WotC "D&D's Best Year Yet"

[Harzel]

Robert Adducci shared some stats from a huge dnd 5e Facebook group.

Yes!!! I am finally part of the 1%!

 

[Mistwell]

I just wish i could see a popularity report that took things like this into consideration.

What evidence is there that they have not made that kind of adjustment?

 

[Parmandur]

I would like to note that there seems to be a heavy emphasis on online numbers (impression and stream views). Mainly because those things can be tracked. It's notoriously hard to find numbers on home games since they fly under the radar...

Well, they don't go into details on where they got their numbers, but Hasbro has some hefty statistical gathering services that WotC uses.

 

[Reynard]

I’m really trying to push myself with my group to do just that, but inertia is keeping me from organizing something (well, that and a lack of a web camera). I need to suck it up and plan something, because it’s clear that a little over half of my group has interest, but also clear if I don’t make the first move no one else will.

A web camera helps with presence, but isn't strictly necessary. We use just voice on Discord for some games, and Fantasy grounds plus Discord voice for others (depending on how grid dependent the game is). I am in 3 regular online games and only 1 uses video.

 

[Son of the Serpent]

What evidence is there that they have not made that kind of adjustment?

The fact that when it has been made its normal practice to mention it? I feel like this question is a little backword. Its more the type of thing when, if not mentioned, one would err on the side of assuming it wasnt done. Its at least a more conservative adjustment to not assume measures not mentioned were taken. Especially when not taking those measures is likely to yield a favorable result, therefore baising the reporter to not include them when its a report om something with a personal attachment to the body producing the report, which this is.

Also, again, while this is the sort of thing that if done wouod typucally be mentioned (as is normal practice) when regarding d&d i notice a conspicuous lack of it EVER being mentioned. That is a very big reason to doubt statistics put out on d&d popularity. Its not the only ttrpg guilty of this usually tell tale sign of ommision (or lack of even gathering and correcting for data on a factor) but it certainly is one among those with that concern.

shrug

 

[Umbran]

The fact that when it has been made its normal practice to mention it?

We are talking about an infographic. Marketing materials do not generally give you an in-depth discussion of statistical methodologies.

 

[Son of the Serpent]

We are talking about an infographic. Marketing materials do not generally give you an in-depth discussion of statistical methodologies.

Hmmm. I suppose thats true.

I never see it elsewhere either though.

 

[Umbran]

I suspect there is massive popularity to be sure, but i suspect that its brittle.

You are, of course, free so have whatever suspicions you want. But... it isn't like the data you have backing that idea up are stronger than the ones backing WotC's rather rosy infographic....

 

[Son of the Serpent]

You are, of course, free so have whatever suspicions you want. But... it isn't like the data you have backing that idea up are stronger than the ones backing WotC's rather rosy infographic....

not so sure about that. I think its pretty clear that market share of ttrpg community has gone down and that particular percentage is not at its highest. But its hard to say.

 

[Umbran]

Hmmm. I suppose thats true.

I never see it elsewhere either though.

You expect Hasbro/WotC to march out their marketing statisticians to give you a TED Talk about how they crunch their numbers, or something? These are corporate folks, not academics, and openness about the methodologies isn't their normal operating procedure.