tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640265852371787129.post9074787679988134225..comments2023-11-12T01:55:41.490-08:00Comments on SWORD & SHIELD: GAMA 2011 Report: When the king abdicates the throne...who will rule?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640265852371787129.post-51414400324977585432011-03-17T00:12:38.331-07:002011-03-17T00:12:38.331-07:00I think the days of the 'one to rule them all&...I think the days of the 'one to rule them all' mono-systems are past.<br /><br />The technology that is currently impacting the hobby has changed the rules forever. With the advent of things like pdf publishing and VTT a company of 3 people could produce a product bought by 200-300 players and be a viable company. <br /><br />As for the OSR, things are changing and a split is forming between those that just want to play the older editions and those who see it as a re-boot and going semi-pro or pro. I'm as old school as they come, but I don't see that as I only play a certain game or a certain time period. Being a (soon to be) first time publisher I have worked for the past year on a project that is based on the Microlite systems and the SRD, uses the core mechanic and a simple blend of skills and attributes to create a modular system that anyone can pick up and play. With the majority of gamers playing some version of 3x I thought it best to try to reach out to that demographic.<br /><br />And I might be onto something.<br /><br />Congratulations to Erik Mona and his team for their recent advances (#1 selling rpg product at Amazon still) and proving that this is a proper model to follow.<br /><br />(And understand, I never set out to create a system. I had a large story / setting that I wanted to finish (10 years in the works)and try and publish and just couldn't settle on a system currently in print to attach it to. So I built a custom engine from the ground up.)xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17814063435676111475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640265852371787129.post-17540264796323431752011-03-16T21:43:41.352-07:002011-03-16T21:43:41.352-07:00I just bought my Texas Super Lotto ticket
estimate...I just bought my Texas Super Lotto ticket<br />estimated cash value = $128, 300, 000<br /><br />someday<br />Charlie Sheen and I will RULE you all ;-O)Clovis Cithoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18208194219083373456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640265852371787129.post-80599064164645985962011-03-16T15:49:25.366-07:002011-03-16T15:49:25.366-07:00Hi Erik, I certainly understand that thought proc...Hi Erik, I certainly understand that thought process, and I agree GAMA has certainly been in decline and no doubt other folks felt the same way and made a similar decision-to go but not show. Yet, WotC's lack of showing at GAMA really left it wide open for Paizo to take the throne in retailers minds. I understand the business reasons and costs associated with doing a booth, shipping product, give-aways, room & board, airfare, etc. but if Paizo is planning on doing some or all of the individual distributor shows (GTS, Alliance, Diamond, ACD, etc.) which have less attendance and reach than GAMA, it seems like a potentially more expensive and potentially less impactful brand decision. At least from the bleacher bums perspective. I am probably completely wrong, but its food for thought.Fenway5https://www.blogger.com/profile/14870312188585916750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640265852371787129.post-20016181405864198692011-03-16T14:59:21.015-07:002011-03-16T14:59:21.015-07:00Most of the RPG companies don't exhibit at GAM...Most of the RPG companies don't exhibit at GAMA because the convention has kind of been on deathwatch for the last couple of years, with dwindling attendance and very little value to publishers.<br /><br />The new folks in charge of GAMA have tried to do a number of things to improve this perception, and from early reports (increased attendance, etc.), it may very well be working.<br /><br />If GAMA makes GTS a must-attend show for RPG producers, RPG producers will exhibit at GTS. We have two folks there right now, and I eagerly look forward to hearing from them whether or not they think it would be worthwhile for Paizo to exhibit at the show again. Early signs point to "probably," but we'll see.<br /><br />--Erik Mona<br />Publisher<br />Paizo PublishingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640265852371787129.post-46436500905076164442011-03-16T13:52:52.404-07:002011-03-16T13:52:52.404-07:00True enough, it is a hobby market again and while ...True enough, it is a hobby market again and while that may mean sales of any one "hot" RPG book is smallish, it also means their should be a rebirth off RPG's through indie press games as you pointed out. Better yet, a hobby game will take off at some point and become the next big thing. The passion and experience of a hobby gamer trying to produce something new in the RPG market will eventually lead to someone getting it right and a new era of PG players will emerge. I love the OSR, but that isn't where its going to come from. Republishing an old edition won't kick off the next big thing, but it will inspire someone to try their hand at making their own RPG and THAT is where the revolution will come from. I think OSR lit a lot of imaginations, now I am anxious to see what blows up as a result!Fenway5https://www.blogger.com/profile/14870312188585916750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640265852371787129.post-14856156585681236532011-03-16T09:25:42.232-07:002011-03-16T09:25:42.232-07:00This has been the discussion point since last year...This has been the discussion point since last year. One of the articles about sales was when Dresden Files was second in sales for the Q and they had sold less than 5k units to be there. <br /><br />A little more than 1500 a month to be a top dog?<br /><br />The rule of thumb I see is if it fits in a pdf it will go that way and I don't think a proper accounting of sales is being done on the RPG front because a lot of the companies you mentioned are doing fine. They just don't see the retailer as their primary outlet anymore. <br /><br />Amazon, Lulu and other PoD are becoming the destinations for the product.<br /><br />Also I don't think the reporting really represents the OSR / Indie scene where most of the new activity is taking place.<br /><br />And yes, I would give up a testicle for a customer base like Paizo has. <br /><br />Feel the love! :)xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17814063435676111475noreply@blogger.com