| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Caolin
Senior Scribe
768 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 00:22:18
|
quote:
Originally posted by Matt James
Wait, if someone owns something, who is it for anyone to snatch it away to produce it as they feel? I would hate to think someone would do that to me.
I love canon and I like the stories that have been introduced into the Realms. If it was a wild west land grab for anyone to contribute to, I would quickly lose interest and move on to something else.
I mentioned earlier in this thread my objections to a corporation that is publicly owned having the rights to the Forgotten Realms and DnD in general. I think the product over the years has suffered for it. Too many times major changes have been made to the detriment of the Forgotten Realms all in the name of "reaching a new audience" which is business speak for "trying to make more money". The term, "don't try to fix what isn't broken" comes to mind. I personally would like to see the rights go to at least a smaller company if not a privately owned company. |
 |
|
|
Matt James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 00:31:46
|
| If it was open to the public and owned by all, do you see the problem being solved? How would the product be managed? On the next step, if it is owned by a smaller private company, does that make it a superior product? What about fans of the existing product? Are their own tastes to be ignored? It's not as black and white as some believe and having the grass greener on the other side of the fence is something that will always be around. |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 01:07:23
|
quote:
Originally posted by Matt James
<snip> On the next step, if it is owned by a smaller private company, does that make it a superior product?
One Word....
Paizo  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 02:04:04
|
In my ideal world, I'd own WotC. I'd let the other worlds alone, but for the Realms, I'd bring back some of the creators/authors I liked, shuffle elsewhere the ones I don't like, and then make a point of soliciting fan input. Some like picking a small group of fans, letting them toss out some ideas, and then run with the coolest ones.
I'll freely admit I've not been happy with the direction of the setting for a long time. But I'm not convinced that moving away from a company-owned setup is the direction to go. Changing how the company does something accomplishes much of the same goal, without introducing all of the problems of a shared setting with no central guidance. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
|
|
|
Caolin
Senior Scribe
768 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 03:10:47
|
quote:
Originally posted by Matt James
If it was open to the public and owned by all, do you see the problem being solved? How would the product be managed? On the next step, if it is owned by a smaller private company, does that make it a superior product? What about fans of the existing product? Are their own tastes to be ignored? It's not as black and white as some believe and having the grass greener on the other side of the fence is something that will always be around.
Well, I'm not that naive that I believe that simply handing it to some small private company will make it a better product. But what needs to happen is that the focus needs to be on making a consistently good product rather than chasing profits. When you make a consistently good product the profits will come. But when you constantly are changing things in hopes of finding that special profit spot, well the product suffers. This is especially true with an artistic IP. I feel that WoTC did not have to so dramatically change DnD and the Realms when they moved to 4E. It was done for all of the wrong reasons.....profit. But lets not venture back into that debate.
But I will say that I don't think there is any going back with DnD and the Realms. Rebooting would be disastrous and confusing for any new fan. I am encouraged by the work you, your brother and Erik...among the many other talented designers of the Realms...are doing. I like the direction that things are going and it shows that you guys love the product. I just hope the trend continues. |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 04:54:08
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'll freely admit I've not been happy with the direction of the setting for a long time. But I'm not convinced that moving away from a company-owned setup is the direction to go. Changing how the company does something accomplishes much of the same goal, without introducing all of the problems of a shared setting with no central guidance.
Fans owning the Realms will create more problems than solve the existing ones, mostly due to lack of a prime guidance. Not to mention, I personally think of it as definitely unsavory and ch**p, making all novels and short work of fiction as nothing but fanfic.
|
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
EltonJ
Learned Scribe
USA
101 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 05:32:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'll freely admit I've not been happy with the direction of the setting for a long time. But I'm not convinced that moving away from a company-owned setup is the direction to go. Changing how the company does something accomplishes much of the same goal, without introducing all of the problems of a shared setting with no central guidance.
Fans owning the Realms will create more problems than solve the existing ones, mostly due to lack of a prime guidance. Not to mention, I personally think of it as definitely unsavory and ch**p, making all novels and short work of fiction as nothing but fanfic.
But, the Realms core will be passed down to your grandchildren's hearts and minds, and your great-grandchildren's hearts and minds. It will last forever. Forget the stupid fan stuff. Time and the public will take care of that.
Masterpieces last forever, dennis. That's what I Desire for Ed Greenwood's work on the Realms. That is why it's better that the public owns it and WotC reliquishes it's printing monopoly on the realms. So it can last FOREVER.
|
Edited by - EltonJ on 10 Sep 2010 05:36:57 |
|
|
|
EltonJ
Learned Scribe
USA
101 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 05:44:04
|
quote:
Originally posted by Matt James
If it was open to the public and owned by all, do you see the problem being solved? How would the product be managed? On the next step, if it is owned by a smaller private company, does that make it a superior product? What about fans of the existing product? Are their own tastes to be ignored? It's not as black and white as some believe and having the grass greener on the other side of the fence is something that will always be around.
It will be managed like Shakespeare's works and sonnets are handled. Those works that are really good will stand the test of time. Those that are terrible will pass into obscurity.
Never underestimate the distribution power of the Commons. Time will separate the wheat from the chaff. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Everyone owning Forgotten Realms
