D&D 5E Alphastream - Why No RPG Company Truly Competes with Wizards of the Coast

[Mannahnin]

I can't find it now, but it's either been the top or close to it. During 4E it slipped into 2nd behind PathFinder (about a year before 5E was announced) and, if I recall correctly, even into 3rd for a while.

As I recall during the last year or so of 4E's publication history, when they had an unusually low number of books released, they slipped into 2nd behind Pathfinder.

 

[Oofta]

Has there ever really been a time when D&D was not at (or near) the top of the RPG pile? It has been the gateway to nearly everyone who has ever dabbled, ventured, or committed themselves to the one true king-daddy of all roleplaying games. Aside from some keen insights and interesting factoids, this article (and many others like it) are no-brainers.

But let's continue to be awed and amazed at the nearly 50-year run at the top of the industry. I mean, I'm still playing the game; just not the current edition.

No doubt Critical Role is successful, they have approximately 1.5 million viewers [1]. D&D is played by close to 50 million[2]. The numbers are approximations of course.

I highly doubt the tail is wagging the dog.

 

[Morrus]

As I recall during the last year or so of 4E's publication history, when they had an unusually low number of books released, they slipped into 2nd behind Pathfinder.

It was from 2011-2013.

Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present

This is a compilation of the [URL='http://www.icv2.com']icv2.com[/URL] retailer surveys of Top Five Roleplaying Games. They are generally compiled quarterly (with some exceptions). ICv2 notes that "the chart [are] based on interviews with retailers, distributors, and manufacturers." Also see...

www.enworld.org

 

[Jacob Lewis]

This is also part of the denial.

“It’s no big deal cause it’s always been on top or near it”

Which is true. But also belies the sheer giantness of the recent success.

I don't think there's anyone denying the commercial success in recent years due to the shattering of the social stigmas and acceptance that many of us have been battling with for years. But the topic here is how no other RPG can compete with it, and that's nothing new. But there is one small footnote...

I can't find it now, but it's either been the top or close to it. During 4E it slipped into 2nd behind PathFinder (about a year before 5E was announced) and, if I recall correctly, even into 3rd for a while.

Yes, and therefore I could not just claim it has been at the top this whole time. But it should also be noted that the only other RPG ever to actually compete with D&D is another variant of D&D.

 

[darjr]

As I recall during the last year or so of 4E's publication history, when they had an unusually low number of books released, they slipped into 2nd behind Pathfinder.

I thought this too, but the truth is they slipped into second while they were still producing books. Well before they stopped production.

I think it’s also a bit of denial. It’s more like Pathfinder claimed the number one spot vs just getting it by default.

 

[Oofta]

I don't think there's anyone denying the commercial success in recent years due to the shattering of the social stigmas and acceptance that many of us have been battling with for years. But the topic here is how no other RPG can compete with it, and that's nothing new. But there is one small footnote...


Yes, and therefore I could not just claim it has been at the top this whole time. But it should also be noted that the only other RPG ever to actually compete with D&D is another variant of D&D.

After 5E was announced it was not. Check out the link morrus just posted.

 

[darjr]

I don't think there's anyone denying the commercial success in recent years due to the shattering of the social stigmas and acceptance that many of us have been battling with for years. But the topic here is how no other RPG can compete with it, and that's nothing new. But there is one small footnote...


Yes, and therefore I could not just claim it has been at the top this whole time. But it should also be noted that the only other RPG ever to actually compete with D&D is another variant of D&D.

Also not quite true. During 2nd edition Vampire came really close. And according to some may have indeed outsold D&D for a short time.

Note I dint believe it did, I don’t have any good evidence it did.

 

[Thomas Shey]

I thought this too, but the truth is they slipped into second while they were still producing books. Well before they stopped production.

I think it’s also a bit of denial. It’s more like Pathfinder claimed the number one spot vs just getting it by default.

And of course, in a sense, they lost ground--to themselves, since PF1e was basically a slightly buffed D&D3.5.

There was a period very early on when you could argue the possibility of another game pushing into the D&D sphere, but that's more than 40 years ago now. I'm not even a big D&D fan in general, but I think people expecting anything else to seriously encroach on it any time in the foreseeable future are living in denial.

 

[Thomas Shey]

Also not quite true. During 2nd edition Vampire came really close. And according to some may have indeed outsold D&D for a short time.

Note I dint believe it did, I don’t have any good evidence it did.

Its one of those really hard things to tell since people generally keep sales figures awfully close to their chest.

 

[Plaguescarred]

Yeah, but using the pandemic years in overall analysis is a sketchy proposition, because public behaviors differed so much from normal. While it would be awesome if that strength held afterwards, it would probably be wise to consider recent gains to be a short-term phenomenon, until proven otherwise.

They have to analyze it since it's part of their growth, but i'm fairly sure WoTC knows it's an unatural growth inflation in comparison to normal curve and that next years won't be as big unless similar conditions would happen again.