Goodman Games 3.5 Revival

[JoeGKushner]

Most of the companies that I would by 4th Edition products from without question have decided not to jump into the market . . . Green Ronin and Malhavoc at the top of the list.

Big ole ditto.

I can fully understand why Green Ronin didn't. After all, they have Mutants and Masterminds, A Game of Thrones, and a ton of other stuff.

Malhaovk seemed to be out of the RPG business and then came back in with an interesting model that does nothing for me personally. Which is a shame because I enjoyed the hell out of Ptolus and other products.

 

[Vascant]

Whatever the reason it's good news.

You are correct.. (as usual) and one step closer to doing new 3.5 material perhaps

 

[Glyfair]

Other than WotC, Goodman is pretty much the only print 4E adventure game in town right now, aren't they?

Expeditious Retreat Press has a series called "Lands of Darkness" that are basically location based adventures. I haven't picked one up yet to speak to the actual product, but I have been very satisfied with them before.

 

[Glyfair]

I ...but as Pathfinder brings in new converts to the 3.5 system, and IF it's not a problem to convert between 3.5 and Pathfinder, it'll all be good.

Now, I haven't followed the Pathfinder development closely. However, I was surprised when I saw the Free RPG Day Pathfinder Bonus Bestiary was all 3.5 monsters converted to the Pathfinder system.

This doesn't bode too well for "easily converted." Maybe it is easy work and they are just saving labor. I admit, it was still a surprise.

 

[Jack99]

Expeditious Retreat Press has a series called "Lands of Darkness" that are basically location based adventures. I haven't picked one up yet to speak to the actual product, but I have been very satisfied with them before.

You speak to your books?

 

[Erik Mona]

Now, I haven't followed the Pathfinder development closely. However, I was surprised when I saw the Free RPG Day Pathfinder Bonus Bestiary was all 3.5 monsters converted to the Pathfinder system.

This doesn't bode too well for "easily converted." Maybe it is easy work and they are just saving labor. I admit, it was still a surprise.

The monsters in the Bonus Bestiary are, essentially, the "most important' 3.5 monsters we did not have room to fit into the Bestiary, which contains a ton of 3.5 monsters. A lot of these creatures have new or refined abilities, but in general you can use the old versions with the new system without much trouble.

 

[BryonD]

After the OGL 3E 3pp product bloat a lot of people are wary to ever buy the non-Wotc stuff. Sadly this sentiment seems to have carried over to 4E, it may take some time until tje market regains faith in 3pp products. ( Even though some of them are very good, the prejudice is still there )

I think that is a very inaccurate statement.

I have heard quite a few 3PPs state that their 4E sales were very disappointing, after having been very successful in the 3E market.

Yeah, there was a bloat and it had its impacts. Not everything was sunshine and ice cream. But to call the 4E 3PP flop a carryover claims that it is just more of the same and nothing could be farther from the truth.

The prejudice is still there. But a lot of 3E stuff sold extremely well because the prejudice didn't take out the whole market. With 4E, it is very different.

 

[cangrejoide]

I think that is a very inaccurate statement.

I have heard quite a few 3PPs state that their 4E sales were very disappointing, after having been very successful in the 3E market.

Yeah, there was a bloat and it had its impacts. Not everything was sunshine and ice cream. But to call the 4E 3PP flop a carryover claims that it is just more of the same and nothing could be farther from the truth.

The prejudice is still there. But a lot of 3E stuff sold extremely well because the prejudice didn't take out the whole market. With 4E, it is very different.

I have heard otherwise.

I have seen FLGS refusing to order 3pp because it would only end up in the bargain bin. I have talked to players who refuse to buy anymore 3pp cause it's all considered crap now.

The prejudice is there, its not the only factor involved but is there and wont go away anytime soon.

 

[Leif]

Expeditious Retreat Press has a series called "Lands of Darkness" that are basically location based adventures. I haven't picked one up yet to speak to the actual product, but I have been very satisfied with them before.

Does Expeditious Retreat Press publish any work that is not by Monte Cook? If not, then that speaks very highly of the quality of their product, imho.

 

[DaveMage]

As Pathfinder takes off, it may become viable and useful again.

Great point, Joe.

With Pathfinder coming out soon, Goodman will be positioned to offer support products right away if they want to.

However, I think you're right that with their d20 fire sale they had in December, many of their potential customers have likely already stocked up.