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40 Million People Have Played D&D [UPDATED!]
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<blockquote data-quote="GreyLord" data-source="post: 7784256" data-attributes="member: 4348"><p>Thinking out loud (or more like, typing as I think rather than writing and reviewing) with the comments a few pages back on playerbase and how many would buy the Videogame.</p><p></p><p>In relation to D&D and video games, it COULD be a good indicator of ACTIVE players.</p><p></p><p>When the original BG was released, 2e was on a very strong downward trend, with estimates of the playerbase at the end of the 90s spiraling downwards of even less than a million players. Other RPGs and of course other factors which are too lengthy to be discussed here had attributed to an atrophy of playerships, or at least perceived with AD&D at that time.</p><p></p><p>So, with less than a million base...BG sold 800K (though current estimates put it's total at around a 1 million) after a year [not total lifetime sales]. Either way, it was actually rather close to the numbers of estimated number of D&D players at the time in some estimates.</p><p></p><p>Obviously many who played D&D did not get the game, many who did not play D&D but liked videogames GOT the game, but the estimated numbers seemed to even out.</p><p></p><p>The takeaway for this is probably...if the number sold is anywhere close to estimated number of ACTIVE players, so probably at least a pretty high number in the millions, it could be a good advertising item. If it doesn't match...probably should keep quiet on the number of BG3 copies sold...as it can actually be an indicator of active players to a certain degree.</p><p></p><p>Even if it sells 4 million, that's not actually a good reflection of sales in relation to what is being advertised as a 40 million playerbase (though for a videogame I imagine that could be quite good, not quite up to spec on the numbers that videogames sell today, but I imagine anything in that range is pretty decent). It might be GREAT for the video game studio, but in regards to playerbase vs. merchandising, that's saying only 10% will even spend money on anything OTHER than just D&D stuff like dice (though RPG audiences are known to be a little stingy at times with their money).</p><p></p><p>BG as a popular D&D game though, seemed to reflect popularity of the D&D at the time in the approximate numbers (which surprised the videogame makers if I recall, because they didn't expect to break 200K at first, or even 50K in some markets) of players to buyers.</p><p></p><p>On the otherhand, one could view the original BG period as only the hardcore AD&D players having stuck it out, and those who are the hardcores of a fanbase many times will buy almost anything that is put out with the brand. On the otherhand, more casual players don't. At the end of the 90s it could have been only the hardcores having stuck it out at that period...so that's where the number comparisons come.</p><p></p><p>In that light, I'd say 4 million might be a decent guestimate (complete guess off the top of my head) for number of sales. If we take the idea that a majority of the players are FANS, but not the hardcores that spend money on all things...than most probably won't buy the game unless something spectacular pushes them too. Some of that will be made up by those who play videogames just because they love videogames, but I imagine unless they prefer RPGs (did you know that recently, I read about a study that stated that LGBT gamers prefer RPGs vs. other types of video games....just a random thought that popped up in my thought process here), those who play videogames but not D&D won't have it as a top or first choice.</p><p></p><p>So, 4 million sold would be a decent number...with possibilities being as low as 2 million or perhaps even as high as 10 million. If it cracks 10 million I'd probably use it as a promotion as a reflection of the power of D&D as a brand to sell things successfully and probably would say they should have D&D enter far MORE products that are different than just Tabletop. Under 4 million, I'm sure the videogame studios probably will see that as a vaunted and great thing to promote, but unsure if that would be the best for WotC. It shows a brand strength for sales...but compared to an advertised 40 million player/customer base...that actually doesn't strike me as all that successful of an outreach.</p><p></p><p>Just some flowing thoughts on the matter after reading other's commentary on the subject.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="GreyLord, post: 7784256, member: 4348"] Thinking out loud (or more like, typing as I think rather than writing and reviewing) with the comments a few pages back on playerbase and how many would buy the Videogame. In relation to D&D and video games, it COULD be a good indicator of ACTIVE players. When the original BG was released, 2e was on a very strong downward trend, with estimates of the playerbase at the end of the 90s spiraling downwards of even less than a million players. Other RPGs and of course other factors which are too lengthy to be discussed here had attributed to an atrophy of playerships, or at least perceived with AD&D at that time. So, with less than a million base...BG sold 800K (though current estimates put it's total at around a 1 million) after a year [not total lifetime sales]. Either way, it was actually rather close to the numbers of estimated number of D&D players at the time in some estimates. Obviously many who played D&D did not get the game, many who did not play D&D but liked videogames GOT the game, but the estimated numbers seemed to even out. The takeaway for this is probably...if the number sold is anywhere close to estimated number of ACTIVE players, so probably at least a pretty high number in the millions, it could be a good advertising item. If it doesn't match...probably should keep quiet on the number of BG3 copies sold...as it can actually be an indicator of active players to a certain degree. Even if it sells 4 million, that's not actually a good reflection of sales in relation to what is being advertised as a 40 million playerbase (though for a videogame I imagine that could be quite good, not quite up to spec on the numbers that videogames sell today, but I imagine anything in that range is pretty decent). It might be GREAT for the video game studio, but in regards to playerbase vs. merchandising, that's saying only 10% will even spend money on anything OTHER than just D&D stuff like dice (though RPG audiences are known to be a little stingy at times with their money). BG as a popular D&D game though, seemed to reflect popularity of the D&D at the time in the approximate numbers (which surprised the videogame makers if I recall, because they didn't expect to break 200K at first, or even 50K in some markets) of players to buyers. On the otherhand, one could view the original BG period as only the hardcore AD&D players having stuck it out, and those who are the hardcores of a fanbase many times will buy almost anything that is put out with the brand. On the otherhand, more casual players don't. At the end of the 90s it could have been only the hardcores having stuck it out at that period...so that's where the number comparisons come. In that light, I'd say 4 million might be a decent guestimate (complete guess off the top of my head) for number of sales. If we take the idea that a majority of the players are FANS, but not the hardcores that spend money on all things...than most probably won't buy the game unless something spectacular pushes them too. Some of that will be made up by those who play videogames just because they love videogames, but I imagine unless they prefer RPGs (did you know that recently, I read about a study that stated that LGBT gamers prefer RPGs vs. other types of video games....just a random thought that popped up in my thought process here), those who play videogames but not D&D won't have it as a top or first choice. So, 4 million sold would be a decent number...with possibilities being as low as 2 million or perhaps even as high as 10 million. If it cracks 10 million I'd probably use it as a promotion as a reflection of the power of D&D as a brand to sell things successfully and probably would say they should have D&D enter far MORE products that are different than just Tabletop. Under 4 million, I'm sure the videogame studios probably will see that as a vaunted and great thing to promote, but unsure if that would be the best for WotC. It shows a brand strength for sales...but compared to an advertised 40 million player/customer base...that actually doesn't strike me as all that successful of an outreach. Just some flowing thoughts on the matter after reading other's commentary on the subject. [/QUOTE]
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