2003 Industry Figures (Link)

[EricNoah]

http://www.gamingreport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=96

Essentially an analysis of last year's sales figures of various kinds. Some interesting stuff in there if you're into keeping up with the RPG industry as a whole.

 

[Mark]

Hite doesn't care much for d20, does he?

 

[Piratecat]

Nope.

I'm really surprised that Star Wars continues to sell better than d20 Modern.

 

[Mark]

I'm really surprised that Star Wars continues to sell better than d20 Modern.

Could be the poor box office showing of the d20 Modern movies coming back to haunt them...

 

[Crothian]

I'm really surprised that Star Wars continues to sell better than d20 Modern.

I'm not. I know of people who buy the Star Wars books in hope of someday playing, where people only seem to buy the d20 Modern if they are playing.

 

[EricNoah]

Actually he didn't seem to like "low-end d20 crap" -- not necessarily a comment on the game/phenomenon as a whole...

 

[Mark]

Actually he didn't seem to like "low-end d20 crap" -- not necessarily a comment on the game/phenomenon as a whole...

I was thinking as much about that line as this one...

Next year, it will likely be a struggle between Steve Jackson and Hero to climb into the top five, since neither company depends on the d20 bubble to sell books, and both will benefit if the beast has finally been slain.

 

[mearls]

The numbers aren't really worth anything. Instead, think of them as a guideline as to how retailers perceive the market, as opposed to what actually sells. More importantly, it doesn't account for sales from book stores. If you included them, the numbers would show an even stronger showing in WotC and WW's favor. Furthermore, I'm a bit baffled that Ken didn't even mention the D&D Miniatures Game. It was probably the most important D&D-related release of last year, and that includes 3.5. I'd bet good money that WotC saw a net increase in D&D sales if you include the minis.

 

[Pramas]

http://www.gamingreport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=96

Essentially an analysis of last year's sales figures of various kinds. Some interesting stuff in there if you're into keeping up with the RPG industry as a whole.

It's interesting as far as it goes, but you have to understand that most game companies are privately held and do not share sales figures. The Comics and Games Retailer stats are guesses at best and misleading at worst because they do not take into account the book trade.

Hasbro and Games Workshop are publically traded and issue reports each year, so you can glean actual data from them. For the rest of the industry, it's all guesswork.

 

[francisca]

Actually he didn't seem to like "low-end d20 crap" -- not necessarily a comment on the game/phenomenon as a whole...

Well, here's a quote:

Next year, it will likely be a struggle between Steve Jackson and Hero to climb into the top five, since neither company depends on the d20 bubble to sell books, and both will benefit if the beast has finally been slain.

Sounds like he's talking about d20 as a whole, and in a negative light, to me.