Currently all our stuff is self-published, although we have had offers to publish some of our material. Like any industry, it is tough to be an independent - and in ours perhaps more than most, because there are so many of us. But I'm not sure I'd use the term "hostility", as such. Buying habits are simply a fact that has to be recognised.

Some people will only buy for one system/from one company, but there are plenty of folk who will consider buying other products, if they resonate with their interests and are of a sufficient quality. Otoh, if entrenched preferences mean there isn't a viable market, then that's how it is. We either have to keep producing quality goods and try to find a way in, create a new market, or give up. I'm not surprised some folk take the latter option - it's tough out there.

I personally think that marketing is one of the hardest things for small publishers - not only because the industry is so saturated and entrenched, but because (and I'm speaking for myself here) we can't all be good at everything, but if you are running a very small company, you kind of have to be.

Quote from: EOTB;8073392) there's a significant portion of people who routinely buy rule sets they never plan to run long-term campaigns in.  So you're making money off of a lot of people who are using your rule set (essentially) as a supplement to other games, or as simple reading material for entertainment.

For what it's worth, I have run a lot of FtA! back in the day, and I'm still getting mileage out of the materials in FtA!GN! for other fantasy games. (Only recently I lifted the wumpus dungeon hippo from it for a dungeon in another system.)

I haven't really looked at the other games, so I can't comment on them, but what I got had a lot of bang per buck for actual play, and it still continues to have actual play use for me even after it has been "written off" past the break-even point.

Quote from: Skyrock;807812For what it's worth, I have run a lot of FtA! back in the day, and I'm still getting mileage out of the materials in FtA!GN! for other fantasy games. (Only recently I lifted the wumpus dungeon hippo from it for a dungeon in another system.)

I'm very glad to hear that! FtA!GN! was a pretty good sourcebook for that kid of thing.