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Amazon: D&D at the start of 2018
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<blockquote data-quote="Zardnaar" data-source="post: 7403244" data-attributes="member: 6716779"><p>Novels came after the golden age for the most part, Dragonlance landed 2 years after the GA peak (UA and DL saved D&D). The massive sellers were 1E PHB, red box and the big sellers were a few of the adventures. </p><p></p><p> Theres numerous sources from ex TSE staffers, Mentzer, Gygax, Lisa Stevens, Stan!, Sharon Apllecine, who wrote the book on D&D history. They bloated to 300 staff and then ha a 30% downturn and were trying to sell D&D by 1985 and thats when Lorraine stepped in with her money.</p><p></p><p> Most of the early RPGs and anything that was not D&D was also cut. Hell when TSR went under they were still having revenue of 40 million (just run badly), IIRC novels were bigger than the game line by then. D&D PHB is doing great but they have lost all the support they had over the years (Dragon, Dungeon, novels etc). Technology and changing tastes I suppose. </p><p></p><p> WotC is a lot better run than TSR that almost went under 3 times (well the 3rd time did them in).</p><p></p><p> Personally I thik WoTC have probably sold more than a million PHB, but its not 100% clear and some people are getting carried away. Yes D&D is doing very well, I doubt its beating D&D at the height of the golden age (or ever will). These numbers were referenced in court filings for They Sue Regularly (TSR). </p><p></p><p> It might eventually beat it overall less peaks and valley etc and 1E lasted 13 years and was the only edition to be reprinted into the next edition (B/X maybe but it was more concurrent to OD&D/1E/2E IMHO). </p><p></p><p> The numbers are not 1000% reliable and they do seem to vary a bit (Dancey adds 3.0 and 3.5 together others provide a guideline ie 500k+ 1 million +, 250-350k etc). Dancey is on the high side of some other estimates but its 15-20% higher not double or triple.</p><p></p><p>Every time a new edition lands in the internet age (3.0 onwards) there is always a cheer leading group that claims the latest edition is the best/greatest/biggest selling ever etc etc etc. In 6 years give or take 5E will likely end 6E will land and the cycle will begin again. The main point is people get carried away with it. This is my 5th or 6th edition cycle depending on if you count 3.5 (7th if you count Pathfinder).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Zardnaar, post: 7403244, member: 6716779"] Novels came after the golden age for the most part, Dragonlance landed 2 years after the GA peak (UA and DL saved D&D). The massive sellers were 1E PHB, red box and the big sellers were a few of the adventures. Theres numerous sources from ex TSE staffers, Mentzer, Gygax, Lisa Stevens, Stan!, Sharon Apllecine, who wrote the book on D&D history. They bloated to 300 staff and then ha a 30% downturn and were trying to sell D&D by 1985 and thats when Lorraine stepped in with her money. Most of the early RPGs and anything that was not D&D was also cut. Hell when TSR went under they were still having revenue of 40 million (just run badly), IIRC novels were bigger than the game line by then. D&D PHB is doing great but they have lost all the support they had over the years (Dragon, Dungeon, novels etc). Technology and changing tastes I suppose. WotC is a lot better run than TSR that almost went under 3 times (well the 3rd time did them in). Personally I thik WoTC have probably sold more than a million PHB, but its not 100% clear and some people are getting carried away. Yes D&D is doing very well, I doubt its beating D&D at the height of the golden age (or ever will). These numbers were referenced in court filings for They Sue Regularly (TSR). It might eventually beat it overall less peaks and valley etc and 1E lasted 13 years and was the only edition to be reprinted into the next edition (B/X maybe but it was more concurrent to OD&D/1E/2E IMHO). The numbers are not 1000% reliable and they do seem to vary a bit (Dancey adds 3.0 and 3.5 together others provide a guideline ie 500k+ 1 million +, 250-350k etc). Dancey is on the high side of some other estimates but its 15-20% higher not double or triple. Every time a new edition lands in the internet age (3.0 onwards) there is always a cheer leading group that claims the latest edition is the best/greatest/biggest selling ever etc etc etc. In 6 years give or take 5E will likely end 6E will land and the cycle will begin again. The main point is people get carried away with it. This is my 5th or 6th edition cycle depending on if you count 3.5 (7th if you count Pathfinder). [/QUOTE]
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