Open Design uses an old business model called patronage; you directly commission a game designer, mapper, and illustrators to produce an adventure of interest.
As a patron, you can participate in the project discussions, brainstorms, and polls. You’ll read design essays and have the opportunity to playtest and review material. If you’re a senior patron, you’ll have more access: maybe suggest an NPC or a monster, maybe write whole sections, but there's no requirement to contribute text! Senior patrons also preview maps and artwork. While Senior Patrons have a lot of pull, but a particularly inspired idea can often be snapped up from the lower tier. A great idea is, after all, a great idea.
Regardless of the level of patronage, you’ll get a PDF of the final product and the option to purchase a hard copy of the project at cost (no markup!). This is an additional cost to project patronage.
The most important element of Open Design patronage is that you have the chance to see how game design happens from start to finish. You can ask questions, get involved, or just shoot off a few critiques to improve the project. It's a miniature class in RPG design — without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on tuition, and with a friendly, practical approach. Open Design gives gamers the chance to learn and publish RPG design work; seize this rare opportunity today!
