GameMastery Maps and PDFs

[Doug Daulton]

Paizo Publishing wrote:

Many customers have asked Paizo to offer PDF editions of our GameMastery Maps products, and we've always said that we're worried that a significant number of gamers choosing the PDF edition exclusively could hurt our ability to continue producing printed maps.

Well, we've decided to test that theory. The next two GameMastery Map products, Map Pack: Magic Academy (due this month) and Flip-Mat: Haunted Dungeon (due in July) will also be available in PDF form.

We've also decide to release the out-of-print GameMastery Maps in PDF form as well. The following products are now available:

GameMastery Map Pack: Village PDF
GameMastery Map Pack: Countryside PDF
GameMastery Map Pack: Dungeon Chambers PDF
GameMastery Flip-Mat: Tavern PDF
GameMastery Flip-Mat: Woodlands PDF

Note that, because this is a test, the GameMastery Map subscription benefits are not changing at this time. As a GameMastery Maps subscriber, you'll continue to get 20% off the MSRP of each month’s map product, any previously released Flip-Mat or Map Pack (excluding backorders) at 15% off the cover price. The PDFs are not currently part of the subscription offer, and must be purchased separately.

After this test period, we'll revisit our plans regarding future GameMastery Map PDFs, and keep subscribers updated.

Please feel free to give us your thoughts on the matter on our messageboards.

Thanks for your continued support of the GameMastery line!

—Paizo Publishing

I received this email a couple of days ago but just got around to reading it today. I don't know about you, but I am very excited by this market test and hope the community jumps in to support it.

A few years back, Erik spoke publicly about the future of pen & paper RPGs in the 21st century. He discussed the fact that more and more, P&P games would be supported by digital tools. Supported by; not replaced by. Along with other initiatives, like PDF books and HeroLab support, this test is part of Paizo's emerging leadership in the digital support arena.

Not sure how PDFs of flip-mats and map packs can help you? Read on.

• GMs can now carry more resources (digitally) than they can with paper maps. More resources on hand mean more options for play. I carry the entire PFS library and all of my PFRPG books on my iPad ... whenever I go out to run games. This means I can make a table just about anywhere.
  
• These maps can be used with digital tabletops like Infrno and d20PRO to promote more online play, which not only builds a larger community but further interconnects the community.
  
• iPads (and other tablets) provide a near perfect form factor for displaying Map Packs. And, as tech progresses, we'll see tabletop touch PCs emerge at reasonable price points, which should further extend the market for PDF maps and, eventually, digital minis/pogs as well.
  

There is only upside to the consumer for this product line. The only potential downside is for the publisher ... if the community resorts to piracy. Let's not let that happen.

Paizo ... thanks for leading the way

Doug Daulton

[gbonehead]

Doug Daulton wrote:

There is only upside to the consumer for this product line. The only potential downside is for the publisher ... if the community resorts to piracy. Let's not let that happen.

Paizo ... thanks for leading the way

Doug Daulton

+1,000

Piracy is the bane of us all. I'm hoping that Paizo's customers are more loyal and responsible than others and refrain, thus leading other companies to follow their lead.

[sozin]

I am grateful that paizo made this move. Showed my gratitude by buying all of the experimental releases!

[Cpt_kirstov]

sozin wrote:

I am grateful that paizo made this move. Showed my gratitude by buying all of the experimental releases!

I think the greater inclusion of the map packs in PFS scenarios are greatly helping this [plug] See my list of map packs used in scenarios It will be updated again by the end of the weekend[/plug]