D&D (2024) 2024 Player’s Handbook is ‘Fastest Selling D&D Book Ever’

It’s only officially been out for a week, but according to Wizards of the Coast, the new Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook has already surpassed Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything to become the fastest selling D&D book ever—in the entire 50-year history of the game. It has sold three times as many copies as the 2014 version of the books did at launch.

Not only that, the 2024 Player’s Handbook was the biggest print run in D&D’s history.

In a press release today, WotC claims more than 85 million D&D fans worldwide, and says that D&D Beyond, the game’s official online platform, has over 18 million users.

 

[bedir than]

Huh.

It would be a lot simpler to say this is the biggest success ever for D&D. Why aren't they just doing that?

They keep referring back to 2014, and I'm scratching my head trying to figure out who in 2024 would use that as a metric. That's 10 years ago and a very, very different tabletop world.

I'm betting because it's to mainstream press / investors. Those are the types that will think that edition launches are what matters, and don't really know that 5e's sales behavior didn't follow the standard curves.

But if these sales keep up they'll have to talk about that in ways that investors will understand

 

[Zardnaar]

Huh.

It would be a lot simpler to say this is the biggest success ever for D&D. Why aren't they just doing that?

They keep referring back to 2014, and I'm scratching my head trying to figure out who in 2024 would use that as a metric. That's 10 years ago and a very, very different tabletop world.

It's hype. And I suspect most D&D players only know 5E now?

 

[mearls]

You say 10 times, but Jess is saying nearly 24 times.

Year one of 2014 PHB sales was 5 months, so 17 months total. However, comping month 1 of any product to its subsequent months is going to look like that. It's not unreasonable to see half your lifetime sales for a product in month 1.

 

[Selas]

Markets about 10 times bigger than 2014. Maybe bit smaller.

I don't think they're making up porkies or whatever. Spin yes.

Link mentions 2-1 take up on beyond. Similar to old games ratios at conventions with 1E to 2E.

We'll find out the actual numbers tomorrow since Hasbro's corporate earnings report is supposed to come out tomorrow.

We'll see if some of these content creators saying it's not selling we're right or not.

Scratch that, they might continue quadrupling down regardless.

 

[mearls]

I'm betting because it's to mainstream press / investors. Those are the types that will think that edition launches are what matters, and don't really know that 5e's sales behavior didn't follow the standard curves.

But if these sales keep up they'll have to talk about that in ways that investors will understand

I'm curious to see if analysts ask about D&D. The press release last month didn't do them any favors if anyone wants to get on Chris about the details.

 

[Zardnaar]

We'll find out the actual numbers tomorrow since Hasbro's corporate earnings report is supposed to come out tomorrow.

We'll see if some of these content creators saying it's not selling we're right or not.

Scratch that, they might continue quadrupling down regardless.

I havet seen them. Ignorance is bliss.

YouTube feeds full of 80s music. Let one play.......

 

[Parmandur]

Huh.

It would be a lot simpler to say this is the biggest success ever for D&D. Why aren't they just doing that?

They keep referring back to 2014, and I'm scratching my head trying to figure out who in 2024 would use that as a metric. That's 10 years ago and a very, very different tabletop world.

PHB to PHB, seems relatively apples to apples.

 

[Oofta]

My only takeaway from this is that, unlike what some streamers are claiming, the book is selling well. Apparently exceeding anticipated sales. It also wouldn't surprise me much if a lot of the big box stores are waiting until the MM is out so they can just stock all three.

 

[bedir than]

I'm curious to see if analysts ask about D&D. The press release last month didn't do them any favors if anyone wants to get on Chris about the details.

the tldr is that it PHB 2024 beat expectations by over 50% per Cocks' opening remarks today

 

[Mistwell]

From the transcript:



For D&D, the updated Player’s Handbook for fifth edition is now our fastest selling product in D&D’s 50-year history, beating plan by over 50%. And our acquisition of D&D Beyond continues to pay off, driving D&D’s total mix of direct-to-consumer revenue from zero at the time of acquisition, to 60% today, with registered users more than doubling to 19 million. I’m excited for fans to get their hands on the new Dungeon Master’s Guide releasing next month. The new artwork is a hit and the streamlined introduction to running campaigns has been met with stellar early reviews.

_________________

Thanks, Kern, and good morning. Q3 continued to demonstrate the bottom-line benefits of the structural and strategic changes we are making at Hasbro. Two of our strongest profit areas, games and licensing, outperformed, expanding operating profit margin for the third consecutive quarter. The dynamics we’re observing across Magic and D&D, in both analog and digital, reinforce our confidence in the long-term health of the brands. Our competitive advantage as an IP licensor is also gaining steam, as we see the staying power of Monopoly Go!, the resurgence of fan favorite brands like My Little Pony, and strong POS growth in our out-licensed toy portfolio.