Pathfinder 1E Paizo no longer publishing Dungeon and Dragon

[VictorC]

It's really refreshing to see all these people with little to no facts acting so mature. I’m very glad people know how to behave like adults.

 

[Shroomy]

It's really refreshing to see all these people with little to no facts acting so mature. I’m very glad people know how to behave like adults.

I think that WoTC only has themselves to blame as there has been zilch from them since the one paragraph in the press release.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Well, 'tis a royal shame.

I've been a fan of "Dragon" and "Dungeon" since they began.

With the advent of 3.0 and 3.5, I think Erik and co. have done a spectacular job with thethe mags!

But to make this post somewhat optimistic, I'd like to make a shout-out, and give the biggest of "THanks" and "Kudos" to Erik, James, and Co. for all the years of enterainment they've offered, and I'll be sure to take a look at the "Pathfinder" stuff.

 

[Gallo22]

First the D&D Cartoon gets canceled, then this! What are we going to do?

 

[Hjorimir]

I think that WoTC only has themselves to blame as there has been zilch from them since the one paragraph in the press release.

WotC's lack of response is clearly a marketing blunder. They should have had something to preview or talk about at the time of the press release.

 

[trancejeremy]

Why is everyone assuming that WOTC just pulled the license, and that Paizo played no role in those negotiations?

Because that's the only thing that makes sense, really. Why would Paizo cut their own throat? Given the state of 3rd party d20 stuff, they will be lucky to still be in business in 2 years.

Seriously, just how many adventure mostly d20 companies are there around these days? Basically just one, Goodman Games.

Look at Kenzer - they publish a successful magazine, but their own adventures (officially licensed no less) apparently don't sell squat.

Look at Necromancer - without a big company to help them publisher, they were going to throw in the towel. Even with White Wolf's backing, a lot of their recent products only sold a couple 1000 copies (if that).

Paizo has gone from publishing a magazine that probably sold what, 30,000-40,000 copies each, to adventures that will sell 1-2k. This is also going to negative impact their other side businesses (like their D&D gouging business), because they no longer have free advertising, nor will they be associated with Dragon/Dungeon/D&D any longer, which has a lot of branding value.

Paizo's only real chance of survival is if they built up their brand name strong enough. But even then, I doubt their future is very bright.

 

[Ranger REG]

I just saw that thread about asking what we want for the so-called *air quotes* "digital initiative" to deliver. I've had this overwhelming urge to post "Deliver PRINT MAGAZINES or DEATH to WotC."

Then I decide, the sooner no one respond to the thread (other than "THE OTHERS"), the sooner that thread dies.

 

[JoshuaFrost]

He's Back!

Howdy, folks!

Geez. Just when I was getting back into both magazines...

Pathfinder sounds interesting though. I just hope the price doesn't rise too much for overseas folks.

The Pathfinder newsstand price is fixed at $19.99 USD. The Pathfinder subscription price is fixed at $13.99 USD monthly plus your shipping choice. Our pricing is based on the US dollar and we have an MSRP for each product--it's up to individual distributors and retailers to set their local pricing.

Sorry, no $20 magazines in this DM's future.

Pathfinder is a monthly book.

Paizo, you guys are all class. It was just another reminder as to why you have the fanbase that you do. So I went and ordered a bunch more Gamemastery stuff right away . You're smart people, decent people and you have my gratitude and my support. Keep it up!

Mark, I sent your comment to everyone here in the office. Thanks for the kind words!

With an iron hand?

Seriously? You should see the bruises!

I went and did the Transition to the Pathfinder, but to tell you the truth spending $20 a month on that will be a dang hard sell after that transition period runs out.

First off, thanks for giving Pathfinder a try! We're sure you'll be impressed. As for the price each month, keep in mind that if you're a subscriber your monthly price is $13.99 plus whichever shipping option you choose. Please also keep in mind that with your subscription comes a free PDF of that volume as well. Pathfinder will be a stellar product and I'm sure once you see it the price will seem enormously competitive versus other, similar, products on the market. However you feel, make sure you let us know! Customer feedback fuels our desire to make the best products possible.

Why is everyone assuming that WOTC just pulled the license, and that Paizo played no role in those negotiations?

>snip<

It sure sounds like a lot of people are jumping to conclusions and taking sides without all the facts.

While entertaining, your story couldn't be farther from the truth. Wizards has chosen to do something different with Dragon and Dungeon and, as a licensee, Paizo has had to adapt and seek another project in our favorite hobby. Everything WotC has told us leads us to the conclusion that they couldn't be happier with the direction of Dragon and Dungeon under Paizo, but that they have something else in mind. Since our license was up for renewal, it seemed a natural stopping point. Paizo and WotC hold no ill will towards one another and, in fact, wish each other well in their future endeavors.

... the end of the magazines is very likely to mean the end of their presence at magazine stands, many bookstores, etc. -- they're going to take a pretty big hit. -The Gneech

While we won't have magazines to occupy space at the newsstand, our presence in bookstores, hobby stores, and elsewhere grows larger every month. We aren't, in fact, going to take a pretty big hit.

What we are is optimistic and ready to wow the community with our new products.

 

[EricNoah]

WotC's lack of response is clearly a marketing blunder. They should have had something to preview or talk about at the time of the press release.

Or at least more of a quote than

"Today the internet is where people go to get this kind of information," said Scott Rouse, Senior Brand Manager of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®, Wizards of the Coast. "By moving to an online model we are using a delivery system that broadens our reach to fans around the world. Paizo has been a great partner to us over the last several years. We wish them well on their future endeavors."

No praise for the decades-old legacy of Dragon. No assurances that the next big thing is around the corner. No expressions of appreciation for the current subscriber. No incentive for the current subscriber to wait patiently. No fanfare. No big deal, apparently! (edit -- where WotC fails, though, Paizo steps up to the plate later in the press release).

You'd think these people had never dealt with the touchy-feely side of D&D fandom! It strikes me as odd that no one anticipated the "punched in the gut" reaction that many have expressed and was ready to expound on the (supposedly) brighter future that's just around the corner (in theory).

I suppose the other possibility is they did anticipate it but just don't feel the need to tend to the gripes of the vocal minority, of which we all may well be a part. Seems to me like this vocal minority -- the "D&D Internet Guys and Gals" -- would be the perfect target for WotC's D&D Online Initiative Thingy (TM)...

 

[Mistwell]

I think that WoTC only has themselves to blame as there has been zilch from them since the one paragraph in the press release.

What you are essentially saying is that one company did more PR in the first 24 hours after a press release than the other company (but both did some), and therefore the company that does less PR deserves all blame for any anger over the announcement, despite all signs that this was an amicable parting of the ways.