Recently, two well known PDF supporter of WOTC 4E (Alluria Publishing and Alea Publishing Group) just release several Pathfinder Roleplaying supported products. I really don't know that much about Alluria Publishing, but I have been a fan of Alea Publishing Group since I saw their Feudual Lords Campaign Setting material. They are exactly what you want to see in a new publisher: interesting new product ideas, great design work and beautiful artwork. I was a little sad when I heard they were going to support WOTC 4E exclusively with the GSL but I understood why it made sense at the time. But as of late, Aluria just released their 3rd product for Pathfinder Roleplaying Game based off of their WOTC 4E material and now I have to wonder, what is going on. Why would these two companies who supported WOTC 4E, now being supportive of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game? Now they both could just like the system and what to support it. But I think this has more to do with WOTC 4E then actually these two companies.
Back on June 19th, Joseph Goodman of Goodman Games said in a post, "4E is doing well, very well." I never really believed that. It is hard to do "well, very well" in the middle of a recession and with nearly 10% of the US population out of work. That little fact might effect sales GREATLY. I know it effected my on RPGNow.com over the last year. Now with my Pathfinder Roleplaying Game sales doing much greater than expected (Like 3.0/3.5 OGL in the early years) I think Alluria Publishing and Alea Publishing Group just wanted to cover themselves with a little extra safety of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Nothing wrong about that and it is good business to do it so I am all for it. But I have to wonder, how far down are WOTC 4E sales to look at the direct opposition of them to help you make money? Due to the GSL it is somewhat difficult to support the GSL and the 3.5 OGL/Pathfinder Roleplaying Game at the same time. So I have to wonder is it even tougher times ahead of publisher who supported WOTC 4E?
All I can say is, Thank you Paizo! Thank you of all the great work you have done supporting third party publishers and the OGL.
Due to the GSL it is somewhat difficult to support the GSL and the 3.5 OGL/Pathfinder Roleplaying Game at the same time.
ReplyDeleteNot since the GSL was changed; there's no more clause limiting your ability to publish the same work under two systems.
I don't think there's really any mystery here. Contrary to what many would have us believe, there's no holy war. As a third party publisher, why would you care about "opposition"? It's just another market. If Pathfinder material will sell well, it's worth converting your material no matter how well 4e is doing for you.
Bryant, that for the update with the GSL update. I didn't know that. After see the 1st GSL, I never looked back at the license again. Not a good deal for me at all.
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