Creature Catalog to be Published

[Da Man]

Perhaps the part about this becoming more disturbing was a bit of hyperbole, but the rest was not.

It is apparent that I am in the minority, at least in this thread.

I simply believe that, on the face of it, this site is a success because of fans. I believe that the Creature Catalogue received the press it did, and got links to it from other sites, because it was a free resource (and, both well done and needed by other RP players.)

What I meant when I used what Clark refers to as Hyperbole (and I consider this a loose distinction by Clark, but will go with it) was that the whole theme of this thread seems to be what a great service Necromancer Games is doing for the Fans by putting this out for sale.

I don't see it that way. The info being provided on the site, for free, is great for both the game and the gaming community. The info being sold by Necromancy Games is admittedly great for these people that put the work into it, but also great for Necromancy Games.

It is not great for either the game or the fans on the face of it. There are "possible" trickle-down benefits to the fan community, but (and I repeat) it disturbs me that the tone of the thread is that we ought to stroke checks to Necromancy Games like we do to non-profit organizations because of all the altruistic stuff it does (this being an example of Hyperbole, for anyone who cares.)

If, instead, the horse had been called a horse, I'd have left it to only my original post and not these follow ups.

 

[Morrus]

One thing that does occur (a slight tangent) - are the [original] monsters currently open (the ones in Asgard are - not sure about the rest)? If so, there would be nothing to stop any publisher just doing this anyway, without Scott or Erica. Seems to me that (again, assuming that that is the case) having them involved is surely a good thing.

That aside - would publishing them in a book necessarily necessitate their removal from the online CC? If they're open, then there would obviously be no legal requirement to do so; even if they aren't, they could a) still be made open or b) remain onsite with Necromancers' permission.

I can't see the site (cool though it is) seriously impacting the sales of a hardcover book; even if the majority of potential customers did know about the site (and only a tiny fraction will), they would still be likely to prefer a nice book rather than a bunh of related html pages on a website.

Personally, I think we should just be pleased for Scott & Erica and leave Clark to worry about the rest. They've worked hard, and now they're getting something back. What could be cooler than that?

 

[Orcus]

"it disturbs me that the tone of the thread is that we ought to stroke checks to Necromancy Games like we do to non-profit organizations because of all the altruistic stuff it does (this being an example of Hyperbole, for anyone who cares.)"

I'm not asking for that. I'm just responding to an allegation that Necro was being some pirate taking fan submissions and publishing them. That isnt the case at all. I dont want to be stroked. I'm just telling the facts.

As for it being good for gamers, I think it is. There is a value to haveing a printed version of a valuable source, bound and ready to take to game sessions. If there was no value to that then no one would buy a PHB or MM or DMG since they are online in (almost) their entirety in the d20 SRD.

Clark

 

[Orcus]

"I can't see the site (cool though it is) seriously impacting the sales of a hardcover book; even if the majority of potential customers did know about the site (and only a tiny fraction will), they would still be likely to prefer a nice book rather than a bunh of related html pages on a website."

I agree.

And when I saw Scott had taken the site down pending publication I told him to put it back up. I think the site is a great resource and creates excitement. I dont see any reason to stop the site just because we publish a product with some of the content (plus a good amount of new content).

Clark

 

[GF Jeff]

As for it being good for gamers, I think it is. There is a value to haveing a printed version of a valuable source, bound and ready to take to game sessions. If there was no value to that then no one would buy a PHB or MM or DMG since they are online in (almost) their entirety in the d20 SRD.

I agree. I don't know if I'm in the minority around these forums or not, but I admit to having no interest whatsoever in visiting a website to download monsters, but purchasing a shiny new monster book in print is right up my alley. So, were it not for this endeavor, I might never appreciate all the hard work done on the CC. And all the caca about this being the end of the world is good for a laugh, but that's about all it's good for.

Jeffrey S. Carter
Head Writer / Assistant Editor
Gaming Frontiers
www.gamingfrontiers.com

 

[Grazzt]

OK- guess it is my turn.

As for Necromancer Games pirating my site or trying to turn a quick dollar off of it, as Clark said, I approached them about it (both he and Bill). My idea, pure and simple. Not to make money, but to provide a true-to-life book for all the peeps that have ever asked for a monster, conversion, etc. I had my reasons, but it was not for any monetary gain.

Now- the entire book will most likely not be conversions, nor will it contain 100% of my website. There is quite a bit of IP stuff on there and I don't think WotC wants us walking on their toes..plus, I really don't feel like getting sued.

So- the book will be conversions and new stuff.....basically a monster book written by THE people who do monsters the best .

No ripping off anyone, no pirating of someone else's work, etc. As stated before, all of the work on the site was done by me, Erica, or Boz. And I by work I mean the conversions, not the actual designing of all the monsters (most of those were done by Gygax way back when).

 

[trancejeremy]

I'm curious how it applies to the OGL, though.

If WOTC gives permission for some of their IP monsters to be used, will they be open content in the book?

There are a lot of interesting D&D critters that never appeared in the d20 SRD (and aren't based on mythology or somesuch), and so are off limit. It would be very nice to see them open, so other publishers could use them.



In any event, I think it's just nice to see hard work pay off....

 

[Orcus]

We're working all that stuff out right now. We will post more info when we know exactly how it will all be handled.

Clark

 

[kenjib]

I agree.

And when I saw Scott had taken the site down pending publication I told him to put it back up. I think the site is a great resource and creates excitement. I dont see any reason to stop the site just because we publish a product with some of the content (plus a good amount of new content).

Clark

If that's the case, then why are the compilation PDFs still not available as they were before the site was pulled? Are there creatures in the compilation (perhaps the original creations) that aren't there individually?

If so then it all makes sense to me. If not then it's kind of odd, as the individual files were not pulled. I think it's nice to see Scott, Erica, and Boz rewarded for their hard work, but I'm curious on this point.

 

[Orcus]

Last I checked, all the individual monster files were there. You should have access to everything. The compiled pdf file was pulled, I think.

Clark