Announcing: the Indie Rpgs Un-store

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Hituro,

That's for each publisher to say, I think. Remember, the "un" is real. It's not just a marketing phrase. The un-store itself reaps no profits, has no business plan, is neither successful nor unsuccessful for itself. The only question is whether it's a viable outlet for me, which is to say, Adept Press. And since every publisher has his or her own standard for success, and since every publisher also has his or her own ancillary (or primary) method of marketing beyond the un-store, there's no way to look at that variable cumulatively.

Best, Ron

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Christoph,

In answering Hituro's question, I realize I'd left yours hanging. It's easily answered.

1. There are two kinds of brand, as I explained in Independence, Adept Press, and Indie Press Revolution. The kind I'm not interested in is official: an imprint, a label, a distinctive image, a membership, and anything similar. The kind that I have no control over, nor wish to, is informal: a widespread perception, unfortunately of varying accuracy, of a trend or activity that is worth investigating.

2. The un-store is simply and straightforwardly not a brand of the first kind. Its 'membership,' if that's the right word, follows the same logic as the publisher forums on the Forge: if your game meets certain definitional standards (which are entirely separate from content), then you can participate. Whether it operates or facilitates a brand of the second kind will be a matter of historical record at some future date.

3. As I thought, you have indeed answered your own question because the only value added by the un-store is utility. There is no service profit in the picture. Therefore none of my concerns about "Forge as a brand" apply to "un-store as a brand."

You also asked,

how (rather than if) this supports the indie approach to publishing and especially how it avoids potential pitfalls or subversion of distribution models.

Again, the answer is so obvious to me that stating it seems like stating the introductory post over again. It supports the indie approach to publishing generally because only independent publications are eligible, and more specifically due to my criticisms posted in Forge vision; I'm sure you remember Forge-sponsored games? as well.

It avoids the problems of distribution models because it has literally nothing to do with distribution.

Best, Ron

[guildofblades]

Hi Ron,

Could you tell me what the definition is as for what qualifies to participate?

Thanks,
Ryan S. Johnson
Guild of Blades Retail Group - http://www.guildofblades.com/retailgroup.php
Guild of Blades Publishing Group - http://www.guildofblades.com
1483 Online - http://www.1483online.com

[Ron Edwards]

Ryan, you can follow the link Vincent posted and then click on "creator info," which is the first option among the links there. Remember, he runs it, I don't, so he's the guy to talk to.

Best, Ron

[guildofblades]

Well, since I sent him an e-mail when you guys first announced the Un-Store and I never got a reply, I guess that answers that. lol.

Ryan S. Johnson
Guild of Blades Retail Group - http://www.guildofblades.com/retailgroup.php
Guild of Blades Publishing Group - http://www.guildofblades.com
1483 Online - http://www.1483online.com

[lumpley]

It doesn't answer it! I've had this feeling I was missing somebody all this time.

Reply forthcoming.

-Vincent

[lumpley]

...But I can't find your email to reply to.

Write me again, lumpley at gmail?

-Vincent

[Ron Edwards]

Don't be so snarky, Ryan. That was uncalled-for.

Best, Ron

[guildofblades]

Sorry Vincent, Sorry Ron,

Just sort of used to having to make my own sand boxes in this industry in order to be able to play. Forgive the assumption. Vincent, e-mail forthcoming asap.

The un-store is a concept that is long past it due, IMO. Back around 2004 I put together a YahooGroups and got maybe about 15 folks together to begin a bit similar, but lacking any programers at the Guild at the time and having failed to recruit any, the idea withered away pretty quickly. I'm glad to see someone bring the concept to fruition and I'd like to support it and utilize it.

Thanks,
Ryan S. Johnson
Guild of Blades Retail Group - http://www.guildofblades.com/retailgroup.php
Guild of Blades Publishing Group - http://www.guildofblades.com
1483 Online - http://www.1483online.com

[Christoph Boeckle]

Thanks Ron, makes sense!