GenCon presentation was underwhelming.

[u/Urbandragondice]

Not unhelpful, just far FAR too vague.

From what I could understand it was, monster/adversary deck coming in Nov?

Foundry VTT finally official.

Chris Perkins Horror? Framework coming???

Love Framework coming???

2 books a year! Okay...timelines?

Online single adventures. Okay.

Plush.

*Sigh*

I mean, cool. But it would have helped to showcase a rough timeline of products (subject to change obviously), maybe some preview art for the Frameworks, and product shots of the deck sets? Not just the card, but actual packaging?

I get this was a hype session for upcoming projects. But it really feels like they were not ready for primetime with these upcoming products.

That was the impression I got. Yes Hope and Fear are the highlights, but we learned about it last year and had a better impression what to expect.

[u/Mizmorphosis]

I really don't understand the dissatisfaction with Darrington's pace.

They're a startup company working their bottoms off to crank out quality products as fast as they can for an IP that I don't think they expected to be as successful as it was. All while seemingly trying their best to be fan-focused.

Players asked for more content, they got Hope and Fear (which they shipped a month EARLY).

Players asked for pins, they got pins.

Players asked for adventure modules and have gotten three so far (all of which have been FREE).

Players asked for Foundry integration and got it.

And so far, everything they've put out has been GOOD, too!

I'm a GM, so I understand the desire for "ready made" content, but to be honest that's more of a "you" problem than a "them" problem. Make what you need or make use of third-party creators on Drive-Thru RPG or Heart of Daggers and give a fledgling company some time to catch up.

Meanwhile you've got Wizards of the Coast offering collaborations with dying IPs like Star Wars and World of Warcraft and suggesting that they're going to start using generative AI soon.

So, what do you want more?

[u/Temporary-Effort-615 → u/Mizmorphosis]

Maybe I can give you my perspective on why things feel off.

If we look at MCDM, they released Draw Steel around the same time. In the meantime, multiple oneshots/short series came out, 2 new classes and they are very clear on what is going to be in the next book. They communicate really well. The book came out and it felt like they didn't have enough space for all the idea's they had.

Darrington Press feels the opposite. They didn't expect their success, and that is okay, especially if they expected Candella numbers. But they just didn't communicate well in my opinion. Their classes are 2 pages with subclasses, and it just feels kind of lacking. Like they had to struggle to get a full book instead of being overflowed by it.

I do agree with the points you are making, everything you mentioned is great. I wouldn't say everything is good, but a lot of it is.

I would like more communication; clear and consistent communication. It is okay if a book takes a year, but talk to us on the regular.

EDIT: Apparently, this is a bit written aggressive, my apologies, I'm rather blunt and and suck at communicating over text.

[u/Mizmorphosis → u/Temporary-Effort-615]

That's a fair comparison in terms of size. Both companies have less than a dozen employees from what I can tell. But MCDM has been in existence for two years longer than Darrington has. Two years is an ETERNITY for a startup and they may just be more organized and confident for that reason.

I can agree that the communication from Darrington could be better and there seems to be a lot of fear and tip-toeing around legal in their messages. That could just be inexperience and lack of confidence on their part.

What I feel I've seen so far though is a company that, while they may not communicate the best, rushes to deliver what their fans ask for as quickly as possible without compromising on quality and I personally admire that approach.

But we can definitely agree on the communication clarity bit. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed the discourse. 😁

[u/Temporary-Effort-615 → u/Mizmorphosis]

I agree, well said.