D&D 5E Greg Leeds talks about D&D

[Giltonio_Santos]

It's an interview for ICv2, you can read it here: http://icv2.com/articles/news/view/33104/icv2-interview-wizards-coast-ceo-greg-leeds-part-1

I was glad to finally see an insider confirm that a slower release schedule has increased their net revenue. I've been guessing for a long time, but it was an anecdote based in changes in my (and many other friends') purchasing habits.

 

[delericho]

I was glad to finally see an insider confirm that a slower release schedule has increased their net revenue.

I hate to be "that guy", but correlation doesn't equal causation. It's possible that 5e is just so damn good that it's selling that much better.

(Important note: I said 'possible', not 'likely', and definitely not 'certain'.)

That said, there's almost certainly some sort of D&D equivalent of the Laffer Curve - if they don't release any products then their net revenue is obviously $0; if they release an infinite number than it's also $0 because the cost to produce is too high, and between the two extremes there is one or more points where net profit is maximised. And so from any given point the 'right' thing to do might be to release more product or to release less product. (And, as with the Laffer Curve, it's invisible so you can't actually ever know for certain - and, yes, it does look like they've found one of the "sweet spots".)

 

[Giltonio_Santos]

I hate to be "that guy", but correlation doesn't equal causation. It's possible that 5e is just so damn good that it's selling that much better.

I could also live with that. I'm one of those who believe that 5E is good enough to be selling that much better!

 

[delericho]

I could also live with that. I'm one of those who believe that 5E is good enough to be selling that much better!

Aye. Or even "a little from column A and a little from column B". They've made a good game there.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

I suppose there was something meaningful in that interview, but the language was all marketing buzz words that made my head swim. I think he said something like, "People like being engaged in the story so we're releasing denser products at a slower pace to allow our customers time to enjoy that before launching a new one." Oh, and something about digital...

 

[Jessica]

That sucks. I guess that means we shouldn't be expecting them to update old campaign settings or branch out with new mechanics or experimental concepts in the near future. :/

 

[DEFCON 1]

I suppose there was something meaningful in that interview, but the language was all marketing buzz words that made my head swim. I think he said something like, "People like being engaged in the story so we're releasing denser products at a slower pace to allow our customers time to enjoy that before launching a new one." Oh, and something about digital...

You need to go take some Corporate As A Second Language courses at the local community college.

 

[gyor]

Now I know whose responsible for the slow D&D release schedule and who I hope gets fired so D&D can be properly supported.

 

[JohnLynch]

That sucks. I guess that means we shouldn't be expecting them to update old campaign settings or branch out with new mechanics or experimental concepts in the near future. :/

Unfortunately no-one but WotC can officially update prior campaign material. However I hear EN5ider certainly isn't worried about including experimental concepts

 

[DEFCON 1]

Now I know whose responsible for the slow D&D release schedule and who I hope gets fired so D&D can be properly supported.

Yeah... you have good luck with that.