Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Pirates of the Bronze Sky to be released July 4th, 2011...

Looks like we have a set date for the newest Pathfinder Role Playing Game setting. I hope I can pull this whole Pirates of the Bronze Sky thing off in the suggested date.  Well at least you know to save you money up for its release.  The Cold War just got a little hot.  Talk to you later...

Just two pieces of art left for Obsidian Twilight RPG Setting...

It is kind of funny to realize that this whole Obsidian Twilight project that started on Thursday October 9th, 2008 with this post is days away from being completed and released at RPGNow.com and Paizo.com. This has bee a complete labor of love for me from beginning to end and I have enjoyed just about everything with it (There are always ways some bad spots when developing).  I am glad I had the change to do this setting since I know this is something I wanted play and no one else would have done it.  Plus this gave me the chance to build my second fantasy setting (NeoExodus: A House Divided being my first) from the ground up. When Obsidian Twilight is finished I hope you pick it up and enjoy it as much as I had making it.  And if I have not said it yet I would like to thank everyone who worked on this project: James ‘Grim’ Desborough, Nicholas John Oefinger, Gleydson A. Caetano, Carlos Herrera Portilla and Jason Rainville, Guillermo Angel , Eduardo Bromhbley, Gleydson A. Caetano, Anthony Cournoyer, Ean Moody, Alejandro GarcĂ­a Palomares, Carlos Herrera Portilla and Jason Walton. This could not have been done without you.  Thanks again!  So enjoy this rough sketch of the Blood Duelist Prestige Class and just hold on for a few more days.  Talk to you later...

[LPJDesign] Independence Day Sale from July 1st thru 4th

This Thursday, July 1st thru Sunday July 4th, we are having our Independence Day Sale.  This sale is only going to be going on for our loyal customers of RPGNow.com.  The majority of Louis Porter Jr. Design and Devil’s Workshop products will be on sale at 30% OFF their normal cost at RPGNow.com.  If you put something in your wish list from us, well Thursday, July 1st thru Sunday July 4th is when you want to buy it.  Only at RPGNow.com!  See us here: http://lpjdesign.rpgnow.com

Monday, June 28, 2010

The Bechdel Test - Diversity in Media still behind on the times...


I just heard about the Bechdel Test and I thought just change woman to minority plus talk about men to talk about non-minority and you will get a similar effect.  Interesting and something to think about.  Talk to you later...

Sunday, June 27, 2010

A great business Opportunity for RPG Publisher AND retailers...

This is a Facebook conversation that I am having with Gary Ray of Black Diamond Games about selling RPGNow / Paizo gift cards at RPG Retailer stores.


Louis Porter JrBlack Diamond GamesHere is a RPG Publisher question for a retailer: If RPGNow.com made gift cards; like iTunes does and sells in Target; would you as a retailer carry them?
Black Diamond Games
Black Diamond Games 
I don't see why not.
Louis Porter Jr
Louis Porter Jr 
I want to make sure I got this right, you are saying it is OK if RPGNow.com made gift cards that were sold in your store that customer could to purchase product on RPGNow.com?
Black Diamond Games
Black Diamond Games 
Sure. If It follows that PDF sales are add on and not print replacement sales offering such a product provides us income without harming our existing sales. We would just need to provide space and promotion. I have doubts it would work, but I'm not against the idea.
Louis Porter Jr
Louis Porter Jr 
Hmm... Interesting. I have spoken to other retailers who were dead against it on the fear of purchasing product exclusively available only on RPGNow.com. That seem like something I might want to discuss with a online PDF store like RPGNow.com or Paizo.
Black Diamond Games
Black Diamond Games 
That's exactly why I don't have anything against it. It gives me a cut of something I don't even sell.


Now the next question to ask is who will be the first online retailer to do this: RPGNow or Paizo? and best of all, how long will it take?  I think I am going to post this is several place and get other peoples opinions on this. Talk to you later...

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

I might have to kiss Erik Mona in the mouth over this...

Just got my copy of GameMastery Guide and I am only just skimming the book (only up to page 40) and I am in love with this book.  I mean I AM IN LOVE WITH IT!!!! Telling people HOW TO PLAY the game is just an important as providing them with the material to play it. Best of all this part could be reprinted as its own small book to give to retail store to promote Pathfinder pay in their store.  Hell Paizo could add the stores logo to the version and charge them a few bucks for a specialized ones if they want.  Place this line item under marketing expenses and you could write it off as advertising dollars spent.  And I am only 40 pages in to this book!!!!

Once again Paizo is proving itself as the SMART RPG publisher.  I might have a little man-crush on Erik Mona. What will my wife say?  Well it is gaming-related so I think she will understand.  Talk to you later...

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

As a writer what sounds like the better deal: Getting paid 2 cents a word or 5% of the total sales?


The answer to this question all depends on one simple little thing; how “good” of a writer are you? If you are just starting out, then 2 cents a word is a good rate. No matter what happens, you get paid and that is you end goal. If you are Monte Cook or Wolfgang Baur, well you are going t sell at a certain level for the life of the product, so that 5% could be some serious money if done right. It is a very simple question right? How much are you skills worth? How much are your skills worth now OR in the future? How badly do you need the money now OR in the future? How well do you market yourself now or in the future? How much to you have invested in the product you worked on is the better question. Too many people look for the easy short cash without realizing what the long term effect it might have on them. Being a freelancer, the name of the game is marketing one’s self so you can become more popular over time which in turn makes you more money. What you think you are worth is up to you. What you think you can earn over time is really up to you. What are you doing with that knowledge and how can that help you in the learn term? Just something to think about next time you are accepting a new writing position. Talk to you later…

Monday, June 21, 2010

Obsidian Twilight cover coming into the home stretch...

Soon the circle will be complete. Talk to you later...

Obsidian Twilight Cover with more detail and Facebook request...


As you can see this cover for Obsidian Twilight is more detailed, but we are still making some serious changes to this one including removing the huge hammer. I thought this was a good ideas and as you can see I was wrong about that.  Enjoy.

Oh yes by the way, Facebook request. A lot of you have attempted to friend me under my Louis Porter Jr. profile and not my Louis Porter Jr. Design profile.  In my Louis Porter Jr. profile I only link to friends, family, co-workers or people I have actually met in person face to face.  The Louis Porter Jr Design profile is the profile for all the business related stuff.  So if you see me ignore you on Louis Porter Jr. don't take it personal. Louis Porter Jr. is for fun, Louis Porter Jr. Design is for business.  Talk to you later...

Sunday, June 20, 2010

A Father's Day Gift from LPJ Design...


Just a little something to make you feel good on Father's Day. Start saving your pennies now, as you can see, the current NeoExodus: A House Divided product line for OGL is quite large already. And with the new Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatible editions they are only going to be better. Best of take a look at the NeoExodus: A House Divided setting right here for FREE!  Have a good Father's Day (My first one as a Father!!!!). Talk to you later...

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Talk about a smart way to market your product from WorldWorks Games


I just saw this video and I had to give prop when props are due.  WorldWorks Games has created and EXCELLENT video that make you want to go out and buy there products, RIGHT NOW!!! There are a lot of good companies out there making 3-D terrain, but this is the coolest thing I have seen so far.  The question I have to ask myself and any other game publisher, why aren't you doing something as cool as this?  Talk to you later...

Friday, June 18, 2010

[LPJ Design] Spell Vs. Spell 1: Fireball vs. Lightning Bolt for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Gam

Louis Porter Jr. Design has released it all new line of suppliments for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game called Spell Vs. Spell. Spell Vs. Spell 1: Fireball vs. Lightning Bolt is available at RPGNow.com and DriveThruRPG.com.  Here is information on this product:

Imagine you are playing an arcane spellcaster and you have just gained the ability to cast 3rd-level spells. You smile as you take a quick glance at the spell list and you decide you want one that deals damage. Lots of damage. You have two obvious choices, each of them classic spells harkening back to the old days of the world’s oldest role-playing game: they are fireball and lightning bolt.

Spell Vs. Spell 1: Fireball vs. Lightning Bolt analyzes the similarities and differences between these two classic spells and provides advice for the spellcaster trying to decide which spell to prepare, including a full list of all of the monsters in the core rules with resistances or vulnerabilities to these spells. Whether you choose fireball or lightning bolt, you will also find a number of tips and tricks for interesting ways to use each spell in order to fry your opponents in the most effective manner possible. Finally, this product provides new feats for fans of fireball and lightning bolt and four new spells to be used as alternatives to or in conjunction with the classics.


Pathfinder and associated marks and logos are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC, and are used under license. See paizo.com/pathfinderRPG for more information on the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

Paizo gets it, and you should copy their business plan...

Once again Paizo proves themselves as the heir apparent to the D&D throne. I picked up my copy of Master of the Fallen Fortress from my local gaming store for Free RPG Day this weekend (if you are going to be in South Florida this weekend, you can see & meet me in person at Florida SuperCon in Miami looking to recruit artists) and I also picked up the NPC Guide. Full color, amazing art and layout.  Fantastic all around products. I was talking to some friends and they told me that thye have jumped ship from 4E to Pathfinder.   The main reason? "Pathfinder felt like D&D".  I keep hearing that from more and more people.  "4E isn't bad, but Pathfinder fells more like D&D to me." is what people are saying.  And I have to agree with the people.

Paizo follows a very simple business formula.  It is the same formula that Apple and Zappos use. They turn customers into evangelist of their products. People talk about Paizo products. Sometimes it is good and sometimes it is bad, but you can talk about Paizo and what they do, and I don't get the feeling they just want you to tell them what you feel so they can make their products better. Plus is Paizo makes a mistake like like with their GameMastery Face Cards: Enemies Deck, they just admit it and move on to do better next time.  Paizo gets it, and if you don't get it maybe you should follow what they do and see if it helps you out.  Hell I did. Where do you think the idea of the Quartermaster digital item cards cam from.  Talk to you later...

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sun Tzu was right...

“If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by.” And that is all I am going to say about that.  Talk to you later...

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Harlan Ellison says you should get paid for your work...


Harlan Ellison is right!  I love this video! I has been out for years and maybe you have never see it. It really puts it in a simple words of why you should be paid.  An never fall for that "exposure" line crap!  The only "exposure" you will get is what it feels like to be "exposed" to someone using and molesting you.  If Rule #1 is Don't lose money. Rule #0 is Get Paid for it.  Like the Joker said, If you are good at something never do it for free. Talk to you later...

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Obsidian Twilight...one more step to completion

Since this is a busy week at work and I will not have a lot of time for updates, here is a little something to tide you over.  It is the rough character design for the Reaper prestige class for Obsidian Twilight.  More to come. Talk to you later...

Monday, June 7, 2010

What LPJ Design is work on now...


While I wait for artwork to come in, I have decided to return to the project that I have put off for far too long.  I am going to finish up the last class of the Ultimate Spell Decks that I started working on a while ago.  Due to their amount of spells, I knew the Wizards / Sorcerer classes would be a pain to do.  But once again I have committed myself to finish this project so I am hoping that I can have it done by the end of the month, if not sooner.  So if you bought the other Ultimate Spell Decks have no fear the last one IS coming out.  Then I will have to go through other Third Party Products and start making Ultimate Spell Decks for them.  Talk to you later...

Saturday, June 5, 2010

LPJ Design has been in talks with Nick Logue about purchasing Sinister Adventures and Razor Coast…


While officially I can not tell you exactly what is going on with my conversations with Nick Logue over Sinister Adventures and Razor Coast; I can say he was very thankful for the offer I made. In addition to LPJ Design, several other people had shown interest also in Sinister Adventures. Nick seemed very committed to release Ebon Shroud and Anarchist Gamemaster Cookbook before making a specific decision to the LPJ Design offer.  I hope this is something we can both work out for the continued success of both of our companies. We will keep you updated as things happen. Talk to you later…

Friday, June 4, 2010

Why is your store so dark? It's like I could get mugged in here...

On Saturday, I went to a gaming store down in Miami, while it was small it did have one thing that irked/pissed me off/drove me crazy and that is the place was dark.  I mean like "back alley dark".And this is not the first time I have walked into a comic and/or gaming store like that. I mean would it kill you to get some lights in the place? I don't understand the need to sit around in the dark in a store when you want people to SEE what you are selling.  TURN ON THE LIGHTS!!! The brighter the store is, the easier it is for people to see things you are selling.  Better yet, the easier you can see what needs to be cleaner up in your store! Women don't like going into dark places in fear that something might happen to them and I agree with them completely.  Here is a little retailer trick I learned a long time ago, the bright your store is, the more thing they will buy! So for all you retailers out there do me a favor: TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS IN YOUR STORE! If I want to get mugged and get my money taken, I will go into a Games Workshop store.  Talk to you later...

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Kind of slow...Just waiting...

Right now I am waiting for my artist to send me several images so I can finish up Obsidian Twilight.  It is so close I can taste it.  On other interesting news, I uploaded my first book; Sidetrek Adventure Weekly Presents: The Trodoon Gate Saga; to Lightning Source via RPGNow.com.  It was easy since the format was correct.  Just have to see where it goes from here.  Talk to you later...

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Yesterday was Freelancer Pay Day at LPJ Design...

The one thing I like the most about my company, Louis Porter Jr Design, is that I do my best to pay my freelancers right after they turn something up to a week of turning something in. A hear from a lot of freelancers that sometimes they don't get paid for a job for several months.  I have found it better for everyone involved to pay as fast as you can, even sometimes faster than you can. For example, all the writing at artwork for Obsidian Twilight has already been paid for. Nobody is waiting for any money to come their way. Profits from other LPJ Design paid for the Obsidian Twilight work.  My products do the hard work of generating sales and profit so I can make MORE products that bring in MORE MONEY! Even though, Kevin O'Leary is kind of an asshole, he does understand what is the "truth of business" and how important money and cashflow is.  Generate cashflow and that will help your business survive. Survival is the name of the game.  It is really kind of simple. Now all you have to do is the work to get there. Happy Pay Day! Talk to you later...

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Obsidian Twilight - Image of a Soul Eater

Here is a new monster that we are introducing in Obsidian Twilight.  He was drawn by Ean Moody. The name REALLY fits the monster.  Enjoy and Talk to you later...