Shroomy
Adventurer
I think this pretty much sums up how I feel.
Significance of 3rd Party Publishers: Overrated?
- Thread starter thecasualoblivion
- Start date
I think this pretty much sums up how I feel.
+1 because it bears repeating
Edit: And in fact, have some XP for your mad phraseology.
Based on my experience with 3rd PP for 3E, I would say that they are very important. They expanded the scope of the system and provided support in area's that WotC failed to cover. They kept me excited about 3E and in my eyes significantly increased the longevity and enjoyment of the system.
Now as to the OP's question, is their significance overrated ... I don't really know. Based on my anecdotal evidence, I would say no.
Again, based on my personal perspective, the underwhelming (with a few exceptions) 3 PP products for 4E has hurt that systems sales. Whether that is an actual fact or not, I guess we'll never know.
Now as to the OP's question, is their significance overrated ... I don't really know. Based on my anecdotal evidence, I would say no.
Again, based on my personal perspective, the underwhelming (with a few exceptions) 3 PP products for 4E has hurt that systems sales. Whether that is an actual fact or not, I guess we'll never know.
Fifth Element
Legend
Fifth Element Games is underrated.
Everyone else is vastly overrated.
Everyone else is vastly overrated.
Fifth Element
Legend
Wait, I might have gotten that backwards...
Gothmog
First Post
As much as I have enjoyed the products of some 3PPs (Fantasy Flight's Midnight and Legends & Lairs books, Paradigm's Arcanis, Mongoose's Conan), overall, people in the online community VASTY overrate the importance of 3PPs. Lets face it, probably 85% of the people who played 3.x didn't know about or even buy a 3PP supplement because their market saturation is so small. Add the fact that most 3PP products are extremely niche in an already niche hobby, and their importance isn't that great.
And while I'd love to see more 3PP support for 4e, I don't think its going to make that much of a difference given how things were during the 3e era. 3PPs are useful for innovation for those folks that enjoy that sort of thing (like me), but for the majority of folks, its not even on their radar.
And while I'd love to see more 3PP support for 4e, I don't think its going to make that much of a difference given how things were during the 3e era. 3PPs are useful for innovation for those folks that enjoy that sort of thing (like me), but for the majority of folks, its not even on their radar.
I'm A Banana
Potassium-Rich
It varies depending on the subset. It's not like "people on the Internet" is some homogenous mass that you can make this kind of generalization about (at least...in this case. )
People who refuse to buy 3PP's and only buy WotC are underrating them (and those people are on the internet).
People who think that the 4e GSL (or 4e in general) was made specifically because WotC wanted to stop loosing sales to 3PP's are overrating them (and those people are on the internet).
People who think that all 3PP products are crap based on the early d20 splurge are underrating them.
People who think Paizo is a genuine threat to WotC are overrating them.
People who like some 3PP's, but not all, and look before they buy, are probably rating them just right.
But you've also got people who are overrating or underrating WotC's importance, too, so it's not like it's a bunch of OGL zealots who are blazing a unique and special trail, either.
3PP's are worth checking out, but not every product is good, and they don't have a big enough presence to intimidate WotC into doing anything (though they might make the few people involved in them some small profit if they're solid enough over the long term).
That's a pretty balanced view, and that's all on the internet, so...
....really, depends on your context.
)People who refuse to buy 3PP's and only buy WotC are underrating them (and those people are on the internet).
People who think that the 4e GSL (or 4e in general) was made specifically because WotC wanted to stop loosing sales to 3PP's are overrating them (and those people are on the internet).
People who think that all 3PP products are crap based on the early d20 splurge are underrating them.
People who think Paizo is a genuine threat to WotC are overrating them.
People who like some 3PP's, but not all, and look before they buy, are probably rating them just right.
But you've also got people who are overrating or underrating WotC's importance, too, so it's not like it's a bunch of OGL zealots who are blazing a unique and special trail, either.
3PP's are worth checking out, but not every product is good, and they don't have a big enough presence to intimidate WotC into doing anything (though they might make the few people involved in them some small profit if they're solid enough over the long term).
That's a pretty balanced view, and that's all on the internet, so...
....really, depends on your context.
pawsplay
Hero
I think it's very underrated. With such a restrictive GSL and with the RPG industry outside D&D never being flush with cash, I'm kind of stuck figuring out where Wizards expects to get their next crop of experienced designers.
While the mainstream may not be fascinated, it's also the case that mainstream are not the highest spending, most loyal customers, either. Most very casual gamers become fitful gamers later in life or just give it up.
While the mainstream may not be fascinated, it's also the case that mainstream are not the highest spending, most loyal customers, either. Most very casual gamers become fitful gamers later in life or just give it up.
Vanuslux
Explorer
I don't think they have a great deal of significance now, but I do believe that the OGL was hugely significant in it effect on the RPG hobby as a whole. Third Edition would certainly have been successful all on its own, but the OGL turned it into a full on gold rush situation that had ripple effects throughout the industry.
The gold rush is long over, though, and while I wouldn't say 3rd party publishers are insignificant I definitely think their overall effect on the hobby as a whole is rather small compared to this point after the release of Third Edition, in some part because the GSL pretty much neuters 3rd parties trying to make material for the current edition.
The gold rush is long over, though, and while I wouldn't say 3rd party publishers are insignificant I definitely think their overall effect on the hobby as a whole is rather small compared to this point after the release of Third Edition, in some part because the GSL pretty much neuters 3rd parties trying to make material for the current edition.
+1 because it bears repeating
Edit: And in fact, have some XP for your mad phraseology.
Thanks.
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