Every week, Recall Knowledge recaps the Know Direction content of the past week, a preview of the Know Direction content of the week to come, and the director of operations, Ryan Costello, thoughts on the state of the network.
There were times in my life where I went to a game store almost daily. Quantum Cards was a 5-minute walk from my apartment, and right in front of a bus stop that could take me to work. If I had nothing else to do, I could swing by for a chat. It’s where I bought most of my Warhammer 40k and D&D 3.5 material in that crossover point where I was into two expensive games. It’s where I met Ariadne. It’s the first game store that paid me for game-related work.
Then, there was a time in my life where I’d go to a game store weekly. Chimera Cafe was out of my way, but it’s inviting atmosphere, space, and amenities made it a place I went out of my way to visit. As I went from a Pathfinder Society player to a Venture Officer, I passed on being a Venture Captain (in charge of all of Montreal) in favour of being a Lieutenant (where I only needed to be in charge of events at one store) so I didn’t have to deal with stores other than Chimera.
In the last two years, I’ve only been to game stores three times. Once when my local game store Aux Jeux shut down due to lockdown losses. The other two times, I went to La Boutique Tabletop for Free RPG Day. La Boutique Tabletop is both close (a 30-45 minute drive) and far (as the owner put it, when drive a stretch of highway without lampposts, it feels a lot further). Regardless, it’s the kind of store I want to go out of my way for. The owner loves gaming, is friendly, and humble. Here’s a favourite moment from our conversation when I reached out about running a demo.
Free RPG Day marked my first time running an Essence20 session for strangers. It went well, fun was had by all, and a lot of people in the store hovered around my table and had fun asking questions about Essence20 and making G.I. Joe references.
I look forward to returning to La Boutique Tabletop for future Essence20 events, and more casually when I feel comfortable hanging out in a store again. I wish them all the success. The world needs good game stores.
Before we move on to the recap, the biggest Paizo news since the announcement of 2e broke last week. The workers at Paizo, Inc announced the formation of the United Paizo Workers union. Following #paizoaccountability, which saw a clear line of support for Paizo staff and a call for their better treatment by Paizo management, over 30 members (at the time) of Paizo staff signed on for this unionization effort. This is the first of its kind in tabletop gaming, and could change the landscape of the industry.
Finally, big shout out to the KD staff for coordinating and contributing to Infinite Possibilities. Pathfinder authors and third party publishers’ excitement for Pathfinder Infinite has been palatable, and since Know Direction staff includes a lot of both, we thought we would put together a guide for other interested participants. I mentioned it in last week’s Recall Knowledge, but I want to reiterate the amazing work project manager Alex Augunas, staff contributors Vanessa Hoskins, Dustin Knight, Owen K.C. Stephens, Ron Lundeen, and Jessica Redekop, and freelance contributors Rigby Bendele, Kate Baker, Dennis Muldoon, Dave Nelson, and Isis Wozniakowska put in to make this series so comprehensive. It answers a lot of questions potential contributors have, and many new designers might not think to ask. We feel this is such a valuable resource, we’ve added an Infinite Possibilities drop menu to the site’s top bar.
Speaking of Know Direction Network content, here’s a recap of the network content from last week at the Know Direction Network:
Recap of October 11th to October 15th
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, October 11th
Article
Recall Knowledge – Announcing: Infinite Possibilities
By Ryan Costello
Remember Infinite Possibilities? This was the announcement. Also, bonus shout out to Alex for Infinite Possibilities. It’s such a fun, apt name, and gives me lots of playful ways to use it in sentence. Also, it covers both Pathfinder Infinite and Starfinder Infinite, which inconveniently don’t have an umbrella term that applies to both.
Tuesday, October 12th
Article
Fox’s Cunning – Summon-Dex: Divine Servitors (Secrets of Magic Update)
By Dustin Knight
Another amazing resource Dustin is involved in, the latest installment of his Summon-Dex covers Secrets of Magic.
Wednesday, October 13th
Twitch
Geek Together: Infinite Possibilities
In lieu of the originally scheduled Know Direction: Beyond, Vanessa, Dustin, and Joshua Hennington hung out to talk Pathfinder Infinite.
Podcast
Presenting – Loren Sieg
John talks to Know Direction’s own Loren Sieg.
Articles
Welcome to Infinite Possibilities
Written by Alex Augunas
Alex welcomes you to the Know Direction Network’s special blog series about Pathfinder Infinite and Starfinder Infinite, Infinite Possibilities.
Infinite Possibilities – What Is Infinite, And Why Do I Care?
by Owen K.C. Stephens
What even is Infinite? Owen’s here to tell you.
Infinite Possibilities: Building a Business
By Alex Augunas
Participating in the Infinite program is one part freelancing, one part publishing partner. Alex lets you know everything you need to run your Infinite contributions like a business.
Infinite Possibilities: Tools of the Trade
By Alex Augunas
You need more than just a word processor to contribute to Infinite. Alex shares the publishing, graphic design, and layout tools he recommends.
Infinite Possibilities: Becoming a Golarion Historian
By Dustin Knight
Infinite offers unprecedented access to the Pathfinder and Starfinder settings. Dustin tells you where to get the information you need to play in Golarion.
Infinite Possibilities: Infinite Freelancing for Fun and Maybe Profit
By Vanessa Hoskins
Infinite isn’t just an opportunity to release product. Vanessa explains how it’s your chance to gain work experience, bolster your portfolio, and learn the business.
Infinite Possibilities: Hiring Freelancers
By Alex Augunas and Ron Lundeen
“Why would I need to hire freelancers if I’m the designer?” you ask? Are you the editor, too? Are you handling your own images? Probably not. Alex and Ron show you where to find freelancers for the areas you need help, and how to treat them fairly and professionally.
Infinite Possibilities: Under -Finder’s Hood
By Jessica Redekop, Rigby Bendele, Kate Baker, Dennis Muldoon, Dave Nelson, and Isis Wozniakowska
If you want to understand Pathfinder and Starfinder not just as users but as designers, Jessica brought together an elite band of Paizo freelancers to share what they’ve learned designing for these systems.
Thursday, October 14th
Podcast
Valiant Episode 24: In Which They Step On A Lot Of Switches
Like Luis says in his “Hey, it’s me, Luis” segment, puzzles have their problems, but they also have their place in adventures. I really enjoyed how Luis presented the puzzle in this episode. I followed what was happening, understood how the characters were feeling, and felt what made it into the episode (which was a trimmed down version) moved at exactly the pace it needed to.
Gen Con Online 2021 – Know Direction Interview: Avi Kool
My favourite Gen Con seminar this year. I have a lot of pent up love for editors, and Avi felt the brunt of it.
Article
Investing In: Guns & Gears
By Rob Pontious
In any other context, this might sound like Rob’s bunkering down. But no, Rob’s investing in the latest hardcover for the Pathfinder 2e.
Friday, October 15th
Podcast
Geek Together – Infinite Conversation
I get nervous when the network covers the same topic too many times, because I don’t want us to repeat ourselves. Somehow, despite all of the Infinite coverage this week, Vee and Dustin still had more to say on the topic that approached it from new angles.
Gen Con Online 2021 – Know Direction Interview: Jenny Jarzabski
This was a Starfinder Society panel, so most of the questions came from the audience. Society players are uniquely passionate for Paizo’s content, and Starfinder Society players even more specifically so.
Article
PRESS RELEASE: Paizo Employees Unionize
We’ve covered this with our fair share of conjecture on social media. If you want read the message directly from the Paizo workers involved, here’s the official press release.
Preview of October 18th to 22nd
This is back to Block 1 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, October 18th
Podcast
Gen Con Online 2021 – Telling Tales: Paizo Adventure Paths
The AP panels are always a good time.
Article
Recall Knowledge – Free RPG Day’d
By Ryan Costello
I talk about Free RPG Day and so much more.
Tuesday, October 19th
Podcast
Digital Divination 041 – Mechs
John and Ron talk mechs.
Gen Con Online 2021 – Industry Spotlight: Freelancing for Paizo
For a lot of reasons, the landscape of freelancing for Paizo changes a lot in the time since this seminar was recorded. Still, there’s valuable information for those interested.
Wednesday, October 20th
Twitch
Know Direction 261 Live – Guns & Gears Breakdown
We’ll be breaking down the latest hardcover for the Pathfinder 2e RPG line: Guns & Gears.
Gen Con Online 2021 – Ask Paizo Anything: Pathfinder Edition
Got Pathfinder questions? Hopefully someone who attended this panel live asked them!
Thursday, October 21st
Podcast
Know Direction 261 – Guns & Gears Breakdown
Bang bang!
Gen Con Online 2021 – Ask Paizo Anything: Starfinder Edition
Our Gen Con 2021 seminar coverage ends with a Starfinder AMA.
Article
Something Creates by Andrew Sturtevant
Andrew Sturtevant creates Starfinder content, and shares insight into his decisions and his struggles along the way.
Friday, October 22nd
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 71
An actual play podcast of the Starfinder Adventure Path Dawn of Flame from Paizo.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello
