New Game Developer Seeking Feedback
Good day to you all at Gamegrene. I'm a new forum-goer, but long-time reader and fan of the Gamerchick, so I thought I'd come here to conduct a bit of research. I've got a game in the works that's has a fairly high-detail mechanics system, but doesn't involve complex batches of dice or long tables (tables are still needed for things like injury effects and miscasts).
I plan on doing a huge amount of statistical testing (must be my engineering background) and am quite good at the balancing act, so that shouldn't be that big of a deal. The big question is - if I brought out a game like this with a non-Tolkienesque high fantasy setting (not like the dark stuff you see these days), would you play it? If you would...how much would you pay for such a publication, given average artwork (my artist is good, but not the goddess of artists either)? Do you prefer games in print, or do you prefer the cheaper yet less tangible e-book?
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By non-Tolkienesque high fantasy setting, do you mean it is or isn't fantasy? If it is, I'd most likely give it a shot. Though, I'd at least want to hear from someone else what their opinions are about it.
I personally prefer something more tangible that I can hold onto and flip through. It's also more convenient for a gaming session (in my opinion and experience).
Would I play it? Dunno. More information is required.
Nearly everyone "prefers" something in print, but I don't know how realistic a printing run will be for you. If you're publishing it yourself, I think an e-book is absolutely the way to go. Not only is it much cheaper from your end, but it's much easier to distribute, market, and so on, and it will cost your players less. The cost of it depends on how much material it contains. $7 seems reasonable for something in the 50-page range, a few bucks more for something 100pp. or longer. If you go too far over $10 US, though, you risk losing potential customers to mass-market, big-name competition such as d20 D&D.
Thanks! That information's useful for me, too. I've a couple systems under my belt. I'm tossing back one idea for a "master-piece" that I'd like to publish now that I have more experience. Thank you.
I'm more likely to buy printed books myself, I tend to shy away from e-book purchases and the like - plus, with printed books your intended customer can sit on the floor at the bookstore and leaf through your material, which is what I do before I buy anything I use while roleplaying. Whichever way you go, artwork doesn't help me determine what I'd pay, content does. I can't answer that question unless you explain more about what the book would contain.
A lot of it depends on what a high fantasy non-tolkeinesque setting would be. I thought Tolkein was basically the defination of high fantasy? Perhaps I'm mistaken.
Or do you mean high fantasy as part of Tolkeinesque, and are saying it is neither? If that is the case, then you're going to have to provide an example of what it is.