tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post5612141965830699817..comments2024-03-29T00:32:33.920-04:00Comments on GROGNARDIA: Playtesters NeededJames Maliszewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-2965688484462813982009-07-28T00:04:41.195-04:002009-07-28T00:04:41.195-04:00I like the cover it fits the back cover blurb pefe...I like the cover it fits the back cover blurb pefectly. I would grab this one up just for the horror source material.R.R. Hunsingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08945853668958440509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-25766346857345559782009-07-27T23:31:13.843-04:002009-07-27T23:31:13.843-04:00Yaeh Im' godo taht wya.Yaeh Im' godo taht wya.Rick Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01707062453047354335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-76032197090738119452009-07-27T21:12:45.324-04:002009-07-27T21:12:45.324-04:00Ha ha. Rick made me laugh.Ha ha. Rick made me laugh.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07648499022366444265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-82717601717239037502009-07-27T18:32:58.208-04:002009-07-27T18:32:58.208-04:00I would happy to do a proofreading pass over your ...I would happy to do a proofreading pass over your module for you, James. My wife is an editor, and I've picked up a lot from her over the years, so I might be able to catch some some typos for you.Rick Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01707062453047354335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-81442275496923203702009-07-27T13:05:45.695-04:002009-07-27T13:05:45.695-04:00With this much commentary you're clearly not g...With this much commentary you're clearly not going to please everyone. Even a few days later, I still like the cover. The real question is: does the cover help sell the product? I believe so. People only look at a cover for a few seconds, typically. So it's not worth haranguing over for too long. It's what's inside that counts. :)<br /><br />And hey, at least is doesn't look like manga. That's the thing I hate about Paizo's current art direction. Other than that, their products are gorgeous.<br /><br />On maps: I used to love the old Dungeon magazine because it was black and white and easy to photo copy and 'map bash.' Maps today are barely functional because of the dark colors they use. They're next to impossible to make notes on and eat toner. I also don't think dark maps are 'accessible' to folks with vision problems which is roughly 10% of the population.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03078137184651956189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-35200737062473132012009-07-27T12:07:47.994-04:002009-07-27T12:07:47.994-04:00@CC, that is a good idea about player version of t...@CC, that is a good idea about player version of the maps as a download. I will talk to James about that this week, and see what he thinks.<br /><br />Thank you for the kudos btw, for us (James and I) we just want to make sure the games we design are there for people to play. I am always thinking outside of the box if you will, when it comes to our distribution, and the like. For me, I really think that by treating the gamer/consumer/fan with respect, you make life easier for all involved. Hence the approach I take with PDFs.Rogue Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677589366040436360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-17271119968241570252009-07-27T11:59:55.456-04:002009-07-27T11:59:55.456-04:00Regarding downloadable PDF's, the #1 benefit I...Regarding downloadable PDF's, the #1 benefit I can see is getting the maps in miniatures scale, so they can be laid down for the players. I can work with maps in the book, but having the same nice cartography that the DM sees available for the players (sans DM keys, etc., natch), would be a real boon.<br /><br />(Kudos to Richard Iorio II, btw, for your no-nonsense approach to PDF distro.)CChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01562099987619723930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-23022057450779177302009-07-27T11:56:34.245-04:002009-07-27T11:56:34.245-04:00Joshua said...
"I think the detacheable maps...Joshua said... <br />"I think the detacheable maps concern is a bit overblown. Is there some reason why photocopies of the maps wouldn't work if you can't print them directly from a pdf?"<br /><br />A photocopy works fine if the binding of the book allows it to be opened up and laid flat. Perfect binding does not do this well at all, and you either have a copy that bends and distorts at the edge where the page curved up towards the binding or you actually force the book to lie flat and you risk ruining the binding.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07648499022366444265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-32866871056773031512009-07-27T11:55:15.948-04:002009-07-27T11:55:15.948-04:00@ Robert, the thing is it is not that much of an i...@ Robert, the thing is it is not that much of an issue. The more store that work with us, the easier the job has become. On the store level, they send me the email addresses of who purchased the game, and then the PDF goes out. Heck, I am working on making it even easier on the retail level.<br /><br />I do not see it that much work, and to be honest, I consider it as part of the customer service we provide as being a small press publisher.<br /><br />Also, if the customer provides the proof of purchase, it weeds out those who are looking for a hand out. If you buy via Amazon, it is easy enough to forward the invoice. Same with Noble Knight Games. Those who really want to free PDF, do amazing things when they know they just have to prove the purchase.<br /><br />I am doing a lot of work, behind the scenes, to make it even easier. It just takes time. Still, where we are today, compared to last year, is amazing.Rogue Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677589366040436360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-39372812838762685932009-07-27T11:45:13.997-04:002009-07-27T11:45:13.997-04:00>>This would set the precedent that would re...>>This would set the precedent that would require all subsequent modules to have such a photographic image.<br /><br />Why?JimLotFPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992397707040836366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-61796383161620237762009-07-27T11:42:47.333-04:002009-07-27T11:42:47.333-04:00I understand, Richard. I wouldn’t want to have to ...I understand, Richard. I wouldn’t want to have to personally check proofs-of-purchase and e-mail copies though. (Particularly because I know the technical inefficiencies involved with e-mail attachments, and thus like to avoid them.) The password would be just to help communicate that it isn’t meant to be free.<br /><br />(Of course, I’d could see myself just making it available without a password in the old “honorware” style. If I were to ever ask for money at all.)Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-22314649485824918512009-07-27T11:38:28.335-04:002009-07-27T11:38:28.335-04:00My OD&D (Labyrinth Lord) campaign has characte...My OD&D (Labyrinth Lord) campaign has characters that are at the 4th level threshold. So it would be a perfect opportunity to play-test your module.<br /><br />I agree that new OSR products should not ape the old TSR modules. It's good that you wish to establish your own graphic design style for your series of modules. However, I don't like your use of a processed photograph. This would set the precedent that would require all subsequent modules to have such a photographic image. How are you going obtain a photograph of an orc or a bugbear for your next cover?<br /><br />I highly recommend the use of a hand-drawn illustration. As a matter of fact, I think you should use the artwork of a amateur artists. This would encourage the attitude that module-making is a hobby that everyone can do themselves. Instead of using WoW-style epic superhero illustrations, use drawings by lesser artists who will work for cheap or free. D&D folk art, if you will.Xevenintihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14609390831891414670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-27834148223813857362009-07-27T11:31:53.998-04:002009-07-27T11:31:53.998-04:00@ Robert Fisher: No DRM on our end, no passwords, ...@ Robert Fisher: No DRM on our end, no passwords, nothing. You buy our books, you get your game and PDF. James and I do not get in your way to use the game you paid for in any way you choose to.<br /><br />Personally, I do not worry about piracy, and any method I would take to "fight it" would tick off the consumer who bought it legally.<br /><br />Life is too short to worry about this. Other publishers think we're crazy, but so be it. We'd rather design games and not get in the way of how you use them or play them.Rogue Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677589366040436360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-34180728244414576192009-07-27T10:53:25.674-04:002009-07-27T10:53:25.674-04:00I think the detacheable maps concern is a bit over...I think the detacheable maps concern is a bit overblown. Is there some reason why photocopies of the maps wouldn't work if you can't print them directly from a pdf?Desdichadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14774274812688958457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-82417732761577443392009-07-27T08:52:44.868-04:002009-07-27T08:52:44.868-04:00If I were publishing print products, I would proba...If I were publishing print products, I would probably put the PDF in a password protected ZIP file available for download. The password would be included in the book. So, anyone who bought the print version could download the PDF.<br /><br />(This isn’t the place to discuss the issue, so just understand that—based on my experience in software and e-books—I’m of the opinion that trying to prevent piracy only costs you money with zero return.)<br /><br />Putting the password on the ZIP file instead of directly on the PDF means that the user doesn’t have to enter the password every time they open the PDF.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-16427423376428568862009-07-27T07:54:12.634-04:002009-07-27T07:54:12.634-04:00@JimLotFP said. How do you get around the pdf-with...@JimLotFP said. How do you get around the pdf-with-print issue if you have outside vendors who can't provide that?<br /><br />I can answer this. :)<br /><br />Rogue Games has been partnering with individual game stores for the Buy the Book get the PDF for free. These stores send me an email, and then I send the PDF direct to the customer. I have been busy getting more and more stores working with us.<br /><br />Now, if your store is not working with us, fear not, all you need to do is send us an email, provide proof of purchase, and bam, you get the PDF.<br /><br />Since we went public with our PDF Pledge early this year, I have personally emailed over 250 PDFs to customers. These customers have bought our games at cons, through Amazon and BN.com, and other stores. It is fast and easy. GenCon this year will see the pledge in effect, and purchases will get the PDFs emailed to them after the show.<br /><br />As for the maps, they will be available as a free download from our Scribd page, and from the Rogue Games website. Also, like everything we publish at Rogue Games, you buy the book at IPR or Studio2, you get the PDF for free. You also get the PDF for free if you buy the book elsewhere, and just contact us.Rogue Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677589366040436360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-10580835683083521112009-07-27T07:23:09.350-04:002009-07-27T07:23:09.350-04:00Robert said more-or-less what I'd like to say ...Robert said more-or-less what I'd like to say about the cover. For philosophical reasons, yes, OSR products should have an original design. But for marketing reasons, there's a big advantage in designing a cover that conveys what the product is-- a) an adventure module b) written for use with rules of D&D or similar products c) but not written by TSR or WOTC d) written recently e) but based on alternate or earlier versions of the rules. <br /><br />Imitating the classic design *on the cover* (interior design and art is another story) helps people get all that.<br /><br />And I would love to playtest this.Brian (brian_cooper at hotmail d o t com)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02805168206752602148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-57193479846549457692009-07-27T03:37:56.111-04:002009-07-27T03:37:56.111-04:00I can dig it, James has gone for a funky new look,...I can dig it, James has gone for a funky new look, and personally I think it works pretty well.I like the cover piece and the trade dresses font. The illo sets the sombre mood of the product, and the layout jumps out at the viewer.Good stuff.ATOMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11174747472998540913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-22454016414522436072009-07-26T20:28:01.946-04:002009-07-26T20:28:01.946-04:00It looks good.
I have tended to agree (or perhaps...It looks good.<br /><br />I have tended to agree (or perhaps <em>not disagree</em>) with your idea that OSR products should not ape the old designs.<br /><br />Yet, when I see this one, I can’t help but think that I’d pass it over assuming it was not “old school” and go straight to something with a cover that did more immediately say “old school”.<br /><br />Which—incidentally—doesn’t necessarily mean aping TSR’s old module design. Since Necromancer, Goodman, and others did that with d20 system products, I think it’s more subtle than just that. Probably something that looked more like an old Judges Guild or Rolemaster product says “old school” to me more than just that.<br /><br />(And—on another note—I think some publishers have done a great job of paying homage to the old TSR module style while still giving it a fresh twist.)<br /><br />Anyway, just my thoughts upon seeing it. As I said, I do think it looks good. And <em>any</em> design is going to have upsides ad downsides. I’m not sure that point is all that important in the grand scheme.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-26208272926941439282009-07-26T13:46:18.598-04:002009-07-26T13:46:18.598-04:00Speaking only for myself, my comment was not orien...Speaking only for myself, my comment was not oriented at non-classical covers in general, but this one in particular. Big difference. What I really appreciate in classical cover art/layout is simple functionality, not necessarily a stylistic grab-bag. It can be done differently - consider the art in Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun, or even in the recent Death Frost Doom... Different, but they have the same elegant simplicity.Melanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07165894144553629675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-86744985360330409352009-07-26T11:45:22.240-04:002009-07-26T11:45:22.240-04:00"Death Frost Doom is currently hand-assembled..."Death Frost Doom is currently hand-assembled..."<br /><br />Cool, thanks, Jim.Deltahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00705402326320853684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-58625431200791305052009-07-26T10:26:52.797-04:002009-07-26T10:26:52.797-04:00Sounds pretty cool to me. I'd be glad to beta ...Sounds pretty cool to me. I'd be glad to beta it.<br /><br />I worry that there may be some truth to the claim of homogeneity in the old school movement, looking at how divisive the cover of this module seems to be.Rachel Ghoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04765944479141792643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-50896066827725054822009-07-26T03:02:56.600-04:002009-07-26T03:02:56.600-04:00Wow, if this is a "haunted house" advent...Wow, if this is a "haunted house" adventure, I'm in. I'm a sucker for haunted houses. I still have my copy of "The Mansion of Mad Professor Ludlow" from Dragon Magazine long ago.<br /><br />How long is this adventure? Is it appropriate for a "one-shot weekend?" If we were to playtest it, that would be the context. I've been looking for an adventure to try out OSRIC with.<br /><br />Regarding the cover and art style, I like the blue cover, too - it's really striking and ghostly-looking - but I imagine the black and brown will be nice, too.<br /><br />Regarding "old school" art style, those products which look like late-70's TSR modules may not have the best graphic design, but they do have the virtue of letting you instantly know where the product is coming from. I don't begrudge anyone using a "retro" art style to communicate to shoppers what their product is all about; it's hard to distinguish your product from all the others, and making a clear statement of tone goes a long way for those people seeking that type of product.<br /><br />That's not to say that all "old-school" products need to ape the older art styles, of course. It just means that if you're going to take the art in a new direction, you have a harder job of communicating that it's an "old school" product or system between the covers.<br /><br />Done well, a product jacket can do that without copying the look of the past, and this even presents an opportunity to distinguish oneself from the crowd. It's the bold move, and so I applaud the look of the cover for <i>The Cursed Chateau</i>. I'm happy to say that the art direction on this one would make me pick it up at the local game store, but I would be very surprised to discover that it's designed for systems like S&W, OSRIC, etc. From the cover, I would assume it's for a White Wolf system or maybe Call of Cthulhu.<br /><br />In that sense, not going with a retro style might actually be a risk; if White Wolf / Call of Cthulhu players are the only ones who pick it up, they might put it right back down. And people looking for old-school adventures may never pick it up, thinking it's not what they're looking for. But if you can hit that sweet spot, where you establish a new look for old-school adventures, it could lay the groundwork for a series of products that really stand out.<br /><br />Regardless, good luck with the adventure. Looking forward to hearing more about it.CChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01562099987619723930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-47586190083237119462009-07-26T01:24:26.107-04:002009-07-26T01:24:26.107-04:00I love the cover art and fonts! Very nice!I love the cover art and fonts! Very nice!Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07997164906328234122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-32897214012973709102009-07-25T20:57:03.244-04:002009-07-25T20:57:03.244-04:00First, I'd be up for a playtest. Second- I'...First, I'd be up for a playtest. Second- I'm for a new look, to be honest. I'm working on a S&W Neolothic game (humans vs Neanderthals....with the idea that trolls/giants of myth were based on a this clash) and I've been thinking of doing something modern and artistic like this.pauljessuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09558540648226822596noreply@blogger.com