40 million.
That's more than the population of Canada!
It is.
In theory, since AD&D was making 100 million dollars in 1992, then the D&D industry should be making 192 million dollars today..AT LEAST.
Though, 40 million is greater by at least 1.5 so that would mean WotC should along be making 280 MILLION DOLLARS!
Or, if we take the 91 million from around 1990 instead, and apply a 1.6 modifier (if we assume the max of 25 million gamers was in 1991 instead of earlier during the fad, which most likely it was not and the number was lower), then we should get around 278 million to be more precise for that period to be more lenient.
278 Million is quite a jump from 65-75 million (or even 55 million) though it might be on it's way to hit the 80-90 million mark (maybe?). I wonder where the money is going or being reported to?
40 million players is great news...but money is better news (well, for some, others, that many players is better news).
Of course, the article may not have meant that D&D is that big, but my impression is that D&D is the biggest kid in town right now.
Maybe the research from the earlier years was flawed however and there were FAR more AD&D players during the 80s and 90s.
If we take that equivalent, than maybe in the early 90s there were something like 60 million AD&D players, the actual RPG market of players was around 70 million, and then it crashed hard to less than a million less than 5 years later?
Or, if we really go money equivalent...maybe AD&D had around 40-50 million during the fad years of the early 80s, and oddly increased to 120 million players (I HIGHLY DOUBT THIS) in the early 90s even as it's presence went down.
Crazy numbers at times when comparing and trying to find the things. I'd LOVE to see them present the actual survey and studies on this to the public. It's hard to figure out the numbers and where they are coming from at times when seeing the different numbers presented at various situations.
Does numbers of players reflect profits or the money generated?
Or, sometimes money doesn't tell the whole story (which is probably the most likely situation).
Interesting news that they now estimate 40 million players. Should be good news for FLGS around the world and those who play at events and such. Really exciting times for players today.
PS: The BIGGEST takeaway from this, as this is around a 25 million player jump over the course of a year to a year and a half, if this is specifically talking about D&D players at 40 million is that there is not going to be a 6th edition for a VERY LOOONG TIME unless someone is absolutely crazy. With growth like that (which should at least have some sales reflection, and sales ARE growing in the D&D arena from what I understand, even if not at the 200 million level) there is no reason to kill the golden goose in it's prime. At least that's my take.
So, for those who are afraid of a 6th edition being made, that should be good news. For those who have been wanting to see a 6th edition, I don't see it happening in my opinion. That would not be a smart move with 5th edition doing so well currently.
