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Saturday, March 25, 2006

Wolfgang Baur seeks Popes 

On this blog a year or so ago I discussed the "ransom" patronage scheme that game designers Greg Stolze and Dennis Detwiller had devised to fund various game projects. Now the illustrious Wolfgang Baur, former RPG designer for Wizards of the Coast and TSR, former editor of Dragon and Dungeon magazines, and one of the most talented writers in the field, has started a new patronage design project on different lines.

Rather than seeking a group-pledge ransom for an existing project through Fundable.org, Wolf is soliciting donors who will collectively pay him (through PayPal) for a custom-made d20 fantasy adventure he writes to their specifications. All donors get an exclusive electronic copy of the completed adventure, which won't be available any other way.

As Wolf describes on his new blog, "Open Design," what you pay determines your level of influence on his design:

Wolf Baur's longtime friend and fellow TSR/WotC alumnus, Jeff Grubb, poured water on this idea:
Think of the Holy Father of Rome nattering at Michelangelo about the subject matter in the Sistine Chapel and you have a good idea of where this is going. Now imagine writing for fifty Popes, all commenting at the same time, and you see where the inevitable nightmare of this plan unfolds. Game design moves into a new century - in this case the 15th Century, in Venice. Obviously, this is will end in tears.

Thanks for the cold shower, Jeff. Personally, I wish Wolfgang all good fortune in this project, and I'll follow his success closely.
Posted by: Allen Varney / 3:34 PM

Comments:
Well, I'd imagine he could stop accepting patrons after a certain number, if so he desires.

What's more, for many people, adding constraints to a story mostly increases creativity. If you're writing an adventure full of goblins, you get a third of the way through, then start going "Hmmm, what monster should I put here... more goblins?" Or hobgoblins, maybe. Or choose something at random. But if you know ahead of time that your story (or adventure) needs to include goblins, a beholder, and a hellhound, plus it needs to include a scene where the players need to scuba-dive to find a magic harmonica - well, that limits you, but in a good way. Just by figuring out how to ties them all together, you've got most of your story right there. So I wish Mr. Baur much luck and success.
# posted by Anonymous Standback : March 27, 2006 6:49 PM
 
Mmmm. Upon reconsideration during daylight hours, one slight concern arises: I don't really find those patronage options in the least appealing. They just seem too weak. I could see paying to *decide* what something would be about - that's precisely the concept of patronage. But paying to *vote*? Neh. I can't see paying that money just to see my desire "considered".
I mean, I don't know how many patrons he has or expects. But if it's over, say, ten at the higher levels, "will be considered" is likely to mean "I'll see all your suggestions, and pick a few of them." As in "Likely as not, not yours." And in the lower levels, all you get is a vote. In which case, what precisely am I paying for?
I guess this is pretty much a rant, seeing as I probably wouldn't spring for it in any case, and I might be entirely wrong and he'll manage to include everybody, and besides if people are paying they must be OK with it, right? So I continue to wish Mr. Baur much luck and success.
# posted by Anonymous Standback : March 30, 2006 4:06 AM
 
The number of patrons is likely to be capped around 30 to 40. All comments from the higher levels have been incorporated thus far, though you're right it probably won't work for the last few patrons. It's "will be considered" because there's no way I'm putting inappropriate or copyrighted material in the final work ("Include Batman!").

Even at the lower levels, people get an adventure not available elsewhere.

It's an experiment. If it doesn't work, people get their money back.
# posted by Anonymous Wolfgang Baur : March 30, 2006 11:26 AM
 
Whoa, more Famous Game Designers! Who worked on AD&D!

I've gotta say that I'm dubious about how feasible it would be to combine all the diverse elements into one adventure.

But this would be why I'm not a Famous Game Designer. Best of luck, Mr. Baur!

...oh, and thank you for Planescape. Thankyouthankyouthankyou...
# posted by Anonymous Allandaros : March 30, 2006 9:04 PM
 
But I do have to say I'm disappointed to know that this fantasy RPG adventure will not be including Batman. I had such hopes!
# posted by Anonymous Allandaros : March 30, 2006 9:05 PM
 
Just so everyone knows, I am supporting Wolfgang in his endeavour.

And by "supporting" I mean "Waving a sawbuck at him and screeching Flying Monkeys in my Wicked Witch of the West Voice"

I encourage all to join me in this support.

Flying monkeys! Flying MONKEYS!

Jeff Grubb
# posted by Blogger Jeff_Grubb : April 01, 2006 3:39 PM
 
Mr. Baur - I figured as much, and I'm not saying you should take anyone's patronage without consideration... In point of fact, far more than I'm interested in the actual adventure, I'm much more curious to see the suggestions patrons make and how you manage to incorperate them in along the way. Hope you'll be showing us that as well when the adventure is done and written...
# posted by Anonymous Standback : April 02, 2006 2:25 PM
 
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