I know someone who bought the EP rules pdf for 15$, which I see as a good price.
Now he's telling me I can have a copy, and shows me this "license" that says he can share the pdf and the creators say it's OK.
I really can't understand the economics of this, and I hate to seem a little dense maybe, especially since I usually score pretty damn high on IQ tests, but it seems to be that the creator is saying "Go ahead and fileshare this!" and I just can't understand how that could possibly be their actual intent. It seems like economic suicide.
I'd read through a friend's copy and am fairly impressed, although I admit that the critics do have a point re typos and grammar in places. I would say it was worth 15$ for the pdf easily and it was a remarkably low price, now I hear that you don't even have to pay that.
Can someone just clear up what this all is supposed to mean? How do the creators stay in business telling people they can give away copies if that's what they're saying?
I almost feel like I have to buy a copy of the pdf after reading a friend's and seeing it's like less that 4 cents a page for the PDF.
I think I'll buy the pdf as I feel 15$ is an incredibly fair price for it even if I don't have to, unless the creators want you to take a free copy and buy the expansions. IF that's their wish/intent I'll honor it.
I almost feel like someone is trying to create some new economic model here, like ones mentioned in the book, and I'm not quite certain if they're really trying to or how it's supposed to work in reality. Someone want to explain things a little here?
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"I learned the hard way that if you take a stand on any issue, no matter how insignificant, people will line up around the block to kick your ass over it." -Jesse "the mind" Ventura.
"I learned the hard way that if you take a stand on any issue, no matter how insignificant, people will line up around the block to kick your ass over it." -Jesse "the mind" Ventura.
Hey :)
Authors of the EP are indeed, creating the open-source economic model, but they're not the first! There are lots of free (CC or GNU/GPL licencsed) stuff on the net, like music on Jamendo (google it!), vector cliparts, games, and even operating systems (Linux!). As an amateur photographer I share my photos for free, and anybody is permitted to use and share them, as long, as I'm mentioned as the author of them.
It's called open-source movement and it's spreading on the net, as information is basically copiable infinity number of times without loss. I hope it'll success, as closed economy is going to fall in the world of free information :)
And as to the EP itself, I think that authors are going to make most money on hardcovers, as some people just don't like reading on a PC screen. Their price is quite high (at least I think so), but they're totally worth it. PDFs are meant to eliminate the hypocrisy, when a group buy one book, which is kept by MG, and read pirate versions online for the rest of the players. We should remember, that most of PDFs available in shops like DTRPG are on 4hared and rapidshare, too.
So, with that EP devs made a great and brave step forward, promoting their book (people like us talk about it and recommend it to their friends!), and showing us, that open-source model is a good business one :D
If You really like it, You can buy EP for $15 showing Your support to this idea. I've already done that, and I'm going to buy a hardcover, too :)
If you don't see the fnord, it can't eat you.
It is also a cool thing, as, I can share the game with my players right now, without feeling guilty. Since, right now, the only way they can get it is through PDF, or borrowing my copy of the book...
You have players? *Jealous*
Sorry Card. You're right, I'm an abrasive person. I'll try to rein it in a little.
Apologies as well to giblfiz@gmail.com, I suppose I meant to say "cheating the system", and even that was probably too harsh. (But I still think those clarifications need clarification.)
But I'm not short of players because I'm mean, I'm short because most of my players don't want to play in a new setting and learn new rules. They just want me to keep running D&D 3.5, like I have been.
"I learned the hard way that if you take a stand on any issue, no matter how insignificant, people will line up around the block to kick your ass over it." -Jesse "the mind" Ventura.
"I learned the hard way that if you take a stand on any issue, no matter how insignificant, people will line up around the block to kick your ass over it." -Jesse "the mind" Ventura.
I bought the book at GenCon and pirated the pdf. I feel like I did enough.
Instead, we're appealing to something that's hopefully much stronger: your desire for a good game. Download it. Read it. Try it out with your players. If you enjoy the writing, if you're loving the art, if you like playing the game, then pay us for it. If we make enough money (and right now it seems like we're on the right track to do so), we'll keep making more of the game. If we don't... we won't. Sorry, game designers gotta eat, too. :)
That said, I personally would rather see one GM buy the book and all of their group pirate it so that they can have a campaign, than for that campaign to not happen at all because the players aren't sure they want to pay the startup cost. Free distribution removes a barrier to people adopting the game, and in the long run, that helps us. If you're playing, you're part of our community... and likely a future customer, even if you didn't pay to get the book the first time around.
Also, doing things this way forces us to make the best product we possibly can. No one's ever going to have to buy an EP supplement with lousy writing or art just to get their hands on some vital piece of info they need for their character or campaign. We can't ever afford to make a lousy supplement, because we know that under this model, people won't have to buy it. (And I don't know about you, but as a gamer, I feel ripped off when I have to buy a substandard book to get game info I need).
I think it's important to understand that this isn't just some crazy notion Rob & Brian had. This is the way things are headed across all media. You can't fight this change, and virtually all writers, musicians, and filmmakers will face it in the coming years. We as creators of content need to learn how to work with it. And those of you who consume our content need to recognize that if we don't at some point get paid, we'll stop making it and instead do something else where we can make a living.
But it's really up to you, because at the end of the day, people can file share our book whether we like it or not. So what's it worth to you? You don't have to decide right now; finish reading the book first. Then decide whether you want more Eclipse Phase, and do what's in your conscience.
"I learned the hard way that if you take a stand on any issue, no matter how insignificant, people will line up around the block to kick your ass over it." -Jesse "the mind" Ventura.
Well, I did buy the PDF, which I guess puts as much $ in your pocket as buying the rulebook, so I can look you in the eye without shame.
I've also tried to help by giving EP honest reviews on RPGGEEK that were largely favorable as it's a good piece of work, typos aside.
So, FWIW, at least some people are in there swinging for you and your nobel experiment in new economics.
"I learned the hard way that if you take a stand on any issue, no matter how insignificant, people will line up around the block to kick your ass over it." -Jesse "the mind" Ventura.
"I learned the hard way that if you take a stand on any issue, no matter how insignificant, people will line up around the block to kick your ass over it." -Jesse "the mind" Ventura.
Wizards of the Coast has stopped and banned all PDF production of their
products. Yeah, they claim they will make them available on their own
site....but who really believes that?
Honestly, I think this approach to combating piracy is novel. Pirates
get their kicks, after all, in "fighting the man!" and "information
wants to be free!" By doing this, you actually kick those pirates in
the nuts. I mean, what is the point in pirating and disseminating
something if people WANT it distributed? There is no "illegal thrill"
in "depriving those bastards of their stolen moneys!" I like it!
Pirates get their kicks, after all, in "fighting the man!" and "information wants to be free!"
And in saying "Arrrr".
Rob Boyle :: Posthuman Studios
Mea Culpa: My mode of speech can make others feel uninvited to argue or participate. This is the EXACT opposite of what I intend when I post.
Rob Boyle :: Posthuman Studios