Open Design FAQ: Patronage Explained
1. How does this work?
2. You mean I get to pick everything? Sign me up!
3. Am I buying my way into a publishing credit?
4. Why use voting and polls? Why not just let the lead designer choose?
5. I donated, now what?
6. Can I get a copy of a project that is already over?
7. What do I get for my patronage?
8. How do I make suggestions to the lead designer?
9. Can I upgrade my patronage at a later date?
10. Can I support more than one project at a time?
11. What happens if my project doesn’t make the cut/commission?
12. What if I change my mind about supporting a project or wish to change my vote?
13. How does it work in practice?
14. Can I playtest these projects?
- How does this work?
- You mean I get to pick everything? Sign me up!
- Am I buying my way into a publishing credit?
- Why use voting and polls? Why not just let the lead designer choose?
- Can I get a copy of a project that is already over?
- What do I get for my patronage?
- How do I make suggestions to the lead designer?
- Can I upgrade my patronage at a later date?
- Can I support more than one project at a time?
- What happens if my project doesn’t make the cut/commission?
- What if I change my mind about supporting a project or wish to change my vote?
- How does it work in practice?
- Can I playtest these projects?
Open Design uses an old business model called patronage. People directly commission an artist (in this case, a game designer plus mapper and illustrators) to produce an adventure of interest. It’s rather like a preorder, but you get to influence what goes into the adventure or sourcebook. No distributors or retailers are involved.
Like a Renaissance artist who worked for a patron, your voice will be heard in what the final project will look like. You can offer suggestions about what you want to see, vote on proposals for the adventure slots within the book, playtest and provide direct feedback, and—if you’re interested—even contribute and be paid as a designer.
Some patrons prefer to lurk, and that’s always an option. Notes patron and freelancer John Ling, “Whether you opt to contribute is entirely up to you. But, for example, I was a patron on Halls of the Mountain King and didn’t make a proposal, and I feel I still got my money’s worth from the project.”
Not that easy buddy! Open Design most certainly can and does reject material all the time — the strongest suggestions are the ones that are accepted by your fellow patrons.
While some patrons prefer to make suggestions from the sidelines, in every project, many people would like to design a chapter or two of adventure or sourcebook material. This is why the project filters all suggestions through a polling system, so only the strongest ideas and the most talented designers are chosen.
While some patrons who pitch to write an adventure are turned down, there’s always feedback as to why, and suggestion for how to improve for the next pitch. Major donors and sponsors get coaching on their pitches, to improve more quickly.
Open Design is collaborative design. If your pitch is accepted or your monster is taken for a bestiary, that doesn’t mean it goes into print without changes. Critique, review, and playtest are part of the process as well.
It’s like a writer’s workshop (for game designers). Most such workshops cost $500 or more for a weekend retreat. You pay a lot less here for months of feedback that builds your ability and insight into how to design.
The first step is easy, but the second step requires a little patience: you’ll get access to the KQ Forum for the project and an email invitation to visit the private posts for that project.
Because there’s a small volume of patrons (relative to, say, customers of the latest mass market adventure), it’s pretty much done manually. You’ll get the invitation email within 48 hours unless something is seriously wrong. Send us a note if you haven’t heard in a day or two.
And not to worry, the project work of designing a good RPG adventure or sourcebook takes time. You won’t miss the start!
Yes, most recent projects are available. However, projects up to and including Halls of the Mountain King (from 2009) all Open Design projects were limited editions and are sold out.
Starting with From Shore to Sea and Sunken Empires, all Open Design projects are available from KQ.com and elsewhere in print editions.
First and foremost, you gain access to the Open Design site for the project. You can participate in the discussions, and vote in polls that determine the project directions. You’ll read design essays that uncover how professional designers work, test, and think about game structure.
If you’re a senior patron, you can suggest an NPC or a monster and/or template, see the unfinished manuscript in progress, request design essay topics, preview maps and artwork, pitch your own adventures for anthology projects, and submit other materials such as spells or rituals if you are so inclined. That’s all purely optional, but senior patrons tend to be more involved in the collaborative design.
All patrons receive a PDF of the final product, plus all errata in an updated edition, and the option to purchase a print copy of the project at as low a price as we can manage (typically under $10). For From Shore to Sea, a print edition was included in the project.
When you see a post in the private boards, you can discuss either by leaving a comment on a post, or in some instances, sending the lead designer an email. Everyone is collaborating on the same team, and the conversation is pretty friendly!
Yes, at any time you can upgrade by picking up the difference between your current level of patronage and the higher level you wish to support. Include a note with your purchase in the KQ Store, so we can update your access to private discussions right away.
Yes. You’ll need to sign up separately for each project you wish to sponsor. You could, for instance, be a major donor on one project that interests you most, while being a standard patron on a second project where you just want to weigh in from time to time and get the extra patron goodies (essays, extra PDFs, battlemaps, these vary from project to project).
Donations for projects that are not commissioned are fully returned. Underfunded projects are sometimes offered again under a different rules system or when a new lead designer steps forward.
If the project hasn’t launched, no problem! Contact Wolfgang Baur and let him know your concern. After 60 days, PayPal charges a percentage fee for refunding a transaction—if you are beyond this window, expect to see slightly less than you pledged.
Once a project has been commissioned, you are a sponsor and patron of that project, and you will be recognized for your support.
Updates, information, and discussion happen through the KQ Forums for all projects. The blogging software assigns permissions and differentiates standard and senior patrons. Senior patrons see additional materials.
The main venue is the discussion between you and the project designer. As mentioned elsewhere, senior patrons have a lot of pull, but a great idea is a great idea from any source. Many of those elements are laid down in initial brainstorming posts and refined over time with playtest and discussion.
Patrons need a KQ.com registration to get the most out of the project, and that is absolutely free.
Yes! Patrons can be playtesters, either running or participating in the playtest. Playtesters must sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) before materials are released. You will receive electronic copies of the material for testing once Open Design has received your NDA. Specifics of the playtest may vary from project to project.
See you on the boards! A list of current projects is available.
