Yesterday, I got a query on my old post about building a trade system from scratch - but I have to admit that it's very difficult to answer the question because the manner in which my system works is acutely complicated. Much of it is based on knowledge I have gained on manufacturing and resource processing, incorporated by degrees over the 25+ years I've been working on the project.
More than a year ago I made a video for youtube called Tao of D&D Trade Tables Part I. That originated with my thinking that I could do a brief overview of my pricing tables, but the video ran an hour and 8 minutes without my finishing the overview. It generated a very small interest for the time it took. As a result, I never did motivate myself towards finishing. To date, I've had no one point out that there was never a Part II.
Yet, I do have people who write to me specifically to talk about the economic framework and the trade system. I also have people who never fail to attack me for ever daring to implement one. However, except for the one post I linked above, nothing I've ever produced at length about the details of the trade system has gotten more than minimal feedback.
So here is the question. Do people want me to spend several hours making what would have to be some very dull videos (for most) describing and detailing every corner of the trade system? I'm not saying just an overview. I'm saying a detailed 'course' in the design. Point by point, for as long as that takes me to record.
Yes or no?
Fact is, that's a lot of time and effort to do something that, first, does nothing for my players; and second, will be a complicated reiteration of something I already know cold. So my motivation is minimal. To do that, I'd want to feel it really was of value to someone.
I could ask for comments proving that people want it, but I have enemies. I have people who would gleefully write a comment, "Yes, do it!" just to make me work. Because they're haters.
If I do this, it's wouldn't be because I need to do - it would be because you, the readers, want this. So if you CARE, here's the deal:
Use the donate button on the right sidebar and send me $1 by Paypal. That's it. One measly cruddy dollar. It's never going to make me rich, it's a third of a cup of coffee and that's going to hurt no one. And if I get TWENTY people who are willing to have their names show up in my email because they've paid me $1, then I'll make the videos.
Someone will ask if they pay $20 by themselves, will I do it? The answer is no. The money doesn't matter. Putting yourself out there, proving that you want this, that's what matters. Twenty people. That's the deal.
If you really feel motivated, you can get your 19 other friends to send me a buck. Do that, and you can make me do this just for you.
I think it's fair. Because for me, to explain this again is a helluva lot of time and work. Which, to be honest, won't be fun for me.
Whattaya say? Is it a deal?
