TSR On the Relative Merits of the TSR Editions

[Zardnaar]

And I'm of the opinion that production quality, particular full color and art, have been over-emphasized more and more over the years, demanding higher prices from publishers, but no one listens to me.

Adjusted for inflation D&Ds cheaper now than 1996. PHB to phb.

Real terms (minimum wage increases, real wages, earning power, exoenses) its a lot cheaper. At the most basic level assuming you have time/can find a game.

Can be expensive or if you dont have money to begin with (translation if you dont own a house, bills to pay etc).

Varies by country.

For the most part its still a middle class/upper middle class hobby imho.

 

[Tesral]

In terms of purchasing power, that $10.95 in 1977 was equivalent to $60.00 in 2026, so the price of D&D hasn't kept up with inflation. I'm of the school of thought that gaming continues to be a relatively inexpensive hobby and the production quality has continued to go up.

I had a lot more 10 bucks then than I do 60 bucks now.

As to production quality the art has gotten better, the book quality has not. Those old 1e books have been beaten to DEATH! They have not lost pages, the ink does not smear, and the spines have not broken. I cannot say the same for more recent editions.

As to the quality of play for the price? Damn straight. Once you have the game you have a life time of enjoyment. Frankly more money spent is not really required. You can play forever on the core rules and your imagination.

 

[...m...]

As to production quality the art has gotten better, the book quality has not. Those old 1e books have been beaten to DEATH! They have not lost pages, the ink does not smear, and the spines have not broken. I cannot say the same for more recent editions.

...i will speculate that you skipped the AD+D 1.5 orange-spine era...

 

[Micah Sweet]

...i will speculate that you skipped the AD+D 1.5 orange-spine era...

I have a lot of books from that era, and most of them are fine. One of my two copies of OA, less so.

 

[Tesral]

...i will speculate that you skipped the AD+D 1.5 orange-spine era...

Nope, that is when the quality slipped. I did not buy the core books again, but I do have plenty of the supplements. The core books came my way in various methods. Down in the spare book shelves.