<![CDATA[EN World D&D / RPG News - e-Publishing]]> http://www.enworld.org/forum Discuss the RPG e-publishing industry, including technical, marketing and vendor options. Not limited to d20 topics. en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:17:21 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[EN World D&D / RPG News - e-Publishing]]> http://www.enworld.org/forum Rant about stock art packs http://www.enworld.org/forum/e-publishing/268058-rant-about-stock-art-packs.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:32:50 GMT Seriously, what is supposed to entice me about a package labeled Fantasy I or something like that, described as consisting of "three greyscale images" or "several portraits?" Doesn't it seem like it might be helpful to at least vaguely describe the subjects of the pieces, particularly if no one buys the package and therefore no one reviews it? ]]> e-Publishing pawsplay http://www.enworld.org/forum/e-publishing/268058-rant-about-stock-art-packs.html Threshold - playtesters needed http://www.enworld.org/forum/e-publishing/267898-threshold-playtesters-needed.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:53:18 GMT Threshold is a universal game system (which means it can be played under any settings, as much fantasy than modern or future settings) that puts the power between players' hands more than focussing on very strict rules that often hinders creativity.

The system basics are simple : 7 ability scores and 14 skills. Unlike most games where the system imposes which ability you add to a certain skill check (for example, you add your strength to climb checks), the player have to explain to the GM which ability is added to a certain skill check. For example, if I want to convince a guard to let me keep my weapons when entering a city and I'm best at Strength, I could tell the GM I'm bullying him, using my strength + persuasion. A clever character could instead try to bluff him with a very complicated story so he really gets confused, thus making an intelligence + persuasion check. Or you could try to smooth talk him out an use your influence + persuasion. Here, the system rewards good ideas and originality more than having to min-max your character to stay competitive.

Checks are made much like a Blackjack game. You throw 1d10 at a time and add the result of each dice. After each throw, you decide to either throw another dice or to stay with the result. If your total exceeds the opposing check, you succeed. If your check is lower than the opposing check or if you exceed your threshold, you fail. The character who lose the check lose Resolve points (Resolve represents your character's morale, stamina and will to keep going more than physical injuries). So it it possible, under this system, to lose Resolve when failing to break a door. That represents physical and mental exertion, because what keeps somone from trying to break down a door all day long if not he's out of breath or tired to keep failing over and over? It also means that even if you attack someone, if he gets a better result than you, you are the one who lose Resolve, pretty much like in real life fights where every time you launch an attack, you put yourself at risk.

The system uses Traits (qualities and impairments) to represent you character personnality, specialities, flaws and quirks.

It also uses an effects-based Techniques system that let you create your own powers to really fit your character concept unlike having to take pre-made powers from restricted class lists.

I'm looking for a group of playtesters that will be able to test the system : is it well balanced, does it plays well, does certain rules are unclear and need clarification, is there things players would like added or removed from the system, etc.

I need volunteers, there will be no payment. A PDF quick-play rule document will be supplied.

You can email me for more informations at : thebibi@msn.com ]]> e-Publishing Silverwave http://www.enworld.org/forum/e-publishing/267898-threshold-playtesters-needed.html Withdrawing material from the OGL? http://www.enworld.org/forum/e-publishing/267214-withdrawing-material-open-gaming-license.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:36:22 GMT So, I'm set to release an actual print product locally. The product being a short adventure theme set around a classic haunted house story. The market is basically local gamers at the local gamer tournies. It's really a "fun" thing for my area gamers.

Anywho, I have the first adventure done. I am setting up the theme for the second adventure which involves ocean ships. And, I'm using the OGC stats from a ship system. I ask the publisher if they mind me posting the OGC to a public archive as a matter of course. I figure that people can benefit from my work in actually making an OGC source.

In the past and generally speaking, the most strict answer to such things is usually... "Make sure it is OGC only, we would love to see a copy prior to print." ...when I ask about it.

However, I get this back from the publisher.

My Question
Quote:
Specifically, the ######. I converted the large portion of the OGC material to text format for my own usage. I thought about posting it to the Grand OGL Wiki. Would you object?
Reply
Quote:
You may not post copyrighted ### material online. We are in the process of converting our ####### line to PDF for sale on DriveThruRPG.com.
So...

Honestly, it is tempting to release the OGC just to prove a point. However, I wonder if this is something to watch as the OGL ages.

Morally, I should not use the content. Technically, it irks me that people using the OGL are trying to close OGC. It goes against the very spirit of the open source drive in the gaming community.


Anywho, my question... Can publishers withdraw content from the scope of the OGL now that WOTC has abandoned the OGL? ]]> e-Publishing Kafen http://www.enworld.org/forum/e-publishing/267214-withdrawing-material-open-gaming-license.html Cost of artwork? http://www.enworld.org/forum/e-publishing/266994-cost-artwork.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:26:22 GMT I've been using the search feature for the forums to try and find a thread that was just a general discussion on the cost of artwork, however nothing came up. So here goes...

So how much can one expect to pay for original artwork?

I know that "it depends" is the first answer, but I love averages and generalities.

Deviantart seems to be the first place to look, though even there I'm not finding a lot of general ideas of cost on good artwork. It seems that you can hire someone generally to do line artwork for around $10 for each piece. That sounds like a fair price.

But what about cover art? If you want your cover to be really impressive, how much are you generally looking at in cost for full color? Is it $100, $1000? It was here that I wasn't really getting clear rates from artists. Anyone who was really impressive on Deviantart wasn't listing rates.

Just out of sheer curiosity, how much does it cost to get well known RPG artistis to do a cover for you? I'm sure its too much for a small time pdf author, but if I wanted to get someone in the industry like Wayne Reynolds (Pathfinder and 4E covers) to do a cover? ]]> e-Publishing harpy http://www.enworld.org/forum/e-publishing/266994-cost-artwork.html