don't have time for things like this. But sometime in...

Out of the forty or so attendees we had at PaizoCon UK this weekend (Wintergreen will have exact numbers) I spotted at least one young gamer present with her parents.

So there are some gaming families out there using Paizo products - and even playing in PFS games!

Further Edit:
Smurf!

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Full length video, second installment

Patronage Projects from Open Design

If you have the time for a 1GB download, pull down the wmv ... better resolution than the streaming video. The audio is good, however, so, enjoy.

Next on the list to finish up is Designing Dungeons with Monte Cook.

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Full length video, third installment

Designing Dungeons with Monte Cook

The battery had to be switched out twice during the filming, so there are a couple of odd edit points. Monte Cook does give a very entertaining seminar! Enjoy!

Next up is Game Design Self-Editing Workshop by Sue Cook.

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zylphryx wrote:

Full length video, third installment

Designing Dungeons with Monte Cook

The battery had to be switched out twice during the filming, so there are a couple of odd edit points. Monte Cook does give a very entertaining seminar! Enjoy!

Next up is Game Design Self-Editing Workshop by Sue Cook.

Hey zylphryx, you going to Gencon?

Sovereign Court

Louis Agresta wrote:
zylphryx wrote:

Full length video, third installment

Designing Dungeons with Monte Cook

The battery had to be switched out twice during the filming, so there are a couple of odd edit points. Monte Cook does give a very entertaining seminar! Enjoy!

Next up is Game Design Self-Editing Workshop by Sue Cook.

Hey zylphryx, you going to Gencon?

Unfortunately not. Time and money constraints, you know? Wish I was able to though.

You and Shirak going to be there? Let me know what I miss.

And then there's DragonCon as well ... Atlanta is only 3-4 hours away and I know folks down there who will be going. But the same goes for this one this year.

Unless I get a couple of high paying recurrent gigs, win the lottery, have an unknown wealthy relative die and leave me bunches of cash in their will, find myself a sugarmomma or something else that would kick out a bunch of cash my way, it's looking like I am not hitting any Cons until next year.

Perhaps next year ... I'll start stashing cash for it as well as Paizocon 2010.

Paizo Employee Director of Game Development

zylphryx wrote:
Unfortunately not. Time and money constraints, you know? Wish I was able to though.

Damn. That is unfortunate. Perhaps next year.

More importantly, thank you for taking the time to shoot those videos and get them posted.

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Daigle wrote:
zylphryx wrote:
Unfortunately not. Time and money constraints, you know? Wish I was able to though.

Damn. That is unfortunate. Perhaps next year.

More importantly, thank you for taking the time to shoot those videos and get them posted.

Thanks Daigle. I'm keeping the fingers crossed for next year. I will definitely make it to Paizocon, come hell or high water, and will be aiming for Gen Con and DragonCon as well. Next Con I meet up with you, first beer's on me. Same goes to you and your brother, Lou. And Zuxius. And Boomer and ... well you know who you folks are. ;)

On the flip side, I'm just waiting on FTP credentials to start working on one gig and have a meeting on Saturday for another possible gig with recurrent work potential, so keep your fingers crossed this trend continues. :)

There's also the code-for-part-ownership gig ... we'll see how it goes. The concept is solid, hopefully it will pan out into actual revenue.

As to the videos, it's my pleasure. The camera I have kicks larger video into video segments, which seems to result in some "skips"; I'll need to see if I can figure out how to rectify that before next year. I've also got to see if I can get my hands on a second camera for next year (for hand held and close up shots as well as add some visual variation through the seminars) ... and get a new laptop that I can use for video editing on site to expedite the process. C'mon big money! No whammies! No whammies! ;)

There are two more seminar videos that I need to put up:

Game Design Self-Editing Workshop by Sure Cook

Secrets of the Publishing Industry - Your Questions Answered

And then there is the "Special Message" video I need to put up as well. Heh-heh-heh.


Lisa:
(edited)
Apologies for any bluntness, but I'm having a bit of disappointing and frustrating day here.

It seems to me that your Adventure Paths have ceased to be your core products.

Looking at the Paizo Store just now I saw 236 Paizo Pathfinder products listed, 37 of which were adventure path ones. (By the way the total number of products given, of 235, does not sum up to the individual product figures given.)

A couple of days ago Erik Mona showed us the size of the PFRPG book, compared to an AP issue, on the youtube Paizo Blog post, and the PFRPG book dwarfed the AP book. Every time in the past year that I've been on the Paizo Chat on Tuesday night, I've been hearing how busy your office is with the Alpha, and then the Beta and Campaign Setting, and then the PFRPG, and then the Bestiary.
Even assuming that these were 'necessary to keep shop shelf space open for the adventure paths', and a one-off time and resources commitment, I see that a 320 page gamemastery guide project is lining up to take a place in the pipeline next.

And in the meantime, how much have you increased your paid staff in the editorial pit by? I know you gained SKR, but Mike McArtor left you, for a net change there of +0.

And whilst you've cut back on the rate of module production, you're now putting out PFS modules on a monthly basis.

Counting just book-style pathfinder products, and assuming that PFS modules count as a sort of Adventure Path, you have 37 Adventure Path products you have made yourself on the store, and 27 PFS scenarios.
Against that you have 10 PFRPG products, 28 modules, 28 chronicles, and 12 companions. Even discounting a couple of the rulebooks and DM screen from this, your modules/chronicles/companions/PFRPG products are already running practically neck and neck in terms of numbers (and page count, I would guess) with your AP's and PFS scenarios.

Is this trend away from your previously core business going to continue?
How are your editors coping with the increased workload which (it seems to me) that they are continuously being subjected to?

I understand that unlike Clark, you have to run an RPG business first and foremost to make money, but I am wondering right now just how far off your original trend of 'AP core' you are going to end up going?

To explain where this post is coming from I had been telling myself that once the PFRPG and Bestiary were released things would return to a less hectic pace, with editors once again having more time for posting on the boards and for the APs, but then last night I found about the Gamemastery book, which rather sank that notion.
At present I cannot foresee any time when the boards might 'get back to what was once (to my relatively limited time on these boards) normal', and I am wondering if they ever will?

Once again, apologies for any bluntness. At this point I have pretty much given up on James Jacobs ever having the time to update his copy of the Campaign Setting errata posts I was making.

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