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

[catsclaw227]

3pp's who create new monsters, classes, feats, rituals, etc. cannot get them loaded into the DDi. Since many 4e users rely on the DDi to build characters, create monsters, and prep their adventures, the fact that WotC prevents 3pp's from getting their material into the DDi is another means of not support 3pp's.

I agree with much of the above except one part, but I could be wrong....

Isn't it perfectly legal for 3PPs to take their custom monsters, put them into the Monster Builder, then export them as an XML file for import back into Monster Builder by a buyer of their product?

If a 3PP wanted to do a Monster book, can't they also provide Monster Builder files along with their PDF?

Piracy may be an issue, but that is just as much an issue with a PDF.

I could be wrong, though, so if anyone knows the specifics about this, I'd love to find out the facts.

 

[mudbunny]

I agree with much of the above except one part, but I could be wrong....

Isn't it perfectly legal for 3PPs to take their custom monsters, put them into the Monster Builder, then export them as an XML file for import back into Monster Builder by a buyer of their product?

If a 3PP wanted to do a Monster book, can't they also provide Monster Builder files along with their PDF?

Piracy may be an issue, but that is just as much an issue with a PDF.

I could be wrong, though, so if anyone knows the specifics about this, I'd love to find out the facts.

I think (IANAL) that there would be tricky legal issues with the 3PP selling something made with the Monster Builder.

 

[catsclaw227]

I think (IANAL) that there would be tricky legal issues with the 3PP selling something made with the Monster Builder.

Maybe that's the snag. But if the creatures were built normally, and the adventure written, and THEN the monster builder was used to build the import file....

Which came first, chicken or egg?

 

[czak]

This is awesome!

I totally dig Paizo. I have bought many of their products and I am very happy that they are having success with Pathfinder. Heck I just renewed my subscription so I could get Kingmaker. I have spent well over $1000 on Paizo products.

End disclaimer....

But the part I quoted above is so awesome! <sarcasm>

I recall when WOTC announced 4e, and when they decided not to renew the Dragon/Dungeon license with Paizo (done well in advance, professionally and without animosity). I also recall when they were slow with the GSL, and had decided that it wouldn't be as open as the OGL.

There were scads of posts claiming that WOTC screwed their customers something fierce, that they fired their customers, that they OWED them something. And they got hounded and hounded.

Isn't the quote above an example of the pot calling the kettle black?

RPG fans are an interesting bunch...

One potential way of distinguishing the two situations would be to see which party changed the status quo.

 

[catsclaw227]

One potential way of distinguishing the two situations would be to see which party changed the status quo.

Maybe, maybe. But being a business that wants to be relevant for the long haul almost requires that you change the status quo.

Talk to the newspapers about that one...

 

[Dannager]

There were scads of posts claiming that WOTC screwed their customers something fierce, that they fired their customers, that they OWED them something. And they got hounded and hounded.

Isn't the quote above an example of the pot calling the kettle black?

RPG fans are an interesting bunch...

Put far more kindly than I would have.

One potential way of distinguishing the two situations would be to see which party changed the status quo.

Oh, so that's the heinous crime WotC has been guilty of all this time. I'd been wondering.

 

[mudbunny]

Maybe that's the snag. But if the creatures were built normally, and the adventure written, and THEN the monster builder was used to build the import file....

Which came first, chicken or egg?

Then it all depends on how confidant the legal teams of the 3PP and WOtC are, doesn't it.


(Again, IANAL.)

 

[ShinHakkaider]

There were scads of posts claiming that WOTC screwed their customers something fierce, that they fired their customers, that they OWED them something. And they got hounded and hounded.

Isn't the quote above an example of the pot calling the kettle black?

Unless BryonD was specifically one of those posters doing the above then I'd say NO it's NOT a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Unless youre just blindly labeling everyone who is not a 4E fan a WOTC hater which is not the case at all.

I dont give WOTC any of my money not because I hate them but because they dont produce anything that I'm interested in buying any more. It's the first time in many years that I HAVENT given WOTC any of my money. Paizo makes a product that I like so they've been getting the bulk of my RPG money instead.

I mean are you saying that things like the long initial delay of the GSL and the revoking of the WOTC/TSR PDF's are things people should be pleased with and are not worthy of ANY kind of criticism? Personally I feel that if youre not playing 4E, why do you even give a crap about the GSL in the first place?
And re: PDF's I have almost all of the early TSR PDF's that I wanted so I'm fine but I see how that could have pissed off quite a few people.

 

[fireinthedust]

I'd get some of my fan creations looked at, Peached, and published@!!!


What's the process for submissions? I'm liking the playtest classes I've read (Cavalier, Witch, Oracle, Summoner), and I have an idea for one. I think it'd work, but I need to format this sucker and get some feedback.

new to PF, or I'd already know.


Also: I think the who edition wars thing is about as useful as blaming Xbox or PS3 for your life's problems. I buy both. I just got the Beastiary, and the crew likes the new classes enough we might run a game from the SRD (until we can afford the books; we're all poor post-students with debt and pregnancy as a factor; but the booooks are sooo coool.... and I'd like to check out the Efreet books, as I really love the art. Ditto the Prescott Council of Thieves books!)

Basically, it's like addictions work: people go over and over reasons why someone has hurt them, lacking the life skills to say "okay, let's get over the hurt and focus on making our lives".
not to say that making up for things you've done wrong isn't important; but you can't live your life waiting for other people to admit it. So for the edition wars I'd recommend stopping focusing on why 4e and PFRPG "hurt you" as a gamer, and focus on moving on.
In fact, the best thing would be to see and enjoy both for what they are: one as a combat engine and great intro for newbs; the other as an expanded and freer general set of guidelines, with a broader system and setting. If you prefer one over the other, go with that.

I'm glad Lisa, James and Eric have responded to this thread and focused on the strengths of what they're doing. They've been clear for why the partnership with Wizards didn't work for their longterms happiness goals. However, they haven't focused on "the hurt". It's this kind of maturity that allows me (who enjoys both sytems) to enjoy both for what they are.

as an aside, taking the leaps Paizo did as a company has been fun to watch. I can only imagine the fear and suchnot involved in starting up the Pathfinder line, and seeing it pan out.

 

[czak]

Put far more kindly than I would have.

Oh, so that's the heinous crime WotC has been guilty of all this time. I'd been wondering.

I'm just saying it possible to see the two situations as different. You won't see me running around caterwauling about the evils of WOTC . I was pretty stoked about 4.0 coming out, I'd really liked Bo9s. It didn't turn out quite the way that I wanted it to, but I don't take it as a personal attack.