Ok, so with Pathways #1, there was an interview with some of the top 3PPs.
Besides those mentioned in the article... what others deserve mention?
We've got:
Frog God Games
Tricky Owlbear
Raging Swan
Jon Brazer
LPJ (although apparently there's been some pretty negative reviews that have surfaced)
Dreamscarred (thank you for making Psionics)
0one Games
Purple Duck
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
Super Genius
Rite Publishing
Open Design
Feel free to rank these as well
Dark_Mistress' opinion would be valued highly
Don't forget us over at Zombie Sky Press! :)
Not a reader of Pathways so take this for what its worth but I'd sort that list (in order of preference):
Jon Brazer / Frog God Games / Super Genius / Tricky Owlbear / Spes Magna Games
Dreamscarred / Raging Swan / 4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
0one Games
Edit: Added Spes Magna Games (sorry Mark!)
Jon Brazer
WOW!^3.14!!! Thank you. We're really honored! Thank you jreyst!
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Ok, so with Pathways #1, there was an interview with some of the top 3PPs.
Besides those mentioned in the article... what others deserve mention?We've got:
Frog God Games
Tricky Owlbear
Raging Swan
Jon Brazer
LPJ (although apparently there's been some pretty negative reviews that have surfaced)
Dreamscarred (thank you for making Psionics)
0one Games
Purple Duck
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
Super Genius
Rite Publishing
Open DesignFeel free to rank these as well
Dark_Mistress' opinion would be valued highly
Wow I am not even sure what to say about that. I would say all but one of the ones you listed pretty consistently puts out good quality stuff. Yeah occasionally some of them have a sub-par one but that's not the norm.
A few more that I would say fit that group of not perfect but normally above normal and worth the price.
Zombie Sky Press
Headless Hyrda
Necromancers of the Northwest
Then a few companies make solid books. Some of them are still having their growing pains as fairly new publishers.
Spes Magna Games
Gun Metal Games
Adamant Entertainment
I really don't like to rank publishers. Mostly cause it often comes down to what one likes rather than true quality. We are all human and influenced perceptions.
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Wow I am not even sure what to say about that. I would say all but one of the ones you listed pretty consistently puts out good quality stuff.
I really don't like to rank publishers. Mostly cause it often comes down to what one likes rather than true quality. We are all human and influenced perceptions.
Thank you. You can also assume we as buyers can figure out the rest.
Thanks for the mentions and kind words. That my little one-man operation run out of my comfy chair in my living room even gets listed with solid professionals such as Dreamscarred and Rite Publishing is inspiring.
:)
Thanks for the mentions and kind words. That my little one-man operation run out of my comfy chair in my living room even gets listed with solid professionals such as Dreamscarred and Rite Publishing is inspiring.
:)
Mark, you run a quality show and produce well made stuff as well as have a strong appreciation for the OGL. Seems like a recipe for success to me!
Speaking for Raging Swan Press, I'm extremely chuffed and grateful to be included in the above list. Given I've been only going a year and I'm also a one-man band with a comfy chair this gives me real motivation to make my second year even better than my first!
I want to echo these thread sentiments. Tricky Owlbear has been around for a few years now but we're humbled and happy to be noticed for what we believe is quality work.
*looks around for a comfy chair but is forced to use the desk chair*
Zombie Sky Press!
That was my oversight and should have been part of the original interview,
Adamant entertainment got left out of the original because correction to the interview did not come in before the deadline for publication.
I hope in the future to do something with
Headless Hyrda
Necromancers of the Northwest
Spes Magna Games
Gun Metal Games
and BlackByrne Publishing
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Frog God Games
Tricky Owlbear
Raging Swan
Jon Brazer
LPJ (although apparently there's been some pretty negative reviews that have surfaced)
Dreamscarred (thank you for making Psionics)
0one Games
Purple Duck
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
Super Genius
Rite Publishing
Open Design
Super Genius and RITE are my two preferred 3PPs.
I've bought stuff from everyone on your list (except Dreamscarred, but as soon as I can get enough spare cash I plan on getting Psionics Unleashed, it is definately on my list of purchases).I buy a lot of 3PP .pdfs and I must say that I haven't really had a huge issue with any of them. In saying that, other than the two I specifically mentioned my purchases may be limited to one or two products from the others so by no means constitute a good grasp of what they fully offer.
In saying this, I have started to become a very big fan of Purple Duck and have been slowly trying to build up my collection of their work when I can.
Adamant
Zombie Sky Press
Headless Hyrda
Necromancers of the Northwest
Spes Magna Games
Gun Metal Games
Also have stuff from these guys too and find them to be good as well.
I would toss Alluria into the mix. They don't have high volume..but they have very high quality
Thanks for the mentions and kind words. That my little one-man operation run out of my comfy chair in my living room even gets listed with solid professionals such as Dreamscarred [...] is inspiring.
:)
Wait ... how is it that a one-man operation doesn't count as "solid[ly] professional", but a two-man operation does? :-)
Wait ... how is it that a one-man operation doesn't count as "solid[ly] professional", but a two-man operation does? :-)
Twice as many comfy chairs? :)
Thanks for the mentions and kind words. That my little one-man operation run out of my comfy chair in my living room even gets listed with solid professionals such as Dreamscarred and Rite Publishing is inspiring.
:)
I don't own a lot of your stuff, but what I do is good stuff. I'm surprised you're running it out of your home, and impressed. I actually looked into what it would take, and I just didn't have the resources & time to run something out of my house (too much travel for work). Doing a one man publishing shop is pretty difficult, so my hats off to you.
Adamant entertainment got left out of the original because correction to the interview did not come in before the deadline for publication.
I wasn't aware that *interviews* needed correction.
I was asked what 3rd Party stuff I liked, I answered Kobold Quarterly -- you pointed out that in your opinion, that didn't count, because it was officially licensed and didn't use the Compatibility logo. I pointed out on the KQ site where the logo appears -- as well as the language required of all 3PP. You responded that it was a courtesy on their part, and you felt that it still doesn't count.
....and that was the last I heard of it, until the first issue came out and Adamant wasn't included -- kind of annoying, to be honest, since I carved out time in my schedule to respond to you.
Taking aside for the moment the bizarre demand that an interview be "corrected" to suit your opinion, rather than that of the person being interviewed -- if you're going to claim that I somehow missed a deadline for correction, you should have probably informed me that you were making that correction a requirement for appearing.
Jus' sayin'.
Alluria Publishing belong on that list for sure... I just bought their Creepy Creatures from the RPGNow PoD, and I am very satisfied with more than 99% of the contents... excellent stuff! In colours! Not a lot of publishers do full colour products, so when someone does, it is worth noting.
I hope to find some money soon and buy their undersea campaign setting.
- Axel
Also, we are called Headless Hydra Games... not Headless Hyrda :)
A detail, yes, but an important detail! :)
- Axel
Alluria Publishing belong on that list for sure... I just bought their Creepy Creatures from the RPGNow PoD, and I am very satisfied with more than 99% of the contents... excellent stuff! In colours! Not a lot of publishers do full colour products, so when someone does, it is worth noting.
I hope to find some money soon and buy their undersea campaign setting.
- Axel
Why thank you kind sir. That was my 1st book..ever. I am pretty proud of it, and it opened a lot of doors for me, including your very own Spell Compendium, which is still one of my proudest moments.
I will have to check all of these publishers out when I get the spare cash.
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I will have to check all of these publishers out when I get the spare cash.
Frog God Games
Raging SwanOpen Design
are top of list.
But I think highly of
Rite Publishing
Spes Magna Games
and
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
Most of the rest are fairly good as well.
And well you know my feelings on LPJ and why I will never spend money on them again. Not only does everything need to be edited properly, they need a kick in the ego and a sense of humor to boot.
I don't own a lot of your stuff, but what I do is good stuff. I'm surprised you're running it out of your home, and impressed. I actually looked into what it would take, and I just didn't have the resources & time to run something out of my house (too much travel for work). Doing a one man publishing shop is pretty difficult, so my hats off to you.
Aw, shucks. You're going to make me blush. :)
Working out of home has its difficulties, most notably the lack of time since I do have a full-time job, a wife, children, friends, family, et cetera. Fortunately, I gave up Facebook for Lent, and I'm finding that I really do have a lot more free time than I realized.
Adamant entertainment got left out of the original because correction to the interview did not come in before the deadline for publication.I wasn't aware that *interviews* needed correction.
I was asked what 3rd Party stuff I liked, I answered Kobold Quarterly -- you pointed out that in your opinion, that didn't count, because it was officially licensed and didn't use the Compatibility logo. I pointed out on the KQ site where the logo appears -- as well as the language required of all 3PP. You responded that it was a courtesy on their part, and you felt that it still doesn't count.
We requested a correction asking you to choose another product as the Compatibility Logo does not appear on the cover of Kobold Quarterly which is required by the licence.
Even if I am 100% wrong, we asked for a change to be made, that you please choose another product that used the Compatible Logo on the cover of the product. We contacted you about this issue three separate times
....and that was the last I heard of it, until the first issue came out and Adamant wasn't included -- kind of annoying, to be honest, since I carved out time in my schedule to respond to you.
We sent an email request with the questions Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 6:33 PM EST
We received no response from youWe sent another email with the questions Sun, Jan 23, 2011 at 3:01 AM EST
We requested "Please have your answers turned in by Feb 15th"
we recieved no response from you
We resent an email with the questions Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 7:47 PM EST
We received your response Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 2:18 PM ESTUp
Lets be clear that until the day after the deadline, I did not even know you were going to be doing the interview.
We apologized and requested a change Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 2:46 PM EST
We contacted you again about the issue Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 3:06 PM EST
We contacted you again about the issue Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:30 PM EST
After repeated requests for the change to be made, and attempting to explain my position, you chose not to make that change for the reasons you have stated. We respect your right not to change your opinion in the interview. I reserved the right not to publish your interview, it pained me to do this, but at the end of the day I made the call.
Taking aside for the moment the bizarre demand that an interview be "corrected" to suit your opinion, rather than that of the person being interviewed -- if you're going to claim that I somehow missed a deadline for correction, you should have probably informed me that you were making that correction a requirement for appearing.Jus' sayin'.
You are quite correct that I should have made you aware of my decision on the matter. Looking back I believe this had more to do with deadline pressures, 200+ answers and the available time to finish the layout. If you would still allow it, I would like to publish the interview in the next issue of Pathways, I leave this ball in your court.
Also please accept my apologies for any annoyance or inconvenience I caused you.
Steve Russell
Rite Publishing
I don't own a lot of your stuff, but what I do is good stuff. I'm surprised you're running it out of your home, and impressed. I actually looked into what it would take, and I just didn't have the resources & time to run something out of my house (too much travel for work). Doing a one man publishing shop is pretty difficult, so my hats off to you.Aw, shucks. You're going to make me blush. :)
Working out of home has its difficulties, most notably the lack of time since I do have a full-time job, a wife, children, friends, family, et cetera. Fortunately, I gave up Facebook for Lent, and I'm finding that I really do have a lot more free time than I realized.
LOL,
My wife is addicted to it. Last year, she dislocated her knee (knee cap was 45 degrees out of alignment). She got her phone out and posted a facebook status that she had dislocated her knee and was waiting for the ambulance to take her to the hospital.
At the hospital, she updated it to tell everyone she was leaving, having had it put back into alignment by the doctor.
We contacted you again about the issue Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:30 PM EST
After repeated requests for the change to be made, and attempting to explain my position, you chose not to make that change for the reasons you have stated. We respect your right not to change your opinion inthe interview. I reserved the right not to publish your interview, it pained me to do this, but at the end of the day I made the call.
Yet you then contacted me on the 24th, and asked for a copy of my company logo, and a picture of myself -- which I provided. You then thanked me, and apologized for not asking for it sooner.
So apparently, at that point (more than a week after the back-and-forth you cite), you were still planning on publishing.
Honestly, at this point, I don't care if you publish the interview or not. It's entirely your call. I've provided answers to the questions you asked, and I've given you materials you requested. But you're telling me the "ball is in my court" -- which, bluntly, I don't understand.
I run this company as my full-time job -- not a hobby business. I've already wasted enough time on this issue.
I run this company as my full-time job -- not a hobby business. I've already wasted enough time on this issue.
One would think such would be indicated by quality, customer service or general professionalism, but alas...
Purple Duck
We were very pleased to be among those originally included.
One would think such would be indicated by quality, customer service or general professionalism, but alas...
Is the sniping really necessary?
If I've done something that has not met with your expectations, I'll be happy to address it, and hopefully correct it.
One would think such would be indicated by quality, customer service or general professionalism, but alas...Is the sniping really necessary?
Good question.
I run this company as my full-time job -- not a hobby business. I've already wasted enough time on this issue.
Is it?
Can't we get back to more important and useful topics like hating on lpjr? :)
Good question.
I run this company as my full-time job -- not a hobby business. I've already wasted enough time on this issue.Is it?
How is that a snipe?
I *have* wasted time on this. I took time to answer questions for an interview that was never published, I took time to provide graphics as requested, I even took time to respond on this thread... and, largely, this issue isn't really going to help me get product out, or otherwise move my business forward.
Hence, I've wasted time. No criticism of anyone there, other than me for doing so.
Am I not seeing something, or are you just way off base here?
Am I not seeing something, or are you just way off base here?
Your derisive comment about "a hobby business", perhaps? It's just more of the same.
Having observed your demeanor and attitude on various boards over the years, your little innocent act really isn't fooling me.
We contacted you again about the issue Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:30 PM EST
After repeated requests for the change to be made, and attempting to explain my position, you chose not to make that change for the reasons you have stated. We respect your right not to change your opinion inthe interview. I reserved the right not to publish your interview, it pained me to do this, but at the end of the day I made the call.
Yet you then contacted me on the 24th, and asked for a copy of my company logo, and a picture of myself -- which I provided. You then thanked me, and apologized for not asking for it sooner.
So apparently, at that point (more than a week after the back-and-forth you cite), you were still planning on publishing.
Yes that email went out in mass to every publisher we had contacted originally. And at that point I was still waiting on the edits, when the edits came back I realized I never received the change I requested. Again this is a failure on my part and I should have contacted you at that point.
Honestly, at this point, I don't care if you publish the interview or not. It's entirely your call. I've provided answers to the questions you asked, and I've given you materials you requested. But you're telling me the "ball is in my court" -- which, bluntly, I don't understand.
The ball being in your court was us simply asking for your permission to publish your interview. I apologize for the poor choice of words.
I run this company as my full-time job -- not a hobby business. I've already wasted enough time on this issue.
Rite Publishing is also my full-time job, it is also not a hobby business. I have admitted to and apologized for the errors I have made, I am am also trying to make this right.
I will ad you answers to Pathways #3
I'm beginning to believe that it must be true that the waters are getting a bit overcrowded with 3PP. Otherwise, I'm not sure that people would be so quick to search for excuses to write off publishers.
It makes things easy when they identify themselves...
Your derisive comment about "a hobby business", perhaps? It's just more of the same.
Absolutely not intended derisively. My point was that I'm not doing this for kicks, and any time I spent on non-essential stuff is time that isn't putting food on my family's table.
That's it. Seriously.
There's nothing derisive about the term "hobby business" -- the majority of businesses in this industry are run as hobbies. Something the owner does in addition to their day job, with a plan to basically have the business pay for itself, convention appearances, etc. That's just a fact -- no judgement there.
Having observed your demeanor and attitude on various boards over the years, your little innocent act really isn't fooling me.
Ah. So we're looking at somebody with an axe to grind. Good to know.
I suppose when viewed through the lens of your grudge agenda, you could see anything I'm doing as an "innocent act". For what it's worth, I'm not being disingenuous.
But, yeah -- as Kthulhu implies, it's pretty obvious you've already written me off. Wish there was something I could do to change that, but I suspect that it would be futile.
Rite Publishing is also my full-time job, it is also not a hobby business. I have admitted to and apologized for the errors I have made, I am am also trying to make this right.
I will ad your answers to Pathways #3
I appreciate your effort to make things right, and I'm sorry things got off on the bad foot through miscommunication.
I apologize if you felt my comment about "hobby business" was a slap at Rite -- it wasn't (as I explain in the above post, just a comment about how any time I spend on non-essential stuff affects my ability to pay bills, etc.). More miscommunication. Yay. (/sarcasm)
Guys
Can we please let all the sniping and discussions of other things go? This thread is and SHOULD stay being only about who consumers feel is the top 3pp publishers for people like the OP who is obviously wanting information. Getting off topic is not helping anyone.
Yeah, as a consumer, all the sniping back and forth is not leaving anyone with a good impression of either company.
That's it. Seriously.
Sure.
Ah. So we're looking at somebody with an axe to grind. Good to know.
I suppose when viewed through the lens of your grudge agenda, you could see anything I'm doing as an "innocent act". For what it's worth, I'm not being disingenuous.
But, yeah -- as Kthulhu implies, it's pretty obvious you've already written me off. Wish there was something I could do to change that, but I suspect that it would be futile.
You'd like to be able to minimize it like that, but my purchasing history, which includes a number of Adamant products would put the lie to your assumption.
I've given Adamant multiple chances, even with your attitude, and it always bit me in the ass.
I suppose shouldn't have been surprised to see your modus operandi in this thread, either.
ETA: Done, didn't see Dark_Mistress' post prior to posting, and I'm not going to attempt to hide something I already said. I'm out.
I've given Adamant multiple chances, even with your attitude, and it always bit me in the ass.
If you've been dissatisfied, contact me and I'll happily refund your purchase.
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I would always vote for Silver Crescent Publishing... but I might be just a little bit partial.
Yeah I haven't checked out your product yet. I checked out the free intro and it was pretty good for a free intro product. But 20 bucks is well above impulse buy. I am hoping you eventually make some cheaper products, something smaller to let people buy and get a feel for your stuff. Not a free preview. But maybe a cheap adventure or something.
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I have bought very few 3PP products so have no capability to give an in depth survey but it would be more than remiss of me not to state that I have bought products from Raging Swan and been very impressed indeed by the quality of the product and the imagination of the content. So I would recommend them and am glad to see them showing already in this list.
J
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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As I said elsewhere, money's tight, and I suck at making reviews, but I list my support...
Dreamscarred (I *heart* psionics, think the XPH was a work of art, and 'know' some of these guys through the days of Mind's eye)
Rite Publishing (I've bought some of their stuff before they started making Pathfinder compatible products. Their Jade Oath stuff is nice as it avoids the Asia = Japan trap I see all to often. It's also nice seeing products pick up some of the Green Ronin and Malhavoc Press orphans)
Open Design (I'm a KQ subscriber, and have a few OD products. While I can't afford any more patronages, They're one of the companies that I'd buy sight unseen*)
Frog God Games (Another 'sight unseen' company. I've been happy with Temple City of Orcus so far, and bought the PFRPG:ToH on faith)
Super Genius games (Not bought anything directly, but their work on Dungeonaday has been stellar. Note to self, I need to mail Hyrum when I get home, I see my normal subscription renewed, but didn't get upgraded to the Super Genius Pass)
There are others. *waves at Dr. Nardi* who's product I've bought, but these are the ones who jump out at me.
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