D&D (2024) 6E When?

[Hussar]

Again, I always take TSR era sales figures with a HUGE grain of salt. But, even accounting for that, EVERY 5e module to date has been selling 6 figures. And, doesn't the new starter set not come with a module? Why, yes, yes it does.

Adventures don't sell well because straight up adventures never sell well. Again, there's a reason that Pathfinder doesn't print just modules, but, rather, mini campaign settings with an attached module.

Look, I get wanting shorter modules. Granted you HAVE about a thousand or so to choose from right now, many of which are produced by WotC, but, apparently that's not good enough.

So, let's take a look at the math shall we? A 32 page module needs an artist, cartographer, and someone to write the adventure. As well as editing, play testing, layout, etc. IOW, a 32 page module takes virtually the same amount of investment as a 300 page module. It's not like the writers are the big cost here. It's that heavy paper cover with the map on the inside and all that full color art. Because gone are the days when WotC is going to do line art. Well, unless it's for maps.

Then we have to market that module, advertise it, generate that buzz and whatnot. How much money should we be spending on a product that, at best, we're going to make about 3 dollars a copy selling? After all, the most we can charge for something like this is what, 20 bucks? Maybe? Between distribution, and whatnot, that means about 3 dollars goes to WotC/unit. They'd need to sell hundreds of thousands of copies of each title just to break even.

So, again, what's in it for WotC? Why would they bother? Can the hobby really grow much faster than it already is? We've seen the market nearly TRIPLE since 5e released. How much faster do you think it can grow?

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Modules are to be used only once, but sourcebooks with "crunch" are for long time. Today in internet age we don't need to spend money to get "fluff", lore or background, because there are lots of wikis about videogames, movies, teleseries or novels.

 

[Zardnaar]

Again, I always take TSR era sales figures with a HUGE grain of salt. But, even accounting for that, EVERY 5e module to date has been selling 6 figures. And, doesn't the new starter set not come with a module? Why, yes, yes it does.

Adventures don't sell well because straight up adventures never sell well. Again, there's a reason that Pathfinder doesn't print just modules, but, rather, mini campaign settings with an attached module.

Look, I get wanting shorter modules. Granted you HAVE about a thousand or so to choose from right now, many of which are produced by WotC, but, apparently that's not good enough.

So, let's take a look at the math shall we? A 32 page module needs an artist, cartographer, and someone to write the adventure. As well as editing, play testing, layout, etc. IOW, a 32 page module takes virtually the same amount of investment as a 300 page module. It's not like the writers are the big cost here. It's that heavy paper cover with the map on the inside and all that full color art. Because gone are the days when WotC is going to do line art. Well, unless it's for maps.

Then we have to market that module, advertise it, generate that buzz and whatnot. How much money should we be spending on a product that, at best, we're going to make about 3 dollars a copy selling? After all, the most we can charge for something like this is what, 20 bucks? Maybe? Between distribution, and whatnot, that means about 3 dollars goes to WotC/unit. They'd need to sell hundreds of thousands of copies of each title just to break even.

So, again, what's in it for WotC? Why would they bother? Can the hobby really grow much faster than it already is? We've seen the market nearly TRIPLE since 5e released. How much faster do you think it can grow?

If they lose money fair enough it's a bad idea.

Most people don't know about the DMguikd it seems or use it.

Or own printers.

Apparently there's a DM shortage, LMoP is good there and no 3pp item is going to have the exposure of WoTC.

I don't expect a massive number of modules a few extra would be nice.

 

[teitan]

WotC hasn't had an edition as popular as 5E a follow up module to LMoP could be popular or deluxe starter set containing hypothetical module.

They did... Dungeons & Dragons Essentials is a complete set of rules and an adventure ala LMoP with the option to expand it for FREE using DNDBeyond and the complimentary codes in the boxed set as well as a coupon for the PHB for 20 bucks. It includes some nice dice, a decent DM screen, several cards for hand outs and poster maps.

 

[Zardnaar]

They did... Dungeons & Dragons Essentials is a complete set of rules and an adventure ala LMoP with the option to expand it for FREE using DNDBeyond and the complimentary codes in the boxed set as well as a coupon for the PHB for 20 bucks. It includes some nice dice, a decent DM screen, several cards for hand outs and poster maps.

Haven't seen it here and maybe print a few more copies for individual sale.

There's a stranger things box on the shelf I'll have another look tomorrow night.

Rooms becoming an issue I don't want more boxes just the adventure.

Yes I use DMG and have printer, but wouldn't mind a bit more first party variety.

I'm not gonna buy a boxed set just for an adventure.

 

[teitan]

Modules are to be used only once, but sourcebooks with "crunch" are for long time. Today in internet age we don't need to spend money to get "fluff", lore or background, because there are lots of wikis about videogames, movies, teleseries or novels.

I have found the 5e modules to be valuable beyond one adventure or even needing to be used as an adventure. They have great gazetteers and the maps are wonderful resources for use in other adventures should you choose not to run the adventure, plus the lore and new monsters, equipment more than make up for not using it as an adventure.

 

[Zardnaar]

I have found the 5e modules to be valuable beyond one adventure or even needing to be used as an adventure. They have great gazetteers and the maps are wonderful resources for use in other adventures should you choose not to run the adventure, plus the lore and new monsters, equipment more than make up for not using it as an adventure.

I more or less but them just to collect.

I mine them for stuff, occasionally use a chapter to run as a stand alone inventing a plot.

 

[teitan]

Haven't seen it here and maybe print a few more copies for individual sale.

There's a stranger things box on the shelf I'll have another look tomorrow night.

Rooms becoming an issue I don't want more boxes just the adventure.

Yes I use DMG and have printer, but wouldn't mind a bit more first party variety.

I'm not gonna buy a boxed set just for an adventure.

You're the one who said a deluxe starter set, I told you about Essentials. It's all over the place. It was Target exclusive for the first month and is now available everywhere I look from Books A Million, Barnes & Noble, the comic book shop etc. It's about as deluxe as it gets. You can also take the components out and toss the box. The cards have a little box to keep them in.

 

[Green Onceler]

There's a reason that Paizo doesn't do them, and WotC doesn't either.

Paizo does produce stand alone 64 page modules for Pathfinder. Not Starfinder, however.

 

[Zardnaar]

You're the one who said a deluxe starter set, I told you about Essentials. It's all over the place. It was Target exclusive for the first month and is now available everywhere I look from Books A Million, Barnes & Noble, the comic book shop etc. It's about as deluxe as it gets. You can also take the components out and toss the box. The cards have a little box to keep them in.

Do you have a link? Things are on delayed release here takes a month or three to get here. And the distributor sucks.

It's out in 4 days, not available yet.