Creating a game

aramis erak · Oct 18, 2020

DnD Warlord said:
If I wanted to make my own RPG and sell it how hard is it? Not the mechanics (hard enough) not the fluff (still hard enough) but the actually selling it. Where do you find printing and editors? How do you spread word of it?
If I wanted to make my own retro clone d&d useing the old ogl is that easier or harder then a whole new fantasy system?
I figure you guys MUST have some expertise here.

I have made my own rules and even whole system mash ups before... but if I wanted to sell it could I??

If you're brave/foolish, you can self publish. If you're good and lucky, you might actually make a go of it that way.

Finding a publisher is a whole lot of convincing the publisher that your game is worth their staff time, money, and reputation. It can't hurt to ask for their submission guidelines first - Most will NOT accept a submission that is unsolicited, and most will want a short precis rather than a manuscript in the evealuation

If you find a publisher of any quality, they're going provide an editor, and probably also a layout guy and art director. That's why the publisher takes the lion's share... they take the bigger risk in terms of investment of time and money, and keeping the supporting talent on retainer and/or employed.

A good editor is well worth it for final quality.

If you self publish, and that's a better option now than any point prior, you've got to get the word out. Nobody buys what they never hear about...
... but the days of easy advertisement by paying TSR/Paizo for an advert in Dragon and getting worldwide ...

If you're going to try to make money at it, make a business plan, see if your local bank has a banker who is available to review it with you. If you're going to be your own point of sale, aslo get a legal consult from an attorney, looking for obligations and procedural requirements.

aramis erak · Oct 18, 2020

Jd Smith1 said:
At least with PoD, you don't end up with stacks of books in your attic, as a ex-player of mine has since learned.

Better Games (Red Rahm and Conrad Hilmer) wound up with cases of Crimson Cutlass left-over... I don't know if they have any left, but I wouldn't be surprised. That dates back to the early 90's... If Red has any left, I'm certain he'd love to sell you a set. (He's also added them to Kindle in electronic

Note that if you operate as a business, you may wind up with inventory taxes, too...

And, of course, there are potential zoning restrictions and/or covenants which may prevent running a business from home.

Morrus · Oct 18, 2020

Jd Smith1 said:
At least with PoD, you don't end up with stacks of books in your attic, as a ex-player of mine has since learned.

That’s where Kickstarter comes in. Measures the demand before you commission the print run.

DnD Warlord · Oct 18, 2020

Thank you. I knew you guys would have some idea on what I should look into

Jd Smith1 · Oct 18, 2020

Morrus said:
That’s where Kickstarter comes in. Measures the demand before you commission the print run.

His epic fail occurred long before KS. But you're right, that's a useful screening process to determine if you've even got a chance.

ByOdinsBeardRPG · Oct 19, 2020

I'm right in the thick of self-publishing at the moment. Have a PDF live on DriveThruRPG and had printed copies made to sell on Amazon and Etsy. I went the OGL route, using the 5e SRD. This method is much easier than building your own system from scratch and easier for your prospective audience too, as they don't have to learn a whole new system. As I'm using OGL I don't have access to WotC's premium toys like Ravenloft and beholders and mind flayers and such, but it gives me more flexibility to sell elsewhere and not just on DM's Guild.

So far I've done everything myself, from writing to illustrating to editing to marketing, and I'd be struggling if I didn't have a day job that pays the bills. At the moment it's more of a hobby and passion project but I'd like to think things are in place if it takes off.

The most difficult part for me so far has been the marketing side and getting eyes on my adventure. This is where I have the least experience and where the real challenge lies. I do have a second book coming out next month, so I might take the Kickstarter route as it'll be ready to print and it'll help gauge interest for numbers (as mentioned by @Morrus earlier).

Most of my time now is spent spreading the word, building communities here and on Reddit, reaching out to potential reviewers and YouTubers, and struggling with Amazon over how my listing looks. It's a big learning curve and there are a lot of walls to climb over, so start small and slowly grow your understanding and connections.

DnD Warlord · Oct 19, 2020

ByOdinsBeardRPG said:
I'm right in the thick of self-publishing at the moment. Have a PDF live on DriveThruRPG and had printed copies made to sell on Amazon and Etsy. I went the OGL route, using the 5e SRD. This method is much easier than building your own system from scratch and easier for your prospective audience too, as they don't have to learn a whole new system. As I'm using OGL I don't have access to WotC's premium toys like Ravenloft and beholders and mind flayers and such, but it gives me more flexibility to sell elsewhere and not just on DM's Guild.

So far I've done everything myself, from writing to illustrating to editing to marketing, and I'd be struggling if I didn't have a day job that pays the bills. At the moment it's more of a hobby and passion project but I'd like to think things are in place if it takes off.

The most difficult part for me so far has been the marketing side and getting eyes on my adventure. This is where I have the least experience and where the real challenge lies. I do have a second book coming out next month, so I might take the Kickstarter route as it'll be ready to print and it'll help gauge interest for numbers (as mentioned by @Morrus earlier).

Most of my time now is spent spreading the word, building communities here and on Reddit, reaching out to potential reviewers and YouTubers, and struggling with Amazon over how my listing looks. It's a big learning curve and there are a lot of walls to climb over, so start small and slowly grow your understanding and connections.

That is very insightful. Thank you. Also may I ask the name of your ogl company

ByOdinsBeardRPG · Oct 19, 2020

DnD Warlord said:
That is very insightful. Thank you. Also may I ask the name of your ogl company

I just used the official D&D 5e SRD:

Systems Reference Document | Dungeons & Dragons

Read the Systems Reference Document (SRD) with guidelines for publishing content under Creative Commons and the Open-Gaming License (OGL).

dnd.wizards.com

The Open Gaming License (OGL) means you can use the information in the SRD as long as you follow the OGL guidelines. You don't need to use a specific company, you can do everything yourself. Cheers.

Creating a game

aramis erak

Legend

aramis erak

Legend

Morrus

Well, that was fun

DnD Warlord

Adventurer

Jd Smith1

Hero

ByOdinsBeardRPG

Villager

DnD Warlord

Adventurer

ByOdinsBeardRPG

Villager

Systems Reference Document | Dungeons & Dragons

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