Every week, Now You Know recaps the Know Direction content of the past week, previews the Know Direction content of the week to come, as the director of operations, Ryan Costello, shares his thoughts on the state of the network.

Last week, Paizo announced not only the dates, but also some changes to the presentation of PaizoCon Online.

Usually it’s safe to assume the Know Direction audience knows about things like PaizoCon, but in the name of this year’s theme, Educate, Entertain, Inspire, here’s a brief history.

In 2008, Tim Nightengale and Liz Courts threw a convention for fellow Pathfinder enthusiasts. Being local to the Paizo headquarters, they invited the staff and creators of their favourite game to join them. Though only attended by a few dozen people, legend of the event spread and within a few years, hundreds of fans attended the now multi-day event. Eventually, Paizo took over planning the event, inviting partners to present their new licensed materials, and hosting a banquet at which they revealed new products to look forward to in the coming year.

Then the 2020s hit. The planned in-person PaizoCon 2020 was scheduled for the weekend of May 22nd of that year. For a few months, PaizoCon, like the rest of the world, was in turmoil as it wasn’t clear how serious the pandemic was. Maybe of us naively thought maybe it would all be over in time for us to travel (some of us internationally) to a crowded convention attended by hundreds. When it became clear that absolutely could not happen, PaizoCon 2020 was briefly cancelled, then moved online. Other than briefly dabbling in a hybrid convention in 2022, PaizoCon has existed fully online ever since.

I’m curious how the Educate, Entertain, Inspire theme will work at an online convention. Granted, I’ve learned plenty about the Pathfinder setting and rules, and game design and GMing from Paizo’s convention seminars. However, the blog specifically calls out “[l]earn the basics of Pathfinder and Starfinder” as a selling point of the convention. Now, between Pathfinder Remaster, Starfinder Enhanced, and the upcoming Starfinder 2e, it’s an important time for Paizo to be teaching its games to gamers old and new. However, when I hear “PaizoCon”, I think “Pathfinder and Starfinder enthusiast”, and online convention doubly so. I’m curious how Paizo plans to attract players unfamiliar with their products to their online convention to give their games a try.

Part of their plan might be the “PaizoCon @” initiative. Paizo is partnering with California’s KublaCon Game Convention that runs the same weekend for a hybrid-lite PaizoCon experience. Before PaizoCon moved to Memorial Day weekend, a dedicated contingent of California gamers came up to Seattle every year. However, those same gamers traditionally attended KublaCon on Memorial Day weekends, a gaming convention with roots that date back to the mid-90s. I know a lot of regulars at both cons who were bummed when they had to choose between KublaCon and PaizoCon. Now they don’t have to!

As usual, we will request to host the convention seminars at this year’s PaizoCon. It’s a tradition that dates back to 2009 and has helped Paizo, Know Direction, and fans connect for 15 years.

Speaking of The Know Direction Network, here is the great gaming content we released last week:

Recap of November 6th to November 10th

What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?

Monday, November 6th

Article

Now You Know – Remaster Buzz

With the first Pathfinder Remaster releases in reviewers’ hands, I discussed the network’s plan for Player Core and GM Core coverage.

 

Wednesday, November 8th

Podcast

Know Direction 297: Avi Kool on Editing Pathfinder

Paizo’s editors are the best, Avi is the coolest (or the Koolest, if you will), and this interview is the perfect example of why.

Article

Know Direction 297 In Writing

A transcript of Know Direction 297 is available in case the audio version isn’t for you.

Thursday, November 9th

 

Article

Investing In: Player Core Witch
By Rob Pontious

Rob begins his look at Pathfinder Remaster content with the 2e base class that made the leap from supplemental material to core.

Friday, November 10th

Podcast

Upshift 026: Puzzles

Jason shines as he breaks down the different kinds of puzzles and how to use them in your game (Essence20 or otherwise).

Preview of November 13th to November 17th

Block 1 of our 2-block schedule.

Monday, November 13th

Podcast

Intrepid Heroes 120 – Miracles

Our Intrepid Heroes push past traps, fight through opposition, and come face to face with the Stellar Degenerator!

Article

Now You Know: What We Know About PaizoCon Online 2024
By Ryan Costello

I discuss What We Know About PaizoCon Online 2024

Tuesday, November 14th

Podcast

Game Design Unboxed 76: Dark Domains

Danielle speaks with Jeff Horger about the second edition of Dark Domains.

Article

Eldritch Excursion
By Nate Wright

Nate’s Pathfinder and Starfinder designs and musings.

Wednesday, November 15th

Article

Behind The Screens
By Ryan Costello

I use a popular culture lens to share my GMing thoughts and experience.

Thursday, November 16th

Podcast

Digital Divination 96

John and Jason talk Starfinder.

Friday, November 17th

Article

Essential Builds – Super Dinosaur
By Nate Wright

In honour of the new G.I. JOE comic publisher, I build Robert Kirkman’s Super Dinosaur as an Essence20 PC.

 

Now you know,
Ryan Costello