NDA Early access to 3.5 rules for d20 Print Publishers

[V_Shane]

d20 Dwarf: If the quality was there and someone figured out how to market them and utilize the unique platform, then I think the market could become reasonable and grow.

Well, I certainly am doing my best to enhance the plausability of artists to market thier own work, and all of my products do take advantage of the PDF format and utilize its abilities for customer control over the product itself. I can't compare my PDFs with other products because it is such a different animal with a unique angle. But I feel that the quality of a number of PDFs do match that of a print product. I'm not a writer, but I have found PDFs to enhance my image as an artist/publisher and made me clearly aware of an untapped market in other countries. My PDFs get picked up by many buyers in Germany, France,Spain, Sweden etc... It makes me wonder what a translated sourcebook would pull in if it were written in another language. PDF is a very viable market for over-sea clients and customers, untapped I might ad.

V Shane

 

[d20Dwarf]

Ok, I think this has warped from my opinion on WotC's decision to an overstated animosity toward PDFs and those who publish them.

Some of the statements I made were strong, and I apologize. I think PDFs have grown quite a bit, and some of the ones that I have bought and perused today are quite impressive. I do work for companies that produce PDFs, as well as a company that produces *only* PDFs, so I can't think they're all bad.

Anyway, I suppose I just wanted to say that my opinions aren't meant to be offensive to PDFs or publishers who deal with them. Obviously I think PDFs are pretty cool, and I even considered producing some myself.

Anyway, I'm not sure why I took such an interest in this thread, as either way I'm not affected by it. It has been an interesting discussion, though, and it's good that the PDF industry has such vociferous defenders.

 

[PosterBoy]

T
I'd like to see someone back up the conceit shown in this thread by actually producing a viable product in PDF format. Like I said, I'm rooting for PDFs, but the quality has got to be there! If the quality was there and someone figured out how to market them and utilize the unique platform, then I think the market could become reasonable and grow.

IMHO the quality of print is often overrated and the quality of PDF is often underrated. Quality is subjective so debating that is going to be pointless, but last time I check, there were a number of PDF products represented in the Ennies last year (including one of my own.). So that says something.

But I just want to contradict this statement. I’m not an ex-WOTC employee and I didn’t work on the player’s handbook, yet I’ve produce 7 PDFs (4 of which I’ve later printed) and each has been a viable product. All have made a profit; some more than others.

Now, considering PDFs have such a low production cost, and several publishers have had successful products, how is it an unviable business?

Sure some products (maybe 60-70%) don’t make a lot of money, but how is that different than any other market?

 

[d20Dwarf]

I had an ENnie nominated PDF last year as well.

I LOVE PDFS. I LOVE PDF PUBLISHERS. I WILL SEND YOU ALL PDF VALENTINE'S CARDS!!!!!!!

 

[PosterBoy]

LOL.

D20Dwarf: Sorry, I was writing my post apparently while you were responding. Didn't mean to beat a dead horse.

 

[EOL]

I had an ENnie nominated PDF last year as well.

I LOVE PDFS. I LOVE PDF PUBLISHERS. I WILL SEND YOU ALL PDF VALENTINE'S CARDS!!!!!!!

I want some kind of cherub on mine.

 

[d20Dwarf]

Mmmmm, chocolate-covered cherubs make a dwarf's tummy happy...but they displease Dr. Atkins greatly.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Mmmmm, chocolate-covered cherubs make a dwarf's tummy happy...but they displease Dr. Atkins greatly.

But nothing beats the great taste of sprites....

The Auld Grump

 

[CRGreathouse]

Monte is always releasing both in PDF and Print- probably the same source file is even used. So his PDFs ARE Print quality.

I see no reason publishers of PDF shouldn't do both print and PDF. Monte agrees with that. The point is the PDF publishers are usually just more cash-poor or unsure of their abilities. Thus, they are PDF publishers. Many of which move on to doing both later.

The Book of Eldritch Might (I) was originally just a PDF. His first few PDF-to-print books used the initial PDF to 'clean up' the print product -- incorporating errata and the like.

(I'm sure you knew this, but it had to be mentioned for everyone else.)

 

[tensen]

I had an ENnie nominated PDF last year as well.

I LOVE PDFS. I LOVE PDF PUBLISHERS. I WILL SEND YOU ALL PDF VALENTINE'S CARDS!!!!!!!

I better be getting one.. or I'll show your true freelancer level