Adventure Games Publishing, James Mishler's RPG Company, has ceased publishing. This is truly a shame, as James' work on the Wilderlands of High Adventure for Castles & Crusades was top notch. I would know, I was one of the early subscribers to his proposed line of products. Regretfully, what James planned and what was finally produced never really worked as planned.
James' problem was neither talent nor work ethic. It was a soured economy and his aiming at a niche within a niche within a niche within a niche (Wilderlands of High Adventure - Wilderlands from Judge's Guild - Castles & Crusades - OSR - Roleplaying). His market was small, and if he didn't convert a large percentage of it, business was going to be tough.
His planned, extremely ambitious for a one man show, monthly releases, lasted two products (high quality products mind you, both in production and in usability). Small releases followed. Credit for those early subscribers, and how to convert the credit into the newer products was decided upon.
In the end James aimed extremely high. He missed his target, which I'm not even sure was attainable. If you have to ask your readers and customers to donate money so you can buy a paper cutter, that is a good point to probably re-evaluate your business model.
I have no words of wisdom via 20-20 vision to suggest what James could have done differently for a different outcome.
I mourn the failure of a endeavor by a talented man, who gave the OSR and roleplaying in general extremely useful and professional gaming material. Maybe not so much failure, because I do own his early successes. Potential unfulfilled instead. A shame.
James, I wish you the best in whatever career move presents itself to you, now and in the future. Maybe, when things sort out, you can again share your vision with us. On a pace that best serves you... no AGP, not your readers... you.
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50 minutes ago
Bummer. With Scrollworks I learned that it's okay to write what you want when you want, but to keep fun as the main goal. Hell, breaking even would even be impressive for some.
ReplyDeleteI hope he'll be back with a new model at some point.
He reached too high. But what's a heaven for, as the saying goes. Maybe next time he tries he can encourage a community much as Eric Flint did for his novel, 1632. That's led to a lot of books and stories.
ReplyDeleteJames, I hope you reach your next goal.