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Confessions of a Game Geek!
You know, when Bill and I ran Necromancer, and now me running Legendary Games, I've always been a gamer first and a publisher second. In fact, my gamerishness is what drove many of my publishing decisions. And I have to say, I love it. And that is how I will always be: gamer first, publisher second.
So why am I posting this?
A couple reasons.
First, I had a friend and his family over recently. I keep my professional life and gamer life pretty separate because there are just too many people who don't understand gaming and I don't need to deal with that. But this friend of mine had been asking about what I do with gaming and so recently when they came over I broke out some old Necro stuff, and it made a pretty impressive stack:
Crucible of Freya
Tomb of Abysthor
Tome of Horrors 1-3
Wilderlands Boxed Set
Grimtooth Traps hardback
City of Brass boxed set
Rappan Athuk Reloaded boxed set
City State of the Invincible Overlord
Vault of Larin Karr
Demons and Devils
And I think a couple more things.
(which is only a tiny fraction of all the stuff we did, which is pretty amazing all we did in such a short time)
In telling the story of Necromancer and what we did and why to my friend, I really was proud of all that we accomplished. I mean, for two guys (me and Bill) we really were able to do a lot of cool stuff. I kept saying over and over, "Bill and I did this because we really loved it." So that just made me think of my philosophy of gamer first, publisher second.
Second, I have to admit I am totally geeking for the adventure paths these days. Not all have grabbed me, but I LOVE Carrion Crown, I am loving Jade Regent, I can't wait for Shackles and Skulls, and I am dying for Runelords Anniversary Hardback (I love Kingmaker and Legacy of Fire, too, among others). I love them and I am loving being part of making support products for them. The stuff we have in the can for Legendary Games which is working its way to publication is great, and the design team is totally geeked to support Jade Regent! But as I reflect on those awesome products, I guess I see in Paizo that thing that matters so much to me. THEY seem to be gamers first, publishers second, too. And I can't tell you how much I admire and respect Paizo for that.
I think when you do things from your heart people can tell and people appreciate that. I think it is why Necro did so well. I think it is why Paizo is doing so well. And I hope the same will apply to Legendary Games.
And while I geek out on all of this, I am prepping a new game group to run Jade Regent :)
I love being a gamer. Thanks, Paizo, for feeding my need for amazing game products and thanks for keeping the beating heart of gaming alive.
Clark
Founder, Legendary Games
Nice post... now get back to writing game stuff. :)
How about if I get back to posting cover previews in another thread? Is that OK? ;)
Fine fine, but then get back to writing after your done playing. :)
I do some writing, but others do the main writing. That is why our stuff is good, because I am average but Neil, Jason and Greg are awesome. I just edit. So I'll take that as get back to editing, and running the site and coordinating the art and all the other stuff I do :)
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I do some writing, but others do the main writing. That is why our stuff is good, because I am average but Neil, Jason and Greg are awesome. I just edit. So I'll take that as get back to editing, and running the site and coordinating the art and all the other stuff I do :)
Fine fine, but then get back to writing after your done playing. :)
Don't sell yourself short I have read some of the stuff you have wrote and it is good.
Since when do the Succubi get to order Lord Orcus around?
SMITE HER MY LORD SMITE HER!!!!
Since when do the Succubi get to order Lord Orcus around?
SMITE HER MY LORD SMITE HER!!!!
I'm leaving that alone :) Believe me, DM gets her share of smiting. Besides, favorites are allowed their indulgences. She can order me around on occasion.
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And it's also a definite reason behind why I've chosen to rally behind Paizo's banner as well as Clark's new venture with Legendary Games. To me, this is what matters. If you love the hobby...and if you want to see it grow and continue (i.e., something you can pass on to your kids and future generations), it's companies like these, guided by individuals like those Lisa and Clark have gathered...that makes all the difference. It's inspiring to write for publishers who are gamers first. It shows in their passion for the industry and the hobby. And it's contagious. In a good way. Because I'm still trying to avoid the con crud before it threatens my current deadline. ;-)
My two cents,
--Neil
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And it's also a definite reason behind why I've chosen to rally behind Paizo's banner as well as Clark's new venture with Legendary Games. To me, this is what matters. If you love the hobby...and if you want to see it grow and continue (i.e., something you can pass on to your kids and future generations), it's companies like these, guided by individuals like those Lisa and Clark have gathered...that makes all the difference. It's inspiring to write for publishers who are gamers first. It shows in their passion for the industry and the hobby. And it's contagious. In a good way. Because I'm still trying to avoid the con crud before it threatens my current deadline. ;-)
My two cents,
--Neil
I normally try to avoid just posting things like "well said" or "I agree!" or "+1"
but ...
well said - I agree! +1 !!!
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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And it's also a definite reason behind why I've chosen to rally behind Paizo's banner as well as Clark's new venture with Legendary Games. To me, this is what matters. If you love the hobby...and if you want to see it grow and continue (i.e., something you can pass on to your kids and future generations), it's companies like these, guided by individuals like those Lisa and Clark have gathered...that makes all the difference. It's inspiring to write for publishers who are gamers first. It shows in their passion for the industry and the hobby. And it's contagious. In a good way. Because I'm still trying to avoid the con crud before it threatens my current deadline. ;-)
My two cents,
--NeilI normally try to avoid just posting things like "well said" or "I agree!" or "+1"
but ...
well said - I agree! +1 !!!
Hey, if it works... +1!!! :)
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I'm leaving that alone :) Believe me, DM gets her share of smiting. Besides, favorites are allowed their indulgences. She can order me around on occasion.Since when do the Succubi get to order Lord Orcus around?
SMITE HER MY LORD SMITE HER!!!!
Aww but I wanted some special big daddy orcus smiting...
Aww but I wanted some special big daddy orcus smiting...
That's why you are a favorite :) I'll deal with you later....
Well said Clark! I would have to say that is a mantra that I can believe in. And it applies to what we do at Paizo. We are all gamers first and enjoy making products that we, as gamers, love to use. Thanks for reminding everyone what truly matters in this industry we all love!
-Lisa
Thanks, Lisa. I appreciate hearing that from you.
There is no doubt in my mind you guys are 100% dedicated to that ideal.
It's funny. My occupation is very logical, precise, analytical, critical and organized. Basically, I'm Lawful Good in my day job. Because I am a liberal arts guy and a creative guy, I try to bring a human element to all I do. But my real outlet for the creative, chaotic, random, serendipitous, organic, collaborative and imaginative is gaming (and playing music). So I get to be CG in my gaming life (or CE depending on who you ask). And as with anything else I pour 100% of myself into what I do. Its how I am in my work, in my gaming, as a husband, as a father, as a member of my community. Its all about passion.
OK so I guess I need to get to the funny part. As passionate and enthusiastic as I am (and I am, sometimes to a fault), so many of the Paizo people are exactly the same. I don't meet a lot of people who I say to myself "wow, that person is as crazy passionate about stuff as me," ('cause I am sort of crazy enthusiastic), but if I have ever met someone who is, its LISA!
Clark
In all seriousness..Clark it was Necromancer Games that brought me back to D&D. I'd given on the game up when 3.0 came out given all my 2e stuff away and spent the next five years playing anything that wasn't D&D..and then I idly picked up and read 'Vault of Larrin Karr' in a games shop and I was hooked all over again.
After that it was Necromancer all the way for me..especially when you got the rights to the Wilderlands..I was back in my first ever campaign world and it was like coming home.
The demise of NG was a blow to me and I turned to Paizo( from hints I was getting off the NG boards) more in desperation than anything else and again I was hooked.
37 years off playing this game should have made me jaded yet I find myself excited at each new release in the same way as I was back in the 1e days..and that is because Paizo is run by people who know what their customers want..unlike a certain other Seattle based gaming company who seem to have lost direction off late.