I just got an e-mail...

[Gargoyle]

The good thing about PDFs is that anybody can afford to be a publisher. The bad thing about PDFs is that anybody can afford to be a publisher. The complaint probably came from one of the publishers who lives on the Dark Side of Ignorance (tm).

Anyone criticizing free stuff as "bad for the industry" doesn't know the industry. Free stuff introduces new customers to electronic publishing, and is probably one of the best things for the gaming industry that I can think of. Any publisher who doesn't give something away now and then is doing themselves a disservice.

Just remember, when you do begin to publish, even if you're giving it away, no matter what you do you will attract criticism. Some of it is constructive, some of it polite, some of it neither. It's the price of doing business. Don't let it get to you.

 

[saduff]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Some of the best things for roleplaying games are free. I remember long before 3rd edition going to some "Canadian Dungeons and Dragons site". Im sure someone else remembers that site. It was full of net books and links to other sites.

I think if you could introduce quality products that are free. Then you should. Heck if you can produce anything for free do it. Just make sure no one else can profit from it.

If I ever got an e-mail like that. I would make it a point to produce free material. I would even consider running a company from my own pocket to do it as well.