Whatever happened to Necromancer Games?

[JoeGKushner]

Actually, 4E haters really don't have to misrepresent anything regarding the GSL fiasco.

It was a colossal WotC failure.

Can you imagine if Paizo, Green Ronin, and Necromancer had been releasing product from the start with 4E? What would the landscape look like today?

Chances of Green Ronin and Paizo doing product for 4e regardless of the GLS aren't 100% thought. GR learned a huge lesson with 3.5 and Paizo learned about license changes with the yanking of Dragon/Dungeon.

There was quite a few threads where Green Ronin noted that they were 'done' with works licensed off someone else's priority system and have been working hard to prove that with their own variants (True 20, Mutants and Masterminds) and support for their in-house settings (Fire and Ice, Dragon Age) as opposed to NEW material for the OGL. Hopefully the Freeport Pathfinder version does well for them.

 

[malraux]

I do wonder why it is that we get so much spam for nike shoes here.

 

[DaveMage]

Chances of Green Ronin and Paizo doing product for 4e regardless of the GLS aren't 100% thought. GR learned a huge lesson with 3.5 and Paizo learned about license changes with the yanking of Dragon/Dungeon.

I agree. The license would have to have been structured in such a way that protected those who participated (ala the OGL). Any kind of termination language would likely have given the 3pps pause (which, of course, ultimately is the reason why many aren't participating).

 

[DaveMage]

I doubt WotC thinks it is a failure. I think they have the 3pp market just where they want it.

I think they have the 4E 3pp where they want it, yes.

 

[ggroy]

I think they have the 4E 3pp where they want it, yes.

WotC's intentions are to have the 3PP companies only really producing modules?

 

[DaveMage]

WotC's intentions are to have the 3PP companies only really producing modules?

Modules or niche stuff that likely wouldn't sell as well as desired for them, yes.

 

[ggroy]

Modules or niche stuff that likely wouldn't sell as well as desired for them, yes.

Even the top 4E 3pp module producer (Goodman) has been on a slower release schedule, compared to their 3.5E heydays (ie. Dungeon Crawl Classics).

A conspiracy theorist could argue that the 4E 3pp market is no longer viable, even for the top dog.

 

[Jack99]

I think they have the 4E 3pp where they want it, yes.

I think it is the only 3pp market they care about. I doubt they care about the 3 guys in a basement who still produce stuff for 3.5 or the rather small companies that produce 3pp products for Pathfinder.

Of course, if you still count Paizo as a 3PP to D&D, they might care somewhat more about that market. But as far as I am concerned, Paizo has their own brand and should no longer be counted as a 3PP.

 

[carmachu]

I doubt WotC thinks it is a failure. I think they have the 3pp market just where they want it.

That may very well be correct. But from a consumer POV, it was an extreme failure. Without OGL, I dont think I'd have been back and stayed back this time around. Without OGL, one could argue a bit that 4e might not have taken the road it took...

 

[Filcher]

I enjoy 4th edition.

The GSL was a fiasco.

Yet, I am not a hater.

Ditto.

A chalk my vote up for "the DDI killed the 3pp star."