"The Best in d20 PDFs"

[Knightfall]

Okay, while there are a lot of great d20 PDF Publishers out there, not everyone has access to a credit card or paypal, and so don't have the option to buy PDFs online. Plus, there isn't a clear way to know what you're getting unless a PDF has several reviews. Not all PDFs are created equal.

I know I'm a minority, regarding my opinions on PDF products, but it's true. There is a lot of variation out there and many shy away from PDFs for such reasons.

So how can diehard book buyers like me truly benefit from PDF products? Well, the first thought was the idea of finding a way to order PDFs through the mail on CD-ROM from someplace like RPGNow or the EN World Game Store. That could work. The question is, how expensive would this be? Is it even a legal way to sell PDFs?

The other thought is a book similar to "Monte Cook Presents: The Year's Best d20", but only for d20 material from the best of the best in PDFs only. You could even go so far as to provide several of the PDFs (or all, if the various designers agree) on CD-ROM, along with the print book. The CD-ROM would also include product catalogs detailing the designers other products (as well as links to their websites) and details on the easiest ways to purchase PDFs online.

Opinions? Concerns? Threats?

Cheers!

Knightfall1972

 

[Voadam]

www.rpgnow.com has an option for burning the pdfs you buy onto a CD and them mailing it to you. I forget how much it costs.

I did this when I ordered a ton of pdfs when ENPublishing had its everything $1 sale as I was on dial up at the time and downloading 20+ big pdfs would have taken forever.

Don't think that solves your no Credit card or paypal problems though.

And I believe Monte put his best of d20 out as a pdf as well as in print, Malhavok puts out almost everything as both pdf and print.

 

[Crothian]

THere is no reason that PDFs couldn't be sold on a CD that I know of. You are right that the quality of PDFs vary, they vary even more then the printy books.

But the best way to know if a PDF is good is to ask about it. Don't depend on people doing reviews becasue let's face it, few people do reviews on PDF products. So, if you are interested ina PDF start a thread on it. You will get more info that way.

 

[GMSkarka]

RPGNow has entered into an agreement with the top distributors in the games business, and some of the better-selling PDFs are now being printed, and will be distributed as regular game books, able to be ordered by your local Game Store.

The current list of distributed product, with their distribution release dates, is available here, with more products added regularly. Be sure to tell your game store about ordering them.

Also, we're filling distribution slots for the coming months, so if there are PDFs you'd like to see made into books, contact the publisher and tell them to sign up for the program.

 

[philreed]

The other thought is a book similar to "Monte Cook Presents: The Year's Best d20", but only for d20 material from the best of the best in PDFs only.

I've actually thought about doing something like this but I'm not sure if anyone would care what I thought was the best PDF material.

 

[Knightfall]

I've actually thought about doing something like this but I'm not sure if anyone would care what I thought was the best PDF material.

Don't underestimate the power of Phil Reed.

Seriously though, perhaps it would be best if such a book was compiled by those such as yourself. I definitely don't think you should try to do it all by yourself. More like a series of PDFLink books -- each devoted to a certain d20 subsystem (i.e. d20 System Fantasy, d20 Modern, d20 Future, etc.) Each book Could be devoted to a single concept [i.e. monsters (been done)] or it could be put together like "Monte Cook Presents" and/or the "DRAGON Compendium" (by Paizo).

Basically, "d20 System PDF Compendium(s)" that highlights the best that d20 PDF publishers have had to offer over the last few years...

* One book detailing new races, classes/prestige classes, feats, equipment, magic, and optional Combat or Magic rules for d20 System Fantasy.

* One book detailing new allegiances, starting occupations, feats, equipment, advanced classes, creatures, FX abilities, and campaign models for d20 Modern.

* One book detailing new aliens, starting occupations, campaigns, gear, starships, vehicles, mecha, robots, cybernetics, mutations, and optional "advanced science" rules foe d20 Future.

We could also ask EN Worlders to contribute new material to the Compendium (that builds on something else that is too appear in the book) and even give suggestions for what should be included (possibly including an option to vote) in said book.

Cheers!

KF72

 

[Aus_Snow]

Um, I thought a person could get Paypal with only a bank account (something just about everyone has - in the first world at least) and an email account (something just about anyone in the world can hypothetically get).

Is that not so? I'm not completely sure either way - it's an honest question.

 

[jdrakeh]

Um, I thought a person could get Paypal with only a bank account (something just about everyone has - in the first world at least) and an email account (something just about anyone in the world can hypothetically get).

Is that not so? I'm not completely sure either way - it's an honest question.

All you need is a valid email address to set up a Paypal account. You need a bank account to verify a Paypal account (which, among other things, removes a monthly spending/sending cap). Once an account is verified, it stays that way (even if you close out the account used for verification).

 

[philreed]

More like a series of PDFLink books -- each devoted to a certain d20 subsystem (i.e. d20 System Fantasy, d20 Modern, d20 Future, etc.) Each book Could be devoted to a single concept [i.e. monsters (been done)] or it could be put together like "Monte Cook Presents" and/or the "DRAGON Compendium" (by Paizo).

If I did this sort of thing I'd just do a single hardcover, as large as necessary, to cover the stuff I find most useful/interesting/fun.

Monte's "Year's Best" already sort of fills this role, though. Sticking to PDF-only sources might result in a final product people would be interested in.

 

[amethal]

I've actually thought about doing something like this but I'm not sure if anyone would care what I thought was the best PDF material.

I'd buy it, and I'm sure plenty of other people would as well.

Unfortunately, I'm also sure you'd generate unfair criticism along the lines of "Who does this guy think he is" and "Look at him cashing in on other people's hard work" and "I can't believe how biased his selection is". Might not be worth the hassle