D&D 5E 5e isn't a Golden Age of D&D Lorewise, it's Silver at best.

[Micah Sweet]

Do you assume that they wouldn't have?

The page count for these books is going to be decided by two factors, 1.) Design goals and 2.) Publishing costs.

For Xanathar's, they had enough need for space to justify the e2 page section that included the name tables that they put them in to give something with the space they were paying for. For VGtR, they didn't apparently have design goals that justified another 32 page section, even with padding. So they didn't.

That's the point. Some people were unhappy that WotC's design goals for VRGtR didn't allow enough page count to flesh out the setting more. You apparently think its fine. Ok.

 

[Parmandur]

That's the point. Some people were unhappy that WotC's design goals for VRGtR didn't allow enough page count to flesh out the setting more. You apparently think its fine. Ok.

I mean, it is what it is. For what they intended to do, I think they succeeded. Could they have done something else? Sure, I suppose, bit they didn't. There is no objective value to what design goals they should have pursued.

 

[Shardstone]

No cap, publishing cost is the main reason IMO for why books are smaller these last two years. The thing is, once the size is cut, its unlikely to go back up.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I mean, it is what it is. For what they intended to do, I think they succeeded. Could they have done something else? Sure, I suppose, bit they didn't. There is no objective value to what design goals they should have pursued.

So as long as they did what they wanted to do, no one has any right to complain or want something more? That's ridiculous on the face of it.

 

[Micah Sweet]

No cap, publishing cost is the main reason IMO for why books are smaller these last two years. The thing is, once the size is cut, its unlikely to go back up.

That I unfortunately have to agree with. Its why we're getting an anemic Spelljammer release, I'm sure.

 

[Parmandur]

No cap, publishing cost is the main reason IMO for why books are smaller these last two years. The thing is, once the size is cut, its unlikely to go back up.

I think you are right, but on the other hand WotC appears to be adopting two strato account for this: firstly, raising prices, amd secondly, putting out extra tie-in content through their now entirely owned digital platform. Yes, Spelljammer is only 192 pages between three smaller books, but they have already put out a bunch of explicit expansion content for free, and I can see them doing much more of that in the future.

 

[Parmandur]

So as long as they did what they wanted to do, no one has any right to complain or want something more? That's ridiculous on the face of it.

Right to complain, sure, who said otherwise? But doing so on a discussion forum can lead to discussion.

 

[Shardstone]

I think you are right, but on the other hand WotC appears to be adopting two strato account for this: firstly, raising prices, amd secondly, putting out extra tie-in content through their now entirely owned digital platform. Yes, Spelljammer is only 192 pages between three smaller books, but they have already put out a bunch of explicit expansion content for free, and I can see them doing much more of that in the future.

Indeed, this is a good model that I like, depending on execution. It really depends on how useful I find all 3 spelljammer books in the set with and without the extra online content. Not every player is priv'd enough to have internet access, after all!

 

[Micah Sweet]

Indeed, this is a good model that I like, depending on execution. It really depends on how useful I find all 3 spelljammer books in the set with and without the extra online content. Not every player is priv'd enough to have internet access, after all!

It also depends on how useful the extra content is to me. The new monsters were cool, flavorful and great for worldbuilding. The adventures were "meh" at best.

 

[Parmandur]

Indeed, this is a good model that I like, depending on execution. It really depends on how useful I find all 3 spelljammer books in the set with and without the extra online content. Not every player is priv'd enough to have internet access, after all!

Well, or afford $70 box sets, or even $35 books at Target.

I actually quite like the three small book format, and granted three 64 page books that would be worth $25-30 at market rates and a $10-15 DM screen, the deal is fiscally reasonable. The content and art seems on point. I would really like to see them push the online free content hard, because it is good marketing and increases the value of getting their products.