Dungeon #99 - Is the end near?

[Sholari]

I don't see how Dungeon can be in that much jeopordy when you compare it to a company publishing individual game modules. Unlike modules it has a locked-in subscriber base that minimizes its demand risk i.e. they can plan on at least a certain number of modules selling a month. Because there is more consistency in demand, retailers would be a lot more likely to carry it in inventory. It has income from other advertisers which modules do not have. It probably sells at a higher volume than an individual game module which would most likely lower production costs. Plus, you have the economic advantage of bundling several adventures together. I just do not see how Dungeon can be a money losing proposition when there are modules out there making money. I also do not see how bundling Dungeon to Poly is the only solution that can make both magazines viable. There is a full spectrum of strategies that could be employed to make the magazines profitable. Why is bundling two very different magazines together the only one?

 

[MerricB]

I just do not see how Dungeon can be a money losing proposition when there are modules out there making money.

Compare the price per page of Dungeon to the price per page of a standard module. Dungeon is far superior as value for money, and is colour besides.

Then think about what you just said.

Dungeon needs to a bigger subscriber base to attract ads.

If more ads don't come in, the cover price will have to increase to cover the gap.

Cheers!

 

[Sholari]

Compare the price per page of Dungeon to the price per page of a standard module. Dungeon is far superior as value for money, and is colour besides.

Then think about what you just said.

Dungeon needs to a bigger subscriber base to attract ads.

If more ads don't come in, the cover price will have to increase to cover the gap.

Cheers!

Some good points, Merric, though I'd say that there is more to a module than price per page unless it were a commodity. The most important thing to a module is the quality of the material, which has suffered in addition to price per page. Without quality Dungeon is really just paper with a bunch of words on them.

As far as increasing the subscriber base there are probably other ways to do this that are more in line with Dungeon's core audience than "welding" Polyhedron onto it. I really wouldn't have an issue it they merged in Living Greyhawk Journal or something more aligned with the D&D gamemaster. I'd even keep my subscription once it runs out of the Dungeon-Poly thing were just a temporary measure until they found another solution.

 

[bwgwl]

I really wouldn't have an issue it they merged in Living Greyhawk Journal or something more aligned with the D&D gamemaster.

they already did.

 

[MerricB]

There definitely are other issues.

"I just do not see how Dungeon can be a money losing proposition when there are modules out there making money."

Well, its easy to see how: they don't charge enough for Dungeon.

It just what the content/quality/price points have to be.

Although I'm not a particular fan of the Dungeon/Polyhedron package vs. the pure Dungeon package, I can see that the D/P package could be more popular than just Dungeon on its own. If this is actually so, then Paizo would be mad not to continue publishing it in such a manner.

That there are people who drop D/P is inconsequential to Paizo if more people take it up than drop it.

Unfortunately, at a certain time you can't rely on surveys any more - you must do it and see what the result is. Thus, anguish, strife, and many message board posts like this one!

Cheers!

 

[Brown Jenkin]

There definitely are other issues.

"I just do not see how Dungeon can be a money losing proposition when there are modules out there making money."

Well, its easy to see how: they don't charge enough for Dungeon.

It just what the content/quality/price points have to be.

I like some others were willing to pay more for what we were getting. The problem was the amount of the price increase and that Poly was increased while Dungeon was not. If you don't value Poly (I and many others don't, but this does not mean others don't value it) then the price per page is very close to retail modules which don't have advertising and a guarunteed minimun sales figure. If Poly content was reduced for Dungeon content then the PpP goes back to being a value to me and I will be happy to support it.

Although I'm not a particular fan of the Dungeon/Polyhedron package vs. the pure Dungeon package, I can see that the D/P package could be more popular than just Dungeon on its own. If this is actually so, then Paizo would be mad not to continue publishing it in such a manner.

That there are people who drop D/P is inconsequential to Paizo if more people take it up than drop it.

Unfortunately the facts seem to point to more of a drop than an increase after this change. While I don't have hard facts the number of posters saying they are dropping is higher than those saying they are adding. Additionaly Paizo is still talking like the magazines are still in trouble which is less likely if thier subscribtion base is increasing. We shall see the answer but it wouldn't surprise me to see another change soon in order to stop the hemoraging. If I am wrong and it is increasing subscribers good for them.

Unfortunately, at a certain time you can't rely on surveys any more - you must do it and see what the result is. Thus, anguish, strife, and many message board posts like this one!

Cheers!

That is what they have done and we shall see if thier choices were the right ones or the wrong ones. If they are losing subscribers than threads like this one might give them some other ideas to try.

 

[MerricB]

Just a couple of notes:

* Dungeon/Polyhedron as a combined feature has been going for over a year. It was underpriced for what it gave, but probably popular.

* Dungeon has never been monthly before.

I hope the Dungeon content is increased per magazine, I don't mind about the price so much.

Cheers!

 

[Skade]

A curious note- I recieved a renewal notice for Dungeon today, and notice that it still describes the subscription options as

1 year 6 issues for 22.95
2 years 12 issues 38.95
3 years 18 issues 55.95

So bi-monthly rates. You would think that would think their mailings would reflect their monthly staus by now.

 

[Felon]

I believe the going rate now is $45 for 12 issues.

Less than $4 per issues. An excellent value.

 

[MerricB]

According to their website:

Dungeon Magazine
US$45 for 12 issues
US$58.50 for 12 issues in Canada
US$99 for 12 issues in other countries.

Dragon Magazine
US$37.95 for 12 issues
US$43.95 for Canada
US$80 for other countries

Combined Dragon and Dungeon subscription
US$80.95 for 24 issues (I guess 12 of each)
US$99.95 in Canada
US$177 in other countries

The combined rates save you:
$2 for US.
$2.50 for Canada
$2 for other countries.

Cheers!