Pathfinder 1E You're the CEO of PAIZO. Now What?

[James Jacobs]

Has anyone at Paizo picked up the phone and tried?

No. To put it as bluntly as possible, we don't want to produce 4E products at this time.

We as a company are doing much better with Pathfinder than we could servicing someone else's game. Someday, that might change, but that day is not today.

 

[Mistwell]

Again, no it is not.
No one is saying the GSL ties their hands.
Their hands are tied by default.

They have mentioned their license for Dungeon and Dragon and how that went. The OGL/GSL issue has nothing to do with that. They don't want to repeat that experience.

I don't see what that has to do with anything. The magazine license would look very little like a license to publish a single module or a single AP. The problems with one (that the magazines expire though they continue on a monthly basis normally with no expiration - which was in the agreement) would not relate to the other (indefinite publication of a finite product - which would be in the agreement). All it would require is no expiration for their right to publish the adventure or AP. If WOTC said no to that, well, then you have a good reason to say no to the license. But, at this point, nobody has even made a call to ask as far as I know. So, yes, I say it's an excuse to claim there is some problem down the line with something that, as far as we know, has never even been attempted, and which has little resemblance to a prior magazine license.

It is far more accurate to say that 4E fans demanding support....

Let's stop there. I am not demanding anything. I do not see anyone else demanding anything. I'm just talking about the topic of the reason given by Paizo for not trying to publish a 4e adventure. They chose to give that reason, and I'm free to question and critique it. If they want to give another reason, I'm all ears. Or if they want to give no reason, that's their right as well. But, they gave a reason, it doesn't make much sense to me, and I am therefore questioning it. Same thing you have done with various other topics and companies.

 

[Croesus]

Folks, both James and Lisa have made it clear that, at this time, Paizo is not interested in producing 4E material. Can we just accept that and move on? Please...

 

[rjdafoe]

No. To put it as bluntly as possible, we don't want to produce 4E products at this time.

We as a company are doing much better with Pathfinder than we could servicing someone else's game. Someday, that might change, but that day is not today.

Thank you for being honest. This is something that I suspected for a long time now. It is good that you as a company are finally done with the excuses when people ask why there is no 4E support for APs. Remember, none of us have to like it, but alot of us have enough experience and knowledge to know when things do not entirely make sense. (especially considering you SELL 4E books, and I get info about 4E stuff in my e-mail from you)

BTW, it is entirely reasonable thing to do. (but that doesn't mean that I have to like it )

I wish WotC would be as honest as you.

 

[Hunter In Darkness]

Mistwell ya do know the only 3pp of note for 4e does not use the GSL? And Paizo has made it clear why they will not go for a license and just why they will not use the GSL

And as has been said above this is a closed case, something that has no chance of being done within the next few years anyhow.

 

[billd91]

Thank you for being honest. This is something that I suspected for a long time now. It is good that you as a company are finally done with the excuses when people ask why there is no 4E support for APs. Remember, none of us have to like it, but alot of us have enough experience and knowledge to know when things do not entirely make sense. (especially considering you SELL 4E books, and I get info about 4E stuff in my e-mail from you)

BTW, it is entirely reasonable thing to do. (but that doesn't mean that I have to like it )

I wish WotC would be as honest as you.

What is it with people dismissing Paizo's reasons as excuses? You don't think their experiences with WotC licensing affect their willingness to get back in bed with them on intellectual property issues? You think that's just a front for simply not wanting to do 4e material? Is there a reason people can't seem to take them at their word? Or is it just that you'll only accept the reason you preconceive they have?

 

[Betote]

Why is so many people still surprised that the company that was almost forced to go out of buisness because WotC decided unilaterally to revoke a license is now opposed to sign a new unlilaterally revokable license with WotC?

A boiled cat is afraid of cold water, after all.

 

[Erik Mona]

To be fair, Wizards of the Coast did not "unilaterally revoke" Paizo's license to produce Dragon and Dungeon magazines. They decided not to renew the license at the end of the term, which is a fish of a different color.

But I do think it is fair to say that our past experiences with publishing licensed products (not just with Wizards of the Coast) has made us MUCH more interested in producing our own material and living or dying by OUR choices rather than the choices of other entities whose business goals may not line up with (or have anything whatsoever to do with) ours.

--Erik

 

[MerricB]

To be fair, Wizards of the Coast did not "unilaterally revoke" Paizo's license to produce Dragon and Dungeon magazines. They decided not to renew the license at the end of the term, which is a fish of a different color.

But I do think it is fair to say that our past experiences with publishing licensed products (not just with Wizards of the Coast) has made us MUCH more interested in producing our own material and living or dying by OUR choices rather than the choices of other entities whose business goals may not line up with (or have anything whatsoever to do with) ours.

Truly.

Creating something that relies on someone else is hard to get an ongoing business plan around. You can do it... but forever? Very difficult.

The great legacy of Wizards' OGL is how it allowed Paizo to continue afterwards: creating Pathfinder and continuing to create their adventures. Paizo wasn't handed their success on a silver platter: they truly earnt it by continuing to produce good adventures, and then crafting Pathfinder.

Looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Cheers!

 

[rjdafoe]

What is it with people dismissing Paizo's reasons as excuses? You don't think their experiences with WotC licensing affect their willingness to get back in bed with them on intellectual property issues? You think that's just a front for simply not wanting to do 4e material? Is there a reason people can't seem to take them at their word? Or is it just that you'll only accept the reason you preconceive they have?

All of which are good and reasonable reasons.

An excuse is not being able to make the kind of adventures we want to make. Get it now?

Just like I wish that WotC will admit that they really don't want 3pp in 4E. If they did, the GSL would be different.

I don't have any particular alegiance to either company. But I know when there is reallymore to the story.