D&D 4E Paizo and 4e.

[MerricB]

It is my impression that Paizo is setting itself up as the anti-4e company, aided by the fans on its forums.

Meanwhile, the vibe I get from Necromancer Games they'll move to 4e as soon as possible, and adapt it as necessary to keep the feel they want.

Does anyone else get this impression?

Cheers!

 

[The Little Raven]

It is my impression that Paizo is setting itself up as the anti-4e company, aided by the fans on its forums.

I've seen some very vocal anti-4e Paizo fans, but not so much from Paizo themselves. I've read Erik Mona's hypothetical "we stick with 3.5" post, but I felt he gave the impression that the company would switch to 4e, it's just a matter of when. Got any links that indicate otherwise?

 

[hectorse]

Necromancer's has never really appealed to me until now, since they ar switching, I will try some of their stuff

 

[MerricB]

I've seen some very vocal anti-4e Paizo fans, but not so much from Paizo themselves. I've read Erik Mona's hypothetical "we stick with 3.5" post, but I felt he gave the impression that the company would switch to 4e, it's just a matter of when. Got any links that indicate otherwise?

http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/community/gaming/4thEdition/40PAIZOISSTILLUNDECIDED

 

[Treebore]

Erik is just looking at the posibilities of where Paizo has to go to stay in business.

If they don't go 4E it will be WOTC's fault for forcing their hand by not getting them the 4E stuff they need to do the switch.

Let alone know the conditions of using 4E, and see if they are even willing to work under the 4E license?

Anti 4E? Only if WOTC forces them to be.

 

[MerricB]

Erik is just looking at the posibilities of where Paizo has to go to stay in business.

Fair enough.

If they don't go 4E it will be WOTC's fault for forcing their hand by not getting them the 4E stuff they need to do the switch.

Actually, I think Paizo has dug their own hole here: Pathfinder.

By committing to Pathfinder, they've killed their ability to adapt quickly. They have six month spans where they must use one edition. (And, let's face it, Paizo probably knew before anyone else that 4e was coming, due to the cancellation of the magazines). Orcus and Necromancer aren't in that bind.

Cheers!

 

[Pramas]

I don't think Erik is trying to set up Paizo as "anti-4E". I think Paizo has been put in a tough position and he's weighing his options. Asking his fanbase what they think is a good idea. He has to get a sense of what they want and factor that into his strategic thinking.

Of all the 3rd party companies out there, Paizo and Goodman have the most to lose with 4E. Both companies have done the lion's share of their business supporting D&D straight up. For me 4E is a concern and a potential opportunity, but I don't need it. Green Ronin has Mutants & Masterminds, True20, and the upcoming A Song of Ice and Fire RPG. If doing 4E products makes sense for us, we'll do some. If not, we have plenty of other stuff going on. Erik knows that this decision can make or break his company, so I don't blame him for giving it some serious thought and considering all his options.

 

[Hjorimir]

Well Paizo had to produce something to even stay in business. Waiting until June 2008 would probably kill them if they didn't have a product to sell on a consistant basis.

 

[Soel]

I dunno if they're anti-4e, but they do seem to be far too hung up on changing of d&d canon, as are many folks.

As I posted on their forums, I do sincerely hope they don't go the 3.75 route.

I suspect the bulk of WotC's development of 4e has only recently been finalized/is still in process of finalizing, in spite of what they reported about it being worked on as early as two years ago. I do hope they provide details to 3rd parties A.S.A.P.!

 

[Erik Mona]

Paizo will support 4e provided that we think the system is cool, that the OGL allows us to do so in a way that makes sense for our business, and if we think the switch would be in the best interest of our readers. I am personally excited by a lot of what I've seen and heard about fourth edition, and I hope to get to use the cool new rules at my table and in products that support the game we all love.

But I've got to see the rules and the SRD before I can say one way or another. That's just common sense.

Paizo is a serious business. We have 26 employees and support a network of freelance writers and artists. We have the largest mail order hobby shop on the internet, and we are in for the Long Haul. It's an important decision, and it's one that's still in the making.

We absolutely are not staking out ground as the "anti-4e." I have the utmost respect for our friends at Wizards of the Coast and wish them the best of luck with the new edition. Their success with the new game breeds success for the whole industry.

--Erik Mona
Publisher
Paizo Publishing, LLC