Open Design - Wolfgang Bauer - anyone participate?

[Sqwonk]

After reading the interview with WB - I clicked over to the Open Design website. being involved in the design of a D&D project, especially with WB, sounds like fun. Plus I would have an adventure that my players would not have access to.

Did anyone participate in the first one? Was it worth the $60?

 

[kenmarable]

I've been involved in both of them so far (and plan on being involved in the next one budget willing). As for "is it worth $60?", that unfortunately is extremely subjective. I have found it useful enough to do it twice and plan on a third time, so personally, I'd say yes. For one thing, you get a very well-designed and written adventure. But beyond that, you can interact directly with one of the top professionals out there. He is extremely open to suggestions and in my opinion goes out of his way to accommodate patron feedback (sometimes I wonder how he manages to weave so many different opinions together so well!!). From taking suggestions of elements to integrate to a plethora of polling, he lets the patrons have a tremendous impact.

One of the reasons I have continued to be a patron is to get that behind-the-scenes look at the process and hopefully learn from it and improve my own work (both the little freelancing I do as well as my home campaigns). Actually, the only regret I've had with the two projects is not having the time to get more involved in the discussions.

So, it is worth $60? That's up to you to decide. I've found it to be worth it (in fact I even have gone with Senior Patron level both times so far and am hoping to do the same for the third one).

 

[Harker Wade]

I'm a patron on the 2nd project and would have been on the first had I heard about it. I've really enjoyed the whole process from voting on the project, to the design essays, to way Wolfgang works in all the suggestions. As a senior patron I've had access to the manuscript every step of the way and that has been a real hoot. To get to see it evolve was pretty enlightening!

I'm so signing up for the 3rd one! Come on Zoebeck!!

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I've signed on for the lower level ($25 bucks each time, I think) and this time I may bump it up to $60. I've really enjoyed the experience not just from the standpoint of getting a great adventure, but getting vicariously involved in the creation of the product.

So from my standpoint, yes its absolutely worth it. And you don't have to spend $60; you can spend less if your budget won't allow it.

 

[countgray]

Worth it? Hell yeah!

Worth it? Hell yeah!

I have been a patron on both projects and will sign up for the 3rd as well. I have really, really enjoyed participating. The first adventure ("Steam & Brass") happened to be perfect for my own campaign and so I test ran the adventure with my players and it provided many sessions of great game play. It introduced a bunch of characters and plot threads that are seeing life beyond the adventure as several of the NPC's and plot threads have become spun into my ongoing campaign.

The high points of Wolfgang's Open Design project for me have been:
1) Getting to help shape the adventure through:
- frequent surveys
- feedback on the project forum - members can post and discuss
- patrons get to pick monsters
- patrons get to suggest encounters
- patrons get to suggest and vote on names

2) Wolfgang's design essays
It's almost like taking a class on professional adventure writing, Wolfgang writes in-depth essays on various points of adventure design: plot, pacing, treasure, that sort of thing. He writes six or seven new ones through the course of the project. There's a wealth of knowledge right there that has helped me as a DM in my own adventure writing.

3) Sense of community
It's been fun getting to know Wolfgang and the other members. There is a sense of camaraderie and it's cool to hang out in a forum with insightful people who are interested in designing adventures either for their home game or professionally.

4) Sense of participation in a grand undertaking
Wolfgang is the writer of the adventure, but he is writing it to the specs of the members, so it is an awesome feeling to be able to suggest monsters, vote on various aspects, suggest names and encounter ideas and see them get incorporated into the adventure.

5) Insight into the process of adventure crafting
Wolfgang comments on each step of the process, so you get to see, step by step, how a professional adventure is put together. On the website, members can post their comments, thoughts and questions and Wolfgang is great about answering and discussing. You really get to see the nitty-gritty of putting it all together, so you can learn a lot about every little aspect of adventure design.

6) Amazing, professional-grade adventures written directly and solely for members
When it is all done, you get an awesome adventure, with wonderful art and maps that is suitable to run in your campaign. The adventure is as good as anything you will see published by WotC or run in Dungeon magazine. But it is really cool that the adventure will only be available to members. Like I said, the first adventure "Steam & Brass" ran extremely well for my group and provided weeks of gaming fun for us. The second adventure project is nearly finished and the art and maps and the rough draft I have read so far indicates to me that this one will surpass the first.

Honestly, for me, the whole thing has been a blast. So, yes, for me, it has been very much worth the small cost of membership!

 

[sakkara]

I am just getting involved with the project (#2 & now #3), but find it very intriguing (for all the reasons given above).

Can't wait to see the new release!

Sakkara