I just want to toss in a different spin, suppose Gleemax and the original digital tools had been a complete technical success, would WoTC still be selling books in the numbers they were up to now?
Something else interesting to ponder: If you check out the Amazon top-selling RPGs right now, Paizo's Bestiary 2 is at #1. The Pathfinder Core book is at #3. The current top selling 4e book is at #6. The Player's Handbook (4e) is at #8, outperforming the Redbox which is at #9.
I've watched those rankings go all over the place - even in the span of 48 hours, so I wouldn't put too much stock in them. (Though I am very happy to see Pathfinder ranking highly anyway.)
[MENTION=9734]francisca[/MENTION] True and I suspect you're correct in WOTC is moving to 95% digital, with just the Core books available in print to lure new players. The past few years have seen them take several steps in limiting player's access to information (PDf's, free articles) in favor of moving things behind a monthly subscription plan and associated virtual play.
Seeing a dearth of product on the shelves may just confirm that suspicion is some people's minds, and they may not bother to pickup the last few products of (in their mind) a dying game.
The problem with these comparisons - and why they're so tiresome - is that New Coke lasted months. Less then half a year.
If you were to ask someone who knows nothing about the industry which company seems to be in dire straights based purely on what is found on the shelves... it sure as heck wouldn't be WotC.
But my FLGS staff, retailers as it were, are the last people on this earth I turn to when looking for accurate gossip on how things are going in the business and in the hobby.