Two books it is.rpgresearch wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:52 pm We are big advocates for financial accessibility, especially since our community programs work with so many populations that struggle significantly with finances.
In further conversations, we're getting good feedback that separating the player-only materials (SAMs) from the GM-only, is preferred by a number of GMs, especially those of us working with players that struggle with significant impulse control issues. They would find it easier to resist "cheating"and reading the GM adventures if in a separate book. Yes it is very easy for them to just download it and read them, but they indicate the "firewall" separating the two documents would help them resist more than if it was in the same book. And the GMs, due to how low the costs are for these small books, are okay with paying separately. Generally they would buy 1-3 of the player-focused printed copies, and have one of the GM-focused copies for themselves or other aspiring GMs.
I think, based on that feedback, and notably from some of our ADHD, incarcerated, and mental health players, that it is worth the slight additional cost for the GMs, to have them as two separate books, but no need to be more than that. If we, or the community want to add to the SAMs or GM Introductory adventures, it is recommended to just add them to one of the two appropriate books, rather than spin off many different ones. Thoughts?
An additional note here... 8.5" x 11" paperbacks are the cheapest kind. Since classic RPG books were that size, I gravitated directly to that size back in 2006, and that's why I don't publish any other size. Lots of people want me to do digest-size books but I just don't have the time to fight layout twice for every book. For your purposes, given that cost is a consideration, I recommend staying with our standard form factor.
And another note... Lulu will do coilbound books. For a player doing a SAM book, this is an absolute win. They are more expensive though. Offering all three types on Lulu (paperback, coilbound, and hardback) allows flexibility for the buyer. Amazon only offers paperback and hardback, but usually has the cheapest paperback format.
Good, we're on the same page.rpgresearch wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:52 pm Excellent! I am very much an advocate of the opensource technology world, and love how BFRPG follows a similar model. We are very open and sharing of this kind of content, and we welcome your guidance and ideas. Again, kudos and thank you so much for all your hard work to have gotten this endeavor to such a well fleshed-out level of development and such a vibrantly engaged community!
My brain is fried, but there are a lot of people here who will surely offer help.rpgresearch wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:52 pm As we near finalizing the adventures themselves, we'll gladly undertake the open suggestions polling approach for more imaginative names. Typically we start with a technically accurate working title while working on the project, and then as it solidifies and inspires more creative naming, we incorporate that into the titles. We welcome your suggestions for better titles when the time comes.
