To Many Publishers?

[SGTScott]

Hi-
Being back from overseas, it was quite a shock to walk into Games Plus and find millions upon millions of d20 supplements. I saw the thread on worst publishers, but god damn, they are like the fly's in Iraq, millions of them!
As an aside, I did walk out with the 3.5 core rules which are excellent, as well as my old standby's Dungeon and Dragon magazines.
Anyway, I personally think Dungeon and Dragon magazine is my best bet for my dinars.
So that brings me to my final point, who buys all that crap? I mean, how many books can we have on Goblin ecology or the fighter? Dont people use their imagination anymore?


Scott
MP's lead the way!

 

[Crothian]

Well, it's not crap. There's actually lots of good stuff out there. Personally I get more use out of my third party stuff then My Dragon Magazines. But the good thing about all of these books is you get to pick and choose what is right for you. This is not Pokimon, no need to collect them all.

 

[Buttercup]

Some of it is indeed crap. Most of it is pretty good. And a small percentage of it is truly brilliant. It isn't a case of DMs not using their imaginations. Many of us don't have enough free time to detail our campaign world to the extent we would like.

Before you dismiss all the third party stuff, take a close look at some of the best. Monsternomicon, Book of the Righteous, Magical Medieval Society and Nyambe, just off the top of my head, are all worth your attention. It's possible that none of them will be something you want, and if so, that's fine, you don't have to buy them. But they are as far from crap as you can get.

Welcome back home, by the way.

 

[der_kluge]

Yes, welcome home, SgtScott. I salute you.

But, before this thread turns into "these products RAWK!" kind of thing, let me just say that I have to somewhat agree with you. There is a ton of crap out there, and I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say that 90% is only useful to DMs. That said, there are some really groundbreaking, nifty books out there that can add a lot of value to your game. A lot of d20 books are things that Wizards of the Coast would not touch with a 10-ft. pole, either because they are for mature audiences only, or because they are just such niche things that it's not financially viable. But, 5,000 units sold is a goldmine for the d20 publishers, but a horrible loss for WoTC.

Use the reviews section this board to get a better idea of what sucks, and what rocks.

 

[Corinth]

I think that it's not so much a matter of numbers as it is cross-company communication and coordination. If the publishers were to talk more to each other, then they would create more long-term strategic alliances that would allow each publisher to do what they do best- and for the greater good of all concerned.

 

[DaveMage]

I wonder, though, how much seeing all of the d20 products out there affects those that may be just entering the hobby (as a DM).

I mean, just looking at Rokugan (should one wish to begin an Oriental Adventures game in that world), you would have to spend $365+ to get all of the products available for it.

To play in the Oathbound setting, it's $124 (with more products on the way).

To play in the Scarred Lands, the total cost could be as much as $625.

Ravenloft is $335, The Hunt: Rise of Evil is over $100, Kingdoms of Kalamar is around $525, and Freeport is around $150.

Now, there are a few settings which do not have many support products, such as Morningstar, Arcanis, and Nyambe, so maybe that's where someone should start.

Of course, it's as bad when you look at rules-based products.

You could easily spend over $1,000 on Mongoose rule supplements alone. $450 in Fantasy Flight Games supplements, and $350 in Atlas Games rules supplements.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are more d20 products out there right now (that have been produced in three years) than products that TSR/Wizards made in the last 30 years.

 

[DaveMage]

I think that it's not so much a matter of numbers as it is cross-company communication and coordination. If the publishers were to talk more to each other, then they would create more long-term strategic alliances that would allow each publisher to do what they do best- and for the greater good of all concerned.

That sounds good, but the agendas of those involved would prevent this on a wide scale.

Heck, just look at how different companies treat their Open Game Content designation. Some (like Bastion Press) make almost all of their content open, while others (like Malhavoc) keep as tight a hold on their content as possible.

Also, all the d20 companies are fighting for your dollar and want to produce what they feel will sell best, not necessarily what's best for the consumer and the market.

 

[Wombat]

Well, one person's crap is another person's Triple Hot Fudge Sundae

I don't think there are too many publishers, per se. I think several of the smaller companies are shaking out and are leaving the game, while others are melding together. But for all that and all that, there have been some great supplements out there (I love most, but not all, of the stuff put out by Green Ronin and Malhavoc, with spot checks on a few others). Some people are very fond of supplements I can't stand, and vice versa.

Due to the OGL/OGC, a lot of people who want to put out material for D&D are able to. If you like the stuff, all well and good; if you don't, also fine. Goodness knows you can find opinions on both side of almost every single supplement! No, you cannot read through all of them absorb all of them, or use all of them in a given campaign, but look around for reviews and ask friends -- you are bound to find ones you like.

And as the adage goes, if you like it, it must be good -- at least for your game

 

[Treebore]

SGT

For modules check out Necromancer games under the Sword and Sorcery banner, plus 2 are under Troll Lords. If you are a old Judges Guild fan look at Necromancer for that too.

If you want source books there is a lot to look at.

It is easier to tell you which publishers make consistantly good product. The best publishers thread will give you more detail, but here are the ones I like/trust:

Necromancer (Under the Sword and Sorcery bannner, as noted above)
Goodman Games
Green Ronin
Kenzer (They do the World of Kalamar)
Art Haus (They do Ravenloft under Sword and Sorcery logo and the only reason I buy it, they have much room for improvement, but the basics are solid enough to be playable)
Mongoose (About half and half)
Malhavok (sp?) Is Monte Cook, also under Sword and Sorcery banner)

All of these companies have websites, except Art Haus. Searches find them well enough.


Websites I know: necromancergames.com, montecook.com, kenzerco.com

I believe these are correct, but not positive: Greenronin.com, goodmangames.com

Their sites have at least product lists and basic descriptions so you can get a better idea of what you may want to look at.

Welcome home.

 

[Dogbrain]

Actually, I'm reminded of the "golden age" of D&D publishing. That was when we had gems like Judge's Guild. We also had uncountable companies that faded into deserved obscurity and anonymity. With any luck, we might see a "new Arduin" coming out of this at some time.

However, most of the "golden age" stuff was drek.