D&D General D&D Book Prices Are Going Up

WotC announced today that D&D books will be increasing in price this year.

Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants will be $59.99 as a preorder and $69.99 thereafter. These will apparently come as physical and digital bundles, so you won’t need to buy the D&D Beyond version separately.

This space is dedicated to communicating clearly and transparently with our players- even when the topic isn’t particularly fun. Since the release of the 2014 D&D core rulebooks, we’ve kept book prices stable. Unfortunately, with the cost of goods and shipping continually increasing, we’ve finally had to make the decision to increase the price of our new release print books. We're committed to creating high-quality products that deliver great value to our players and must increase our prices to accomplish that.

This will go into effect starting with Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants and new releases after Glory of the Giants. Digital pricing is unaffected by this MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) increase, as digital products don’t need to be printed or shipped. The increase also doesn’t impact backlist titles. While we can’t promise that there will never be a change to the prices of digital products and backlist titles, we have no plans to increase either.

Players who purchase the Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants digital-physical bundle through Dungeons & Dragons store can get the bundle for $59.95 for the entire preorder window, which is consistent with our current digital-physical bundle pricing. After the preorder window closes, digital-physical bundle prices will go to $69.95.

 

[Dire Bare]

I guess "being inclusive" doesn't include including the poor. Money is the ultimate gatekeeper, after all. It's not like they couldn't release A5 softcover versions of the books like Paizo or other publishers do.

Oh good lord. It's a game. A luxury item.

And while a particular D&D book might be beyond someone's income if they are struggling, the game itself is remarkably inexpensive.

The basic rules are available for free download. As is the SRD content.

Digital copies are cheaper than print, and if you need to save money, purchase from Amazon rather than (gasp) your FLGS.

Save up for a few months to buy the new PHB . . . or if you already have the 2014 PHB, just go with that. It's the same game, after all.

"Being inclusive" actually isn't about income level when most folks are talking about it. Why should it be for D&D?

If you're poor, you've got bigger problems than not picking up "Glory of the Giants" next month. And, D&D is still within your reach as a hobby.

And I say this as someone who has been south of the poverty line at times in my life.

 

[Parmandur]

Oh good lord. It's a game. A luxury item.

And while a particular D&D book might be beyond someone's income if they are struggling, the game itself is remarkably inexpensive.

The basic rules are available for free download. As is the SRD content.

Digital copies are cheaper than print, and if you need to save money, purchase from Amazon rather than (gasp) your FLGS.

Save up for a few months to buy the new PHB . . . or if you already have the 2014 PHB, just go with that. It's the same game, after all.

"Being inclusive" actually isn't about income level when most folks are talking about it. Why should it be for D&D?

If you're poor, you've got bigger problems than not picking up "Glory of the Giants" next month. And, D&D is still within your reach as a hobby.

And I say this as someone who has been south of the poverty line at times in my life.

If $60 is unaffordable, it's not like $50 was much better.

For me, the books have gone from slightly less than two hours of work to about two hours of work. But if $10 can make or break a budget, yeah, Bigby's Glory of the Giants wasn't likely on the menu as is.

 

[Dire Bare]

Yeah, same, I didn't see any mention of extras. The only reason I had hoped they might be included is because in the description of the pre-order bundle it mentions you get early access to the digital copy on D&D Beyond. So clearly there is some connection between the act of pre-ordering the bundle and receiving something other than the base digital book on the official release date.

For some reason, they usually open pre-orders before announcing what "extras" come along with the book. In the past, they have started advertising the extras before the pre-order window closes.

There probably will be extras, and if there are, you will get them. But we can't know for certain until WotC tells us. I'd wait a bit, if that's important to you.

 

[Dire Bare]

I still think they've missed the real money. a 10 dollar a month sub with access to everything,is like selling a book a year to everyone if you assume half of the money is maintenance on the web site. There are 13.5 million est DND players. if 1 million of them bought a sub that's 120 million dollars a year minus maintaining the server's and apps. Plus you have the Whales all together to buy the "cool" stuff like dice. the company only cleared 221 million last year. Imagine if they got that to 1/4 of all the players.

Like . . . D&D Insider for 4th Edition?

They tried that already. It had its pros and cons for both WotC and gamers, but ultimately it didn't work out for WotC.

However, the landscape has changed quite a bit since 4E ended . . . it could perhaps be tried again. But its hardly WotC "missing the real money".

 

[Dire Bare]

After the OGL thing, a lot of people are still looking for alternatives to WOTC D&D. So I think by raising the prices one thing they are potentially doing is creating an opening for less expensive competitors to swoop in. Generally they do have an advantage here in that they can afford to keep their prices lower than other companies due to volume. Also when prices go up, RPG books are the kinds of things people will stop buying if wages are not keeping up with price increases adequately. I know for example that I buy a lot less stuff these days that isn't necessary (simply because it costs more to buy food, to drive, etc). When milk prices go up, people still need milk. So they will buy it unless it starts becoming a choice between milk and other nutrient sources. When game prices go up, people don't need to buy games. I am not saying prices should never go up. But I do think in the present situation raising prices is delicate. It isn't as simple as us publishers saying "we just had to raise prices" and people will understand.

RPG books from other companies than WotC are not significantly cheaper on average. Not in the same format at least, big fat hardcovers.

 

[Dire Bare]

I am puzzled about this myself. I was one of the few people here enthusiastic about the Book of Many Things, but I find the idea of paying for a deck of cards I do not want to be a real turn-off. (And please, no one explain to me that I'm wrong to want what I want, and not want what I don't want. You wouldn't enjoy me doing the same to you.)

Goosing an extremely niche product up to a sky-high price this way feels like a great way to discover what the market will and won't bear. I am guessing we will see lots of sales on the Book of Many Things bundle once it's clear that, oh, yeah, most people were iffy on this book even before it turned out to be one of the most expensive books on the 2023 publishing schedule.

No one should tell you what you want or should want, but . . .

I would find it weird for WotC to sell a book about the Deck of Many Things without including a Deck of Many Things. I am really looking forward to this product, especially as the deck itself is being expanded.

Comparing this to the Ravenloft Tarokka deck isn't a good comparison. You don't need a Tarokka deck to play the Ravenloft adventure. It's a part of the adventure, of course, but easily compensated for or skipped past. But how many folks are going to buy a book about a magical deck of cards, and not want that deck of cards? You can use a standard deck of playing cards for both decks, Tarokka and the Deck of Many Things . . . but I have a hard time imagining wanting a book about the DoMT without the actual deck.

You can, of course, purchase 3rd party versions of the Deck of Many Things on Etsy and other places. But why should WotC want to support that? I'm certain that's part of the reason why the deck is being expanded, to differentiate it from the SRD version that all those Etsy folks are using for their products.

We don't know yet, but I'm pretty certain there will be a digital version on D&D Beyond sans the deck, for a reasonable price. Sure, digital is not everybody's preference, but the book content will be available without having to purchase a new deck.

If WotC decided to offer the book and the deck as separate items, even with a "bundle deal", the whole package would be more expensive.

This isn't meant to be an attack on your preferences . . . but I do think you're in the minority on this one.

That said, there are some beautiful decks on Etsy . . . .

 

[Dire Bare]

I can respect the inflation aspect, and I love physical/digital bundles in principle. But (at this juncture) I have no interest in D&D beyond, so the digital bundling feels less like a bonus and more like forcing me to buy something I don't want in order to buy the thing I do want.

Why is WotC offering a bundle "forcing" you to buy something you don't want?

You can pre-order just the digital book alone on D&D Beyond. And you can pre-order just the physical book alone through any gaming retailer.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

You don't need a Tarokka deck to play the Ravenloft adventure. It's a part of the adventure, of course, but easily compensated for or skipped past. But how many folks are going to buy a book about a magical deck of cards, and not want that deck of cards? You can use a standard deck of playing cards for both decks, Tarokka and the Deck of Many Things . . . but I have a hard time imagining wanting a book about the DoMT without the actual deck.

People have used the Deck of Many Things in games for almost 50 years without having a deck of cards. It is a bizarre assertion to say now, after a period longer than most current D&D gamers have been alive, that having an actual prop is a necessity.

They can sell it separately and sell probably nearly as many, but allow people like me, who may have purchased cards from somewhere else or play mostly online, to not have to shell out for cards they neither want nor need.

That physical Deck will be a paperweight to people who are playing on WotC's VTT in (let's pretend) three years.

This isn't meant to be an attack on your preferences . . . but I do think you're in the minority on this one.

I was in the minority in wanting this book at all, based on comments and surveys here, so deciding to drive me away from purchasing the product is a weird choice on WotC's part.

 

[Dire Bare]

People have used the Deck of Many Things in games for almost 50 years without having a deck of cards. It is a bizarre assertion to say now, after a period longer than most current D&D gamers have been alive, that having an actual prop is a necessity.

They can sell it separately and sell probably nearly as many, but allow people like me, who may have purchased cards from somewhere else or play mostly online, to not have to shell out for cards they neither want nor need.

That physical Deck will be a paperweight to people who are playing on WotC's VTT in (let's pretend) three years.

I was in the minority in wanting this book at all, based on comments and surveys here, so deciding to drive me away from purchasing the product is a weird choice on WotC's part.

I don't need a Deck of Many Things to use the Deck of Many Things in my D&D game. You're right, we've been using the artifact without an official (or unofficial) deck for quite some time.

But I really doubt most folks would want a book ABOUT the Deck of Many Things that would not include said Deck of Many Things.

You do, of course, and that's fine. And I'm sure you are not alone in your preferences. I just don't think it's weird WotC is assuming most folks would want them both packaged together.

WotC doesn't care if you already have purchase an SRD-based deck off of Etsy. Why should they? And, while many of those decks are super cool, the fan-created decks are niche items.

If you will be playing digitally . . . purchase the D&D Beyond book digitally without the deck. Pretty sure that is going to be an option.

I'm hoping someday WotC has a plug-in for their future VTT that allows you to play with a digital version of the Tarokka deck and the DoMT . . . not unlike how you can play Magic online now (but minus the collectible aspect, just the gameplay). That plus Three-Dragon Ante and other in-world card decks and games . . . .

 

[FitzTheRuke]

There are 19 pages on this thread, and I am browsing on my phone, so forgive me if this has already been answered, but will I be able to buy a print+digital version from my FLGS? I’d like to keep supporting them.

We retailers have been fighting for it, but so far they've been too busy trying to find ways to cut out the middle-men to acquiesce. We'll see in the future, but if you want the bundle, I think you'll have to order it directly from DDB.

 

[Bedrockgames]

RPG books from other companies than WotC are not significantly cheaper on average. Not in the same format at least, big fat hardcovers.

True but these companies aren't dealing in the volume. The issue is the more you are printing the lower your cover prices can be because it is cheaper to print. But I think part of what I am also saying is if the format is inherently expensive (which I do agree it is becoming and certainly something I see on my end too), then we probably should consider other formats, smaller books, etc (ways of giving people more bang for their buck). Fifty and under I get, but its as books have started to get to 60, 70, 80, etc that I am, just on the consumer side, not able to justify the expense. Now not everyone feels that way or sees something like a 60 dollar expenditure on a book as reasonable. But I do think a lot of gamers, just based on what I hear from people, feel priced out as these cover prices climb. And that goes triple if you are talking about D&D where you don't just need one book to run the game but three.

 

[Micah Sweet]

No one should tell you what you want or should want, but . . .

I would find it weird for WotC to sell a book about the Deck of Many Things without including a Deck of Many Things. I am really looking forward to this product, especially as the deck itself is being expanded.

Comparing this to the Ravenloft Tarokka deck isn't a good comparison. You don't need a Tarokka deck to play the Ravenloft adventure. It's a part of the adventure, of course, but easily compensated for or skipped past. But how many folks are going to buy a book about a magical deck of cards, and not want that deck of cards? You can use a standard deck of playing cards for both decks, Tarokka and the Deck of Many Things . . . but I have a hard time imagining wanting a book about the DoMT without the actual deck.

You can, of course, purchase 3rd party versions of the Deck of Many Things on Etsy and other places. But why should WotC want to support that? I'm certain that's part of the reason why the deck is being expanded, to differentiate it from the SRD version that all those Etsy folks are using for their products.

We don't know yet, but I'm pretty certain there will be a digital version on D&D Beyond sans the deck, for a reasonable price. Sure, digital is not everybody's preference, but the book content will be available without having to purchase a new deck.

If WotC decided to offer the book and the deck as separate items, even with a "bundle deal", the whole package would be more expensive.

This isn't meant to be an attack on your preferences . . . but I do think you're in the minority on this one.

That said, there are some beautiful decks on Etsy . . . .

Yeah, I get why they would want to include a physical deck. I would want one if I didn't have it. The problem is, I have at least three, including the card insert deck from a 2e era Dragon Magazine. Got several Tarokka decks too.

 

[Benjamin Olson]

Why is WotC offering a bundle "forcing" you to buy something you don't want?

You can pre-order just the digital book alone on D&D Beyond. And you can pre-order just the physical book alone through any gaming retailer.

Because I misread and thought the bundles were now the default, which you will note is a reasonable way to interpret the OP's summary of the press release. Indeed even now actually reading the press release I had to give it a couple passes before I could parse how it didn't say that (basically the confusion is that it is about an increase in physical prices but only discusses actual numbers for digital prices).

I was not particularly familiar with the existing bundles as I do not use D&D Beyond. I assumed they were just going to start printing digital redemption codes in all the physical books to help justify the price increase.

 

[Parmandur]

Because I misread and thought the bundles were now the default, which you will note is a reasonable way to interpret the OP's summary of the press release. Indeed even now actually reading the press release I had to give it a couple passes before I could parse how it didn't say that (basically the confusion is that it is about an increase in physical prices but only discusses actual numbers for digital prices).

I was not particularly familiar with the existing bundles as I do not use D&D Beyond. I assumed they were just going to start printing digital redemption codes in all the physical books to help justify the price increase.

I mean, if they did that I think relatively few people would actually complain.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Because I misread and thought the bundles were now the default, which you will note is a reasonable way to interpret the OP's summary of the press release. Indeed even now actually reading the press release I had to give it a couple passes before I could parse how it didn't say that (basically the confusion is that it is about an increase in physical prices but only discusses actual numbers for digital prices).

I was not particularly familiar with the existing bundles as I do not use D&D Beyond. I assumed they were just going to start printing digital redemption codes in all the physical books to help justify the price increase.

They've promised and failed to deliver Digital Codes with print books for 25 years! Why start now?

But snark aside, you are right. It WAS confusing to have an article talk about Print Price increases and then not ever mention what the print price would be. It is $59.95 USD. At least on Bigby's and Phandelver. We don't yet know what next year will hold.

 

[Parmandur]

They've promised and failed to deliver Digital Codes with print books for 25 years! Why start now?

But snark aside, you are right. It WAS confusing to have an article talk about Print Price increases and then not ever mention what the print price would be. It is $59.95 USD. At least on Bigby's and Phandelver. We don't yet know what next year will hold.

Yeah, they really should figure that out. I eat the $20-30 to support a local business and get the cool special cover (depending on which I prefer), but getting a digital and ohyaical bundle in FLGS would be awesome.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

They've promised and failed to deliver Digital Codes with print books for 25 years! Why start now

When did they promise that?

 

[Oofta]

When did they promise that?

I'm trying to remember myself...early 4E, or even 3?

In any case the issue was with how to include a code with the book. Put a code in the back of a book and people would just go to the store, scan the code and claim the PDF then put the book back on the shelf. They can do it if it's sold online, which is what it looks like they are doing now. More difficult if selling a physical copy at a store.

 

[Parmandur]

I'm trying to remember myself...early 4E, or even 3?

In any case the issue was with how to include a code with the book. Put a code in the back of a book and people would just go to the store, scan the code and claim the PDF then put the book back on the shelf. They can do it if it's sold online, which is what it looks like they are doing now. More difficult if selling a physical copy at a store.

When they get asked about it directly, they often state that they would like to do it, but there are the difficulties that you mention.

They could come up with solutions, with a little work...

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I'm trying to remember myself...early 4E, or even 3?

In any case the issue was with how to include a code with the book. Put a code in the back of a book and people would just go to the store, scan the code and claim the PDF then put the book back on the shelf. They can do it if it's sold online, which is what it looks like they are doing now. More difficult if selling a physical copy at a store.

Yes, it was talked about as early as 3 (or maybe 3.5) and explicitly advertised for 4e, but never happened. I think it was discussed for 5e too.

A solution off the top of my head would be to give us FLGSes DDB codes (on cards) to sell, and make a reduced price version to sell with the print books. We could keep them behind the counter. Done.