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Message: <blockquote data-quote="malkav666" data-source="post: 5094393" data-attributes="member: 70565">Well I don't know about Paizo being the new WOTC. Frankly, I don't need or want them to be that. They have become who many folks I know turn to for their D&D fix, and I think the number of Pathfinder players will continue to increase. Their products in the 3.x/PF arena are beautiful: They are well made, the art is quality, and they have some of the best (and some really great new talent as well) writing for them.I know they do not possess the market share of WOTC, but they are growing. How much they are growing and what the end result will be cannot yet be seen by the gaming community. But it is hard to argue that it is not occurring. They are all over many FLGs now where two years ago I don't recall seeing them there, both of their hardback books are regularly in the top 10 on amazon (in the roleplaying games catagory). The core rules are often in the number 1 spot in that catagory. The increased display in stores and the sales rankings IMO demonstrate that folks are buying these products.As far as innovation goes they have done some neat stuff in the area of community involvement from open playtests to contests like RPG superstar. Wether or not you consider those things to be innovative is really a matter of opinion (I think they are), but if not innovative they are at least refreshing.Its nice to see a gaming company I like thriving. I don't know much about their numbers, but I do know that they have continued hiring, and have new lines coming out, so something must be going right. and I am glad for it.I'm not anti-WOTC. I buy their minis and tiles, and will be picking up their Ravenloft boardgame this year. With the Star Wars RPG coming to an end they just won't have anymore RPG products I am interested in anymore. If they release an RPG I like in the future I will buy it.IMO one of the main differences between Paizo and WOTC is the DDI paywall vs. the everything is open aspect of Paizo. I am not saying DDI is a bad product, but I much prefer Paizo's approach. When new D&D stuff is made it is put behind the paywall and the only way to look at it is to give money to WOTC to look at what is essentially design notes and advertising, where at Paizo, I can download or view the playtest material for free in full in high quality PDF and post and ask questions directly to the developers (and often get them answered). The end result for me and for many folks I know is that it is easier to gain entry into the Paizo/Pathfinder scene than the DDI/D&D4 scene.WOTC used to be like that as well, and I spent a lot of time on their site as a result and bought more of their products as a result. Stuff I might not had otherwise bought if I had not gotten to check out bits from the release. Now I realize that WOTC does have free previews up as well but as I navigate through their site I often hit the paywall (or used to, as I quit going there a while back, maybe it has changed,a nd if so please consider this point moot).Either way it appears as if the RPG ndustry is doing well with all the new releases as of late. I am glad for it. It is a good year to be a gamer.love,malkav</blockquote>

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