D&D 5E What to do when the thing you were hoping to put on DMs Guild kinda, already exists?

[Otog]

Hi everyone, first time poster here. I have been working on a race supplement and adventure off and on for the past year, when last night I happened to be browsing around the DMs Guild and find that someone beat me too it... kinda. I bought the product to see what it was all about and found that the writer took it in a different direction than the one I was taking.

My question is, do I throw out my work or do I keep going?

I am inclined to abandon my efforts, as I was not too far in and it would still take me a long time to finish even when I get started. On the other hand, I have seen where multiple people have made products on the same thing (for example, there are three or so products for playable lizardfolk...) and I am still enthused about seeing my version and my product be finished.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond, and happy gaming!

 

[MNblockhead]

As long as it is your own, fresh content and it is well written and well designed, go for it. It's okay of there are different takes on the same race, class, or whatever. Let the market decide which is "better."

 

[Otog]

As long as it is your own, fresh content and it is well written and well designed, go for it. It's okay of there are different takes on the same race, class, or whatever. Let the market decide which is "better."

Hey thanks! The other thing that I have been considering is do I embrace this thing that already exists? Like, should I have a sidebar where I point readers to this other product and focus mine on what I will be doing differently?

 

[ccs]

Hey thanks! The other thing that I have been considering is do I embrace this thing that already exists? Like, should I have a sidebar where I point readers to this other product and focus mine on what I will be doing differently?

I wouldn't even acknowledge the other one. Just spell out what you're aiming for in an intro & get on with it

 

[Storyteller Hero]

I've seen a bunch of postings on DMsGuild for the same things with different takes by by different authors.

DMsGuild is not really a place to make a living so don't worry about competition. For most people, it might help to pay for new books that come out, or a pizza at the game table.

If you've put work into a DMsGuild product that you are passionate about, just post it. At the very least, it's good practice for anything you make in the future.

I personally have a product on my channel that went to 407 pages, and if somebody else did the same thing on DMsGuild, I would still have posted my take on the concept.

 

[seebs]

No real reason to comment on it, just make the thing you want to make as a thing that stands on its own and does what you want.

 

[Jester David]

It's happened to me a few times.
I thought about doing a book of backgrounds, some races, and a few other products.

If it's another fan on the DMs Guild I'll generally think about publishing as well. If it's someone like Kobold Press... less so.

 

[Ath'kethin]

If it's another fan on the DMs Guild I'll generally think about publishing as well. If it's someone like Kobold Press... less so.

I say publish what you have regardless. Kobold Press has a ton of really awesome stuff, but in my opinion doesn't really push any boundaries. So I wouldn't worry about duplicating something that is already there, worry about making something worth people's time and money to look at and use. Particularly if your take on a concept is different from those already in publication; the fact that someone with 40 years of industry experience and high production values already tackled an idea doesn't mean theirs is the approach that suits everyone's needs or preferences.

 

[MNblockhead]

Hey thanks! The other thing that I have been considering is do I embrace this thing that already exists? Like, should I have a sidebar where I point readers to this other product and focus mine on what I will be doing differently?

I wouldn't. The only time I think this would be warranted is if you are giving a differnt take on something in RAW. For example, if you hate the 5e ranger and still don't think the Unearthed Arcana variants hit your sweet spot, you might want to explain how your ranger differs and why you made certain decisions. I would even put this in the product description as it will help draw interest. But you are not filing a patent application, you don't have to acknowledge every instance of content covering similar ground.

If you are a big fan and want to give a shout out, you could put something at the end of the material in a "references" or "other sources" section...but, to me, that seems like adding unnecessary text.

Just my two coppers.