[Magnum Opus] GoO offer...hmm

[daMoose_Neo]

I brought up the one topic about BESM d20 and here is another: GoO Magnum Opus.
I just found about this and am trying to do some digging around on it. All the PDF links were broken for it (think they just moved servers recently or so) so I wrote their information address requesting some info.
Basically, what I can see is this: You get the permission to use their materials, logos, etc. They handle the distribution, busienss end etc. for a cut (according to them We/I'd keep "most" of the "profits").

This is kind of appealing to one project for a couple reasons:
1) the project is an anime based/styled monster battling game, fitting in with their BESM titles
2) I rather like some of their approach to the characters, signing with MO would allow me to use the parts of the system I like wholesale w/o ripping it
3) They already have established connections, whereas I struck out with Twilight in the past several months contacting distributors Online, at GenCon, and via mail w/ samples of the game. (One distributor was really interested...then backed out. Bastards.)

I just need to see what they actually do and what they actually take out.
Question here is:
1) Has anyone heard anything about this?
2) Has anyone done anything similar? What were the results if so?
3) This may end up being a "Your preference" or "What do they want?" answer, but would a move like this be smart?

[Andy Kitkowski]

Hey man, interestingly enough I've got a deal going on very similar to Magnum Opus with them. To answer your questions from an MO state of mind:

I just need to see what they actually do and what they actually take out.
Question here is:
1) Has anyone heard anything about this?
2) Has anyone done anything similar? What were the results if so?
3) This may end up being a "Your preference" or "What do they want?" answer, but would a move like this be smart?

Your best bet is to contact the makers of the three or so existing MO products. I haven't seen any of their current makers bitching about the experience on RPGNet or the GoO boards, so that's a very good sign. But they're the ones that will be able to get you some solid feedback.

1) Heard about it, and actually signed an agreement with them similar to the MO. It's a great idea, because that money basically buys you a Printer, Distributor, Warehouse and a guaranteed audience (whether they'll ALL be inspired to pick up your game is another matter, but still). The more you guy into (using the rules vs using the TriStat logo vs using the BESM logo), the more "official" your product looks and the more people will give it that once-over in the store.

2) Otherwise, though, you'll have to do all the marketing and advertising groundwork yourself.  The low cost of registering your product means that GoO will list you in their catalog IIRC, and contact folks like Games Trade Mag to list your item, but that's where it pretty much stops- If you want full page ads in Dragon Magazine or whatever, that's coming out of your own pocket. You still have to do a lot of work to guarantee sales.

3) Considering that your project is "anime-ish" and that's what they're known for, the match can't be all that bad, right?

In the end, the Alpha and Omega of getting a solid answer to this question is contacting those other current MO producers and asking them how the ride was.

-Andy

[daMoose_Neo]

Sounds good.
If I might ask, and you can answer, what exactly are you getting out of it and what are you having to invest? PM me if you prefer too.

As far as what I'd use, I can make fair use of the chargen with minimal alteration to fit my monsters and such. As far as ablities and other information, BESM d20 helped me generate some of my basic forms for characters and abilities. So with the BESM influances in the system already, I'd need to do a little regression to get it back to the BESM level but it'd be compatable no problem~

[Andy Kitkowski]

Sending PM.