Game Designers, Writers, Artists and Enthusiasts Wanted

I live in Las Vegas, but I don't go to the Strip, and I don't gamble. I value my time and money, and so I carefully consider both when making decisions. And yet, with all the rpg's out there, I still believe that in the coming years, there will be room for good, solid new pen-n-paper RPG on the market. D&D 4E may have a stranglehold on fantasy for a large portion of the gaming community, but there are still many, many gamers like myself who are looking for more in an rpg.

In light of the split between traditional D&D'ers who used to follow D&D from version to version, but due to 4E being D&D in name only for the most part, and are now looking for other games ... maybe something closer to 3.5 but more polished with the ever evolving needs, styles and interests of gamers, and for those who are looking for a scifi game but aren't into Star Wars, there's still room to breath ... to flex one's creativity, and make an impact.

It wouldn't be easy, of course. It would take more than just a good game - it would take the right timing, business model, distribution, marketing, solid team of designers, writers, editors and artists, but I believe it is possible. That's why, despite the odds, I haven't given up on the Cosmothea RPG.

Time will tell, however, if the best course of action for a freelance or small time game designer is to make the next great product or support the products already out there. Of course D&D and D20 in general is not for everyone, nor is every setting. Fortunately setting designers, with the ever increasing time crunch in our society, time is a limited commodity, so there's still plenty of room for a solid, well established campaign setting, though currently gamer dollars are tight (I figure by the time the latest version of the Cosmothea campaign setting and the rpg is finished, we'll see an upswing in the economy, so I'm not terribly concerned in that regard, though there are many factors to consider regardless of the state of the economy, of course).

As for my work on Cosmothea and other design projects I've had on my plate over the years, I've never felt the creative juices flowing more freely and never found anything more rewarding than working on a project without a big corporation lurking over my shoulder, or someone telling me I have to do things some way I just flat don't agree with and know in my heart are the wrong way to do things. Sure we'd need structure and a solid, unified vision, and I think that's very doable with the right group of talented people.

And QT Games isn't just looking for people to help produce Cosmothea, but also those that want the benefit of working together to make their own products better as well. Not a community persay, but a team with goals and brainstorming and working together to achieve them without neglecting our families, day jobs and other commitments.

Unlike the big game companies, you and I can afford to express ourselves, take our time and do it right, and when we know we're working toward a goal we believe in, we can do so much better than someone who is being told to do something because that's what the big wigs said they wanted. I want to work on a project I can really get behind, and personally, 4E, as good as it does some things, just doesn't cut it for me. I'm not bashing it persay - I know many like it, especially around here, and I love aspects of it, but there's just too many design decisions that make my stomach sore just thinking about. I can't see myself ever designing a 4E adventure or supplemental work, so I'm instead working on something I believe in ... something I love.

Whether you join the QT Games team and work with me on the Cosmothea RPG one day or not (or on one of your own projects), I wish you the best as you strive to do what you love to do and what you find worthwhile. I'm not sure if we'll ever make a dime on Cosmothea or not, but when all is said and done, I'll know that I did a good job, that my time was well spent, and that I didn't compromise on what I believed in. I believe that others who team up on this and other projects will feel the same way.

If nothing else, it should provide a good resource to troubleshoot, explore and see if our ideas are truly viable like we think they are. If you've never shown something you've created to others without helpful feedback during your life, then you are probably perfect and don't need QT Games, but you probably still need networking. But I'm betting that even the big boys at WotC benefit from brainstorming, editing, etc.

If you don't like something, change it. If you do it the way everyone wants you to, but not the way you know to be right, you won't find a great deal of satisfaction in it, though it might line your pockets with a bit more dough, maybe, but then contrary to the cliche, money's never made me even slightly happy. It's a mere tool to getting things done. We'll need money, sure, but I won't let money decide how I'm going to design an rpg. That's one chain I don't need. I did not create QT Games to be a non profit organization - that's not what I'm talking about here.

People that contribute significantly to a QT Games product will be compensated in some form or another, sometimes with cash or trade work (like art, web design, etc. as mutually agreed upon by contract), and hopefully one day by product income, but I don't want anyone walking away feeling like they wasted their time. I won't put up with that from myself, so I'm certainly not going to see a committed team member do that. I'm in it for the whole team, not just myself.

Whatever you choose to do, proceed with caution, enthusiasm, wisdom, considering the cost and the rewards, knowing your strengths and weaknesses and the steps you need to take, what expectations are realistic and what you consider a success and worth your time, and then make sure you do it with your whole heart, so that your work will shine and be something you can be proud of, come what may.

If you've been having making feats or spells or powers or monsters or a campaign setting, etc. in your spare time, then you've tasted the excitement and satisfaction of working on an rpg just for the fun of it - for the hobby. That's cool, and even if you aren't looking for a big project, you can always work on a small, but important segment appropriate to your interest and availability? Why not consider joining the QT Games team and using your talents along with others to put together products that just might bring you more than satisfaction in the long run?

Maybe we won't make it, but maybe we will, with the right strategy and products, and if you spend time designing things anyway, you aren't losing anything, only growing in experience! We're looking for friendly, positive and talented gamers who can work together toward a goal. Success won't come easily, but it will be a fun ride! Think about it, and contact me if you're interested. Thanks!

Best regards,

Bob Whitely

QT Games