Is the "official D&D product" really that big a deal?

[Mark Plemmons]

Really, in 2007, what 3rd party publishers? What's left? Green Ronin does Bleeding Edge, Goodman only does adventures, Necromancer and that's about it. Kingdom of Kalamar too I suppose.

Well, thanks for adding us in at the end at least.

The Kingdoms of Kalamar line was certainly helped by being "2nd party" with the addtion of the D&D brand logo. (Although the approval process for text and art could be a nightmare sometimes... ) There are still quite a few gamers who aren't internet or 2nd/3rd party savvy, and don't know much beyond the D&D logo.

Of course, we're not solely publishing d20. There's the new Aces & Eights RPG, plus HackMaster, Knights of the Dinner Table magazine, etc.

 

[JustKim]

The Kingdoms of Kalamar line was certainly helped by being "2nd party" with the addtion of the D&D brand logo.

Really? That surprises me.
It's been my experience that most people I encounter don't know much or anything about Kalamar, and are surprised to learn it has an official label. On the other hand, most folks know that Paizo now publishes Dragon, but the magazine's content is sanctioned by WotC. That's always led me to believe Kalamar doesn't benefit much from being official.

 

[DM_Jeff]

Kingdoms of Kalamar. Well, thanks for adding us in at the end at least.

Speaking of which, Mark, I haven't seen a D&D Kalamar print product since last August, I think, maybe even before. Any new books on the way? Still using the D&D logo? I saw a PDF here or there but generally they're not my cup of tea.

-DM Jeff

 

[DaveMage]

Someone wrote: "Another reason is that official D&D products reference and expand upon each other in a way that 3rd party products don't, despite the existence of the OGL."



Pardon? As in, show me 3rd party books that occassionally sprinkle in new psionic powers, Incarnum effects, Tome of Magic abilities, and included pre-statted NPCs like warlocks, ninjas, duskblades, knights and marshalls? What about 3rd party books that expand new magical locations, racial levels and the like? There are none. WotC books DO reference and expand upon each other. They do. I'm looking at some right now, right there. Neat.

Oh, and that's why 90% of my purchases are now WotC-only. Necromancer and Goodman still earn my bucks for quality and ingineuity.

-DM Jeff

Exactly. (Although I'd add Paizo to the purchase list. )

 

[Mark Plemmons]

Really? That surprises me.
It's been my experience that most people I encounter don't know much or anything about Kalamar, and are surprised to learn it has an official label. On the other hand, most folks know that Paizo now publishes Dragon, but the magazine's content is sanctioned by WotC. That's always led me to believe Kalamar doesn't benefit much from being official.

No, there was definitely a benefit - but it was more for D&D gamers who don't visit websites and only buy D&D-branded products. It'll also vary by store - it works best when stores stock it alongside the other D&D brands, instead of elsewhere. Would we have pursued the brand if we'd known that OGL was coming only a few months later? I dunno. But there has been a benefit, even though not as much of a name recognition benefit as Paizo. Of course, they had the advantage of taking an existing D&D brand name. If we'd published say, Greyhawk or Forgotten Realms, certainly most folks would know our own brands better as well.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

Speaking of which, Mark, I haven't seen a D&D Kalamar print product since last August, I think, maybe even before. Any new books on the way? Still using the D&D logo? I saw a PDF here or there but generally they're not my cup of tea.

-DM Jeff

Our next big KoK release (coming in a few weeks) is Svimohzia: the Ancient Isle, which I think describes most visually as ancient Africa with an ancient Roman tech level (e.g. spectacular stone cities). We decided not to use the D&D brand on it (which incidentally gave us a little more art and writing freedom when it comes to a few things like the nasty habits and followers of our Vicelord deity ).

I imagine it'll appeal most to Nyambe fans and others looking for a non-European flavor based setting. (Though we've also included full details on one tiny coastal colony that serves as a good transition point from Euro-feel to Africa-feel.)

There's a direct link to a PDF preview here.

 

[Hussar]

/me hangs head.

Sorry Mark. Wasn't meaning to hack on you. My point was just that there aren't a whole lot of options out there for 3rd party stuff anymore.

 

[DM-Rocco]

I don't just buy WOTC stuff, but I am biased towards it.

The official WOTC stuff is generally easier for a DM to except as good quality and tested content. Sure they come up with things like Hide Life, Miasma and the Frenzied Berserker, but generally, you get decent content and know that WOTC nerds have poured over the content and tried to test it as much as possible to make it balanced.

Therefore, bringing it to your DM and saying, "can I play this," or "can I use this rule?" the answer is easier to say yes to.

Thinking back on it, I would say 85% or more of my stuff is WOTC, 10% if stuff from former WOTC people, like Monte Cook and the other 5% is non WOTC. Mainly for the reasons listed above, although I do like to pull bits and pieces from my friends non WOTC stuff.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

/me hangs head.

Sorry Mark. Wasn't meaning to hack on you. My point was just that there aren't a whole lot of options out there for 3rd party stuff anymore.

No worries. I was .

 

[CarlZog]

Hmmm... I seem to have missed those threads. Any examples?

Yeah, the most recent that really got me thinking about it was a thread about the prospects of a 3rd party successor to Dragon/Dungeon magazines. There were several comments that without the "official" label, no such magazine could survive.

Carl