WotC Which releases do you own?

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

I don't think they slowed down. They could have 4 books this year as well, but the problem is the pandemic. They already delayed Theros, and probably will delay the later releases if things continue to be shut down. The pandemic has made 5 books unlikely, but it is possible.

 

[Mercurius]

I think Paizo has shown the way, again. Their PF1 release schedule WAS the slow way. They were praised for it’s wisdom, I praised it. But at the end PF1 was “bloated” and cumbersome. Somewhere they tripped over that wire and there was no turning back, they even tried.

I think WotC took that idea of slow release and are executing it better.

Paizo's release schedule increased every year from 2007 to 2011, and then plateaued before reducing in 2017 (I charted the release of all editions a few years ago but haven't updated it since). From 2010-16 they were averaging about 40 indiviual books per year (!)--about twice 3.5, although still less than 2E. Even if we reduce adventure paths to singular entities, it was still 30ish per year.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Also, I don't know the statistics of people who answered the poll above, which are players, and which are DMs. I expect some players answered it, and they typically don't buy adventure books. The statistics above don't show which books are better than others, they show how many people buy specific books related to other ones. The fact that certain books are bought less frequently can be interpreted to the quality of those books, but that would be jumping to conclusions, as many other factors come into play of how you buy books.

 

[darjr]

They intend to slow down. Chris said it at GameHoleCon, last year was difficult for them. Chris especially.

but your both right. I don’t know the final schedule and the pandemic has put a spanner in things.

 

[Mercurius]

I don't think they slowed down. They could have 4 books this year as well, but the problem is the pandemic. They already delayed Theros, and probably will delay the later releases if things continue to be shut down. The pandemic has made 5 books unlikely, but it is possible.

I would guess 3-4 this year and 4-5 next.

 

[darjr]

Paizo's release schedule increased every year from 2007 to 2011, and then plateaued before reducing in 2017 (I charted the release of all editions a few years ago but haven't updated it since). From 2010-16 they were averaging about 40 indiviual books per year (!)--about twice 3.5, although still less than 2E. Even if we reduce adventure paths to singular entities, it was still 30ish per year.

Hard backs?

 

[Mercurius]

Also, I don't know the statistics of people who answered the poll above, which are players, and which are DMs. I expect some players answered it, and they typically don't buy adventure books. The statistics above don't show which books are better than others, they show how many people buy specific books related to other ones. The fact that certain books are bought less frequently can be interpreted to the quality of those books, but that would be jumping to conclusions, as many other factors come into play of how you buy books.

Of course, although I haven't seen anyone make that conclusion. Popularity does not equal quality (e.g. music, film, etc).

 

[Parmandur]

It is hard to say whether they've slowed down or not. Last year there were four books and two starter sets; this year there are two known books, but we don't know the Fall and Winter schedule, which could have two books. Plus, Covid.

The point being, I think 4 books a year is the new threshold and if it changes, it will go up to 5 not back to 3. The starter sets are extras, and you never know when they'll come out with something like that.

Once a quarter seems about right.

They did three box sets last year, for 7 major products. So 4 would be slowing down.

 

[darjr]

And were talking 5 tops? A couple at least being adventures and one a box set.

Still VERY slow.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Of course, although I haven't seen anyone make that conclusion. Popularity does not equal quality (e.g. music, film, etc).

Some people earlier were stipulating that the crunch books were bought more often because of quality.