Do your expectations of a product change . . .

[ThirdWizard]

I'm probably more swayed by the actual designer behind the product: whose name is on the cover of the book.

If I see someone's name on a product, and I don't know who they are I'm probably not going to have high expectations for the product. And, likewise, if I see the name of a freelancer I like, but have no idea who the producers are, then I'll react favorably toward it. Especially after WotC layoffs, we've got a lot of really good talent that is more spread out, and with the options presented by the OGL, we have some amazing designers/freelancers who move around. Therefore, I've started paying a whole lot more attention to authors than I did in the past.

 

[Pants]

Hm, well yes and no I guess...

I expect WotC to release either A) Very, 'down home' classic D&D styled products with a little restraint on innovation (though when they do innovate, it seems that a vocal few shout it down as 'sucking' ...) or B) Arriving very late to the party with innovative material (ie, someone else has already 'done it'). I also expect WotC to have good (color) art production, solid quality bindings, and generally well executed rules.

I usually expect 3rd party books to push the d20 system in new directions and be innovative with how rules and flavor work... nevermind whether the rules actually work. I have different expectations based upon publishers, say Green Ronin generally does really solid rules work, but I don't care for their art and presentation. Privateer Press is the other way around, great art and presentation, but kinda wonky rules.

Will I buy something just because a certain company publishes it? No, the book has to be something I want. Will I refuse to buy something based on the company? Maybe, I always used to look past most FFE books, but generally I'll check out a book first.

I have no real preference for certain authors, as some of the authors I generally like have released products that either did not appeal to me or were.... well, to be kind, 'less than stellar.'

Also, seeing as every company release crappy books now and again, I really have no real expectation of quality over certain companies, though I do tend to gravitate towards Privateer Press and WotC, just cause I tend to like what they release.

EDIT: Does my opinion of a product change based on a publisher? No, not really, though I may blast certain products just to irritate the more vocal fanboys.

 

[Teflon Billy]

. . . based on publisher?

Do you expect more out of a larger publisher than a smaller publisher? And, if so, does your opinion of a product depend on the size of the publisher?.t.

I'd say no.

I am impressed by good work and high production values, I am put off by a lack of either.

There was a time when I likley thought that way (I can recall thinking that the oroginal Legions of Hell was a masterpiece), but after seeing not just things like Mutants and Masterminds and Arcana Evolved from established "Second Tier" publishers, but such tours de force as Denizens of Avadnu and Grim Tales from companies that I don't think could even credibly be called Second Tier (yet)...well, that feeling is long gone.

 

[The Lost Muse]

I will buy anything from Green Ronin if I have the money to do so, otherwise, it's hit or miss.