D&D (2024) Is the 5E player base going to split?

[Micah Sweet]

The price should go up. It needs to. It called inflation and is a basic concept of economics.

It's why you might get a salary raise each year. And it's why you need one as well. I'm no economist, but arguing against normal inflation is like yelling at a tree for growing.

You're not wrong, but most folks really don't care why they have to pay more, just the fact if it. Knowing that it's perfectly understandable doesn't change how much cash leaves your wallet.

 

[Oofta]

If you don't like the phrase, I apologize. But they are charging more for less material than has been the case, so there's something to it. It has nothing to do with anything but gaming, so I don't quite understand your issue with my terminology, but I withdraw it if you're bothered.

I think the term you're looking for is "inflation". It's kind of funny how people get stuck on specific price points for some things. Another good examples is video games - for whatever reason people don't expect to pay much more than $60 for even AAA games, a price point established around a decade or so ago. If they had kept pace with inflation [after a quick google search for inflation calculator], they'd be around $80.

Everything from wages for the people writing the product to the paper it's printed on to shipping costs have risen. I'm surprised it isn't higher.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Adding feats to backgrounds certainly seems like an expansion of crunch to me!

Until I see it in a book its no more real than the Strixhaven subclasses.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

All I know is that when the split occurs, I am totally joining the Judean People's Front.

...wait, the People's Front of Judea.

....well, I am definitely going to pick a side so I can let the other side know that they suck!

 

[Micah Sweet]

I think the term you're looking for is "inflation". It's kind of funny how people get stuck on specific price points for some things. Another good examples is video games - for whatever reason people don't expect to pay much more than $60 for even AAA games, a price point established around a decade or so ago. If they had kept pace with inflation [after a quick google search for inflation calculator], they'd be around $80.

Everything from wages for the people writing the product to the paper it's printed on to shipping costs have risen. I'm surprised it isn't higher.

Again, people aren't going to happily pay more for a product just because it makes sense for the price to go up. I'm talking about actual consumers, not "the market". Games aren't gasoline; you don't have to buy them to keep living your normal life.

 

[Reynard]

I mean, I think tons will sell as the big 5-Oh anniversary collectors items alone.

I can't help but appreciate the irony of the intentionally heavily marketed and voluminously produced "collector's editions", beings, as I am, a veteran of the 90s Foil Cover era of comics.

 

[Jer]

I think the term you're looking for is "inflation". It's kind of funny how people get stuck on specific price points for some things. Another good examples is video games - for whatever reason people don't expect to pay much more than $60 for even AAA games, a price point established around a decade or so ago. If they had kept pace with inflation [after a quick google search for inflation calculator], they'd be around $80

I remember the high end Nintendo games costing $60 in the late 80s. IIRC the original Legend of Zelda cost $50 retail back in '86 - that would be over $130 in today's money - even if you factor in the material cost for the cartridge, it's still astounding that they can make games and keep that absolute dollar pricepoint.

(I know how they do it - the video game market keeps growing, and they don't treat their employees well overall so they can make it up in volume. It still is weird to think about.)

 

[Oofta]

Again, people aren't going to happily pay more for a product just because it makes sense for the price to go up. I'm talking about actual consumers, not "the market". Games aren't gasoline; you don't have to buy them to keep living your normal life.

Nobody has to buy any D&D product. I don't begrudge them making a reasonable profit. If I get 6 people together, the hours of entertainment we'll get out of the investment is well worth the cost. Everyone will, of course, have to make the judgement call for themselves.

If you want to talk about overpriced niche products, the "mini" from WizKids for Demogorgon makes sense. A new boxed set for $60 just isn't in that category for me.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I remember the high end Nintendo games costing $60 in the late 80s. IIRC the original Legend of Zelda cost $50 retail back in '86 - that would be over $130 in today's money - even if you factor in the material cost for the cartridge, it's still astounding that they can make games and keep that absolute dollar pricepoint.

(I know how they do it - the video game market keeps growing, and they don't treat their employees well overall so they can make it up in volume. It still is weird to think about.)

I think there might be a limit to how much a parent will likely spend for their kid to play one video game...and around $60 is it.

 

[OB1]

I don't see a split happening. There could be some tables that require building characters using the 2014 PHB, but for the most part, new players will just buy the 2024 PHB, make a character, and then play in a game, whether a homebrew or an existing AP or SG, none the wiser that there is a difference. Just like most won't really be aware if a DM is using a MToF or VGtM monster or a MotM one now. And it won't matter since the core ruleset remains the same.

The one caveat here would be if PHB2024 completely get's rid of Short Rest classes and/or bonus actions (which I don't think they will, even if those rules are de-emphasized in to character builds), but even then, using the specific beats general rule paradigm, older characters should still be compatible with new adventures and settings.