RPGNow welcomes back Fiery Dragon!

[rpghost]

RPGNow welcomes back Fiery Dragon! As a bonus, you can buy this special bundle:

Counter Collection PURE GOLD [BUNDLE]

Fiery Dragon is releasing two of their best-selling Counter Collections as PDFs.
COUNTER COLLECTION GOLD contains v3.5-sized counters for all of the standard
monsters contained in the SRD. SUMMONED CREATURES contains counters for the
creatures and allies that can be called forth via a Summon Creature and
Nature's Ally spell. Two great resources that add a variety of images to your
gaming table.

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=5783&src=ENWorld

Many other products too...

http://www.rpgnow.com/default.php?manufacturers_id=384&SRC=ENWorld

 

[Morrus]

Are they the first exclusive DTRPG publisher to end their exclusive agreement? They've signed up for the EN World GameStore, too (should have their products uploaded soon). It would be nice to see some more of those exclusive agreements ending.

I think the S&S stable is probably locked in due to their relationship with White Wolf, but I wonder about some of the others. Do those agreements tend to be for X amount of time?

 

[PatrickLawinger]

I think the S&S stable is probably locked in due to their relationship with White Wolf, but I wonder about some of the others. Do those agreements tend to be for X amount of time?

Morrus, I don't know about other companies, but I know that Necromancer Games is with DTRPG simply because it is the easiest thing possible for NG. DTRPG provides (or at least provided, some have stepped up their services) more services for us than RPGNow or anyone else was able or willing to offer at a "cost" we felt was reasonable. DTRPG is a perfect location for print publishers that are not interested in spending their own resources and time to get electronic products up and going.

DTRPG has had an unusual amount of bashing here at ENWorld since its inception. While RPGNow and others have done great things for .pdf pubishers, I feel that DTRPG has been crucial at making larger "print-only" publishers take the time to consider and experiment with electronic offers. While it is often behind the scenes, DTRPG has done its best to make large print publishers realize that the internet and electronic distribution is indeed the wave of the future and that it is best to adjust to it, and take advantage of it, now, rather than have to play "catch-up" like the recording industry.

I know for a fact that several publishers that have products only available at DTRPG do NOT have exclusive agreements because they wanted to test the waters and have other distribution routes available to them. I also know for a fact that DTRPG went out of its way to inform those publishing under one of their banners that they did NOT have to make an exclusive agreement (or, for that matter, even release anything electronic at all). So, to make it clear, not even those in the "S&S stable" are now, or were ever, forced into an exclusive agreement with DTRPG.
Knowing some of the people involved, I would guess that anyone in an "exclusive agreement" that wanted to step back and go non-exclusive would be allowed to renegotiate without any malice or anger and certainly without any drop in service.

 

[rpghost]

I more or less agree with Pat here... But what I don't understand is why none of those companies consider using/trying RPGNow.com as well. We have a vast majority market share and our last quarter (Q3-2005) was the best ever. So the competion isn't hurting us in any direct why (proving we have mostly different customers), and probably helping the industry directly. But why would these people turn down an extra paycheck? We have 3 times as many buyers at RPGNow then even the closest competitor (DTRPG)... PDF sales don't cut into print sales (proven over and over)... We can all make some money if they just give us a try.

Hell, I'm willing to even guarentee they'll make more money then the 5% hit they'd take from going non-exclusive. I'll pay it out of my pocket if they don't!

James

 

[Fiery James]

Just to quickly jump in here...

I just want to make absolutely clear that we're not leaving DrivethruRPG, and still maintain an excellent relationship with them. Joining up as an exclusive partner last year was absolutely the best thing for Fiery Dragon to do at the time, and we accomplished exactly what we set out to.

Now, in November 2005, it is time for FDP to branch out a bit more and broaden our PDF distribution network. Unlike some of the larger companies at Drivethru, many of our titles weren't "draws" -- customers didn't switch from RPGNow to Drivethru to pick up an Undead Counter Collection on PDF. So, for these products, we only saw traffic that was passing through and already a Drivethru member. For these products, a wider distribution network will certainly help.

Having said all of that... we're very happy to be partners with DrivethruRPG.com, RPGNow.com and (soon!) the ENWorld Gamestore in terms of our PDF publishing.

(This is the place in the post where I suggest you pick up our first Iron Heroes adventure, DARK HARBOR, written by Adam Windsor... now on sale all over the internet!)

- James

 

[Vascant]

It would be cool if some of those that left returned to RPGNow, since it is the only place I shop so I can start buying their PDF's again. I for one am very happy to see you guys return, speaking as a customer since I do not sell anything there

 

[BryonD]

Having said all of that... we're very happy to be partners with DrivethruRPG.com, RPGNow.com and (soon!) the ENWorld Gamestore in terms of our PDF publishing.

- James

Hurray!

Now for a quick hijack: Any plans for a counter collection to go with Exp Retreat's Underground product?

 

[Fiery James]

Hurray!

Now for a quick hijack: Any plans for a counter collection to go with Exp Retreat's Underground product?

Yes. It's done, in fact. I just have to lay it all out.

The next few weeks are seriously busy, but I'd start looking for it by the end of the month.

- James

 

[jaerdaph]

Hi James,

Do you guys still plan on doing another Counter Collection Digital on CD-ROM? I really got a lot of use out of the first one.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fiery James]

Hi James,

Do you guys still plan on doing another Counter Collection Digital on CD-ROM? I really got a lot of use out of the first one.

Thanks in advance.

We released 2 Digital collections this year.

"Counter Collection Digital: 2005 Update" contains 800 counters that were created since the first Digital Collection released last year.

"Counter Collection Digital 2.0" contains everything from the first collection and the Update.

Both are available to game stores everywhere -- you may have to get them to order it, but it's in stock in all of the major distributors and at our warehouse.

- James