Future and potential for Other World Mapper
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2021 10:14 pm
With the release of the new updated version, I think it is appropriate to add my thoughts on OWM and its future. Because I see there is a lot of wasted potential here.
In my experience Other World Mapper is a great tool. It is not perfect, but it is very smooth and versatile. Now my background is that I try to create an RPG and a book series (both not released yet) so I am constantly seeking out and reading about and even trying new software and tools that can help on this journey.
I chose OWM over all the other mapping programs because everything you previously created can be changed later on. Every little nook and cranny can be updated no matter how long ago you created it. And everything is vector-based so you can scale things to a large degree.
Another important factor for me was the commercial use of the tool. I need to be able to use these maps in my planned products. Of course the price was very attractive also.
When I got the tool three years ago I was expecting rapid releases and aggressive marketing and additions to the tool. It is THAT great and has THAT potential. Alas it is languishing and I feel it is not just about the beer-bug situation. There is a lack of commitment and direction. And I don't mean this in a negative way. Tools like these are very costly and time-consuming to develop and without proper backing and if the numbers don't add up it is hard to continue forever with huge resources allotted to it.
But I think much more could be done. Look at PROJECT DEIOS (PD). Where OWM is doing a lot of what PD is doing and wants to do, OWM is already out and has been for a long time, but PD is still locked in technical alpha. Despite that, PD racked in €421,985 in their Kickstarter. OWM on the other hand only did $26,823. PD is still not released and seems to be hung up on delays.
Of course PD is made by or at least partnered with Dungeon Fog, so they already had a big, strong fan base. And they found allies in other people such as the World Anvil team. There is a long planned integration with WA, that seems to be very long away on the horizon. WA might be ripe for another partnership. But there are many others.
PD does not even offer a commercial license. You guys do.
So what I am I saying is, OWM is not on most peoples top 3 let alone top 5 over the best map making tools. But I think the potential and quality is there. Looking at the kickstarter and general marketing (and lack thereof) I feel a lot could be done. Perhaps even a more sexy rebranding. More high quality assets would also be useful and important. I think assets should be a lot more easier to produce than the actual tool. Ally yourselves with a great artist and run a big splash kickstarter to re-release the tool in a new more attractive version.
Map making software is made to appeal to the RPG crowd. I think partnerships should be sought out. Branding and integrations should appeal to the ever-growing RPG community. A social presence needs to steadily grow and be nurtured and hit the target audience. You should probably have the right people in charge of that. You should consider having an artist creating and styling both the brand and the assets and look and feel of the tool.
If you don't do it, make no mistake, others are. There are other great projects in beta on their way. Will OWM survive the next 3-5 years with a skeleton crew such as this one?
If I were you I would invest more; because the technical framework is clearly there. The tool needs the extra oomph in looks and usability and the branding and marketing needs a lot more attention. Seek out partnerships. World Anvil might not be exclusive with PD; perhaps they are interested in more integrations? Perhaps run a really beautiful RPG centric Kickstarter to improve the current offering with assets and new features. Find out what the RPG crowd are missing. And check out other tools. Perhaps someone like Plottr? Or build a portfolio of tools around OWM.
You guys need to focus more on community content, having a Discord server, running weekly or bi-weekly contests with good prizes. You need an active Instagram to showcase work from the community and yourselves. Perhaps even hire an artist to showcase the capabilities or make videos about how to take it to the next level.
Other World Mapper name is not so appealing as a brand. And the logo is regular orange text. Nothing that jumps on the eye. Look at branding not just for World Anvil and Project Deios, but look at kickstarters for RPG (5E) games. I mean I got better branding for my up-coming project and I am just 1 person commissioning stuff.
I totally realize none of these are easy. They take investment of time and money. But I really feel you guys have the most important thing nailed down; a really good tool with great core features. Now you just need to dress this sexy beast up in some nice clothes and make sure it gets to go out and play with the rest of the world!
Sincerely
D.
In my experience Other World Mapper is a great tool. It is not perfect, but it is very smooth and versatile. Now my background is that I try to create an RPG and a book series (both not released yet) so I am constantly seeking out and reading about and even trying new software and tools that can help on this journey.
I chose OWM over all the other mapping programs because everything you previously created can be changed later on. Every little nook and cranny can be updated no matter how long ago you created it. And everything is vector-based so you can scale things to a large degree.
Another important factor for me was the commercial use of the tool. I need to be able to use these maps in my planned products. Of course the price was very attractive also.
When I got the tool three years ago I was expecting rapid releases and aggressive marketing and additions to the tool. It is THAT great and has THAT potential. Alas it is languishing and I feel it is not just about the beer-bug situation. There is a lack of commitment and direction. And I don't mean this in a negative way. Tools like these are very costly and time-consuming to develop and without proper backing and if the numbers don't add up it is hard to continue forever with huge resources allotted to it.
But I think much more could be done. Look at PROJECT DEIOS (PD). Where OWM is doing a lot of what PD is doing and wants to do, OWM is already out and has been for a long time, but PD is still locked in technical alpha. Despite that, PD racked in €421,985 in their Kickstarter. OWM on the other hand only did $26,823. PD is still not released and seems to be hung up on delays.
Of course PD is made by or at least partnered with Dungeon Fog, so they already had a big, strong fan base. And they found allies in other people such as the World Anvil team. There is a long planned integration with WA, that seems to be very long away on the horizon. WA might be ripe for another partnership. But there are many others.
PD does not even offer a commercial license. You guys do.
So what I am I saying is, OWM is not on most peoples top 3 let alone top 5 over the best map making tools. But I think the potential and quality is there. Looking at the kickstarter and general marketing (and lack thereof) I feel a lot could be done. Perhaps even a more sexy rebranding. More high quality assets would also be useful and important. I think assets should be a lot more easier to produce than the actual tool. Ally yourselves with a great artist and run a big splash kickstarter to re-release the tool in a new more attractive version.
Map making software is made to appeal to the RPG crowd. I think partnerships should be sought out. Branding and integrations should appeal to the ever-growing RPG community. A social presence needs to steadily grow and be nurtured and hit the target audience. You should probably have the right people in charge of that. You should consider having an artist creating and styling both the brand and the assets and look and feel of the tool.
If you don't do it, make no mistake, others are. There are other great projects in beta on their way. Will OWM survive the next 3-5 years with a skeleton crew such as this one?
If I were you I would invest more; because the technical framework is clearly there. The tool needs the extra oomph in looks and usability and the branding and marketing needs a lot more attention. Seek out partnerships. World Anvil might not be exclusive with PD; perhaps they are interested in more integrations? Perhaps run a really beautiful RPG centric Kickstarter to improve the current offering with assets and new features. Find out what the RPG crowd are missing. And check out other tools. Perhaps someone like Plottr? Or build a portfolio of tools around OWM.
You guys need to focus more on community content, having a Discord server, running weekly or bi-weekly contests with good prizes. You need an active Instagram to showcase work from the community and yourselves. Perhaps even hire an artist to showcase the capabilities or make videos about how to take it to the next level.
Other World Mapper name is not so appealing as a brand. And the logo is regular orange text. Nothing that jumps on the eye. Look at branding not just for World Anvil and Project Deios, but look at kickstarters for RPG (5E) games. I mean I got better branding for my up-coming project and I am just 1 person commissioning stuff.
I totally realize none of these are easy. They take investment of time and money. But I really feel you guys have the most important thing nailed down; a really good tool with great core features. Now you just need to dress this sexy beast up in some nice clothes and make sure it gets to go out and play with the rest of the world!
Sincerely
D.