Just in from Kickstarter - Open Design's Journey to the West

If you are not using Kickstarter, READ THIS POST!

If you are STILL not sure about using Kickstarter after seeing the successes from Rite Publishing, Open Design and even us at LPJ Design, take a second and read through the updates for the Order of the Stick Reprint Drive.  If this doesn't get you motivated to start a Kickstaer project, nothing will.  Talk to you later...

[Business News] LPJ Design has acquired a minority stake in a Third Party Publisher of Pathfinder Material

What does that mean in plain English? Basically it means I have put some of LPJ Design money into another company to have some percentage of ownership which entitles me to a percentage of their profits. What does that mean for LPJ Design? Really nothing on a day to day basis. We will not be changing anything with what we do with LPJ Design. I have minority stake in this company because it offers me access to some things that LPJ Design doesn’t. Better yet it gives me the ability to build another source of income for my business which in turn makes the RPG industry stronger. Plus I can do a few projects that might fit well with the LPJ Design without directly attaching it to LPJ Design, like if they were doing a setting that might be a good idea but not very “LPJ Design”-ish.

Now the big question a few are asking is, Who is the 3PP did LPJ Design purchase a minority stake in? Was it Rite Publishing? 4 Winds Fantasy Publishing? Open Design? Jon Brazer Enterprises? Super Genius Games? Well who ever it is there is one thing you can say for certain, The artwork and graphic design is going to look beautiful! Talk to you later…

Two new Pathfinder RPG release from our friends at Rite Publishing and Open Design

Just I case you might have missed it, in addition to the release of Ultimate Spell Deck: Domain Spell Cards, Rite Publishing and Open Design had put out two new products that Paizo Pathfinder fans might be interested in.

First up, 101 8th Level Spells (PFRPG): Never Cast the Same Spell Twice! 101 8th Level Spells gives you – yes, you guessed it – 101 8th level spells, that will help you realize the vision you’ve had for your spellcaster. Wholly compatible with the Pathfinder RolePlaying Game, 101 8th Level Spells adds new agonizing choices to the creation of your character’s spell list and their advancement without breaking the game. Available for only $5.99 at RPGNow.com.

Next we have Advanced Feats: Visions of the Oracle (Pathfinder RPG): Continuing the popular Advanced Feats series, Visions of the Oracle takes a deeper look at this spontaneous divine class and offers 30 game-tested feats, 3 rock-solid chaaracter builds, plus a class overview, analysis, and designer commentary. Created by Sigfried Trent, this 17-page book includes: A short breakdown of the Oracle class; 30 new feats for the Oracle including Conditional Curse, Meta Spell, and Wand Casting and Oracle character builds: Visionary Healer, Phoenix, Savage Seer. Prepare for a prosperous future by consulting with Advanced Feats: Visions of the Oracle today! And check out the rest of the Advanced Feats series for the other new Pathfinder character classes. Available for only $3.95 at RPGNow.com. Talk to you later…

The Brick & Mortar PDF Guarantee by Evil Hat and Rogue Games is a bad idea and here is why…

I have been reading a lot of forums of late of people talking about how Evil Hat’s Brick & Mortar PDF Guarantee  and Rogue Games Brick & Mortar PDF Guarantee is a great idea. Retailers love it.  The first thought that came to my mind was, “Of course they love it! You are providing a free service to their customers that they can’t and in most cases don’t want to do.” Retail stores don’t want their customers to go digital with PDFs.  That scares most of them to death.  The mantra I hear the most from retailers is, “If they buy PDfs, then they won’t by from my store.” Well if you give them a reason to buy may be they will buy from you.  For all you retailers that don’t understand what I mean and know what to do, let me direct you to Tates Comics in Lauderhill, FL winner of the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailing award.  They might give you some ideas how to do you business better.  Don’t get me wrong, I think the idea of offering the PDF for free if you buy the hard copy is a good idea.  I just think you don’t need to do that on a retailer level.  You could do the same thing by using Lulu.com to do you printing, placing a code on the table of content page, keep a bigger percentage of each sale (by not having to split the money with the distributor and/or retailer) and gaining even more fan loyalty.  If the product is good, people will hear about it.

But back to the digital arena, As a PDF publisher, follower of Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, and Robert Kiyosaki. I think a PDF company needs to service their customers directly and not through a third part source like a retailer.  They are your customers; you should provide them the best service yourself.  To me, Evil Hat and Rogue Games look at the PDFs as an afterthought, something they can toss to the fans as a “nice gesture” as a RPG publisher.  They think their “big money” is with the retailers.  I, of course, don’t think it is the case.  PDF publishing has proven itself not just to be viable but an actual way to build your successful business from the grass roots level.  You need to build your customer base.  Malhavoc Press proved that. Open Design proved that. Paizo proved that. Green Ronin even proved that. Stop looking for retailers to do your work, and sell yourself to your customers. Talk to you later…