I like the release of actual sales figures for the Starter Set. 126,000 in North America in 2014 (from the July release); 306,000 in North America in 2018. I wonder what we can extrapolate from that!
I like the release of actual sales figures for the Starter Set. 126,000 in North America in 2014 (from the July release); 306,000 in North America in 2018. I wonder what we can extrapolate from that!
It's not red box figures but it's not to far off. Starter set has sold more than every edition except red box and 1E phb. And Keep on the Border Lands.
Depending on how many phb sold it's not quite peak D&D but it's close that depending on what metric they are using they could at least make that argument.
No one knows exact red box figures but if they can keep up sales they will hit lower estimates of the red box this year.
I still don't think they have hit 1983 numbers but technically that was two editions of D&D which is the Golden age so it's plausible 5E has outsold all the other D&D's. We would need phb numbers but they seem fairly close to B/X plus 1E numbers.
They're basically duplicating 81 to 83 or coming very close but without phb numbers can't really say 100%. I did adjust numbers for inflation and D&D in 1983 alone was still bigger than the entire rpg market 2018.
Population is a bit bigger as well so relatively speaking they have less market penetration. In dollar terms unadjusted for inflation they are beating 1983.
As I said depends what metric you use. They're doing very well though in D&D terms. There's only 3 items that gave outsold the starter set and in 2019 they might beat two of them.
And climbing fast! Still!