have 3rd parties gotten the srd yet?

[Orcus]

That's good news. I didnt want to be shattering dreams I'm sure there are some people out there "waiting for the 4E SRD" to start up their "new D&D company." I hate to say it, but in my opinion (YMMV), it will be really really hard for a brand new company to break into being a print company for 4E. It just isnt like it was for 3E. There is no Wizard's Attic anymore to pick up all the new companies. In my view (again YMMV) for new companies it is pdf or nothing at least at first.

But if you are aiming at PDF then I say go for it! I think pdf distribution is the wave of the future. Heck, Necro started its first release (and the first d20 product of all time) with the Wizard's Amulet--a free pdf intro adventure. Necro will be doing the same thing for 4E with Winter's Tomb.

I love PDF and wish you the best of luck!!! You never know what will happen. Maybe your pdf stuff will be so good that you move to print or someone wants to partner up or something.

Clark

 

[Orcus]

That said, I think perhaps a few of the "trusted" companies might get stuff early, but not much earlier than everyone else. But I dont know. Rouse wont tell me his plans I guarantee you this--WotC will treat people fairly. I am confident of that. But that said, there is nothing unfair about getting a few of the print publishers content a bit earlier given our particular restrictions. But I firmly believe WotC wants to help everyone support 4E and will do their best to get stuff out to people as best they can. That might be in chunks or steps or whatever. But my guess is that it wont be done to give anyone a priority over others. It may happen that some get it sooner. Heck, playtesters have it before us

Clark

 

[Flynn]

How would a small-time publisher "get on the list" for such considerations? I'm sure others are curious, but I don't think I've seen anyone ask the question yet.

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[Orcus]

Its wierd this time with 4E

Last time, with 3E, Ryan Dancey started the d20/OGL discussion list and we all chatted on there and talked about things. In fact, it was on that list in an email to me that the original "gentleperson's agreement" was announced by Ryan. But for whatever reason there is no discussion whatsoever on those lists about the 4E SRD release.

Last time we had a very direct, responsive and vocal connection to the head decision maker--Ryan Dancey. This time, there is nothing similar. But last time I just sent a letter to Ryan asking for draft copies of the rules. In fact, I pulled that letter up recently. Its pretty funny. But I digress...

Here is what I would do if I was you: write a letter or email to [edited, now he owes me big time -Clark] Wizards. Let [them] know who you are and about your company and your plans. Let [them] know you are interested in advanced copies of the rules under and NDA. See what happens. Make sure to include mailing address and phone number in case they want to contact you. Show [them] you are professional and you mean business.

But keep in mind that if you are a new company with no presence, you might not get anything. I mean, they arent just sending out advanced copies of the rules to people who want to see the game early. They are getting out the rules to companies who will support the game. You may intend to support the game, but if they dont know that you likely wont get copies.

Heck, there are people on those d20/OGL lists who have talked about putting products out since before 3E (let alone 3.5) and STILL havent put anything out in any form. So there are lots of talkers out there who have said they are doing things. Then there are the people who actually do something. You dont want to seem like one of the talkers. You want to seem like one of the doers. Cause if I was WotC, if you hadnt published anything yet, why in the world would I send that person an advanced copy of the rules? Who knows, maybe WotC is cooler than me.

If you dont get squat, dont feel bad. I didnt either when I sent my initial letter to Ryan way back before 3E was released. I didnt even get a response. Isnt that funny? But then again I didnt even have the Necro web site up yet. I must have looked like some dude just trying to scam a copy of the rules in advance

So my guess is you wont just get the rules cause you want them. You probably wont just get them cause you say you have or are starting a company. Maybe I am wrong about this. Maybe they will send to everyone. But if I was them I wouldnt. I didnt fault Ryan Dancey when he didnt respond to my initial letter. Of course I then emailed him and called him and bugged him. Then I found out about the d20/OGL discussion list and got real involved in that.

I guess in the end what I am saying is:

1. this time there is no clear cut channel to make this request like there was with Ryan before 3E. So contact [Wizards].
2. dont be shocked if you are a new company, havent yet done anything, and dont get the rules. It only makes sense that they would send stuff to established publishers instead of people who are just claiming they will be publishing stuff.

Not saying Necro is better. Heck, I was one of the guys that didnt get the rules last time Just saying from their standpoint it makes sense.

[edited by Clark, since Pramas' advice is good; now its up to Pramas to edit his ]

Clark

 

[Pramas]

I would actually recommend people NOT contact Scott Rouse right now. He will never be as busy as he is in the lead up to 4E. He knows what the issues are and he says they are moving ahead at WotC. The more time he has to waste answering e-mails and debunking rumors, the less time he has to actually formalize and implement the new policy. I'd suggest just leaving the guy alone and letting him do what he's got to do.

 

[Orcus]

Yeah, Chris is probably right

 

[JVisgaitis]

There is no Wizard's Attic anymore to pick up all the new companies.

Impressions is still out there, aren't they? Plus there are other avenues to be sure like via Mongoose with their Flaming Cobra Imprint. Don't get disheartened by what Clark is saying, but take a hard look at what you plan on doing with your company. You should be doing this because its something that you like doing. If you plan on making buckets of money or are doing this to make a living, I would honestly recommend another profession. For every Necromancer and Green Ronin, there's two dozen failed companies. Keep that in mind. Best of luck to you.

 

[tensen]

That's good news. I didnt want to be shattering dreams I'm sure there are some people out there "waiting for the 4E SRD" to start up their "new D&D company." I hate to say it, but in my opinion (YMMV), it will be really really hard for a brand new company to break into being a print company for 4E. It just isnt like it was for 3E. There is no Wizard's Attic anymore to pick up all the new companies. In my view (again YMMV) for new companies it is pdf or nothing at least at first.

At least there is no Wizard's Attic to break small companies either.

Impressions is still out there, aren't they?

They are still out there, but I think they stopped taking on d20 companies several years back. And he's pretty smart, so I doubt he'd take on a brand new 4th edition company either, unless they had something spectacular that he thought he could move.

 

[Flynn]

*BUMP*

Has there been any word on the status and/or delivery of the 4E SRD at this time?

I simply ask because getting the 4E Tome of Horrors by Necromancer is important to me as a consumer, and I doubt I'll even consider running 4E without it. As the Tome's release date is tied to the release of the 4E SRD to 3rd Party Publishers, I feel compelled to ask occasionally about the status of the 4E SRD.

With Warm Regards,
Flynn

 

[Erik Mona]

The latest word is that the rules are coming soon, and this soon feels sooner than previous soons.

If you follow my drift.

--Erik