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<blockquote data-quote="Alphastream" data-source="post: 7647757" data-attributes="member: 11365"><p>Not only are there many people that play RPGs from other publishers, but it can be argued that one of the terrible parts of the OGL was the way it encouraged companies to all become d20 and to spit out poor material. A lot of this was a reaction to incorrect expectations, the same way we saw companies like FASA get into CCGs and eventually lose a lot of money, or people gold rushing in California. Yes, we saw many individuals get better at writing for D&D (sometimes at the expense of customers), but that wasn't healthy overall. </p><p></p><p>It is possible for something like the OGL to create a healthier RPG industry, particularly if there were a way to regulate quality a bit better and if there were some barriers to entry that prevented anyone from thinking a "d20" sticker was the sure road to profit. The bust of 3E d20 and 4E being closed has helped create a wider diversity of games and the RPG industry seems healthier for it. We now see games using various engines (as with Leverage using Cortex or Dresden Files using Fate - and even a Dresden playset for Fiasco) and seeming to be much stronger for it. I and others would argue this diversity is very much a strength and sorely needed.</p><p></p><p></p><p>That really made me laugh! It is true that the edition wars benefit Paizo greatly. But, I don't see anyone at Paizo saying that. Keep in mind many Wizards and Paizo employees are friends and a number of freelancers work for both companies.</p><p></p><p></p><p>It isn't clear what the size of the market is. I doubt anyone has a good feel for it. Even if they do, I doubt they know what to do with that information. I would guess there is no reason to try to win over ardent fans of another RPG. Better to bring in people external to the hobby. For example, the tons of college age players (and younger) attending PAX. They are there for video games primarily, but many can easily be roped into becoming at least casual players of RPGs. (And, I saw hundreds of them try D&D for the first time and love it. I loved seeing tables with incredible gender and age diversity, all having a blast learning D&D).</p><p></p><p></p><p>Ok, but that isn't good for anyone. Part of the reason the industry has serious issues is that the game itself presents barriers to gamers buying product. If we want to see the industry grow, we need to find ways to further spending (or keep bringing in new faces). </p><p></p><p>I also think you make too big a deal out of the edition wars as being something born of the two companies. This is largely a player/Internet thing. The designers are all committed to making great RPGs. I have had the fortune of speaking to Paizo and Wizards designers, plus those that work with them, and the competition just about never comes up. Their focus is on making great games people want to play. This is the same focus all RPG companies have. They might be bigger and have to deal with marketing departments, but I don't hear the negativity of TSR (where they would famously try to do things despite marketing/suits). I hear instead proper controls and great designers and developers working extremely hard to make games we (and they) love.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Alphastream, post: 7647757, member: 11365"] Not only are there many people that play RPGs from other publishers, but it can be argued that one of the terrible parts of the OGL was the way it encouraged companies to all become d20 and to spit out poor material. A lot of this was a reaction to incorrect expectations, the same way we saw companies like FASA get into CCGs and eventually lose a lot of money, or people gold rushing in California. Yes, we saw many individuals get better at writing for D&D (sometimes at the expense of customers), but that wasn't healthy overall. It is possible for something like the OGL to create a healthier RPG industry, particularly if there were a way to regulate quality a bit better and if there were some barriers to entry that prevented anyone from thinking a "d20" sticker was the sure road to profit. The bust of 3E d20 and 4E being closed has helped create a wider diversity of games and the RPG industry seems healthier for it. We now see games using various engines (as with Leverage using Cortex or Dresden Files using Fate - and even a Dresden playset for Fiasco) and seeming to be much stronger for it. I and others would argue this diversity is very much a strength and sorely needed. That really made me laugh! It is true that the edition wars benefit Paizo greatly. But, I don't see anyone at Paizo saying that. Keep in mind many Wizards and Paizo employees are friends and a number of freelancers work for both companies. It isn't clear what the size of the market is. I doubt anyone has a good feel for it. Even if they do, I doubt they know what to do with that information. I would guess there is no reason to try to win over ardent fans of another RPG. Better to bring in people external to the hobby. For example, the tons of college age players (and younger) attending PAX. They are there for video games primarily, but many can easily be roped into becoming at least casual players of RPGs. (And, I saw hundreds of them try D&D for the first time and love it. I loved seeing tables with incredible gender and age diversity, all having a blast learning D&D). Ok, but that isn't good for anyone. Part of the reason the industry has serious issues is that the game itself presents barriers to gamers buying product. If we want to see the industry grow, we need to find ways to further spending (or keep bringing in new faces). I also think you make too big a deal out of the edition wars as being something born of the two companies. This is largely a player/Internet thing. The designers are all committed to making great RPGs. I have had the fortune of speaking to Paizo and Wizards designers, plus those that work with them, and the competition just about never comes up. Their focus is on making great games people want to play. This is the same focus all RPG companies have. They might be bigger and have to deal with marketing departments, but I don't hear the negativity of TSR (where they would famously try to do things despite marketing/suits). I hear instead proper controls and great designers and developers working extremely hard to make games we (and they) love. [/QUOTE]
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