Pathfinder 1E Is a Paizo/Green Ronin Merger Viable?

[Pour]

***This is not really happening. I'd just like to discuss it in light of Paizo's announcement and the current status of 4e and the GSL***

I guess I'll just start out saying I would love for the next big announcement to be a Paizo/Green Ronin merger. Would it really be so outrageous?

If anyone can understand Paizo's situation, attitude and decision, it's Green Ronin. Both publishers have produced phenomenal stuff and made viable and well-respected businesses out of a niche many other 3rd parties could not. In light of the delayed GSL, the fact both companies compete in the same markets, the fact both companies possess highly competent designers and large fan bases, wouldn't it make some sense? Could it work?

If not, I'd love to discuss why. And I'm not being facetious, I'm no expert businessman or designer and I really want to know.

 

[Psion]

First off, why? There was a time their products overlapped. Now, not so much.

Second, they can do cooperative ventures without mergers, if needed. Pathfinder Player's Guide to Freeport? Hmmm.

A merger tends to be a more strategic thing among publicly held companies. As it stands now, they are pretty much both in charge of their own destinies.

Edit: Side note: what does this have to do with 4e?

 

[Moon-Lancer]

I think it could work, but I'm a hopeless romantic.

 

[hero4hire]

I think it could work, but I'm a hopeless romantic.

I myself would rather have two different companies putting out quality products then them merging into one.

I don't see how them merging would benefit me...or them for that matter.

 

[el-remmen]

What does this have to do with 4th Edition?

 

[Mistwell]

I myself would rather have two different companies putting out quality products then them merging into one.

I don't see how them merging would benefit me...or them for that matter.

It would save money on accounting, customer service, sales and marketing, finance, bulk publishing and distribution discounts, and some overhead costs. Those savings can be used to hire more people, and put out more products.

As someone who has handled dozens of mergers and acquisitions, a merger done right can make both companies much more efficient.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

God, I hope not.

 

[hero4hire]

It would save money on accounting, customer service, sales and marketing, finance, bulk publishing and distribution discounts, and some overhead costs. Those savings can be used to hire more people, and put out more products.

As someone who has handled dozens of mergers and acquisitions, a merger done right can make both companies much more efficient.

I stand corrected. It just wont benefit me then...

Thats the important part!

 

[JoeGKushner]

Since Paizo didn't announce that they were going with a fantasy version of Mutants & Masterminds or using True 20, I don't see why this would happen.

Can there be some collaboration on some things? Sure. I'd love to see Freeport put into the Pathfinder setting for example. Love to see eventually a Pathfinder Freeport book (should the variance between Pathfinder and 3.5 warrant it.)

Heck, I'd love to see Green Ronin say, "This OGL project is so well handled that we'll be putting out the compendium of Advanced Races and Advanced Classes now."

 

[trancejeremy]

Don't mergers generally work better, when there is , uh, synergy between the two companies? Like they do the same basic things?

Paizo to me seems to focus more on D&D adventures and such, while Green Ronin seems more on their own game lines and sourcebooks.

Also it seems to be that most of the remaining d20 spin-off companies are all run by very , uh, strong willed types. Could any of them play second fiddle?