Other terms than "Adventure Path?"

[James Jacobs]

James - I would have emailed this question to you, but since you're here, I may as well ask now.

Is "Adventure Path" trademarked? If it is not, given my respect for Dungeon and previous APs (I'm running AoW right now), would you have an problem with someone else using the term?

There's some fog of war stuff going on there. We did indeed register "Adventure Path" to be trademarked, whcih is certainly one of the reasons that we chose that instead of "campaign" for these products. I'm not sure where the process of trademarking is at, but I believe that it may actually have reverted to Wizards of the Coast since the magazines are theirs anyway. If WotC wanted to, I'm pretty sure they'd be in the right to prevent other companies from using the term, but I'm not sure they care enough to unleash the legal department.

 

[Gold Roger]

My guess on to why adventure path was chosen was that it rings true with the original adventure paths- the row of 3.0 adventures by wotc that leads from 1-20 and was to showcase the 3.0 rules.


My guess why wizards chose adventure path instead instead of campaign would be that it's simple, accurate, but without preconceived notions. It's a path of adventures that together can make up a campaign with a somewhat coherent plot somewhere in it. But they can also be played individually or played with other modules mixed in.


How an adventure path could also be called:

Module Line (clunky and outdate, but close to the origin of say Against the Slavers)
Campaign Set (very close to campaign setting)
Mega Module/Adventure


I wouldn't call an adventure path a campaign, because for me a campaign is the actual thing in play. There are lots of Age of Worms campaigns. But the Age of Worms adventures aren't a campaign, just building blocks that can be used for one.

 

[Morrus]

There's some fog of war stuff going on there. We did indeed register "Adventure Path" to be trademarked, whcih is certainly one of the reasons that we chose that instead of "campaign" for these products. I'm not sure where the process of trademarking is at, but I believe that it may actually have reverted to Wizards of the Coast since the magazines are theirs anyway. If WotC wanted to, I'm pretty sure they'd be in the right to prevent other companies from using the term, but I'm not sure they care enough to unleash the legal department.

Thanks, James. Mind if I rephrase my question? Ignoring the legalities, would you hard-working guys mind if another company were to use the term? I admit in advance I have a particular interest here, and if you just say "Sorry, we'd prefer you didn't", that is totally fine and we'll work out another phrase. I just don't want to tread on anyone's toes inadvertently.

 

[Erik Mona]

Yeah, we'd prefer it if other companies stayed away from the "Adventure Path" name. I'm not sure about the legalities of it right now, but as long as we're talking about being gentlemanly, I think we'd prefer to see you use something else.

Thanks,

Erik Mona
Publisher
Paizo Publishing, LLC

 

[blargney the second]

How about Quest Series?

 

[ssampier]

Campaign Arc

 

[Henrix]

I like Adventure Series. Simple and efficient.

 

[Glyfair]

I'm just curious. Paizo advertises the Shackled City Adventure Path, not the Shackled City Campaign. Do you think it's merely an issue of semantics, or is 'adventure path' more interesting than 'campaign'?

Well, the WotC 3.0 series of adventures was the first series referred to as an "adventure path," IIRC. Since then, people have asked for more series from levels 1-20, asking for a new "adventure path." It's become somewhat tied to the 1-20 series of adventures.

Campaign Arc

This I like, but to me this seems tied to a specific campaign world. Adventures like the FR Tantras series, the Warhammer "Enemy Within" campaign arc, etc.

 

[WmRAllen67]

What are some good terms for a series of linked adventures, going from low level to high level? 'Adventure Path' is accurate, but I imagine there's gotta be something a bit more flavorful or dramatic. Any suggestions?

Saga?

Hey, it worked for all those Norsemen...

 

[Alzrius]

Saga?.

I think this one is good, but needs more. Calling it a "Campaign Saga" could be a winner.