View From the Bushes

At some point in every addict's life, you think about being a dealer rather than a user. I mean it has to be more lucrative, less destructive and in general more enjoyable. But when you're an addict, all you have to worry about is your next fix. Is it going to be the Midnight setting from FFG, the 3.5 books, or maybe I'll pick up all the ENnie winners. Sure, there are some choices involved but if you're willing to support an expensive enough habit, then you can have all of the fixes. As a dealer there's so much more, it's not as enjoyable as you might think.

First off, you've got to worry about getting more users. Then there's the problem of maintaining product quality -- someone takes a bad trip with one of your adventures and he'll swear it off forever. In addition to the quality, there's the addictiveness. This is especially difficult as a PDF publisher. As a print publisher you can make your products out of tobacco leaves (in theory at least, I don't know of anyone that's actually done it). Then there's supply and turf battles, not to mention law enforcement. Okay D20 publishing isn't illegal, but there's still copyright issues to worry about.

If you haven't guessed, I'm talking about GenCon. In years past, I've wandered the exhibit hall blissfully unencumbered by the need to sell some product to put food in the mouths of my starving children (remember this fact when you stop by my booth). I've scheduled games from early in the morning till late at night. I've spent hours agonizing over which dice I should buy as my set for the next year. I've participated in demos and sat in on seminars, but this year I won't be able to do any of that. I'm a dealer, not a user, all I can say is that it's a good thing that DireKobold is the equivalent of crack cocaine.

Carpe Diem Quam Minimum Credula Postero
Ross