WOTC, Scott, Where in the World is the GSL

[Baka no Hentai]

Keep in mind that at this time, Paizo only needs those people that already know them - since they are their existing customer base. And maybe they can even afford some losses, though in the long run, they surely want to expand their customer base. That might be hard. But other companies managed that, too. White Wolf or FASA/FanPro certainly did that...

Ah, yes, I am not disagreeing with this at all. My post was simply on observation in response to a claim that Paizo will take 10% of the PnP gamer market... which I feel is more than a bit of an over-estimate.

 

[Nightchilde-2]

I posted this elsewhere - my guess is 10%. 10% of 4E sales of the core books probably means millions of dollars to WoTC. Whoever caused this delay at WoTC should be in danger of losing their job over this.

Yeah, but if WotC loses 10% of their sales in order to appeal to newer gamers that, even over time, bring in, let's say, 10% more sales over peak 3.x level (especially possible now that there won't be an SRD for people to mooch off of for 4e), it's a net win for WotC.

 

[lvl20dm]

I am really interested in seeing how the GSL plays out. We know that it is more restrictive than the OGL, but less restrictive than the d20 license. That's quite a continuum! We don't know, for example, if people will be able to make new classes or races. They more than likely will get to make new powers and feats. Certainly new monsters. Setting stuff and adventures are wide open. How much will 3rd parties be able to tinker with the base game? We've seen hints that the DMG will actually have lots of rules for that kind of tinkering, so it might be built directly into the system.

It seems to me that the subscription-based approach to Paizo's business has necessitated their current "3.75" decision. They don't know what they can do with 4e, so they are sticking with the OGL (at least for now). Companies like Goodman Games and Necromancer have a more traditional approach to product design and they can afford to to wait for the GSL. I think that should be kept in mind when we assess this decision on the part of Paizo. And since it looks like Paizo will be publishing Necromancer's 4e adventure path, they get to jump on the 4e bandwagon without gambling too much.

 

[Lizard]

I am really interested in seeing how the GSL plays out. We know that it is more restrictive than the OGL, but less restrictive than the d20 license. .

Actually, we don't know that at all -- the 'less restrictive' part. Can you site some examples?

 

[Desdichado]

How much splintering can D&D withstand?

Plenty. Why? As far as I'm concerned, I don't care if each and every group in the world uses a different, splinter, house-ruled system.

 

[Enkhidu]

It is impossible to disagree with this.

However, please make sure that you understand that, while Wizards "lost an opportunity to line up another partner to help create the killer app package that will drive 4e sales," there is no hostility between the parties. I've talked to Erik. I've talked to Wizards. I want to make sure that no one thinks this is Paizo vs. Wizards. It isnt. Its two version of D&D, one that Paizo has decided to support for various reasons, and not exclusively I might add. Dont make this Paizo vs. Wizards. And just like when I do 4E products it isnt Necro vs. Paizo, or other 3E guys. At the top level of this, everyone here is friendly with one another and gets along great.

No worries - my comment wasn't meant as an indictment of either side, and I fully expect any rivalries between the two companies to be friendly in nature. But my comment was meant to highlight the unfortunate reality that the delayed GSL seems to be at fault for the loss of a partnership that could have benefited both companies more than the current scenario.

 

[lvl20dm]

And while I can't speak for sales, I will say that 4e is likely to bring in new players where Pathfinder seems unlikely to do the same. As a matter of fact, I haven't purchased a 3.x game product in around 2 years or so, maybe longer. I haven't actively played a d20 game since Fall 2006. When I saw the previews for 4e following Gencon I started rounding out my dungeon tiles collection and have since preordered every 4e product be released through August. I've now run a few rough 4e demos with the quickstart rules, characters, and monsters we've gleaned from 4e. I have people showing up to game with pregenerated characters that cannot level and nobody is complaining. From what I've seen with my gaming group and a few others around town, my situation isn't exactly unique. Take from that what you will.

 

[lvl20dm]

Actually, we don't know that at all -- the 'less restrictive' part. Can you site some examples?

Just look back at early announcements of the GSL discussed by Rouse - he discusses how the d20 License was not a success and actually bad for the parties involved - it's archived somewhere on this website. I've taken that to mean that it is less restrictive than the d20 license.

 

[hong]

Where IS Scott Rouse anyway?

 

[Lackhand]

hong -- killed and eaten. The roads are closed.