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Here are mine:
1) Paizo is constantly on the messageboards, fielding questions. I learned this quickly. Like many others, one of my first posts was a criticism leveled at Paizo. Two staff members stepped in and explained their perspective. I disagreed and a conversation ensued. But they both made some very good points and it led me to reading up on the topic. I found this robust discussion going on on the messageboards, one that had started years before my comment. So, I started listening instead of talking. I learned a lot about the gaming community and company. Eventually, I sent a private message to one of those first two staff members with my question. And she sent me a thorough, thoughtful response just a couple of days ago. What other hobby company does that?
Then, when I had a question about a specific module, the author of the module himself leaped at the chance to discuss it with me. The author. Amazing. He wanted to know how it turned out. So, I posted how the module ended for my party and he was really enthusiastic about the unorthodox conclusion.
And then there's James Jacobs' thread... Enough said.
2) I remember the old 3.5 adventures. They don't hold a candle to the adventure paths and modules of Pathfinder. I'm reading Rise of the Runelords in preparation to run it. And I can't wait to get my players going.
3) Golarion used to bother me...quite a bit. It looked like a Frankenstein's monster of a world, all these parts that don't go together. But now that I've thought about it, it's actually a brilliant business model and it suits me just fine. I just focus on the parts of the world that interest me and let the rest be. And every other player can do the same. The content for Varisia alone could keep my players going for years.
4) Paizo resurrected Dungeons and Dragons for me. I would still be using 3.5 books and resenting their premature switch to 4e. But here's Pathfinder, most of what I loved about D&D and lots more to love. The APG classes are awesome. The ARG is inspired. I can't wait to get the Strategy Guide. All the content is supported by maps and cards and pawns.
5) The diversity. Men and women. Every race. Any sexual orientation. I know they're not totally there yet in this department. But I like that they're striving for inclusion. I like that the goal is so that anyone who picks up the books will think, 'Hey, that person looks like me. This product is for me too.'
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6) They had the courage to stick to their guns in the face of a market-leader pulling the rug out from under the entire industry (i.e. GSL vs OGL).
7) Excellent customer service on orders. The few times I've had damaged shipments they've been replaced quickly and easily.
8) Prompt product feedback. More than a couple times I've raised issues on FlipMats and other products and it's generally not long before Vic or someone from CS explains what's going on — not simply "we'll look into it", but an actual explanation.
9) The whole Online Campaigns section of the board has seen a lot of coding effort put into it over the past couple of years. While Gary & Co's feature request list is surely a mile long, I do appreciate hearing his responses on the many suggestions that get raised.
10) Given the diverse gender orientations of those I GM for, I strongly appreciate their public stance on issues of diversity and inclusiveness. Considering the hell some of my friends have been put thru by those who are... less accepting, it means a lot to them too.
11) They've really taken the presentation of information in their adventures to the next level. Irrespective of whatever the given plot is, I simply find it so much easier to find and reference the information I need in the current APs and modules than in older adventures from the Dragon and Dungeon magazine days.
12) The subscription model and bundled PDFs are extremely handy.
13) The sense of community that they've fostered here. While I can't say with certainty that I've ever met someone else from the boards, I had only to look thru my favorites and fav'd by others last night to realize the sense of kinship there.
14) While I've never participated, RPG Superstar seems like a really awesome avenue for fans and contributors to bridge the gap between them... and make a few people's dreams come true in the process.
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- Because they talk to us on the boards, despite the efforts of a few that probably makes them regret doing that.
- They continue providing me with material for one of my chosen games, so I don't have to start over with a new one just to be playing something that's current and supported by new material.
- That they don't roll that material out faster than I can afford it.
- They continue to make out of print books available in PDF format so customers are not reduced to hunting for illegal scanned copies just to be able to read a paragraph or two of optional rules text or background material they'd like to know about.
- The way their Adventure Paths really do allow you to tell epic stories rather than just clearing random cave networks of whatever happens to have moved in.
- How they seem to be content making what they want to make, rather than trying to pander to customer demands. Yeah, that's a good thing, it tells me they're creating something they believe in rather than being purely profit-orientated. I'd rather see a product like that which caters to 50% of the customer base that one that tries to cater to 90% but has to put aside some principles to do so. I still know that they're there to make money at the end of the day, but there's lots of things they *could* do to squeeze more sales out of us but choose not to, and in return they've earned some loyalty from me.
- Because they haven't yet even mentioned the inkling of an idea of possibly thinking about the chances of considering a new version of Pathfinder (and I use "version" specifically, rather than "revision" or "edition", to mean something that does a similar job to but is not intended to be usable with the previous one. Call of Cthulhu has Editions, D&D has Versions.) My collection of material to use with Pathfinder is something I want to keep growing over the foreseeable future (replacing some books with newer revisions is fine), not something I want to draw a line under to start afresh with something new. If I want a new game, I'll start collecting a new game that isn't called "Pathfinder."
- Because they're still small enough to have that personal feeling when you're buying from them, yet large enough that we're not left wondering how many months the next book will be delayed by (yes, some books get delayed, usually the occasional hardcovers, but the vast majority of releases come out monthly.)
- Subscriptions. A discount that pretty much covers the international postage cost to me, a free PDF, and not having to worry they might be sold out before I notice something's been released. Plus it means all my money goes to the company that produced the product, and not to middlemen shifting boxes.
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I like Paizo because they don't feel like faceless corporation. Many game companies give me that feel but Paizo doesn't. Their customer service is so good I enjoy spending more money subscribing when I could go to Amazon and get it cheaper.
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25) They made gnomes interesting instead of just being short dwarves. Those fey-like, obsessive critters are awesome.
26) Pathfinder goblins. ...And their free goblin modules. Stealing words out of your head. The hate for horses and dogs. Their bad rhymes. Talk about fun flavor.
27) The option to buy PDFs. That's how Paizo hooked me at first. It also helps that I can still buy the PDFs for products now out of print.
28) Pawns. They're my guilty pleasure right now. I have the NPC Codex and Bestiary 1 pawns and I can't wait to get my hands on more. A cheap alternative to very expensive miniatures. My players love them too.
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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- Paizo's attitude/philosphy about how games should go aligns with mine. They expect a sane, reasonable GM and player group who cooperate to have fun telling exciting stories. I don't play in games where rogues are useless and casters play rocket tag. I think Paizo has targeted the midrange of their player base fairly well.
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#1. They DO listen to the community.
#2. They DO NOT use focus groups and polling data to create a bland, uninteresting product designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience. Instead they work to create the most innovative, best possible products and accept that some people will not always love them.
#3. Then they spend more time listening to the community.
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Rehashing what others have said, but...
- They make good products. And when a product falls short of the mark, they address the issue via the boards and/or in the next release.
- Customer Service runs through the company, but the CS reps are particularly outstanding. Anytime I've had an issue or question (maybe 4 times since 2007), it has been handled brilliantly. The latest in a string of great CS reps I've dealt with was Erik, who looked over the issue, agreed something weird was going on, replaced missing product, offset shipping costs, and told me to keep an item shipped in error... all in a short, polite conversation where I never had to ask anything except that he look at some odd things in my shipments.
- The feeling that I've become part of an extended family which includes the staff, the freelancers, and the fans. I've sat in a game session with Nic Logue, Erik Mona, and Jason Bulmahn. I've chatted about gaming with Lisa Stevens in the halls at Gen Con. I've discussed Pathfinder products and the Society with Jeff Alvarez over a beer or 3. I've had Mike Selinker tell me he came to PaizoCon just to play in a game I was running. I've been referred to as "cursed Shackle-Folk" by Bulmahn. I had SKR tell me I should GM the Delve, encourage me to write, and re-purpose a Saturday morning cartoon song for my family. I've bantered with Cosmo. I've had Liz Courts bring me cookies.
Salty crunchy goodness.
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Most of what I would say has already been said. There's this...
Paizo is constantly on the messageboards, fielding questions.
...and the similar...
- Because they talk to us on the boards, despite the efforts of a few that probably makes them regret doing that.
And I would add that Paizo often maintains its civility, even in some situations when tempers start rising.
There's also this...
...now that I've thought about , it's actually a brilliant business model and it suits me just fine. I just focus on the parts of the world that interest me and let the rest be. And every other player can do the same.
...and this...
The sense of community that they've fostered here.
...and these...
27) The option to buy PDFs. That's how Paizo hooked me at first. It also helps that I can still buy the PDFs for products now out of print.
28) Pawns. They're my guilty pleasure right now. I have the NPC Codex and Bestiary 1 pawns and I can't wait to get my hands on more. A cheap alternative to very expensive miniatures. My players love them too.
...and this...
They let 3pp companies put out fixes and alternatives to material players take issue with and in doing so introduce new players to these companies and their amazing products! This is awesome
Their commitment to creating a fun, diverse world for people to play in.
Their commitment to creating a fun, safe, and diverse community on these messageboards an their involvement here.
Their ability to take old tropes and make them feel fresh and new.
Their almost preternatural ability to know exactly how/when to make concessions to internal logic for a better gaming experience without ruining the internal logic.
Their ability to both be serious about the game while keeping in mind that it is a game and should be fun.
And much much more.
I don't feel like they look down on me as a gamer. With other companies, I always feel like they view me simply as a revenue stream, and with a dash of condescension besides. This is a huge thing to me, as I'm very -very- distrustful of companies and their intentions almost to a fault. Conversely, that makes me very loyal to a company that earns my trust.
Paizo embraced OGL in a way that makes me believe every company should follow a similar model. The PRD enabled me to get my friends to play without having to buy rule books. Yet, the game and setting are enticing enough to purchase books about them. Paizo utilizes a model that's inclusive for new players, yet profitable.
Paizo embraced OGL in a way that makes me believe every company should follow a similar model. The PRD enabled me to get my friends to play without having to buy rule books. Yet, the game and setting are enticing enough to purchase books about them. Paizo utilizes a model that's inclusive for new players, yet profitable.
That's right! The PRD. So even if the rulebooks PDFs at just $10 each, we have all the rules right there on the internet for free.
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Oh!
- The visual appeal of the products. The artwork is top notch, but it goes beyond that to the layout and design, even the fonts (after the original RotR). My personal favourites are the use of the inner covers on the AP's, notably Legacy of Fire, Jade Regent, and Reign of Winter.
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- Their people
- Their commitment to quality
- Their willingness to try new things
- Their customer service (including warehouse crew)
- Their openness about their business, goals and intentions
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The willingness to try new things.
Fun christmas cards.
That despite all the garbage thrown their way they allow us the gamers to hang out on this forum. And that they allow me to play my games from their own site.
Last time I spent money on an RPG was in high school; probably CoC or Stormbringer. And the last time I spent money on That Game was probably for Unearthed Arcana. So...long hiatus.
My friends encouraged me to check out Pathfinder; I loved it from the get-go (had similar questions about Golarion as Dustin Ashe, then embraced it wholeheartedly), and I've been buying stuff and playing with renewed vigor ever since.
Here are mine:
1) Paizo is constantly on the messageboards, fielding questions.
And then there's James Jacobs' thread... Enough said.
2) I remember the old 3.5 adventures. They don't hold a candle to the adventure paths and modules of Pathfinder. I'm reading Rise of the Runelords in preparation to run it. And I can't wait to get my players going.
Yes & yes. Altho some of the early AD&D adventures were fantastically imaginative.
Yes & yes. Altho some of the early AD&D adventures were fantastically imaginative.
That's cool to know. Any in particular? And do you know if anyone's taken the initiative to convert them to Pathfinder or 3.5?
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B1 & B2 for newbs.
G1, 2,3.
Ravenloft.
S1, S2, S3
T1-4.
I1.
X1, X2.
C1.
WG4
Non-TSR: Caverns of Thracia and Tegel Manor .
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Casts resurrect thread.
I had a couple of Paizo-positive experiences in the past week.
First, I made a post in response to a blog that could have been seen as a snarky shot against the company or staff. Instead, it was taken in the spirit intended - as a bit of fun ribbing between friends. So far, it has been "favorited" by 2 current and 1 former staff members.
Second, I received extremely gracious responses from 2 regular freelancers whose products I reviewed. While they are not technically Paizo employees, it goes to show that the awesomeness of the people who work for Paizo extends beyond the HQ.
Excellent customer service (I learned this way back when they were still publishing Dragon Magazine).
Accessible staff--if you have a question or a problem, whether you post it in the messageboards or via the private message option, you are guaranteed a quick and helpful response.
They publish Pathfinder.
Splendiferous writing and artwork in every book. I am always reassured that even though I'm paying a hefty sum, every item Paizo publishes has been meticulously crafted and designed for our group's enjoyment.
They have created a community of players from all over who are more than willing to help each other and shell out advice for less experienced players, like myself.
Pathfinder grants us the power to completely customize a character without any painful limitations, be it gender, a whole swath of races, passions, and traits, no two characters are ever the same.
Thank You Paizo for making every Saturday awesome!
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They're the most approachable people I've ever come across in any industry. Although my experiences are purely from the boards in this regard, I've never come across a company where everyone from the owners down to the freelancers they employ can talk so openly and honestly with the customer base.
They take constructive criticism as it is intended. They handle the boards beautifully in my mind. It's a fine balance between listening to your fan base and still following your own concepts. These guys really have the balance down to an art form.
The adventure paths they produce are the best I've read in any game system I've played to date, and I've played quite a few. While not every adventure path suits me or my players, they have produced enough of the ones that are right up my alley that I have enough stuff to run now that I probably never need to buy anything again. However, I'll still keep buying stuff because it's that good. As a note, other companies have produced pretty good APs, but nothing near as consistently as Paizo.
I love the books they release to support the APs . As a DM who happily adds detail to the APs I order for my players to get a richer understanding of Golarion, this stuff is magic, pure and simple. There's jut enough support material that I can afford it. I buy the campaign books and the players books only. If I had more cash I'd try for the NPC cards and the treasure decks as well just to add more to my games. Alas....cash.
They have done more to support the community in the last few years than most of the other companies they compete against. Society games have grown phenomenally, they support writers through PFS scenarios as well as their yearly competitions for new freelancers. They seem to seek out and give work to new freelance artists regularly as well from what I can tell on the boards and info I've garnered from art sites on ended interwebs.
In all, apart from really good products, they are company that understands the need to support and grow this gaming system in order for it thrive and for people out there to get the best experiences possible.
Cheers,
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Man, there are a lot... Hmmm...
I've been GMing for better than twenty years now and running the APs make me realize important stuff about my GMing that I'd been neglecting.
Everyone's openness on the boards and at GenCon. So much communication.
Making a game everyone can feel like they have a place in regardless of gender, race, sexuality, or any of that.
Related to that, just acknowledging people have relationships and are sometimes motivated by sex. It's not something that comes up on the forums a lot, but this is actually really important to me.
Going above and beyond the requirements of the OGL to provide a good experience. I own basically everything on the PRD, but it's still super handy.
Everyone seems well-treated and supported by management. Having spent many years in customer support, it makes me really happy see a company treating its CS people as human beings capable of exercising authority and fixing problems.
Releasing consistently good product with high production values, great art, and solid editing.
Salim. What? It's my list, I can give Salim a bullet point if I want.
I'm probably forgetting some things, but the one that we rave about most in the comfort of our gaming group is definitely the inclusiveness. Keep up the good work.
Cheers!
Landon
I agree with so much what was listed above...I'll add these.
- I used to hate modules. Still do except theirs. The APs is really good idea.
- They just have this way of opening my mind up even more...as a example after about 3 Monster books I am usually done as I feel you will just run out of good ideas. Not only have all their Bestiaries been really good I am actually looking forward to their 5th.
- They done stuff that should have been done a long time ago...like a the NPC codex and the Monster Codex.
Paizo staff. They are engaged with the customers and actually seem to enjoy it. That's very important.
Pathfinder. It's a great game that just keeps staying fresh and fun.
Pathfinder Society. It's a lot of fun, very well supported and it's everywhere.
In no particular order.
*Good customer service.
*Easy to get in touch with/active on the forums.
*Has no plans for a second edition of their game (that I'm aware of).
*Makes a great game, with great adventures and other books.
1) Consistently great Big Books (even if the ACG has some kinks, that's 1 for 15, which is a lot better than I remember the 3.5 batting average being)
2) The fact that there aren't nearly as many Big Books as in 3.5, but you get a lot more mileage out of every Big Book you get.
3) The fact that said Big Books are all on the PRD, for both players and developers to go nuts with - again unlike 3.5 which only had 4 Core books available. The PRD is a vastly superior Reference Document than the SRD ever was.
4) The lack of redundant classes - 5 years on, and only 29 classes to be found (32 with the Ninja, Samurai, and Antipaladin), and all 29 have unique flavors to distinguish themselves from one another
5) The lack Prestige Class spamming - I remember when Prestige Classes were the end-all-be-all and there were literally HUNDREDS of them, often redundant with one another; instead, we have a limited number of really cool Prestige Classes that generally don't overlap, and are fun/awesome but aren't ABSOLUTELY necessary.
6) Archetypes that allow for extreme levels of customization without having to have tons of similar classes, and prestige classes.
7) The fact that Archetypes and the Classes themselves make you WANT to either go from lv1 to lv20 in one class, or maybe dip/multiclass into one other class, rather than go Prestige-Class-Hopping.
8) The fact that, after all these changes in theory to the system's design, I can take 10-year-old characters and import them into the system with just a few changes - and, in fact, make them even BETTER than they were in 3.5
9) The fact that Paizo started by creating all the best stuff for 3.5 in Dragon Magazine, and continues to create the best "D&D" material after going it solo with Pathfinder.
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Free sex and booze.
Also, my first date with my soon-to-be-wife was disguised as character creation for a Pathfinder campaign.
Wait, this means Cosmo gets to choose our firstborns second name. Oh, crap.
I'm sure he'll be merciful.
...
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
*wipes tears of mirth*
Anyway, I love that that the staff remains so engaged with the community. There probably would still be a community without that, but it wouldn't be nearly as good.
More importantly, I love that the company as a whole is committed to always doing better. There are mistakes, there are missteps, but they acknowledge them, they learn from them, and then they do better next time. That is a very rare trait, and getting that from an entire company thing is a special thing indeed. Corny as it sounds, it inspires me to do better too.
I'd just like to take this chance to thank Paizonians past and present for their contributions to awesomeness. It means a lot and we are all grateful for it, even if we don't always show it as much as we should.
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10) The fact that the exact nature and obstacles of the Test of the Starstone is ambiguous, thus letting me imagine that Cayden Cailean achieved Godhood by soloing the Tomb of Horrors while drunk.