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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alphastream" data-source="post: 6150376" data-attributes="member: 11365">TSR and Wizards organized play programs have undergone many changes over the years. The constant is change. At various times they have charged memberships ($30 a year in 2001) or a cost for each adventure ($10/4-hr adventure in 2001). None of this has covered costs. For example, in Polyhedron magazine in 2001 it was said that each membership cost $85 to fulfill. It was also said that the budget for the RPGA was around $1 million, and half of that cost was covered by memberships. The RPGA had requested from Wizards a budget of twice the size ($2M). So, clearly, organized play programs struggle to cover costs. We can just look at the nice materials each Encounters season has provided (for free) and realize how expensive this has been for Wizards. And yet, it seems (from what we can gather) the program didn't tremendously contribute to Wizards' or stores' revenue. WotC is basically funding tons of casual players coming into the system, but with little revenue. Obviously, there are non-revenue benefits. At my local store, which runs one of the largest Encounters programs in the nation, we saw more than 300 unique individuals in just the first three seasons of Encounters! Those gamers, even if they aren't regularly buying D&D, become fans of D&D and part of the store's community.We can also look at how some stores have signed up for the program but then sold the packets on E-bay (usually for around $30-45 per adventure). There is clearly a market for the materials. Many gamers have been begging Wizards to make the adventures available for sale (some have recently appeared in Dungeon magazine with all-new artwork - highly recommended!).All of this put together creates our current picture. Encounters is a valuable program, and Wizards believes in it, but it has yet to produce reliable revenue for stores or Wizards. Adjusting the program makes sense. The adventures are now a product, just as they are for Paizo, Catalyst Games, and other organized play programs. What each store and DM will do will vary. I'm a playtester (this is publicly known due to my icon on my WotC profile). I can't talk about details, but I will absolutely be buying Murder in Baldur's Gate. The combination of adventure and setting material is fantastic and creates a very open-ended and flexible adventure. It is of higher quality than the typical organized play experience (I've previously been an admin for an organized play program). So, many DMs should want to buy this. Stores could absorb some of the cost, and I think that makes sense.As noted before, organized play programs have often changed and adapted. Small changes can make the difference between success and failure. Many would call Encounters the most successful organized play program ever seen. But, it came after the very unpopular D&D Delve Night program. Small changes made Encounters a success. In the same manner, I expect we will see this latest iteration adjust over time. For example, the current WPN solicitation doesn't provide enough of a hook for a DM to stay with the store. If a DM buys the product, they can run it at home. Nothing links the DM to the store beyond minor benefits from a kit. I suspect we will see the value of the kit rise. Stores may also experiment with approaches. A store might give a DM the entire cost of the product back to the DM if they judge all season long, or a portion if they judge less often.Overall, I'm okay with the changes. They are to be expected and will likely be improved upon over time.</blockquote>

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