Paizo, the publisher behind the popular tabletop roleplaying game Pathfinder 2e, has announced it is terminating its partnership with Archives of Nethys, a fan-run website that provides free access to the game's ruleset. The partnership is set to officially end on July 24.
According to a statement from Archives of Nethys, the decision stems from the website not generating sufficient royalties for Paizo. While the exact terms of the license were not fully disclosed, it was understood that Paizo provided early access to PDF content and art assets in exchange for the website's volunteer team accurately and promptly inputting game rules. The arrangement included a clause for royalties if the site generated enough profit.
Archives of Nethys stated that, as of receiving Paizo's notice, the site had not met the profit threshold to generate royalties. The website expressed its belief that a more aggressive monetization strategy would alienate users and that its primary value to Paizo lay in the traffic it directed to the publisher's other platforms.
This development comes as Paizo continues to navigate financial difficulties, including a significant inventory issue stemming from a bankruptcy involving its supplier, Diamond Publishing. These financial strains led to a reduction in staff last month, with 12 employees being laid off. Paizo has reportedly been looking for ways to increase revenue, making the lack of royalties from Archives of Nethys a likely factor in their decision.
Despite the dissolved partnership, Archives of Nethys will not be shutting down. Paizo's community use policy still permits the free sharing of rules. However, the website will be required to remove the majority of its artwork and will no longer receive new content in advance of its official release dates. Players seeking the latest Pathfinder 2e rules as they become available may need to consult alternative platforms such as Demiplane.