What a world what a world.....

[BlackStarStudios]

Okay.... :grins: I know this has been asked a lot but I wish to ask it in my circumstances :Grins:

I'm getting closer and closer to finishing an entire campaign world... It'll probably a beta-product by August (hopefully in time for DragonCon) Right now it's looking great.... 17 races.. about 15 classes and prestige classes... blah blah blah.... Now I need to start seriously considering how I'm going to go about this.

I'd prefer, of course, to let someone else do the "publishing/marketing/selling" etc... I just don't have many economic resources at my disposal and am not in any condition to start an entire publishing company. I have considered going the PDF route.. at first perhaps. I'm just not sure what companies are the ones I should be talking to in both "paper" publishing and selling the pdf's online.

There are some illustrations in the gallery at www.black-star-studios.com just a few pics really but I've not posted most anything else yet.

Thanks for your time,
Travis Addington
www.black-star-studios.com

[Misguided]

Hi Travis,

The phrase "prestige classes" seems to indicate this is a d20 compatible product. Is that correct?

If so, the question that needs to be asked is what your setting has in store that gamers aren't already getting from other settings such as Kalamar, Rokugan, Freeport, Diomin, etc. given the current state of the d20 market as I understand it (I'm no expert mind you) there is a wealth of setting material out there (this is an understatement). If there isn't something VERY special, exciting, and unique about your setting, printing up a bunch of copies is probably not in your best financial interest.

Additionally, the established publishers seem to have their plates pretty full, and may not be very receptive to a new product line. Don't let that stop you from trying, just be prepared to hear "no" a fair amount. A less-established publisher is going to have some of the same difficulties you would publishing on your own, getting distributors, retailers, and ultimately the consumers to sit up and take notice.

My intent is not to discourage you, but know what you are facing. Perhaps others with more knowledge of the d20 market and pdfs will respond.

[BlackStarStudios]

I just appreciate a candid responce. :grins:

Yes.. it's d20.. and yeah.. there are tons of things out there right now. I think what I'm trying to do is establish something strong that can make for better political/intrigue filled games in a high fantasy enviornment and designing the game with that in mind. A strong story focus instead of dungeon crawling (that will be there too..lol.. just not focused) I'm including sea combat and a heavy emphasis on relations between the kingdoms and countries and how trade and other things effect those things.

I would, of course.. like to get a return back on the hundreds of hours I've worked on it.. and so yes, I'd like to see it published and make me a little bit of money... but I'm still thinking about releasing it all for free... kind of as free advertising for myself. I've created an entire campaign world, wrote it, illustrated it and I think did a fairly good job by myself in less than a year. If this would result in a company noticing and hiring me... that may be well worth it, as well.


Travis

[BlackStarStudios]

And on a side note.. wow.. that really is some incredible art work you have on your site. The best I've seen in a gaming company, I think.

Travis

[Misguided]

Originally posted by BlackStarStudios
And on a side note.. wow.. that really is some incredible art work you have on your site. The best I've seen in a gaming company, I think.

Travis

Thank you Travis. There is MUCH more of that to come.

Back to your problem, perhaps you could do both. You might consider releasing part of what you are doing as a free pdf. From the response to that, perhaps you could decide what step to take next. There are a number of pdf proponents around here, and if you avail yourself of the search engine, you should be able to find some worthwhile threads that have covered that topic without too much trouble.