One Small Step Gaming

[TC, Katana Mongoose CEO]

I have yet another question/comment/and/or/concern for the gaming group here at rpg.net

After submitting e-mails requesting meetings to present games and new game idea, the first and only company so far to reply is One Small Step gaming.

I want to know if anyone has any extra info on OSS that they can let me know about. I am aware of the games they have put out, along with the people that work there, its just if there is any vital information I should be aware of, please let me know.

OSS seems like a great place, but I have had my ideas nearly stolen from me by another disreputable gaming company, whose name must unfortunately remain unsaid, due to legal matters.

Anyways, I hope you guys can help out!

Thanks again,

TC

[Gareth-Michael Skarka]

I've never heard of One Small Step Gaming, and I've been working in this industry since 1988.

In general, established game publishers don't publish other people's game ideas. Large companies have plenty of people who are already on staff who have ideas, and most small companies were founded specifically to publish the owner's game ideas. If you find a company who says that they're interested in hearing your game ideas, be careful, since it usually means one of three things:

1) They're so new that they don't know how this works, either.

2) They haven't got any ideas for games themselves, at which point you have to ask why they're in the business in the first place.

3) They intend to rip you off

None of which is a good sign.

GMS

[TC, Katana Mongoose CEO]

I'm still doing some research on the company. Apparantly, they've released quite a few games, including Main Event Wrestling and The Hatfields & McCoys. I'm not sure why they want my ideas, but they seem like a small gaming company trying to take off....

So I have another question, if they like my idea, do you think they would want to publish it? I'm not sure what will happen next...

[James Wallis]

You are aware there's already a well-known games company called Mongoose Publishing? Calling yourself "Katana Mongoose" is like setting up a games company called "Wizards of the East Coast" -- at best it'll lead to confusion.

[TC, Katana Mongoose CEO]

Yes...thank you. Trust me, I've already heard that, and the name will be changed. But that is not the issue at hand in these posts. So don't worry about it here.

-TC

[wizardattic]

OSS is one of Wizard's Attic's clients. They're a small outfit, and prone to many of the issues that face all small publishers. However, they've been in the industry for many, many years, primarily as publishers of magazines like Gamefix. Why Gareth doesn't know them is that he isn't rooted into the wargaming community that RPGs emerged out of, and that went into hiding years ago.

[T.C.]

Hi, its me, just sans Katana Mongoose.

anyways, you said prone to the same as a small publishing company, so do you think its still worth it for me to present my ideas?

thanks

[wizardattic]

Originally posted by T.C.
Hi, its me, just sans Katana Mongoose.

anyways, you said prone to the same as a small publishing company, so do you think its still worth it for me to present my ideas?

thanks

It depends completely on your personal and financial goals. If you just want to be published or if you want money with less risk, then have someone else do it. If you want control or your ideas, or you want to run your own company with the tiny chance of a big pay-off or at least a small salary then you do it yourself.

If you know nothing about business/publishing then having someone else do it is the safe route. But again, it all completely depends on your goals and capabilities.

[T.C.]

You should check out my other post, Game Publishing. But anyways, what I plan on is getting my name out there. If I can run with OSS, come up with a game idea and be a little successful, then all the better for me.

I do have another question. What am I looking at, control and money-wise if I submit my idea to OSS. If they have my, let's say, RPG and they like it and decide to publish it, what am I in for?

They said they lacked the writing ability, but that's something I can easily do. i also am unsure whether they have an artist. I do.

I need OSS because I have no $$$ to invest in making my own company and fighting it out on my own. I am just wondering if they will let me freelance, with my artist and my ideas. (okay, maybe freelance isn't the best word), but anyways, I am wondering what my role will be!

Thanks!

[wizardattic]

Originally posted by T.C.
I do have another question. What am I looking at, control and money-wise if I submit my idea to OSS. If they have my, let's say, RPG and they like it and decide to publish it, what am I in for?

I need OSS because I have no $$$ to invest in making my own company and fighting it out on my own. I am just wondering if they will let me freelance, with my artist and my ideas. (okay, maybe freelance isn't the best word), but anyways, I am wondering what my role will be!

Thanks!

Control. That's up to your negotiations. My personal opinion is that a smart writer turns over control to the publisher. If you have to have it a certain way, then you should do it yourself.

Art. OSS seems to do fine with historial art and photos, but I don't think they have a lots of contacts with artists in the card/RPG category. So, it depends on what you're publishing. It also depends on the quality of your artist and ideas. A general rule would be don't use your friend's art, but in this case they might want to.

[T.C.]

Cool.

As for control, that's fine. The ideas are still mine, right? I mean, they aren't going to manipulate them and give me no credit...although I've already talked to Brian Alvarado, and he seems like a real awesome guy.

As for art, my artist is professional, not just a friend. She has been looking for work, and is also helping me for an animation, for a festival and release on a DVD.

I'll have some art ready by the time I present, to go along with my games...

So, I guess my only concern is my credit...