Gauntlet Update
We’re on the verge of launching our fourth podcast and a small monthly publication (Codex), and it’s got me thinking about the Gauntlet as an…entity? A project? A community? I spend a lot of time on it, so I hope you’ll indulge some disjointed ruminating…
-I’m very happy with the totality of what the Gauntlet is. Podcasts are an important part of what we do, but they’re not the only thing we do. We organize (literally) hundreds of games a year. I like being able to say “Don’t just listen to me talk about games, come play games with me.” That emphasis on play, that emphasis on community, is what makes us special.
-We are a tiny little fish in the sea of roleplaying games. Even in the indie space there are far bigger, far more important communities than ours. We will always be a modest operation because I like to do things at a pace that allows me to make friends and cultivate real relationships. I’m not interested in people who want to use our modest platform for promotion, or to push an agenda. I’m interested in people who love roleplaying games as much as I do, and who are interested in interacting with us (our shows, listeners, and community members) in a real way. I place an emphasis on friendship and loyalty. That doesn’t always work out in my favor, but it’s the only way I know how to be.
-We’re thinking hard about a Patreon, and the sentiment in the above paragraph is my biggest personal roadblock to making that happen. I fear the moment we introduce money into the equation, things get complicated. There are two outcomes: the Patreon does reasonably well, or the Patreon fails. In the former case, I think the Gauntlet becomes more of a business, and that will necessarily force us to change what we do. In the latter case, I take a psychological beating that will really hurt, really badly, because it means I misjudged our community.
And yet we need the Patreon. We have managed to accomplish a lot with zero monetary resources, but I think we’re probably at the limit. In order to grow, in order to do more of what we do, in an even more awesome way, we need funds, and we need stakeholders. It will require a careful balancing act and a thorough plan. I think we’re almost there, but it makes me nervous as hell.
-We will always do our best. We don’t do things in a half-assed way, and we don’t give up. A few months ago, we hit a rough patch on the main podcast. Dan left before Rich and I had a chance to develop a proper chemistry and working relationship, and there were some weeks that were hard, and I was ready to throw in the towel. It was a real test of inner fortitude that allowed us to push through it and bring the show back from the brink. But it was a test we passed, and I think we’re stronger for it.
Anyway, I’m excited for the future of The Gauntlet. We are presently at about 13% of our potential. The last 87% is going to take us a few years, but it’s a journey I’m looking forward to. And I’m delighted and honored to have you guys alongside.
I’m pretty new but I’d definitely be willing to support you on a patreon. I really like the podcasts and the community is fantastic.
I’m pretty new but I’d definitely be willing to support you on a patreon. I really like the podcasts and the community is fantastic.
Thanks for the transparency and clear communication, Jason. I’m excited for all to come!
Thanks for the transparency and clear communication, Jason. I’m excited for all to come!
I have been wondering how you make money at this — because it sure looks from here like you do it full-time. Or, how you are able to do all this without making money at this.
I have been wondering how you make money at this — because it sure looks from here like you do it full-time. Or, how you are able to do all this without making money at this.
John Willson It’s very tricky, haha. On my end of things, I stay organized and I map things out very far ahead. That allows me to manage a lot of things at once (this is true of my job and home life, as well). The Slack program is a big help.
As far as the rest of it goes, we just have a bunch of really amazing people. We’ve managed to create an environment that makes folks want to get involved, and I’m super-grateful for it.
John Willson It’s very tricky, haha. On my end of things, I stay organized and I map things out very far ahead. That allows me to manage a lot of things at once (this is true of my job and home life, as well). The Slack program is a big help.
As far as the rest of it goes, we just have a bunch of really amazing people. We’ve managed to create an environment that makes folks want to get involved, and I’m super-grateful for it.
I would like to invest five American dollars into Gauntlet Inc!
I would like to invest five American dollars into Gauntlet Inc!
I’m still fairly new to the Gauntlet community but you all do a great job with all the content you put out. Plus this community put me in the midst of a pretty kickass gaming group (you know who you are). Keep up the good work!
I’m still fairly new to the Gauntlet community but you all do a great job with all the content you put out. Plus this community put me in the midst of a pretty kickass gaming group (you know who you are). Keep up the good work!
I’d support a Gauntlet Patreon without a second thought. The podcast was one of the major reasons I got back into regular gaming after a pretty long hiatus and the birth of Gauntlet UK was a direct result of a few of us reaching out from this side of the pond and being welcomed with open arms. A contribution back to a group that gives me so much is definitely a price I’m happy to pay.
I’d support a Gauntlet Patreon without a second thought. The podcast was one of the major reasons I got back into regular gaming after a pretty long hiatus and the birth of Gauntlet UK was a direct result of a few of us reaching out from this side of the pond and being welcomed with open arms. A contribution back to a group that gives me so much is definitely a price I’m happy to pay.
I keep hearing about this Codex, but can’t find anything more specific. Is there any info on it yet? Are you taking submissions or have you reached out to contributers you want to work with? What will be in it? What is the meaning of life? These are things I demand an answer to!
I keep hearing about this Codex, but can’t find anything more specific. Is there any info on it yet? Are you taking submissions or have you reached out to contributers you want to work with? What will be in it? What is the meaning of life? These are things I demand an answer to!
I’d support the Gauntlet. It’s something I view as almost aspirational of where I want my group to evolve over time and you’ve provided me with many hours of entertainment.
I’d support the Gauntlet. It’s something I view as almost aspirational of where I want my group to evolve over time and you’ve provided me with many hours of entertainment.
I’d contribute to a Gauntlet Patreon. The Gauntlet brought gaming back into my life, inspired me to start podcasting (I’ll post it to Hail Satan when I get the first episode posted), and gives me life.
I’d contribute to a Gauntlet Patreon. The Gauntlet brought gaming back into my life, inspired me to start podcasting (I’ll post it to Hail Satan when I get the first episode posted), and gives me life.
Jason Cordova Who is designing/laying out Codex? Do they need help? I have a small to medium amount of expertise and I’d love to help out the Gauntlet.
Jason Cordova Who is designing/laying out Codex? Do they need help? I have a small to medium amount of expertise and I’d love to help out the Gauntlet.
Right now, the family of Gauntlet Podcasts are among my most anticipated listening pleasures, only after Ken and Robin Talk about Stuff (though i do feel that Discern Realities and +1 Forward are a little short, I’ld like them to be 5-10 minutes longer in the non-AP section).
Right now, the family of Gauntlet Podcasts are among my most anticipated listening pleasures, only after Ken and Robin Talk about Stuff (though i do feel that Discern Realities and +1 Forward are a little short, I’ld like them to be 5-10 minutes longer in the non-AP section).
Steven Warble I really appreciate how the hosts keep their segments short and to the point. There’s no talking for the sake of talking, no long rambles off-topic.
That said, I can’t get enough of these great podcasts! So, if they’re to be longer, let it be because they have more segments, more content (and not just more breath 🙂 ).
While we’re on the topic, I really like Discern Realities’ contests. I will enter one eventually, but for now, I’m gleaning some great custom moves and magic items from the entries!
Steven Warble I really appreciate how the hosts keep their segments short and to the point. There’s no talking for the sake of talking, no long rambles off-topic.
That said, I can’t get enough of these great podcasts! So, if they’re to be longer, let it be because they have more segments, more content (and not just more breath 🙂 ).
While we’re on the topic, I really like Discern Realities’ contests. I will enter one eventually, but for now, I’m gleaning some great custom moves and magic items from the entries!
John Willson I agree. I was a bit put off at first by Discern Realities, because after listening to the main Gauntlet podcast it feels very compressed. I’ve come to really appreciate its brevity though. The quality and thoroughness of editing in the various Gauntlet-family podcasts really sets them apart, in my opinion – I always feel like my time spent listening is well-spent.
I would also happily contribute to a Gauntlet Patreon.
John Willson I agree. I was a bit put off at first by Discern Realities, because after listening to the main Gauntlet podcast it feels very compressed. I’ve come to really appreciate its brevity though. The quality and thoroughness of editing in the various Gauntlet-family podcasts really sets them apart, in my opinion – I always feel like my time spent listening is well-spent.
I would also happily contribute to a Gauntlet Patreon.
Zak Strassberg I’ll message you on Hangouts tomorrow!
Zak Strassberg I’ll message you on Hangouts tomorrow!
Depending on my workload I’d also be happy to help out with layout / design. I used to work as a professional designer.
Depending on my workload I’d also be happy to help out with layout / design. I used to work as a professional designer.
jan w I may get in touch with you as the first issue (the test issue) starts to shape up. It might be helpful to get some insight from someone who has done layout professionally. My hope is to have the test issue complete by late July.
jan w I may get in touch with you as the first issue (the test issue) starts to shape up. It might be helpful to get some insight from someone who has done layout professionally. My hope is to have the test issue complete by late July.