Welcome to StartPlaying’s news round up! In addition to hosting games all over the world with professional Game Masters, StartPlaying delivers the biggest stories in the tabletop RPG world. This week kicks off Pride Month, with the community celebrating all of our LGBTQ+ players and creators. For our part, StartPlaying GMs are running charity games to support the Trevor Project.
In this week’s news, Humble Bundle is supporting the Trevor Project as well with Starfinder. Twitch is making questionable choices as Paizo workers formally unionize.
Twitch Changes Policy For Branded Content In Streams, Then Walks It Back
Streaming platform Twitch attempted a sweeping change to its advertising rules this week. The plan was to restrict the ways in which streamers can show ads on their layout. One intended change was limiting sponsored logos to no more than 3% of the screen space, while another disallowed “burned in” ads like motion graphics or prerecorded video. Tabletop fans wondered how this would affect streams like Critical Role that often advertise with logos built into the overlay. Many creators were quick to protest, saying that 3% of the screen is too small and will cost them sponsors.
In response to the backlash, Twitch has issued an apology and removed the more hated elements of the policy. But as with many company mishaps this year, users are still wary of Twitch’s original intentions behind the change. It may be that Twitch is going to become a less friendly place for tabletop streams in the near future.
Paizo Workers Solidify First Union Contract With Employer
Employees at Paizo, the publisher behind Pathfinder and Starfinder, announced that they have ratified their first union contract with management. The agreement, aided by the Communications Workers of America, provides “raises across the board, preserved and expanded benefits, and enhanced protections for workers.” This happy news comes amidst the Hollywood writer’s strike, with TTRPG creators discussing if they should similarly start unionizing to protect their work.
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Starfinder Humble Bundle Supports Trevor Project With Modules And Maps
Looking to add to your Starfinder collection while supporting a great cause? Humble Bundle has teamed up with Paizo to offer a pack of space-faring content to support the Trevor Project. The bundle lasts until the weekend and offers different tiers of support. Those who give can grab a series of Starfinder one-shots, map packs, a physical card deck, and the Starfinder Starter Box. Check out the Humble Bundle here.
Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults Drops Special Dice Loot
BKOM studios is in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign to create a hack-and-slash video game version of beloved Pathfinder adventure path Abomination Vaults. The game is 70% funded, so the time has come for the developer to offer some additional incentives to hit that goal. Many are what you’d expect of a video game collector’s edition: art books, soundtracks, name in credits etc. But a recent addition is a set of brilliant blue dice and minis based on the game’s characters. Smart move, dice are the fastest way to a TTRPG gamer’s heart.
That brings this week to a close. Stay safe, have a wonderful weekend, and start playing!
