“You are not going to have much success in any side of this business unless you’ve got a network of customers who are interseted in buying what you want. You might have the most brilliant one-shot game that has ever been invented, but if nobody knows about it and you don’t have a way for [...]
Feb
25
2010
25
2010
Feb
18
2010
18
2010
Barriers and perceptions of the Forge
So, here my friend Kevin Weiser interviewed my friend Ron Edwards. They talked about the Forge, and the notorious “Forge cult” thing came up. That then had a small echo effect on Twitter, including this post by Josh of the Brilliant Gameologists (whose last name I don’t know — sorry Josh).
On Twitter, I remarked to [...]
Feb
3
2010
3
2010
Marketing Co-Operative Proposal, Part 1: Membership
(This is the second post. See Introduction and Proposal for the first post.)
Part 1: Membership Entry & Exit
Membership must allow for both entry and exit from the co-operative. Membership will inevitably turn over as publishers largely operate as a “spare time” activity.
Entry requirements will require both a vetting process from existing members and/or founders, and [...]
Feb
3
2010
3
2010
Marketing Co-Operative Proposal: Introduction and Proposal
As mentioned in earlier posts, I have put together a “white paper” on how publishers might form a marketing co-operative. This post includes the introduction and core proposal. I’ll post Parts 1 & 2 in later posts.
This is a DRAFT. It is not in final form, and not edited much so far. In fact, I’m [...]
Feb
1
2010
1
2010
Publishing intrigue and fatigue
I’m still toiling away on a conceptual “white paper” on how indie RPG publishers could form a marketing co-0perative. I sneak it in between toiling away on graduate classes, full time day job, and family life. So, for those I told to look here soon, patience please!
As I write this thing, I’m simultaneously intrigued and [...]
Sep
3
2009
3
2009
Publishing Easily Marketable Games
The guys at Harmonix, who created Rock Band, just summed up the biggest problem I see in indie RPGs.
Oh, a quick clarification: When I say indie RPGs I mean creator-owned publishing. I don’t necessarily mean “small press” although nearly all creator owners I know of are small press. Confused? Yeah, I know.
We naively believed that [...]
Aug
24
2009
24
2009
2009 Layout Contest Results!
 Announcing the winners of the 2009 Layout Contest. Thanks to our participants! We saw some some common ideas and some unique vision in each entries. Each needed a bit more polish — very understandable given the tough constraints of the contest.
The judges’ criteria were as follows:
(40%) Information Design: Consistency, usability, & readability.
(20%) Art Direction: Selection [...]
Jun
23
2009
23
2009
Layout Contest tutorial part 2: Designing the page
In my previous entry, I explained my initial steps for my book designs. I settled on type and some style sheets. I also mentioned sketching a page template. That’s what this entry’s all about.
I always have a mind’s eye view of my designs. I do my best to capture that imagined vision, but it isn’t [...]
Jun
8
2009
8
2009
Layout Contest tutorial part 1: Choosing fonts
I’ve designed over a dozen RPG books over the years. My process isn’t set in stone, but I have some good habits that help me tackle big projects. These first steps are often the most fun.
My process isn’t linear. I don’t decide one thing then move on to the next thing. Rather, I have parallel [...]
Jun
4
2009
4
2009
Layout contest underway
I kicked off the layout contest for Conspiracy of Shadows: Dirty Hands, hosted right here on StoriesYouPlay.com
Luke Crane, Keith Senkowski, and I challenge you to create an amazing book layout during the month of June, 2009. Each participant who meets the challenge receives Dust Devils and Nine Worlds PDFs. And, the big winner of the [...]
