Quote:
Originally Posted by Flatus Maximus  So a more "user-friendly" GSL is...
...good for 4E -- more 3PP support for 4E means more options for 4Eers; those loyal to a particular 3PP will be more likely to give 4E a chance;
...bad for 3.5E -- more 3PP creative effort will be put into 4E and, thus, probably less 3PP creative effort will be put into 3.5;
...mixed for PF -- with less 3PP support for 3.5 , some 3.5ers will drift towards PF (or 4E); those loyal to a particular 3PP that might otherwise support 3.5/PF but is now supporting 4E will be more likely to give 4E a chance.
Approximately right? |
I don't really buy that. I think it's clear that there's still a market for 3.5, and it's wide open for the taking now that
WotC isn't making anymore of it. A more relaxed
GSL will potentially make it easier for publishers to cater to both. A fairly huge number is already drifting towards PF (based on observation, not the company's word that they're doing well alone). If anything, Paizo might be able to start up a line of
4E books in addition to their PF RPG books, but they sound reluctant, even if all of their criteria for the
GSL are met.
One thing to consider with them is that they have an ongoing publication schedule that exists regardless of edition change. Making a huge change from one edition to another can be very costly, especially if there is a gap between when the
GSL potentially ends and the next license (if there is one) comes into effect. This kind of gap doesn't work at all with a monthly publishing schedule, so they're better off sticking to one edition for as long as their products continue to sell.
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