Onyx Path’s 2014 Top 10 List (Part 1) [Monday Meeting Notes]

OPP Top 10 Large

As promised last week, here are the first five items on our Onyx Path 2014 Top Ten List:

10) Onyx Path tripled its full-time employees. Yep, there’s three of us. That’s been our punchline, but it remains a huge jump for us to hire employees. Regardless of how well our Kickstarters go, or how excited folks get for a particular book, the tabletop RPG business is still so small that most publishers either have other types of games besides paper RPGs they are successful with, or they do this as a part time gig. Thanks to you all for giving us the support that enabled this to happen this year!

9) We expanded the kinds of products we could offer this year. Books, including deluxe editions and PDFs and PoDs, we can do. Onyx was set up as a company optimized to create game books, that’s where the vast amount of our experience lies, and is structured as a business to then feed those book files into online sales channels. As visual creators, we can do more sorts of projects, but we need the sales venues to then get the projects to all of you. This last year, we added cards and posters via DTRPG (DriveThruCards, actually), and T-shirts and other t-shirty things via RedBubble. We have a ton of shirts up and keep adding more as Mirthful Mike and Impish Ian can manage, are looking at more ways to use cards in tabletop games, and are going to add more posters to the list as next year rolls along. We will continue to look for good partners for other sorts of projects next year, as well.

8) The Exalted 3rd Edition art buy got started, and almost finished, this year. I know this sounds really minor, because after all Mirthful Mike does art direction for at least two books a month, but it was actually a big step. Part of what Exalted brings to us is a very different kind of visual style, and to make sure we used the illustrations to emphasize that EX3 is a very new look at Exalted indeed, I asked Mighty Maria Cabardo to try and find us new artists from around the world to illustrate it. But since neither she nor the artists were necessarily familiar with Exalted (it wound up that a few of them were, actually!), it was an ongoing learning process that required a lot of back and forth between them and myself and the Devs. And, of course, part of the reason this is on the list is the fact that we couldn’t start the art buying until the text was in a sufficient state of completeness: which meant the book was light-years closer to being finished than at the start of the year. So any way you look at it, the EX3 art buy was a milestone for a major project for us.

7) Your stories of the impact our games (both Onyx Path and White Wolf ones) have had on your lives. As our social media presence has expanded and more and more people have been let in on what Onyx Path is all about, we’ve received amazing and heartening stories from you talking about how our work has changed your lives. This is so huge for us, particularly in the sea of often hyper-critical messaging that has been rife this past year, and really gives us the kind of lift a creator needs to keep trying to make something special. If you are a regular reader of this blog (and really, you should be) you’ll already have read some of these stories in the comments sections, or maybe shared one yourself. Here is a link to Black Hat Matt McFarland’s Promethean 2nd Edition blog featuring one email I got late last week describing the impact Promethean: the Created has had on one fellow’s life and Matt’s reactions to it: https://theonyxpath.com/learning-how-to-be-a-person/ It is amazing, and to me it really illustrates why I still feel that what we are striving for with our projects is something far more than an easy to read game. We are striving for art, because art changes us, and stories such as these confirm that sometimes we do get awful close to that goal.

6) We started creating the nWoD Second Edition core books. As mentioned elsewhere and at the Gen Con panel this year, we got the OK from CCP to do what I considered to be sorely needed: 2nd Editions of the nWoD game lines. Eight years is a long time between editions, and our creators had a lot of chances during that time to consider how they would reconfigure those lines. Blood & Smoke: the Strix Chronicle was repackaged as Vampire: the Requiem 2nd Edition, and has served as a model for how we can handle both the nWoD Core Book 2nd Edition, and the upcoming Werewolf: the Forsaken and Mage: the Awakening 2nd Editions, and more. This will be huge for giving new players a clear idea of what book they need in order to start playing as they page through DTRPG. And creatively it feels great to make the changes we’ve been thinking about for so long. So great, in fact, that we need to share it with you. First, the PDF and physical copy PoD versions of Vampire; the Requiem 2nd Edition will go on sale at DTRPG on Weds the 24th (Santa’s little gift for you), but wait, there’s more!

Then, we have two Holiday Sales that you can opt into: From Christmas Day morning (the 25th) until Monday morning on the 29th, all Onyx Path and White Wolf PoD book prices will be reduced 15%, which is pretty much “at cost” for most of our books. This even includes VtR 2nd as mentioned above! Then, if you are a member of our Onyx Path Mailing List (look to the right on this page to sign up) we will be providing you with a 20% off code for all PDFs at DTRPG in the Wednesday sales email we send out. This is our way here at the end of the year of saying thank you to all of you without whom we could not have had a year worth making a Top Ten List for!

Ho ho ho!

DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM ROLLICKING ROSE (Projects in bold have changed listings)

First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)

  • W20 Pentex Employee Indoctrination Handbook (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • M20 Book of Secrets (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Cursed Necropolis: Rio (Mummy: the Curse)
  • Secrets of the Covenants (Vampire: The Requiem 2nd Edition) – In Open Development
  • Wraith: the Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition
  • V20 Black Hand: Guide to the Tal’Mahe’Ra (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition) – In Open Development
  • Exalted 3rd Novel by Matt Forbeck (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  • W20 Changing Ways (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Demon Storytellers’ Guide (Demon: the Descent)
  • Beckett’s Jyhad Diary (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • “Sardonyx” System Rules (Base rules set for Scion and the Trinity Continuum)

Redlines

  • Mummy Fiction Anthology (Mummy: the Curse)
  • Arms of the Chosen (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  • W20 Shattered Dreams (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Mage: the Awakening  2nd Edition, featuring the Fallen World Chronicle (Mage: the Awakening) – In Open Development
  • W20 Novel by Mike Lee (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Beast: the Primordial core book (Beast: The Primordial)

Second Draft

  • Exalted 3rd Fiction Anthology (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Development

  • V20 Red List (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • V20 Ghouls (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • World of Darkness Dark Eras- Vampire chapter (WoD Dark Eras)
  • Fallen World Chronicle Fiction Anthology (Mage: the Awakening)
  • Promethean: the Created 2nd Edition, featuring the Firestorm Chronicle (Promethean: the Created)

Editing

  • V20 Lore of the Clans (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
  • Sothis Ascends (Mummy: the Curse)
  • M20 How do you DO that? (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

Development (post-editing)

  • World of Darkness Dark Eras core book (WoD Dark Eras)
  • Werewolf: the Forsaken 2nd Edition, featuring the Idigam Chronicle (Werewolf: the Forsaken)
  • Exalted 3rd Edition core book- From Holden: “Almost done. Thought I’d have it ready to send by now, but I have barely been in the house through the first half of the week due to holiday family stuff, and then during the second half everyone got laid low by Ye Olde Yearly Holiday Cold.” (Exalted 3rd Edition)

 

ART DIRECTION FROM MIRTHFUL MIKE

  • Book of the Deceived –  PDF and physical copy PoD versions on sale now! http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/139497/Book-of-the-Deceived
  • Sothis Ascends –  Art directing. Gonna see if Trabbold is up for doing the fulls as Sam is going to be busy with Lore of the Clans.
  • Book of the Wyrm 20 – PDF and physical book PoD versions on sale now at DriveThruRPG.com: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/138407/W20-Book-of-the-Wyrm  Tweaking quote from the printer still- Cathy is working on the Deluxe cover pieces.
  • DAV20 –  Same- Remaining heraldry in progress. Remaining art in progress. Still awaiting proofing notes.
  • T-Shirts – DA Heraldry shirts and starting on M20 shirt designs.
  • Art O’ The Changin’ Breeds –   Mage showed up. Once I get it into proofing (and DA into second proof) I’m going to try and wrap this up.
  • Umbra –  I believe proofs have been ordered.
  • VTR II –  On sale Weds.
  • Fallen World Chronicle Anthology – Awaiting the “About the Authors” stuff.
  • Firestorm Chronicle Anthology – PDF is up.
  • WtF 2 –  More finals came in. Saw Spenser’s sketches but haven’t heard back from Abrar. Once Yanner’s splats come in, I’ll get Sto onto layout.
  • Scarred Lands –  Cover for [REDACTED] getting tweaked out.
  • Wraith 20 – KS a going.
  • M20 – Cranking along. It’s a big goddam book…sweet jesus.
  • Dark Eras – Saw sketches from Hepworth. Finals are due for most of the stuff mid January, so there is a strong possibility I won’t see sketches until after New Year on some of this stuff.
  • V20 Lore of the Clans – Probably won’t be hearing back from some artists until after the holidays.
  • EX3- RichT here, once again tagging onto Mirthful Mike’s report, Maria Cabardo and I looking at the final finals now. Talking to her about layout as the text could drop at any point the rest of this year..

REASON TO DRINK: Santa brought booze! Just what I wanted.


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62 responses to “Onyx Path’s 2014 Top 10 List (Part 1) [Monday Meeting Notes]”

  1. Unsilent Majority Avatar
    Unsilent Majority

    Lots of good stuff this year, and very excited to see what the future holds come 2015. Onyx Path makes me happy.

    Question Rich: Any possible chance to get Mike to do the art blogs again? I always get excited seeing new art–even sketches, from upcoming OP projects.

    I know he’s(and you) busy as all heck. But just a thought.

    1. chaney_insaney Avatar
      chaney_insaney

      It’ll probably start up again once I get Dark Ages and M20 wrapped up.

      1. Unsilent Majority Avatar
        Unsilent Majority

        Sounds good. Thanks, Mike!

  2. Tiresias Avatar
    Tiresias

    Do you think you’ll be able to announce Ex3’s release to backers ahead of time? I’d like to run a playtest as soon as possible for review purposes and trying to get 6 people to reserve a 4-6 hour block of their schedule is damn near impossible these days, so it’d be really useful to have some time to sort things out.

    1. Nemo Oceansoul Avatar
      Nemo Oceansoul

      actually id prefer if he would say “EX3 is being sent out to backers in x days”. that way those who sadly couldn’t fund it for whatever reason can still know the basic time frame until they can get it. =)

    2. IanW Avatar
      IanW

      Unfortunately due to the way our development process works, by the time we know for sure when a given product is going to release, we’re usually ready to release it. There’s not a lot of lead time.

    3. richt Avatar
      richt

      You should be able to get a sense of when that’ll happen as things develop on these blogs.

      1. Tiresias Avatar
        Tiresias

        Thanks Rich and Ian. I’ll try and work something out.

  3. crawlkill Avatar
    crawlkill

    very glad things seem to be going so well for you guys. as one of those people who grew up on WoD then realized how conservative it’d become with both narrative and mechanical design, I think Onyx Path’s tenure has done amazing work to shed the 90s and bring the games into the present. hope it can continue, as much for the sake of the stubborn dream as for whatever products might end up on my iPad.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Thanks!

  4. mason4444 Avatar
    mason4444

    Any idea when we can look forward to you announcing scarred lands for d&d 5th edition?

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      You never know…

  5. Teylen Avatar

    Appears to have been a great year for you.
    I’ll hope it will continue like this for 2015. 🙂
    Just out of curiosity, who’s the third OPP employe?
    (I’d guess the first two would be you and Ian?)

    1. IanW Avatar
      IanW

      Rich announced the new employees here, back in early June: https://theonyxpath.com/the-wyrm-turns/

      The current employees are Rich Thomas, Mike Chaney, and Rich’s wife Lisa. I’m not among them (yet?)

  6. reseru Avatar
    reseru

    Congratulations, Onyx Path! If it weren’t for you guys kicking the WoD back into gear I probably wouldn’t have gotten back into *actual* gaming, rather than buying $15 PDFs and just reading them with no realistic intent of play.

    Who did the full page temakh artwork for Book of the Deceived, if I might ask? That way I know if I should be excited for Sothis Ascend’s art direction :3

    1. marin Avatar
      marin

      Samuel Araya. Trabbold did the art for the splats, apparently based on Araya’s designs.

      1. reseru Avatar
        reseru

        Ah thanks!

  7. christofer sandell Avatar
    christofer sandell

    Didn’t see Mage 20 on the list. Does this mean it has progressed from post editing development?

  8. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    It is in the art direction stage finally now chris

  9. Caleb Cushing Avatar

    Good job guys. I want to say, RE #6 I think 7~8 years is actually about the perfect amount of time between editions, I don’t feel like I’m being jipped financially (and time wise, my time spent learning is important) by being asked to buy a new edition every 2~3 years like some companies, which is way too fast for a hobby, imho, and I don’t have time like I did 10 years ago.

    On another aspect, being PoD means less used books circulating, so no truly cheap paper buying options… though in my current group I’m the only owner and I suspect that’s true of a lot of groups.

    RE #9 can’t tell how I feel about cards in WoD yet, still adjusting to conditions and tilts. Cards feels like a bit of a money grab… please purchase this other thing…

    hope you figure out dice this year, with 3d printers it can’t be impossible…

    any chance of you guys fanning out to offer tshirts and books through other services (cafepress/amazon)? I realized that it’d be really nice if I had been able to purchase the anthologies directly for kindle (cloud format and all that).

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      We don’t require you to buy cards to play, all of the ones we’ve created so far have been accessories to enhance your game. And yes, please do purchase this other thing _if you think it’s cool_. That’s how businesses work, we sell things you think are cool enough to buy.

      As for dice or more t-shirts, that all depends on connecting with external manufacturers and vendors who fit into our processes. We’re open to it, but to go searching is way outside our bandwidth.

      All of our new anthologies are in PDF/ePub/Mobi formats and work on a Kindle.

    2. Cardul Avatar
      Cardul

      I can understand the cards. Conditions, etc are extra things to keep track of that can be forgotten. Cards on top of your character sheet are a good physical reminder that you are effected by something. If they did discipline and gift cards, those would also be good, as those are a quick way to keep track of what you can do. Those are all useful things that are common in various other games(Like, for L5R, the school technique cards are very useful).

  10. Caleb Cushing Avatar

    Thoughts on increasing the number of customers.

    1. Make the anthologies more accessible to people that don’t play the games. As pointed out by some of the reviewers the stories won’t make a whole lot of sense unless you play the games or have read the core books. I had a thought on resolving this, put a copy of the Lexicon in the anthology books.

    2. escape the walled garden. I feel like I wouldn’t have known, the onxy path existed (heck I didn’t know WW was gone) if someone hadn’t told me about the GMC update by chance. I would have never looked at DriveThruRPG, it’s not my first choice of vendor.
    1. Outside of this blog is there a presence on social media? facebook, twitter, g+
    2. youtube? having a monthly youtube video would be great. One thing I thought I’d love to see is recorded gaming sessions from the pros.
    3. as mentioned above, more vendors, I would never accidentally discover redbubble or drivethru.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      1- You’ll be interested in our goals for next year, then. Probably going to list them in a blog in January.

      2- http://www.theonyxpath.com look on the right under Social Media: we’ve got them all! Agreed on YouTube, just need creators with time and ability to create Actual Play vids. If not DTRPG, the single biggest online tabletop RPG gaming vendor, what is your first choice of vendor?

      1. Caleb Cushing Avatar

        It’s worth noting that I simply suggest this stuff because I want to see the company grow given my enjoyment of its products.

        Honestly, I buy most things from Amazon. I don’t know for sure, as I don’t actually own a Kindle (yet), but have used the kindle cloud reader, and have the android app on my phone, but I’m fairly confident there’s no way to add books to that library.

        My comment on adding vendors is because my exploratory searches lead to me not finding things, and then resigning to use DTRPG. Basically I wouldn’t have found any of it if I didn’t know where to look. I certainly wouldn’t have found it if I wasn’t looking for it (meaning just browsing).

        This link may be of interest to the company.
        http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?topic=200260520

    2. IanW Avatar
      IanW

      As Rich points out, all our social media accounts are listed in the sidebar to the right (well, not all of our Facebook pages, but certainly the main one). They’re all fairly easy to find, I think: I try to use “TheOnyxPath” as the username/URL everywhere I can.

      1. Caleb Cushing Avatar

        It’s also worth saying, most of the people I’ve talked to that game, don’t know White Wolf got eaten by CCP, or about any layoffs, or that The Onyx Path took over. things like The God Machine Update, and Vampire the Requiem 2e are a surprise to them (as would be 20th editions, etc). I’m just worried that to some extent the mentioning that the market is small may be due, in part, to an echo chamber problem.

        You have to know The Onyx Path exists to know it exists.

        https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vampire-The-Requiem/105582526143272 < for example says nothing about the Onyx Path or B&S or 2e, so for those of us who simply "Liked" products…

        1. richt Avatar
          richt

          When we started almost three years ago, we really had to concentrate our message on letting folks know their favorite WW games were back. Gradually we’ve been adding in the message that “Onyx Path has brought them back” and who we are, but it is indeed an uphill climb to get that news out.

          But I think I have a pretty good grasp on the size of the market, having been in the executive meetings at WW from the onset, and it really is nowhere as big as most gamers think it is.

          Thanks so much for telling your friends, and now let’s hope they do the same and the word keeps getting spread.

        2. IanW Avatar
          IanW

          As that Facebook page says: “This Page is automatically generated based on what Facebook users are interested in and not affiliated with or endorsed by anyone associated with the topic.” So we have no control over what’s displayed there.

          This one, on the other hand, is ours: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vampire-The-Requiem/145744512232828

    3. Neall Avatar
      Neall

      “Make the anthologies more accessible to people that don’t play the games. As pointed out by some of the reviewers the stories won’t make a whole lot of sense unless you play the games or have read the core books. I had a thought on resolving this, put a copy of the Lexicon in the anthology books.”

      I was giving this some thought the other day, though mind you I’m speaking as an author and game writer and not for Onyx Path.

      Is it worth diluting the stories and opening up to a larger audience at the risk of overshooting our core audience – namely, the folks who buy these very games? Many of the anthologies use the worldbuilding in the core book as a baseline or starting point. I worry that in opening the game to more accessibility in such a short format, you’ll lose some of the vital flavor of the gameline that comes through in the stories. I think the Lexicon idea is a good one, though.

      1. Caleb Cushing Avatar

        My comment to one of those reviewers was, diluting them to not use the proper nouns that come with WoD, or to explain it in a story is a bit like explaining what a Jedi and the Force are in a Star Wars book. On the other hand WoD is no where near as popular as Star Wars, which is why I suggested the Lexicon. The Lexicon already has to be written and contains all the special nouns (like it would explain what a Jedi is) needed to understand the stories.

        The reality is, do you want to try to reach audiences that currently aren’t familiar with the game. I’m not this audience, so this is just an idea.

        1. Caleb Cushing Avatar

          Another thought might be to ensure the first story is about someone learning the world… like a person embraced that night needs everything explained to them… but… yeah I wouldn’t go about watering down the stories *just* to make them accessible. Other solutions seem better, since most purchasers are probably familiar (esp since these books aren’t accessible beyond DTRPG)

          1. richt Avatar
            richt

            I think the Lexicon is a very good idea, although there couldn’t be a single one- each line would need their own version, I’d expect.

  11. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    With the second editions of WOD. Does this mean that the previous version of WOD sourcebooks become obsolete? I’m interested in getting the 2E versions. Not at the cost of obsoleting my current material.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      There will still be plenty of material from the first edition run still usable with a tweak here and there. But overall, that’s what editions do- they change things from previous editions.

      1. Joseph Avatar
        Joseph

        Does that mean older material will be republished as well? For example the faction books for vtr.

        1. richt Avatar
          richt

          Do you mean the original VtR faction books like this: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/2041/Lancea-Sanctum or will we do 2nd Edition versions? If the latter, then some sort of new books are pretty possible, but not necessarily a 5 book series.

          1. Joseph Avatar
            Joseph

            Thanks for letting me know. I’m not sure if I will be getting the newer material. Just tired of the edition train. At least for know. That being sad unlike many in the hobby. I know that the company needs to do what is good for it on a financial level. I’m also not giving up on Onyx Path either. I plan to probably get Exalted 3E. As well as the new Trinity stuff and the 20th anniversary editions.

        2. IanW Avatar
          IanW

          There’s a Secrets of the Covenants on the schedule. Not exactly the same thing as the original Covenant books, but it covers some of the same territory.

          As to your other comment about the “Edition Train”… I’m not sure it really counts as an Edition Train when it’s been 10 years between editions, which is 1/4 of the time the RPG industry has existed. You mentioned picking up Exalted, and it’s only been 8 years since Ex2 came out.

          Of course, your purchasing decisions are your own, but it’s not like we’re putting out a new edition Just Because every two or three years.

          1. Joseph Avatar
            Joseph

            Secrets of the Covenants does it cover as much information as the Covenants books? Or is it a general overview? My edition train comment was not geared towards Onyx Path. Just rpgs in general.

          2. Joseph Avatar
            Joseph

            Secrets of the Covenants does it cover as much information as the Covenants books? Or is it a general overview? My edition train comment was not geared towards Onyx Path. Just rpgs in general. As well is their plans for translation guides for the Nwod 1E to 2E?

          3. richt Avatar
            richt

            Joseph- thanks for clarifying your thoughts about new editions. Onyx Path doesn’t take new editions lightly, but we and the rest of the RPG industry don’t do them because of sequel-itis like the movies, but because there are multiple reasons for a new edition.

            As for how much Secret of the Covenants covers vs the older books, that’s a pretty subjective situation. We’re creating SotC to delve deeply into the Covenants for 2nd Edition like those earlier books originally did for 1st, but you’ll have to tell us if we hit what you were looking for.

            No plans for 1e to 2e Translation guides- I imagine those would be wee booklets- but I’ll discuss it with our crew. Thanks!

  12. Jang Avatar
    Jang

    When Holden says he though he’d have it ready to send, does he mean that the books should have been finished? As in send of to being printed and all that remains is printing and shipping? Is the wait really that close to drawing to a close?

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      No- please read the art director notes too to get the full story: the text has to come to us still for layout. And an index, and proofing. Still plenty do do before it is ready for publication.

      1. Joseph Avatar
        Joseph

        Thanks for answering my question Richt and Ian. Even if I don’t get any of the 2E NWOD material. Their still is much I want to get. Exalted, Trinity stuff. Totally forgot about Scarred Lands. I think we need a more darker background for Pathfinder. As well I always liked the similarties to Greek Myth. The Titans being overthrown by the gods.

        I can respect and fully understand the reasons behind the new edition of WOD. It’s the breath new life into the rpg line. As well as make a profit off it. Unlike most in the hobby I understand that most rpg companies are non non-profit organizations.

  13. jason Avatar
    jason

    Rich, most of your pdf books will work on a tablet or kindle too, not just the anthologies, as I have v/w20 and their companions and also the 4 revised techie books in addition to m20 goodies that I got from backing it among other books on there. The big pdf’s work just fine on kindle fire and all of them work with no problem on a regular tablet too.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Totally. People seem to have different takes on the viability of PDFs on tablets. Mostly, PDFs do work just fine and often look great, but not optimally. If you have the ePub version of Anarchs Unbound, I think it was, that Mirthful Mike worked up, that’s a version designed from the ground up for tablet viewing and I personally think it does make a difference.

      1. filli_noctus Avatar
        filli_noctus

        Not just tablets. I was able to go through a good chunk of AU on a 3″ phone with no issues. PDFs on tablets are a pain, especially with two columns per page, so I hope we can get more ePubs in the future.

  14. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    It also depends on the program too. As different pdf programs have different resolutions

  15. Peter Avatar
    Peter

    Only 3 people, wow! Since both exalted 3rd ed and mage 20V raked in over $600,000.00 each, that is about $200,000 per person to be creative.

    That is why there was such a delay, the three are at their financial advisors, drinking champagne and watching the S&P 500 rise all day

    1. Eolirin Avatar
      Eolirin

      … Three fulltime staff, but all projects involve freelancers, who need to be paid, then there’s the cost of actually producing the physical print runs of the books, which is really expensive, and shipping them which is also really expensive, and then there’s Kickstarter’s cut, CCP’s cut, taxes, other fees, paying for stretch goal projects, etc etc.

      OPP doesn’t make much money off the Kickstarters. It enables them to produce something really fantastic for their fans without going bankrupt and that’s about it.

      1. richt Avatar
        richt

        Pretty darn accurate- thanks!

        1. Eolirin Avatar
          Eolirin

          Really, you deserve the thanks, man. You’ve treated our community with a tremendous amount of respect and created some really fantastic work. Saving you a little bit of time having to repeat, yet again, explanations of the Kickstarter process is literally the least I can do.

    2. richt Avatar
      richt

      Heh, riiiiight!

      I’d laugh at what I know is a light-hearted comment, except I’ve had to seriously have this very conversation with irate fans who honestly think the KS money is just all pure profit. See Eolirin’s comment for a pretty accurate take on what actually happens with the vast, vast majority of any amount you see us getting in pledges.

  16. Irrefutably Thor Avatar
    Irrefutably Thor

    @richt: I think what those fans that think that KS money is all profit, is pretty much a deficiency in knowledge of the difference between gross and net profits. Heck, *I* screw up the terms sometimes. 😀

    Anyway, I just want you and your staff (not to mention all the freelancers) know how much it means to myself, on your publishing of my favorite games again. Everytime I look at my bookshelf and see the spines of V20, W20, HH2 DEs, I get a warm fuzzy feeling on these works of art. Additionally, if it weren’t for the games of the CWoD, I never would have taken my hand at storytelling….these worlds have allowed me to open up creatively.

    May 2015 bring more success to OPP.

    PS Maybe 2015 will allow me to work up the courage to finally submit some material for your consideration for freelance work. It’s a dream of mine to have my name on, or in, a book that is a part of such diverse worlds.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Thanks very much, and yes, let 2015 be the year you submit a sample. It’s the only way we’ll see what you can do- so dive in!

  17. Chad Avatar
    Chad

    Just wanted to send out my thanks as well. Thanks to Rich and company for bringing back Vampire and all the rest, plus an extra thanks for the Scared Lands, it is still my favorite campaign setting and it will be great seeing it brought back. Although seeing this every week “Scarred Lands – Cover for [REDACTED] getting tweaked out.” is driving me crazy, any chance we can get a hint for Christmas?

    I also wanted to say that I really like the PoD street map for Stygia stretch goal on the Wraith Kickstarter and for the Dark Ages kickstarter being able to get the bonus material at a discounted price for the PoD copy is really nice. PDF files are ok, but I still prefer to have hard copy versions if I can. I would like to see more of both of these types of goals included in future kickstarters when and if it fits with that project.

    Have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays. Looking forward to seeing all of the great stuff you roll out in 2015.

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      I’m excited to get back to the Scarred Lands as well! A hint? Well, the REDACTED part is the title of our first sourcebook, and it’s going to be twice as nice, at least.

      It’s really a question of whether we can afford to discount everything via the Kickstarters, and the logistics of offering various types of rewards. End of the day, if you like one of the PDFs you got free via a Kickstarter, and you like physical books, here’s hoping you’ll head over to DTRPG and order one.

  18. Walter Avatar
    Walter

    I’ve loved everything you guys have done so far with the WoD20, and the Wraith20 KS is probably the best holiday gift I could have received this year.

    One question just for the sake of completeness: I haven’t yet seen the V20DA Quickstart or Tome of Secrets listed either here in the weekly updates or on the Current Projects page.With V20DA itself already in art direction, shouldn’t they at least be listed in Current Projects so people know they’re eventually going to happen?

    1. IanW Avatar
      IanW

      You’re right. I usually wait until a KS is over before adding projects, but V20DA stuff slipped my mind. I’ll get on on that.

  19. Nemo Oceansoul Avatar
    Nemo Oceansoul

    to everyone at Onyx Path/CCP/By Night Studios:

    (^_^)/* MERRRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY HOLIDAYS… and of course =3 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    1. richt Avatar
      richt

      Thanks! Happy All The Holidays to you too!