How about a deadline to WotC?

[Aberzanzorax]

I'm a D&D fan. I prefer 3rd edition. I considered playing 4th edition because there would be good third party support on board. Then the GSL happened. Or didn't.

I know Scott Rouse supposedly has been working on it, but it's been FOREVER.

I suggest that each third party publisher independently (or in a "union" or "coalition" along with other companies that want to produce 4th edition products) set a deadline to WotC. If there is not a viable GSL at that point, each company (or all the companies) will go with Pathfinder.

I'd love to see this move along with some haste.

I've posted similar threads to the forums of some of these companies:
Necromancer Games
How about a deadline to WotC? - General Discussion - General - Necromancer Games - Message Board - Yuku
How about a deadline to WotC? - Upcoming Releases - Products - Necromancer Games - Message Board - Yuku
Green Ronin
Green Ronin Publishing :: View topic - How about a deadline to WotC?

If any of you know of other third party publishers holding off due to the GSL's not being viable, please post, and I'll post to their forums as well.

Thanks!

 

[JVisgaitis]

Eh, I'm sure they are doing everything they can. I think setting a deadline creates more tension. I'm fine with waiting. I know people who want the products aren't, but it is what it is.

 

[JeffB]

snip

Yeah , let's make demands and ultimatums to WOTC to use THEIR IP

Yeah..that oughta work

 

[Rechan]

This implies that WotC needs third party groups.

How much of the non-EnWorld/Die Hard Internet fanbase follows third party news, let alone would be greatly impacted if Third Parties left the game? Many places where people buy their books have few if any third party options. And many gamers just play "What D&D is".

Pathfinder is a limited number of people. It's also a hedgy bet: where will Pathfinder be in 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? Compare that to being on the side of WotC.

Worse yet, a deadline of this magnitude may not help matters. Scott Rouse is the only one working on it. You also have the issue that it coudl be the legal team holding up. Said legal team likely won't be intimidated by 3rd party hostage taking. Scott Rouse likely can't force the issue, deadline or no.

 

[Obryn]

How in the world do you think this will help?

-O

 

[JVisgaitis]

This implies that WotC needs third party groups.

How much of the non-EnWorld/Die Hard Internet fanbase follows third party news, let alone would be greatly impacted if Third Parties left the game? Many places where people buy their books have few if any third party options. And many gamers just play "What D&D is".

Pathfinder is a limited number of people. It's also a hedgy bet: where will Pathfinder be in 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? Compare that to being on the side of WotC.

Worse yet, a deadline of this magnitude may not help matters. Scott Rouse is the only one working on it. You also have the issue that it coudl be the legal team holding up. Said legal team likely won't be intimidated by 3rd party hostage taking. Scott Rouse likely can't force the issue, deadline or no.

This. Much better than my feeble attempt. Well said.

 

[Aberzanzorax]

Maybe, Maybe not.

I'm not necessarily JUST saying that "Hostage taking" should occur (though admittedly that is part of it).

I'm saying a few things here:

1. If third party are important, WotC might put some more resources into Scott Rouse's corner...whatever those resources might be. They might just relax some of the other innumerable demands upon the poor guy. I'm not suggesting Scott Rouse doesn't care or isn't working on it on purpose. I'm suggesting that he is overburdened and CAN'T make it a priority. That or WotC/Hasbro isn't making it a priority if it is stuck in lawyers or whatever.

2. If third party are important, this extra pressure might just help this to happen. I know I will only be getting into fourth edition with sufficient 3rd party support. Necromancer would be enough (or Malhavoc if they started publishing). Multiple other 3rd party supporters that I like would also be enough: Say a quorum of Green Ronin, Goodman (who IS supporting), Mongoose, Privateer Press, Paradigm Concepts, and Fantasy Flight Games. Right now it is mostly smaller publishers I'm unfamiliar with. They might be great, but they're not enough to draw me in.

3. If third party support is NOT important, this might just be a message to them that WotC is going to sit on this GSL until the cows come home, and waiting for something viable is a pipe dream. Hence, taking a "poop or get off the pot" stance MIGHT be of use in this. It could even be a deadline set of "get it to us by February 2009 or we'll CONSIDER going with pathfinder". It need not be "hostage taking" but the message should be there. Of course, a firm deadline with a firm consequence would be more powerful.

4. Pathfinder, of course, is NOT WotC. They don't have the numbers, nor do they have the third party support (yet). However, lots of things start small. Necromancer had considered Pathfinder originally, and I wonder if they still are considering it. Other companies (like Privateer Press and Pardigm Concepts don't like 4e for their line of games). Pathfinder might be a better "fit" for their model anyway. I guess what I'm saying here is that IF there was enough third party support, it may help Pathfinder to continue to grow, making the venture more stable. This is part of the reason I have the "coalition" idea.

 

[Aus_Snow]

How much of the non-EnWorld/Die Hard Internet fanbase follows third party news, let alone would be greatly impacted if Third Parties left the game?

Most of the 3e-playing gamers I've met over the last oh, 5 years or so, for example. And that's actually quite a few gamers. Note: most, not all, but still. . . And yes, it's anecdotal, but then I can't think of a more reliable way for *me* to get a sense of these things. Anyone Else's Mileage Could Certainly Vary, Of Course. 3rd party books are definitely on the menu, around here, and have been for years. Well, some of them.

Pathfinder is a limited number of people. It's also a hedgy bet: where will Pathfinder be in 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? Compare that to being on the side of WotC.

Could you please back this up with some numbers? What do you mean by 'a limited number'? And, when it comes to bets and so on, the almighty WotC could go the way of GenCon, or yeah, TSR for that matter - who knows. You don't. I don't. . . etc.

 

[Aberzanzorax]

Pathfinder also becomes less of a hedgy bet when production is POSSIBLE rather than impossible with the nonexistent revised GSL.

If it were clear that it were the ONLY option, it suddenly becomes the BEST option by default.

 

[DaveMage]

If there is not a viable GSL at that point, Green Ronin (or all the companies) will go with Pathfinder.

Green Ronin (last I heard) was gearing up for their A Song of Ice and Fire RPG - I don't think they would go 4E or Pathfinder at this point beyond a possible Freeport companion guide for each system (unless it was a bestseller for them, which might lure them to test the waters with a 2nd product).