GVDammerung
First Post
In another thread, Eric Mona has imagined a possible sequence of events wherein Paizo might not immediately switch over to the 4e rules, if those rules could not be provided to Paizo in a manner sufficiently timely to accommodate the production of the third Pathfinder adventure path. In the same thread, he mused about perhaps even producing a Paizo “3.75 edition” set of rules if such a hypothetical third Pathfinder adventure path were well enough received. I would like to suggest that Paizo do just this.
While the OGL gives Paizo the opportunity to create a 3.75 set of rules, it is doubtless safer and easier for Paizo to adopt the forthcoming 4e rules and continue to support D&D as published by Wotc. However, 4e has not met with universal acclaim and, in part, this is because it is significantly departing from prior editions in terms of both the rules and the flavor of the game. Are there enough D&D gamers sufficiently disgruntled with the impending 4e to make a 3.75 rules set from Paizo and a line of conforming products commercially viable? That’s the open question. If there were a sufficient number of such gamers, Paizo could find its business greatly increased.
It is my opinion, that Paizo is in just the right position at just the right time to do the heretofore unthinkable – goes heads up with D&D as published by Wotc with a competing version of D&D. Paizo would not need to “win” or “beat” Wotc to be successful. If Paizo saw its business increase by say 30%, I think they might well break even. Anything more than a 30% increase would be gravy. And, of course, the goal should be more like at least a 50% increase in their business. Can this be reasonably possible in anything but a pipe dream? I think so.
The keys to Paizo launching its own 3.75 edition of D&D are four. Two are must haves and two are highly desirable.
First, how fast can Paizo get a 3.75 rules set to market? 4e launches in May 2009. Paizo would, I think, need to be to market no later than August 2009 – Gencon or bust. There are three ways they might be able to do this. One – perhaps the Paizo staff has sufficiently house-ruled 3x in their own games to have a basis for seeing a 3.75 edition with a little more elbow grease. Two - perhaps Paizo can bring on board some folks who can do the heavy lifting for them. Paizo has certainly worked with a number of heavy weight D&D folks. I’ll come back to this.
Second, will Necromancer Games support a 3.75 rules set from Paizo. Necromancer Games is already partnered with Paizo. This would take it one – big – step further. Paizo has a sterling reputation and so does Necromancer. Both have established themselves as “brand names” with devoted customers. Necomancer’s support would combine two great tastes to taste greater together.
The above are the MUST HAVES. Now, for the highly desirables.
Third, if Paizo and Necromancer can agree to link up for a 3.75 edition with Paizo and Necromancer product support, can they convince Goodman Games to join the party? Goodman Games has easily as strong a reputation as Paizo and Necromancer. If Goodman Games joined with Paizo and Necromancer games, there would be a critical mass of well respected muscle behind the 3.75 edition and a virtual guarantee of top notch support. While Paizo and Necromancer could likely go it alone, adding Goodman Games to the mix would put the venture over the top. Customers would be there.
Fourth, can Monte Cook be persuaded to lend his name and his knack for the 3x rules to a 3.75 edition? Monte Cook has a reputation every bit as formidable and positive as Paizo, Necromancer Games and Goodman Games. He could also significantly speed along the development of the 3.75 rules to meet an August 2009 release date. While Monte Cook has said goodbye to game developing, a 3.75 rules set, particularly partnered with Paizo and Necromancer Games, and perhaps Goodman Games as well, might be the sort of thing to see him come out of “retirement” for one more go around. That he knows Eric Mona and is on friendly terms with him can only help.
These are the HIGHLY DESIRABLES.
With only the “must haves,” a Paizo lead 3.75 rules set would be a player, certain to give Wotc a run for its money and very likely to be “successful” at least from Paizo’s position. With both highly desirables, a Paizo 3.75 would be a certain hit and very likely to see 4e from Wotc breathing very hard indeed. Again, Paizo “wins” and so do its partners if they see their business increase by 30% plus.
Either way, Paizo is IMO in the catbirds seat. I doubt this opportunity will ever again present itself. Carpe diem! Or play it say and support Wotc’s 4e for sure dollars.
I would say - launch the Paizo Revolution! Market 3.75 on its merits but also as the “outsider” resisting the “abandonment” of D&D by 4e. Vive la Revolution! Vive la Paizo!
While the OGL gives Paizo the opportunity to create a 3.75 set of rules, it is doubtless safer and easier for Paizo to adopt the forthcoming 4e rules and continue to support D&D as published by Wotc. However, 4e has not met with universal acclaim and, in part, this is because it is significantly departing from prior editions in terms of both the rules and the flavor of the game. Are there enough D&D gamers sufficiently disgruntled with the impending 4e to make a 3.75 rules set from Paizo and a line of conforming products commercially viable? That’s the open question. If there were a sufficient number of such gamers, Paizo could find its business greatly increased.
It is my opinion, that Paizo is in just the right position at just the right time to do the heretofore unthinkable – goes heads up with D&D as published by Wotc with a competing version of D&D. Paizo would not need to “win” or “beat” Wotc to be successful. If Paizo saw its business increase by say 30%, I think they might well break even. Anything more than a 30% increase would be gravy. And, of course, the goal should be more like at least a 50% increase in their business. Can this be reasonably possible in anything but a pipe dream? I think so.
The keys to Paizo launching its own 3.75 edition of D&D are four. Two are must haves and two are highly desirable.
First, how fast can Paizo get a 3.75 rules set to market? 4e launches in May 2009. Paizo would, I think, need to be to market no later than August 2009 – Gencon or bust. There are three ways they might be able to do this. One – perhaps the Paizo staff has sufficiently house-ruled 3x in their own games to have a basis for seeing a 3.75 edition with a little more elbow grease. Two - perhaps Paizo can bring on board some folks who can do the heavy lifting for them. Paizo has certainly worked with a number of heavy weight D&D folks. I’ll come back to this.
Second, will Necromancer Games support a 3.75 rules set from Paizo. Necromancer Games is already partnered with Paizo. This would take it one – big – step further. Paizo has a sterling reputation and so does Necromancer. Both have established themselves as “brand names” with devoted customers. Necomancer’s support would combine two great tastes to taste greater together.
The above are the MUST HAVES. Now, for the highly desirables.
Third, if Paizo and Necromancer can agree to link up for a 3.75 edition with Paizo and Necromancer product support, can they convince Goodman Games to join the party? Goodman Games has easily as strong a reputation as Paizo and Necromancer. If Goodman Games joined with Paizo and Necromancer games, there would be a critical mass of well respected muscle behind the 3.75 edition and a virtual guarantee of top notch support. While Paizo and Necromancer could likely go it alone, adding Goodman Games to the mix would put the venture over the top. Customers would be there.
Fourth, can Monte Cook be persuaded to lend his name and his knack for the 3x rules to a 3.75 edition? Monte Cook has a reputation every bit as formidable and positive as Paizo, Necromancer Games and Goodman Games. He could also significantly speed along the development of the 3.75 rules to meet an August 2009 release date. While Monte Cook has said goodbye to game developing, a 3.75 rules set, particularly partnered with Paizo and Necromancer Games, and perhaps Goodman Games as well, might be the sort of thing to see him come out of “retirement” for one more go around. That he knows Eric Mona and is on friendly terms with him can only help.
These are the HIGHLY DESIRABLES.
With only the “must haves,” a Paizo lead 3.75 rules set would be a player, certain to give Wotc a run for its money and very likely to be “successful” at least from Paizo’s position. With both highly desirables, a Paizo 3.75 would be a certain hit and very likely to see 4e from Wotc breathing very hard indeed. Again, Paizo “wins” and so do its partners if they see their business increase by 30% plus.
Either way, Paizo is IMO in the catbirds seat. I doubt this opportunity will ever again present itself. Carpe diem! Or play it say and support Wotc’s 4e for sure dollars.
I would say - launch the Paizo Revolution! Market 3.75 on its merits but also as the “outsider” resisting the “abandonment” of D&D by 4e. Vive la Revolution! Vive la Paizo!
