Open Design 4: Arabian Adventures

[Monkey King]

Note that is patrons of any project will be able to get it. There is a fee. Basically, you can buy it if you are a patron of the project, or while you are a patron of future projects (until Wolfgang decides that he's sold enough that selling more will make it no longer "limited edtition").

And that day is fast approaching. There's almost 200 patrons for Empire. That's partly by design (the manuscript is huge, so required many supporters), and partly a function of the popularity of the subject. I'm happy so many people signed up, but it is a bigger crowd than I expected the patron format to support.

I'm struggling with the same conflict that Open Design has seen since the start: how many people is too many. OD4 is moving toward a smaller group of supporters, and a faster turnaround. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Glyfair]

I'm struggling with the same conflict that Open Design has seen since the start: how many people is too many. OD4 is moving toward a smaller group of supporters, and a faster turnaround. We'll see how it goes.

Well, if you get too many people that are interested, what you need to do is get other people to experiment with the patronage model. I admit, I'm surprised there hasn't been some more experimentation in this area. Not necessarily a deluge of designers, but one or two.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Well, if you get too many people that are interested, what you need to do is get other people to experiment with the patronage model. I admit, I'm surprised there hasn't been some more experimentation in this area. Not necessarily a deluge of designers, but one or two.

I've thought about it, myself. Decided it probably wouldn't work for me, for two reasons.

One (and the lesser of the two) is that I don't have the contacts to get affordable-yet-professional art/maps. I'm sure I could find them if I tried, but I don't have them at the moment.

The major reason, though, is that my creative process doesn't jive with the patronage model. One of the reasons people participate in this sort of thing is to see the designer go through the process, to see his thoughts and the like as the project progresses.

The problem is, a lot of what I do--not all of it, but a lot of it--is done entirely by instinct. Sure, I give real thought to how I'm going to meet a project goals, but a lot of the specifics happen because they "feel" right, at least in the initial drafts. The truth is, I don't always know why I designed something the way I did.

And I don't think anyone's going to pay patronage fees to see a whole bunch of "Here's what I've done, and I did that way because, uh, it seemed like the thing to do" entries.

 

[Cheiromancer]

And I don't think anyone's going to pay patronage fees to see a whole bunch of "Here's what I've done, and I did that way because, uh, it seemed like the thing to do" entries.

Don't sell yourself short! I'd sign up as a patron of a Mouseferatu project in a second.

 

[Glyfair]

The major reason, though, is that my creative process doesn't jive with the patronage model. One of the reasons people participate in this sort of thing is to see the designer go through the process, to see his thoughts and the like as the project progresses.

<snip>

And I don't think anyone's going to pay patronage fees to see a whole bunch of "Here's what I've done, and I did that way because, uh, it seemed like the thing to do" entries.

It's true that's one thing Wolfgang has done. I don't think that's the only way to do it.

I think part of the appeal of Wolfgang's original project was the assumed "limited to patrons" vibe. It wasn't just an adventure by a "name designer," but it was one that only the patrons would have. Wolfgang has moved away from that somewhat, but I'm sure that one could be successful by focusing on different selling points other than "see into the process."

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It's true that's one thing Wolfgang has done. I don't think that's the only way to do it.

I think part of the appeal of Wolfgang's original project was the assumed "limited to patrons" vibe. It wasn't just an adventure by a "name designer," but it was one that only the patrons would have. Wolfgang has moved away from that somewhat, but I'm sure that one could be successful by focusing on different selling points other than "see into the process."

Ari Marmell: The Writing Webcam

"So ... I guess I have to put on pants now that I have patrons, huh?"

 

[Mouseferatu]

Ari Marmell: The Writing Webcam

"So ... I guess I have to put on pants now that I have patrons, huh?"

Oh, God, I would have to, wouldn't I?

(I'd make some comment about typing faster with my pants off, but I think Eric's Grandma would take the implications amiss...)

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

I'd be very interested for the potential new Sha'ir alone.

A 3e themed summoner is something I've wanted for some time.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

I'm already planning on a City of Brass/Open Design 4 adventure for ICon 2008!