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"Tabletop RPG Workers Say Their Jobs Are No Fantasy" (article from WIRED)
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<blockquote data-quote="robconley" data-source="post: 8471264" data-attributes="member: 5636"><p>As one of the smaller independent, Bat in the Attic Games, I think the focus on what companies is only partially relevant. Barriers for an independent to do their own thing have dropped so low that everybody is on a even playing field. There are exceptions in areas that involve physical parts (packaging, pieces, posters, etc) that remain a bigger hurdle but by and large it is a level playing field. </p><p></p><p>The basic problem is making people aware of this especially for those newer in the hobby. We are so used to the idea of employment and having a job that if you didn't know any better that seems to be route to go. The alternate path is to work at something else and use your hobby time to grow your own effort. With the prevalence of open content (D20 SRD, 5e SRD, Cepheus, OSR, Legends, etc.) writing your own system doesn't have to be the first thing either. Folks can focus on writing adventures if that their thing. </p><p></p><p>However it still work, a lot of work. And it require to one to assume more responsibility especially in the area of promotion. But if a person is concerned with fair wages and creative freedom well that is the path to take. </p><p></p><p>Also the independent path can be tailored to one's interest and circumstances. I personally don't write fast. That would be a problem if I had a job because a company has overhead including salaries. So it need regular revenue and can't wait for me to finish something once a year. Likewise if a person is a real go-getter and is that rare individual who can crank out quality material, which has it own issue for a company with multiple projects and product lines.</p><p></p><p>Also another consequence of being an independent is that the market will judge what fair for you. You may do a couple of kickstarters and find that it hard to budge beyond a certain number of folks. Or that what you write isn't as good as you thought it would be. I have folks who like my material, but I am not under any illusion that it is the hottest thing out there. I have a particular taste and style that works for some and doesn't work for many others. In the 10+ years I been doing this, I met people who were bitter about their work not selling as well as they think it should.</p><p></p><p>I didn't know what was going to happen when I started writing in the 2000s. Over time I found that I prized my creative freedom. While I was willing to help other with their own project either by contributing something to being paid to do something. I wasn't interested in taking on the responsibility of making another person's creative vision happen. Matt's job at Mongoose isn't my cup of tea so to speak. But it great that he and his team is making a go at it and having success.</p><p></p><p>Next one doesn't have to go at it alone. You could be part of a co-op of individual working together to realize the group's creative vision. The difference from a traditional company is that you go into this with the idea that it is a team. Sometimes equal, but often with people having different shares agreed to beforehand. Some things are the same as with a employee-employer relationship but fundamentally it is a democracy rather than the enlightened feudalism the best companies represent. </p><p></p><p>Personally I been part of several ad-hoc teams usually doing some of the mapping and got a cut of what the project took in. </p><p></p><p><strong>Wrapping it up</strong></p><p>People in the industry need to be aware that thanks to technology, and open content, they have power to change their circumstances if where they work is not ideal. That it is still work it is doable and many have been successful at it. It like sticking to a RPG system one has grew to dislike or no longer finds enjoyable. Stop playing the game and play something else. Especially when it already exists.</p><p></p><p></p><p> Being a Traveller fan since 1980, I think you done a pretty darn good job. Especially taking on projects that extend Traveller like the Great Rift. I won't kid, I think it still a bit pricey ($5 or $10 more than I am comfortable with) but I been buying a lot more recently from Mongoose because of the recent improvements in the past few years.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="robconley, post: 8471264, member: 5636"] As one of the smaller independent, Bat in the Attic Games, I think the focus on what companies is only partially relevant. Barriers for an independent to do their own thing have dropped so low that everybody is on a even playing field. There are exceptions in areas that involve physical parts (packaging, pieces, posters, etc) that remain a bigger hurdle but by and large it is a level playing field. The basic problem is making people aware of this especially for those newer in the hobby. We are so used to the idea of employment and having a job that if you didn't know any better that seems to be route to go. The alternate path is to work at something else and use your hobby time to grow your own effort. With the prevalence of open content (D20 SRD, 5e SRD, Cepheus, OSR, Legends, etc.) writing your own system doesn't have to be the first thing either. Folks can focus on writing adventures if that their thing. However it still work, a lot of work. And it require to one to assume more responsibility especially in the area of promotion. But if a person is concerned with fair wages and creative freedom well that is the path to take. Also the independent path can be tailored to one's interest and circumstances. I personally don't write fast. That would be a problem if I had a job because a company has overhead including salaries. So it need regular revenue and can't wait for me to finish something once a year. Likewise if a person is a real go-getter and is that rare individual who can crank out quality material, which has it own issue for a company with multiple projects and product lines. Also another consequence of being an independent is that the market will judge what fair for you. You may do a couple of kickstarters and find that it hard to budge beyond a certain number of folks. Or that what you write isn't as good as you thought it would be. I have folks who like my material, but I am not under any illusion that it is the hottest thing out there. I have a particular taste and style that works for some and doesn't work for many others. In the 10+ years I been doing this, I met people who were bitter about their work not selling as well as they think it should. I didn't know what was going to happen when I started writing in the 2000s. Over time I found that I prized my creative freedom. While I was willing to help other with their own project either by contributing something to being paid to do something. I wasn't interested in taking on the responsibility of making another person's creative vision happen. Matt's job at Mongoose isn't my cup of tea so to speak. But it great that he and his team is making a go at it and having success. Next one doesn't have to go at it alone. You could be part of a co-op of individual working together to realize the group's creative vision. The difference from a traditional company is that you go into this with the idea that it is a team. Sometimes equal, but often with people having different shares agreed to beforehand. Some things are the same as with a employee-employer relationship but fundamentally it is a democracy rather than the enlightened feudalism the best companies represent. Personally I been part of several ad-hoc teams usually doing some of the mapping and got a cut of what the project took in. [B]Wrapping it up[/B] People in the industry need to be aware that thanks to technology, and open content, they have power to change their circumstances if where they work is not ideal. That it is still work it is doable and many have been successful at it. It like sticking to a RPG system one has grew to dislike or no longer finds enjoyable. Stop playing the game and play something else. Especially when it already exists. Being a Traveller fan since 1980, I think you done a pretty darn good job. Especially taking on projects that extend Traveller like the Great Rift. I won't kid, I think it still a bit pricey ($5 or $10 more than I am comfortable with) but I been buying a lot more recently from Mongoose because of the recent improvements in the past few years. [/QUOTE]
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