Do you want PDFs?

[ProfessorCirno]

I went with .pdfs for older editions...'cause I don't play 4e.

If I did play 4e, I'd want .pdfs for that too.

 

[hexgrid]

Even as a 4e player, I bought (and would continue to buy) a lot of the out of print pdfs. I don't have any interest in pdfs of 4e books.

 

[Mercutio01]

I would like PDFs of all editions, but not if the price point is the cover price of a hardcover, printed-and-bound book. I've mentioned it before based on my experience getting my book of poetry published, but any price point for a PDF that is more than 1/3 (roughly) of the cost of the hardcover is simply too much considering there is no cost associated with print, there are not limited copies, and the distribution costs are a lot less than they are for hardcopies, plus there's no need for a middleman.

 

[Raven Crowking]

I'd love all modules to be available in reasonably priced searchable pdf format, to make it easier to import into Word, and thus allow me to modify & print them out for my own campaign purposes.

I'm actually pretty happy with the Dungeons appearing on WotC's home page, as 4e materials are easily updated to RCFG, but I'd prefer if they included older issues as well. Surely that earlier material is easily converted to 4e, and would be a boon to their current game as well as the older ones?


RC

 

[El Mahdi]

I would like PDFs of all editions, but not if the price point is the cover price of a hardcover, printed-and-bound book. I've mentioned it before based on my experience getting my book of poetry published, but any price point for a PDF that is more than 1/3 (roughly) of the cost of the hardcover is simply too much considering there is no cost associated with print, there are not limited copies, and the distribution costs are a lot less than they are for hardcopies, plus there's no need for a middleman.

I used to feel this way also about pdf prices, until I read some very interesting articles and posts by people in the industry. I don't remember the exact numbers, but IIRC, the actual publishing only accounts for about 1/4 to 1/3 of the price of a book (of course though, this varies from book to book). (I wish I had bookmarked or saved the threads/articles.)

I used to feel that I wouldn't spend any more than $5-$10 on a pdf, but now I feel it's only fair to pay 2/3 to 3/4 the hardcopy price for a pdf. Of course, if publishers want to only charge $5-$10, I'll more than gladly pay only that.

Right now, for most people, I think pdf's are just an accessory to the hardcover (although I tend to prefer the pdf to a hardcover) and therefore expect a lower price (and rightly so). But as time goes on I think that may change. When (and if) electronic versions become the standard, publishers will have no choice but to charge the 2/3 to 3/4 of hardcover price. They'll end up going out of business if they don't. (Of course, this only really applies to large works, such as D&D books - doesn't really apply to small, 3pp, pdf only products - like a lot of what you see on RPGNow).

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I voted "want pdfs of pre-4E," but to be honest...WotC has pissed me off so much that I've gotten used to not buying books from them, and I'd be happy to continue not giving them money.

If I did buy old edition pdfs, they'd better be at significant discount. At least 50% off the original hardcover price. There is no way pdfs cost nearly as much to produce as books, and there are no more physical book sales to take sales from."

 

[Treebore]

I'll consider 50% of retail PDF's but I am never going to buy into paying more. No mater what BS a publisher claims about PDF's you still do NOT have: printing costs, shipping costs, warehouse storage costs, return issues, cost of middleman, cost share to the retailer, and other costs I am likely forgetting.

So no matter what a publisher "claims", the truth of the matter is getting a PDF to the consumer is far more cheaper and efficient.

Now some companies may not follow this normal chain of distribution. There may be a company or two who actually makes most of their money through direct sales from their own websites and even offer subscriptions with free PDF's as a "bonus". Even so, PDF's are much cheaper to make, store, and distribute for them than even their print copies.

So they can start a marketing plan to try and convince the consumers that PDF's actually cost so much to justify a retail, or near retail printed price, but I will never believe them because I learned years ago that "truth in advertising" does not exist, except when its convenient to the company. Plus I know the "normal" way business is done.

So they can create excuses and out right lie all they want, if they want me buying PDF's they better give them to me as a free bonus or sell them for less than 50% of PRINT retail.

Especially since I am not a "PDF only" consumer. I am primarily a print buyer who likes PDF for convenience. Maybe if I loved PDF's I would follow along with the price gouging, but I am not, so I don't.

 

[jaerdaph]

I'll consider 50% of retail PDF's but I am never going to buy into paying more. No mater what BS a publisher claims about PDF's you still do NOT have: printing costs, shipping costs, warehouse storage costs, return issues, cost of middleman, cost share to the retailer, and other costs I am likely forgetting.

I agree with you for the most part, however there still are "middle man costs" associated with ePublishing - RPGNow isn't exactly a charity.

You also may have to consider "licensing costs" for games like Battlestar Galactica and Supernatural, for example, in the retail price of PDFs.

I liked WotC's flat rate of $4.95 for every single pre-3e product PDF. The pricing on 3e PDFs - not so much.

My rule of thumb is simple: if the price looks reasonable and I can afford it at the time, I buy the PDF.

 

[TheYeti1775]

I voted I want pdf's of all editions.

I don't play 4E, but I do like to mine their books for ideas. I also like good adventures, regardless of system. I simply adapt them to my houseruled 3E game. But, since I don't actually play 4E, I am not interested in buying hardcovers of their books. I also prefer using my computer during gaming, so pdf's are my medium of choice.

Also, I was right in the middle of rounding out my older edition pdf library when WotC so suddenly and foolishly pulled them.

I haven't bought a single WotC product since they pulled the pdf's. If they made them available again (without making a DDI account conditional to access - that's a deal breaker), then I'd buy their products again, even 4E products (despite the fact I don't actually play 4E).

I think you summed it up nicely.

I do believe there is a happy medium somewhere in it all, but it isn't one WotC wants to take the step on. So most will do as they always did prior to them making it available legally before.

 

[Invisible Stalker]

I do not want PDFs at all. All the old 1e modules I wanted, I bought used.