Cost of Core Books PDFs

[Pinotage]

So, if a publisher gives even a 50% discount for .pdf products over a print version, said publisher is still making quite a bit more money off of the .pdf vs. a traditionally printed and distributed product. And while a system like RPGNow might charge a percentage to sell a book (I looked into it once, but I forget how much it is, exactly) it's nowhere near the amount the publisher loses in the traditional dead-tree distribution model.

I thought OneBookShelf (RPGNow and DrivethruRPG) took in the region of 30-35%. When the merger took place, I thought that was the number I saw mentioned, which was why some publishers left to other sites. So if WotC is giving 30% off, and OBS take 30% off what's remaining, it's not far off from the retail dead tree profit.

Pinotage

 

[malraux]

At least if every computer on the planet suddenly became utterly useless, or there was an apocalypse and we could no longer generate electricity, or I was stranded on a desert island with my game collection or some such, I could still game with my physical books.

I honestly can't say that post-apocalyptic utility enters into my personal entertainment utility function at all.

Regardless, I think most people forget that price is not solely determined by marginal production cost in any economic realm. Sure it factors into the minimum price that can make the business profitable, but there's no rule of thumb that says that 100% of the reduction in marginal production cost must be passed onto the consumer.

 

[IanArgent]

I doublechecked, and, yep, it's not just the D20 market. Battlecorps is selling the SR and CBT PDFs at roughly about the same discount as the 4E core books.

 

[jdrakeh]

Take a look at what other companies are charging for PDFs of books. Wizards prices are not out of line with the current market.

It has already been mentioned -- but why trouble yourself with reason and fact when you can deal in CrAzY GonZO, instead? This is, after all, the internet.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I can't even imagine the outrage if WotC were selling the pdfs for ~$10 or so. People would be crying out about how WotC was trying to kill the FLGS. It would be nuts.

 

[jdrakeh]

Printing costs money. You're slightly discounted books now cost as much as the 'real' thing. And if the discount goes away or was not included in the first place...

Already addressed. Read before you post, please. It will save us both some time.

I and many others complained loudly and often about the price of 3.5 PDFs. I would be very surprised if you could find a single thread about the availability of these PDFs where someone didn't complain. In fact, were I a betting man, I'd lay down serious cash that it would be an impossible task.

Also. . . already adressed.

 

[jdrakeh]

I can't even imagine the outrage if WotC were selling the pdfs for ~$10 or so. People would be crying out about how WotC was trying to kill the FLGS.

No doubt. There's always gonna be a tiny cross section of the consuming public that X company can't please at all, ever, regardless of what they do. Threads like this represent said cross section.

 

[Obryn]

Here's the thing, I don't think they are setting it at what is reasonable. I think they are setting it at a price that won't have impacts on their distributors or game stores.

Why should your opinion of a "reasonable price" matter more than WotC's?

I mean, it's their product... If their price is too high, people won't buy it. That's its own consequence.

Ya know, having a different opinion is one thing. Being a total jerk about it is something else entirely. Comments like that are just begging to be called a WotC fanboy. Which would probobaly upset you, as it should, but you really are setting yourself up for it.

Why, because I think businesses have a right to set prices for the stuff they sell?

And... shockingly, I'm not remotely upset.

-O

 

[jdrakeh]

Ya know, having a different opinion is one thing. Being a total jerk about it is something else entirely. Comments like that are just begging to be called a WotC fanboy. Which would probobaly upset you, as it should, but you really are setting yourself up for it.

So, out of curiosity, what do comments about PDF products not being "real" or valuable, or the only costs associated with RPG production being printiing and binding make you look like? That's a rhetorical question, BTW.

 

[Crothian]

So? That just means too many people are willing to pay too much for PDF's. Besides, I do know. There are some Green Ronin PDF's I am willing to buy, Goodman, and a couple of other companies.

No, it means that the market bears it out that this is the cost. That's the way markets work. Just because it is too expensive for you has no bearing on if they are actually too expensive.