I’m rounding the bend on what will be my first paid TTRPG product.
Here’s what I want everyone to expect from me: If you buy my product or support me in any way (Ko-Fi, Itch.io, etc) I will always do my best to put out high quality product. If I ask $1.99 for a TTRPG supplement, then I will do my utmost to provide content worthy of that price tag or I will happily refund your money. It’s what I expect from other TTRPG creators, and I certainly wish to provide that quality of service myself.
I also promise to listen to constructive feedback when given. I might not always adjust a product to suit critics, but I will listen and make changes wherever I deem reasonable. I would never sell a product I wouldn’t happily buy for myself or recommend to others. In other words, I will do my best to listen to the #ttrpgcommunity and give you, the reader, the absolutely best product I can provide.
Politics and game companies comes up a lot these days.
I know a lot of old, bitter, Old School Renaissance, miserable Grognards have droned on about the political stances of game companies and game designers as of late. We’ve heard time and time again about how politics need to be left out of gaming whether it be in the book or at the table. We’ve also seen any number of game company representatives stick their own feet squarely in their mouths.
I strongly desire for Jeff’s Game Box and anything else with my name on it to be a safe space for almost everyone. (Minus all the unpleasant bigots, -phobes, -ists, etc.) Even then, if people can play nicely at the table and don’t send me a bunch of hate, please feel free to have fun with my stuff. The TTRPG space should be a welcome space for anyone wanting to have fun at the table.
My own political takes are pretty unusual, so please don’t categorize me. Sure, some will inevitably complain that I’m “woke” or “Leftist.” Sometimes I do lean a lot liberal. I believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion for the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodiverse and other communities that have been overlooked and trod upon over the centuries. Basically, I have little patience for those who sh🦆t on their fellow humans. Please play nice or go away.
I’m also a New Age spiritual, Extraterrestrial-loving, UFO-seeking, paranormal-investigating, and conspiracy-talking nut. I wear the tinfoil hat proudly. My apologies if my views offend. Please feel free not to support me based on those beliefs. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I get it.
Be a spokesperson for the company you represent.
I’ve watched a couple of people in charge of their own game companies royally shoot themselves in the foot by getting on social media. (Not looking at Joseph Goodman.) My philosophy is that a game company head honcho needs to keep his politics away from being associated with the product. If you have a popular Kickstarter, for example, maybe it’s not a good idea to go on a livestream and bad mouth someone else’s game company.
That’s a major issue with US politics and TTRPG companies. I want to hear what you have to offer. What do you bring to the table that is unique and wonderful. I could care less about the competition’s flaws and shortcomings. That’s their problem. Please, tell me what positive things you’re going to do. I’ll figure out the negatives on my own.
Why turn away a potential crowdfunding backer or customer by spouting a bunch of trash talk? There’s enough room in the TTRPG industry for ALL of us. It’s better to appeal to your audience than disrespect someone else’s.
I believe in choice.
Please support people whom you believe in the most. If that’s me and the stuff I’m making- that’s great! Thank you so much! I have tremendous love and gratitude for all the support I receive. I’ll take a little bit of support and acknowledgment any day of the week. Small compliments go a long way with me.
On the other hand, I’m not going to stand up and proudly proclaim I have the market cornered on cool ideas. I can always learn more. I can always imagine more. My creativity is boundless. Hey, if you think someone else is doing it better, please go support them. I encourage it. Please do whatever is going to make you happiest.
I don’t do negativity well.
Okay, this particular fact about me might be my undoing someday. I don’t handle criticism or negative feedback well at all. I nearly ended myself over a negative review before I was fired from a job a few years ago. I’d rather be waterboarded than have someone tell me what a horrible person I am based on my work and/or attitude at work.
I’m considered disabled these days. I’m working through a lot of issues. Neurodiversity is a big thing around here. NGL, I’m kind of a flawed human.
Maybe I picked the wrong path to prosperity for a guy who doesn’t like criticism. Writers and game designers take a lot of heat all the time. The good news is, I’m my own boss and editor. There’s nothing anyone is going to say about my TTRPG work that I probably haven’t already said to myself. I’m trying to get used to being criticized which is why I subject myself to social media.
I will always appreciate any support I receive from fans.
I have fans? Whoa. That’s kinda new. I’ll be honest- I’m not used to that and it’s a little scary. Let me just say how much I appreciate you and thanks for being here with me. Please, keep being awesome. I’ll do the best I can to be worthy of your support.
Thanks for being here. I honestly do appreciate it. More tomorrow. (Gotta get back to that 5 room dungeon. I feel like we left it hanging. )
Jeff's Game Box 