Boxed Sets: What Do You Want In Them

[Staffan]

I think that for a game that doesn't require and/or make good use of doodads, a boxed set is a waste of time. So, it would only be relevant for a system that does, and in that case I want those doodads included. For example, the Deadlands boxed set I recently got came with:
– Deadlands the Weird West core rulebook
– GM Screen + Showdown at Sundown Adventure
– Set of 25 Bennies
– Set of 7 Dice and Wild Die
– Poster Map of the Weird West
– Set of 12 Archetype Cards (pregenerated characters that fit, well, setting archetypes like Gunslinger or Mad Scientist, providing a good basis for what that sort of character should be capable of)
– Set 12 Powers Cards (new and updated powers for Deadlands)
– Adventure Cards
– Infernal Device Cards
– Set of 6 Harrowed Cards
– Set of 5 Ammo Counters

Most of these things are (or have been) available separately, but I felt that I got my money's worth by getting them all in a convenient boxed set. If I was doing this as a product from scratch instead of combining things and crowdfunder add-ons, I'd probably split the rulebook into a player's and a marshal's book – the book is already separated in two sections along those lines, but it'd be neat to have a book I can just hand to the players.

Also, I'm assuming some form of return to normalcy. I don't see how a boxed set can be viable under the current US tariffs.

 

[aramis erak]

I don't mind abridged rules, but prefer full.
I don't mind a short starter adventure, but I prefer several. (Modiphius' STA one has 3; all the FFG starters had follow-ups in PDF; the pair for L5R took typically 4-8 sessions to get through both. Lost Mine of Phandelver was very well regarded; I've read, but not run, it; it's a short campaign.
I prefer pog-style cardboard, but wood is a nifty second choice.
Dice are nice. (Most 70's and 80's boxed rulesets had dice.)
Maps are good, as long as they're relevant. Irrelevant maps are bad.
Boxed, Bagged, or bound-in box, not picky about format.

 

[GrimCo]

My ideal box set, using d&d as an example.

Cardboard minis - 2(f&m version) per class with 5-6 plastic holders, 50*50cm dry erase grid mat, few cardboard tokens, set of dice, dm screen with printed cheat sheet inside, player cheat ( turn order, conditions, actions).
Pre made characters (lets say 1 for each class, levels 1-3, so 36 A4 pages), quick start rules for player and for dm, short starting adventure (one that spans that 1-3 levels).
USB stick with - phb/dmg/mm in pdf format, but bare bones tech manual version, so just rules, no pretty pictures and interesting prose, extra adventure ( say levels 4-8), form filable character sheet pdf, couple of printable maps, more printable tokens and "minis"

In essence, everything you need to get into the game and then continue playing. I'm considering weight and volume, since those impact shipping prices. That's why no plastic or wood minis or full sized physical books.

 

[TiQuinn]

I think the “other” for me would be lots of player handout material with some great artwork.

 

[schneeland]

For a general box: a player's and a GM's handbook or smaller booklets - both are fine for me. A pre-made adventure is a nice to have, but not required. If there is a fixed setting, a map is also not required, but definitely appreciated. And I would tend to expect a set of dice and any sort of tokens required to play the game.

For a starter set box, the adventure would become a requirement, and I tend to expect the necessary maps (regional or indoor) and handouts to play the adventure. Dice and tokens would also become a stronger expectation, and pre-made characters are appreciated.

 

[Sacrosanct]

My ideal box set, using d&d as an example.

Cardboard minis - 2(f&m version) per class with 5-6 plastic holders, 50*50cm dry erase grid mat, few cardboard tokens, set of dice, dm screen with printed cheat sheet inside, player cheat ( turn order, conditions, actions).
Pre made characters (lets say 1 for each class, levels 1-3, so 36 A4 pages), quick start rules for player and for dm, short starting adventure (one that spans that 1-3 levels).
USB stick with - phb/dmg/mm in pdf format, but bare bones tech manual version, so just rules, no pretty pictures and interesting prose, extra adventure ( say levels 4-8), form filable character sheet pdf, couple of printable maps, more printable tokens and "minis"

In essence, everything you need to get into the game and then continue playing. I'm considering weight and volume, since those impact shipping prices. That's why no plastic or wood minis or full sized physical books.

These are certainly some good ideas. Wood minis are about the same weight as cardboard. A 50x50cm map is pretty big. Even folded that might take up a lot of space.

I'm really hearing that beyond the initial adventure, folks want replayability. So perhaps a 9x12" grid, where you just use it to map out individual encounter rooms?

The USB thing is interesting. Normally how I run my business is that anyone buying a physical copy gets a digital one for free, but that means they have to go download it. On a USB might make that more convenient for the customer. Hmmm...

 

[GrimCo]

Well, you might be right, 50*50 is unconventional format, 42*30 is equivalent of two A4 pages side by side. It would be better format for dry erase grid mat, since sheets are mostly A4 format so whole box could be bit larger than that. Location maps in digital format and scaled for A4 print, so if someone wants physical one at the table, they can print it themselves. Wooden minis weight same? We aren't talking about detailed 3d models that are CNC machined from solid piece of wood (cause that's where my mind was going, instead of plastic injection molded one, wooden ones).

USB is practical. You can have nice custom design or logo on it, everything is in one place, you can take it to print shop (or office) to have things printed out (since almost no one has printer at home these days). And they are dirt cheap. Having online download available for free is nice, but this is just more convenient. I can't take credit for that idea though. Companies hand out usb thumb drives preloaded with promo materials all the time even though all those brochures can be downloaded from company sites.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Well, you might be right, 50*50 is unconventional format, 42*30 is equivalent of two A4 pages side by side. It would be better format for dry erase grid mat, since sheets are mostly A4 format so whole box could be bit larger than that. Location maps in digital format and scaled for A4 print, so if someone wants physical one at the table, they can print it themselves. Wooden minis weight same? We aren't talking about detailed 3d models that are CNC machined from solid piece of wood (cause that's where my mind was going, instead of plastic injection molded one, wooden ones).

Oh no, not CNC'd lol. Woodcut laser. Like these

USB is practical. You can have nice custom design or logo on it, everything is in one place, you can take it to print shop (or office) to have things printed out (since almost no one has printer at home these days). And they are dirt cheap. Having online download available for free is nice, but this is just more convenient. I can't take credit for that idea though. Companies hand out usb thumb drives preloaded with promo materials all the time even though all those brochures can be downloaded from company sites.

I can find USB drives for $1.40 each. So not a huge cost impact to the end boxed set (the most expensive item is the box itself). Dry erase can get spendy though. The best I could find are 9x12 sheets for $2.13 each. A couple of those can increase the costs more than being comfortable with.

 

[CleverNickName]

The gold standard for me is the Basic and Expert Rules boxed sets.

 

[aco175]

I could see having a box set for a region of the world. Taking Forgotten Realms (FR) for example. A 'starter' box for the Cormyr region might have a couple maps and some pregens, maybe a few sheets on a tavern and town handouts and such, starter quest board stuff. A location booklet that has some flavor on government, local towns and places for both the DM and players to look at. Another booklet on an adventure taking a few levels and several places around the base town.

The cool thing is if the box is big enough to fit follow-on modules. Additional modules come out with more places and detail along with higher level adventures and they all fit in the box to make a campaign box with several booklets inside. Now, on your shelf you can see the side of the box with a cool picture and information instead of just a bunch of staples in a booklet that slide down over time. It is a bit like a campaign time-capsule.