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A good review will affect whether a product is "buy now" or "buy when I have some spare cash". If it has things I want, I'll buy it, one way or the other. A good review can also change my opinion from "that looks interesting" to "ooh, that looks awesome".
There are a lot of factors, really, but a good review is a good way to get me to part with my money. A bad review will either put me off, or slow me down.
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I have a side question; How often have any of you bought something as a result of a good review or avoided something due to a bad review?
Ii know that although I look for things to fill a viod or appease a need I do rely on reviews because I loathe to modify and house rule too often so try to get stable products.
Basically anytime I purchase a 3pp product. If it has multiple 1-2 star reviews, or the only review is 1-3 stars, I probably won't even look at it. There's just so much out there that I rely on the community and reviewers like Endzeitgeist to help me sift through it and avoid stinkers. I know that that means there's a possibility an unfair or biased review may make me miss a decent product, but I consider that risk more acceptable than wasting money on a junk product.
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I have a side question; How often have any of you bought something as a result of a good review or avoided something due to a bad review?
I just bought the Spheres of Power after your review and the other 5 star ones.
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Just did a long one. Spheres of Power. Its five stars and a tough contender for best product ever.
Similar to Oliver, I've been convinced and will pick up Spheres of Power for myself
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The Heroes of Thornwall, my first complete Pathfinder compatible book, went live on DTRPG today! It's a campaign starter and includes a town, tavern, NPCs, and a first adventure. As much as I'd like a review from a sales POV, I'd love to just hear back on how I did! If you'd like a review copy, PM me! http://drivethrurpg.com/product/145499/Heroes-of-Thornwall
I have a side question; How often have any of you bought something as a result of a good review or avoided something due to a bad review?
Ii know that although I look for things to fill a viod or appease a need I do rely on reviews because I loathe to modify and house rule too often so try to get stable products.
Good reviews have sold me pproducts.I have to look in my gaming folder at home to list how many of my products were review based buys.
Open playtests have also sold me products.
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I am historically not a review writer. What would be some advice as to how to write them?
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I am historically not a review writer. What would be some advice as to how to write them?
Start by giving an outline of the product. What is it, what's its role at the table, give an idea of the flavor, etc. Something like, "[Supplement name] is part of the [Thing] line of supplements, which introduce new classes that explore the theme of divine inspiration."
After that, try moving through the supplement in order of presentation. Talk about what you find first and how you feel it affects the game and aids or hurts the purpose of the supplement. Call out stuff that seems specifically good or specifically bad, to give folks an idea of both what to watch for and what the product brings to their table. This breakdown is probably the lion's share of the review, depending on the amount of detail you go into. Endzeitgeist, for instance, often goes into large detail, giving a blow-by-blow of each aspect of the supplement if he can.
End with a conclusion that gives your impression of how everything ties together, how you would feel about using it at the table. Here is where you want to talk about the overall editing and formatting, if you feel confident in doing so. Assign the product its rating with some final thoughts.
Then send me cookies. This is not part of the review process, but I live in hope of mysterious cookies showing up at my house in the mail.
A well-written review is one where you aren't afraid to be critical of things in the product that deserve it, and give praise where it's due. Make the rating match what you've written (I don't actually pick a rating until I've finished writing the words, for example, so that I can think back on what I've said and go with my overall feelings on the product).
Everyone has a different style, such as the extremely thorough ones done by Endzeitgeist, or my own efforts where I try to come up with two or three good things to enthuse about, two or three "bad" things to mention (for an explanation of why I put those quote marks in, see my review of Mythic Skills), and then an overall conclusion.
If you do it right (and it can be done in just a few sentences, though I think that would be hard, but then I'm a naturally wordy person) the person reading the review will understand why you gave it the rating you did, and that rating will help inform their decision to purchase the product or not.
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Gorgeous maps on that preview, Marc_Tassin...
How I usually review is a small intro explain what the product is and who it's for. If it's part of a series I reference the series or link to a previous review I wrote that's relevant.
Next I open up a word document and write my review in that because Paizo likes to eat reviews.
After that I usually use the table of contents page to structure my review and explain what I like about each section and what I find to be a problem.
If I remove stars I make it very clear exactly what it was that knocked off stars. It is never ok to just say something like "it's a mess" or "It's no good" without explaining why you think so. Is it a mess because of bad editing? Confused mechanics? Terrible PDF formatting that's annoying to read through?
Last I give a conclusion explaining what I felt about the product overall and saying whether or not I would allow it in my games.
Also if you received the item for free or in return for a review then you must disclaim.
Also if you received the item for free or in return for a review then you must disclaim.
"If the card didn't fit, you must admit."
Also if you received the item for free or in return for a review then you must disclaim."If the card didn't fit, you must admit."
"If the date didn't suck, you..."
Okay, nope, not going there.
Gorgeous maps on that preview, Marc_Tassin...
Thanks, Jacob! Those are by Mike Schley. He's fantastic. I also decided to go with my gut and make the game PWYW (Pay-What-You-Want). I'm probably crazy, but I feel good about it!
Gorgeous maps on that preview, Marc_Tassin...Thanks, Jacob! Those are by Mike Schley. He's fantastic. I also decided to go with my gut and make the game PWYW (Pay-What-You-Want). I'm probably crazy, but I feel good about it!
My confusion stems from the fact that you offer to give people review copies, but then then PWYW enables folks to do so themselves...
My confusion stems from the fact that you offer to give people review copies, but then then PWYW enables folks to do so themselves...Gorgeous maps on that preview, Marc_Tassin...Thanks, Jacob! Those are by Mike Schley. He's fantastic. I also decided to go with my gut and make the game PWYW (Pay-What-You-Want). I'm probably crazy, but I feel good about it!
When I posted that offer, I hadn't switched over to PWYW yet. About 12 hours after I launched the book I decided that I really wanted to go with PWYW and I made the switch. Sorry for the confusion!
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Another one up for Little Red Goblin Games Antimagic Sourcebook. Sad that this one is a bit sloppy.
I'll go through my collaction later today to see what could use reviewing.
Any of you reviewers out there willing to pass along information on the best way to contact you for a review? It always feels awkward to bug you guys to read our stuff so I would like to know the way to present it to you in the most palatable fashion possible...its kind of like asking for a first date.
My palms are sweaty just thinking about it.
I can only speak for myself but due to time-constraints (and how slow I am at reviewing) I have not yet taken anyone up on review copies. That said, I welcome private messages regarding reviews, whether it be a correction, update, request or suggestion. The nicest thing about PM's is that the notification is right at the top of the screen and doesn't require checking the comments on a product-page. The second-nicest thing about PM's is that they're private. ;]
When it comes to how often to ask… it's hard to say. Ask too often and it might seem desperate, but if you're too hesitant, nothing happens. Having introverted tendencies myself, I honestly don't know how to walk the fine line between the two, and err on the side of hesitancy. =P
Any of you reviewers out there willing to pass along information on the best way to contact you for a review? It always feels awkward to bug you guys to read our stuff so I would like to know the way to present it to you in the most palatable fashion possible...its kind of like asking for a first date.
My palms are sweaty just thinking about it.
If someone wants me to review something, just send me a PM. There are some topics like psionic I haven't read anything about yet, so I'd need basic material first before I can look into specific archtypes or something like that, but I think most things should be doable for me.
If someone wants me to review something, just send me a PM. There are some topics like psionic I haven't read anything about yet, so I'd need basic material first before I can look into specific archtypes or something like that, but I think most things should be doable for me.Any of you reviewers out there willing to pass along information on the best way to contact you for a review? It always feels awkward to bug you guys to read our stuff so I would like to know the way to present it to you in the most palatable fashion possible...its kind of like asking for a first date.
My palms are sweaty just thinking about it.
You don't have to tell me twice :)
Any of you reviewers out there willing to pass along information on the best way to contact you for a review? It always feels awkward to bug you guys to read our stuff so I would like to know the way to present it to you in the most palatable fashion possible...its kind of like asking for a first date.
My palms are sweaty just thinking about it.
I have to agree with everyone that says that a PM would be adequate. Just ask politely and it will likely happen particularly if they already review frequently.
Combination bump and "I just reviewed Mythic Monsters: Undead from Legendary Games" post.
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Aye, it's one of the Willing Deformity-feats in the Book of Vile Darkness, if I'm not mistaken...
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I'm a dork. XD
EDIT: Great jobs with the reviews, Chemlak, Necromental, Oliver, Malwing and Cuuniyevo!
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4; Contributor; Publisher, Legendary Games
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By the way, in BRAND-NEW Mythic Monsters: Colossal, we have included... the MYTHIC ZOMBIE TITAN!
Just thought you might like to know. :)
Thanks Chemlak! We'll make an undead-lover out of you yet!Isn't there a 3.5 feat for that?Yes. Lich-Loved.
And ewwwww.
This reminds me of a list of comedy spell names that's been floating around the Internet for a couple of decades, including sleep with dead (for real necromancers).
As for disclaimers: I'd suggest putting it up front (review transparency is encouraged).
Rule Zero: Underlings from Minotaur Games reviewed! No great surprise at the rating, but it really is just that damn good.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Thanks Chemlak! We'll make an undead-lover out of you yet!Isn't there a 3.5 feat for that?Yes. Lich-Loved.
And ewwwww.
Agreed. eewww!
Lorathorn, Thanks for both of the reviews on the Rusted Iron Games products. I feel like I am chasing you around the forums, thanking you in every thread, but I am giddy like a school-girl at having the first public reviews of my products. :)
New Review: Monk Unfettered by Henri Hakl Games
New Review: Monk Unfettered by Henri Hakl Games
Thank you Oliver Volland! In due time I'll amend the PDF with some small corrections/clarifications based on your review.
Just to get it out there: I'm almost caught up on reviews, so if anyone wants to contact me about doing a review for a product, a PM here is the best way. I don't bite (though I do tend to waffle on beyond the time I should stop). I have a marked preference for monsters, NPCs, Kingdom-building stuff, and Mythic, but I'll turn my hand to anything.
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While I only have one product out at the moment, if anyone wants to review Path of Shadows I'd be more than happy to send you a copy.
The book is mostly focused on rules and crunch involving darkness, shadows, and illusions, and runs the full gamut of classes, archetypes, options, feats, spells, and magic items. No mythic material or monsters, though. I might do mythic in the future, but I admit that my weakest aspect as a designer for Pathfinder is monster creation so I tend to avoid it (also artwork for monsters is expensive >_>).
While I only have one product out at the moment, if anyone wants to review Path of Shadows I'd be more than happy to send you a copy.
The book is mostly focused on rules and crunch involving darkness, shadows, and illusions, and runs the full gamut of classes, archetypes, options, feats, spells, and magic items. No mythic material or monsters, though. I might do mythic in the future, but I admit that my weakest aspect as a designer for Pathfinder is monster creation so I tend to avoid it (also artwork for monsters is expensive >_>).
I'd be interested in reviewing Path of Shadows. I'm a bit overbloated with third party material and underfunded but after End's review I found the concept intriguing enough to put on my wishlist.
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While I only have one product out at the moment, if anyone wants to review Path of Shadows I'd be more than happy to send you a copy.
The book is mostly focused on rules and crunch involving darkness, shadows, and illusions, and runs the full gamut of classes, archetypes, options, feats, spells, and magic items. No mythic material or monsters, though. I might do mythic in the future, but I admit that my weakest aspect as a designer for Pathfinder is monster creation so I tend to avoid it (also artwork for monsters is expensive >_>).
Reviewers should seriously take him up on this offer. Path of Shadows is really amazing, and is definitely a quality product. I'll actually be running a bunch of materials from it at our Third-Party Thursdays event tomorrow, and everyone who's had a chance to peek at the book during our previous games is really excited to finally be getting to play with it.
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Seginus, I'd be willing to give it a go for a review. I've been writing a few lately. I have one I am working on for another publisher at the moment but that's it right now.
Thank you for your consideration.
Reviewers should seriously take him up on this offer. Path of Shadows is really amazing, and is definitely a quality product. I'll actually be running a bunch of materials from it at our Third-Party Thursdays event tomorrow, and everyone who's had a chance to peek at the book during our previous games is really excited to finally be getting to play with it.
I'm looking forward to reading how it goes! And I'm glad your players like it; most groups I've introduced it to had at least one player want to play a nightblade immediately, with the rest interested in other stuff from the book, so I think that speaks for its appeal.
Also, thanks to everyone who has volunteered to do a review! The more reviews we 3PP get, the more it helps people decide on whether to buy a product or not. You all are doing publishers everywhere a HUGE favor. :D
So what I didn't write in my previous post is that I have a weakness for three types of caster magic based on fantasy novels I have read over the last couple of decades. In no specific order, Truename magic, magic based on using music in some way shape or form and shadow magic.
My favorite character that I have played in all my years of gaming was a straight progression Shadowcaster from Tome of Magic. I took him all the way to 28th level. We used an amalgamation of Epic Level Handbook plus some custom epic material. Did it have a few issues along the way, sure, but it was a fun class and at the end of the campaign, it was my character that ended the world.
So that being said, I am looking forward to see what you have done with shadow magic and how you have implemented it.
Thanks again.
New Review: Vengeance of the Long Serpent (Northland Saga Book 1) by Frog God Games
Have fun!
Aaaaand, reviews Path of Shadows. For a first product its a pretty hefty book. I do enjoy products that kind of make me like a subject I didn't really think about before and this one delivered.
I got busy and slowed down a lot but I'm almost up to 80 reviews with a lot more to go.