> First of all, there might only be about 200 people on this list... but
> all that statistic shows is how many people know about the OGL, know that
> there is a mailing list, have time to be on a mailing list, and have the
> desire to involve themselves in something that isn't finalized. What about
> when the OGL and D20 are ready and WotC starts promoting?
Actually those might not be the best statistics, but how many people
play D&D? Our audience is the entire D&D community not just people who
know about the OGL and D20.
> Do any of the large established gaming companies have plans to use this
> opportunity? (If they were smart they would).
In all honesty that would be VERY smart of them from a gamer's
standpoint, but I have yet to hear anything through my channels. Then
again, if you really think about it I doubt that Whitewolf or any of the
other giants would want to "effectively" kneel to WotC by supporting
their products. It can be a lucrative market for them, but I think the
pride that these other companies have could get in the way. Plus, like
you did say earlier, this is a new venture in the industry and instead
of succeeding like everyone thinks it will, it may very well fall flat
on its face. So it does involve a bit of a risk. I can see two possible
reactions from those "big" companies:
1. "You want me to do what?" the head game designer cried in outrage.
"Release products and support Wizards of the Coast and the new version
of D&D?" he asked shockingly. "Get bent!" he cried with a tone of
finality. He slammed the door and walked out of his office and was never
seen or heard from again.
2. This D20 System thing looks very interesting. I wonder if it'll take
off? Let's not dive into this just yet though. I say we just wait around
and see how it goes. After the first six months we can evaluate its
success and decide if we want to release products for it or not. If it
succeeds we can say we were developing stuff for it the whole time and
we were just keeping it under wraps. If it fails we'll say we knew it
wouldn't work all along and we'll just laugh at WotC and praise our own
brilliance. Either way the public will love us.
> How do you plan to compete with them?
I'm taking your "them" as in everyone involved (fansites, small
companies, big companies, etc.). Quality versus quantity. Its true that
you can find a ton of info on D&D through many fan websites, but how
much of that info would be free if they could sell it? Another thing to
keep in mind is that fansites are simply that. The are just fansites.
They don't have an art department or an editing department and they
aren't concerned with releasing products for sale. A professionalesque
company (I use the term loosely here, because we are not established
IMO) can provide high quality that is made to supplement D&D the way it
should be. Now I'm not saying that all D&D material on the Net is crap
I'm just saying that maybe 15%-20% of that could be marketed and
released as a product (and those are generous figures). Being the small
upstart company that we are, we plan on releasing our first batch of
modules and supplements in PDF format. This has several advantages and
disadvantages. Advantages for PDF are:
1. Cuts our cost way down. This gives me the freedom to use as much
artwork as want and I can design the entire document in color without
worrying about printing costs.
2. No more hour trips to the one really cool game store that carries
everything. You can browse through our adventures and pick what you want
without leaving the comfort of your own home. Need a module tonight for
a quick impromptu game session? No problem we are two clicks away.
Disadvantages:
1. Marketing issues. We won't reach as many people as we'd like to over
the Internet. It would be much better if we can have our supplements and
such sitting next to the Players Handbook in your local gaming/hobby store.
2. Many people want to have a physical product that is in their hands
and not sitting on their computer terminal. This is just a basic fact.
Personally, I'd rather go and get the new Players Handbook and pay $20
instead of paying $10 for a PHB that just sits on my computer. Granted
you can always print the info out, but its still not the same unless you
have that ultra cool expensive printer (like I do *smirk*).
3. Piracy. I know that our adventures and supplements will be all over
the Net and will be distributed illegally. This is a major issue and
something that we can really do nothing about (at least at this point in time).
> IMO, some of you are basically trying to open up a Quickie Mart right in
> between an all-you-can-eat-for-free buffet and a popular grocery store.
Err. . . I don't quite agree with you on this one. That would be like
saying we have nothing to offer the D&D community. I think we do have
something to offer (if I didn't I wouldn't be doing this right now). We
can give you really good adventures and supplements that we pour
ourselves into and that are really good and entertaining. We offer a
competitive price and you are getting a good solid product. So I'd say
that we are the McDonald's next to the grandiose grandma's cooking all
you can eat super buffet. Some will like us and others will hate us, but
at least you may be tempted to try that Big Mac at least once. And if
you like what you get or you're kinda indifferent to it then maybe
you'll you come back for more.
And honestly if I was interested in making oodles of cash I'd just go
and pursue a web design career and rake in over $100 an hour. All of the
guys at Roc are doing this for one reason and one reason only . . . our
love of gaming. Be it miniature gaming, tabletop gaming, LARPing, etc.
we just love to game. If we can generate enough money that we can quit
our day jobs and do this full time that would be great, but I'd be a
total fool to expect that much success anytime soon (or possibly ever)
for that matter.
This also made me think of one more point to consider. While Roc Games
is the little worm on the big hook think of the other publishers that
are trying to market a brand new system from scratch. John Bob's company
is releasing the brand new S&K RPG this month. Wow its going to be
great! Swords and Killin' promises to be the best gaming experience
ever! Realistic combat, cool characters, a great storyline, blah blah
blah. You've heard that one before (and I've even had to write a couple
of those spiels for some of our games *big grin*). Now what do you think
has a better chance of surviving in the market? A few cool add-ons and
modules for D&D and its established fan base or Swords and Killin'. To
me the answer is very clear.
--
Jeff Visgaitis
Art Director
Roc Games
www.roc-games.com
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For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
