Pathfinder 1E Is PAIZO becoming the next Wizards?

[Angellis_ater]

Over the past two years (give or take a month or two), Paizo has gone from a former magazine-publisher and adventure writer, to creating their own roleplaying game (Pathfinder), launching "their own" line of miniatures (in conjunction with Reaper) and now they are launching a line of novels.

Is it just me or are they taking more or less the exact same "steps" that D&D took around the start of 3.0? (The same thing might have happened before, it's just that I started playing 'for real' with 3.0 even though we did some easy gaming with AD&D)

To me, this is signaling a "rising star" in the industry and I sure hope that things go well for Paizo. One day we might perhaps even see them releasing a magazine of their own - who knows?

 

[Chrono22]

I don't think so... for a few reasons.
Paizo's products are more diverse overall, and they sell 3rd party products through their own site (in this scenario, Paizo is the first party). This makes them a bit more flexible in response to trends and economic pressures. 5-10$ junk tends to be less effected by economic downturns.
Until the economy recovers alot more, I doubt they'll dramatically expand their pathfinder line.
For now, Paizo is just the 200 lb gorilla in the room.

 

[samursus]

Except that if I remember correctly, WotC was already a behemoth of the CCG industry, with a fair bit more cash to throw around. I don't think we'll see the same pattern emerge as Wizards, but they (Paizo) are a good company with a solid foundation, and I think the sky's the limit of where they could be in the future. Now if they would just make AP's for my game of choice (4e) I could actually give them some of my money

 

[Sigurd]

I really, really like Paizo and some of their writing is very good.

Still they remain an OGL company little different from anyone else who uses the license. I don't think its fair to call them the 'next Wizards'. I think they deserve a place of their own.

I think they are better suited being a smaller company. I hope they never get too big to support themselves on the gaming market. I'd hate to see them rush poor books to print only to fill shelves. They don't have the same clout as Wizards for brick and mortar stores and I think they realize their stuff has to be good to be bought.

I think they're a better model for success than WOTC ever has been.


Sigurd

 

[ggroy]

A sign they've made it big time, is when the Pathfinder novels are selling better than WotC's D&D based novels.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Still they remain an OGL company little different from anyone else who uses the license. I don't think its fair to call them the 'next Wizards'. I think they deserve a place of their own.

I don't think it's fair to call them 'little different from anyone else who uses the license.' No, really. More to the point, I don't think it's very accurate. No more so, even.

I think they are better suited being a smaller company. I hope they never get too big to support themselves on the gaming market. I'd hate to see them rush poor books to print only to fill shelves. They don't have the same clout as Wizards for brick and mortar stores and I think they realize their stuff has to be good to be bought.

I agree. . . although, if they ever did make it big in that way, I don't believe they would 'lose their way', misplace their integrity, spirit, etc.

Anyway, no, I doubt that Paizo is the next WotC. But they seem to be doing very well indeed, and I'm glad.

 

[Sigurd]

I don't think it's fair to call them 'little different from anyone else who uses the license.' No, really. More to the point, I don't think it's very accurate. No more so, even.

I was not referring to their actions or strategies. I was referring to the relatively level playing field they are on. They have the OGL and their own license system. That system is pretty clear and it's very possible for other publishers to write material. They push themselves to write better material by having others to compete with. They haven't created huge differences between themselves and other prospective publishers.

I like what they've done with their setting but I also like how open they've kept the base rules.

Sigurd

 

[Aus_Snow]

They haven't created huge differences between themselves and other prospective publishers.

But that's the thing. I think they have (though some of this difference is nothing new.)

After all, why did nearly all 3PPs suddenly shift from making 3e/d20 products to making Pathfinder products? Paizo singlehandedly caused that shift. Also, essentially making 3e in print again, where possibly no other publisher could've (or would've, in one case at least) -- setting the stage, *not* following a lead.

Then there's the novels, cards and other accessories, fairly large storefront, popular online hub for gamers, etc.

Very different, IMO. No, not WotC, but somewhere in the middle there.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I don't think so. Wizards of the Coast basically made (and makes) most of his money with its collectible card games. They didn't start out as a roleplaying game company, and they aren't only that now, either.

Paizo is first and foremost a company for roleplaying games. Unlike WotC, they also have a shop that offers 3rd party products.

I suspect that no matter how good they work, they can't reach the economical strength of WotC. But that doesn't mean they won't do well, and theoretically they might still beat them on the RPG market. But I doubt that - the D&D brand alone will probably always be stronger than any other RPG brand.

I wonder if they could end up as "hated" in some circles as WotC, or Games Workshop or similar companies. This usually seems to come with the territory of being succesful and market leaders, but maybe Paizo's marketing and business decision can avoid that? Or they can't get there because they won't become market leaders in the first place?

 

[Keefe the Thief]

Over the past two years (give or take a month or two), Paizo has gone from a former magazine-publisher and adventure writer, to creating their own roleplaying game (Pathfinder), launching "their own" line of miniatures (in conjunction with Reaper) and now they are launching a line of novels.

Is it just me or are they taking more or less the exact same "steps" that D&D took around the start of 3.0? (The same thing might have happened before, it's just that I started playing 'for real' with 3.0 even though we did some easy gaming with AD&D)

To me, this is signaling a "rising star" in the industry and I sure hope that things go well for Paizo. One day we might perhaps even see them releasing a magazine of their own - who knows?

I personally would prefer if they just stayed what they are - a good gaming company. This "let´s constantly compare my company with your company" thing is getting on my nerves. Really, can´t they just produce good stuff? Is that not enough?
Though i admit, i would find it slightly funny if they announce that they give Kobold Quarterly the license to create and sell THE Pathfinder magazine.