Dungeons, Dragons, and Demographics

[ShinHakkaider]

Hmm, these numbers don't look that good for WotC.

I guess you have to consider both the change of mind (it will happen for some) but also normal attrition. How many people voting no like would have continued to buy 3.5 products?

My last WOTC 3.5 product (I'm still subscribed to Paizo's Pathfinder product and will pick up the last of Goodman's Games DCC products) was Rules Compendium. Overall I'd buy maybe about 5 - 6 WOTC products a year? So yeah I'm one of those who's not switching, not because I think that the ruleset is going to suck, but because I'm literally heavily invested in 3.5 product that will become useless with the advent of 4E. So I'm going to keep using and running the present ruleset and not spend any money on the new shiny.

 

[Hussar]

Hmm, these numbers don't look that good for WotC.

I guess you have to consider both the change of mind (it will happen for some) but also normal attrition. How many people voting no like would have continued to buy 3.5 products?

Actually, those numbers look fantastic for WOTC. That means that 70% (or so) of current players will buy a new PHB, DMG and Monster Manual. That's huge! How many of the respondents have hardly bought any books in the past year or two? Don't know. But, I do know that Core books sell far more than any other title.

That 70% of your current fans are looking forward to restarting is damn fine.

 

[pogre]

Just tell them Rebecca Borgstrom is writing 4e. Then they will love it.

LOL - perfect!

 

[howandwhy99]

I think there's a potential new market here for games designed for players 35 and over.

 

[Wombat]

Over 45, started with OD&D, left with 1e, came back with 3e, didn't convert to 3.5, not planning to pick up 4e.

Specific enough?

 

[Wolfspider]

That 70% of your current fans are looking forward to restarting is damn fine.

Really?

 

[shilsen]

Really?

Yes. Hussar pointed out one reason why in the segment of his post you didn't quote.

 

[Mistwell]

As people age, they become more set in their ways. See this study, for example:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2459/is_n1_v27/ai_21113302

"...it has been found that increasing age, although associated with a wide inter-individual variation in lifestyle, was associated with a decreased intra-individual variation. That is, older individuals appear to become more `set in their ways'."

For what it is worth, I am 38, started with 1e (AD&D, then bought basic set, then back to AD&D, skipped 2e, picked back up at 3e), and I am looking forward to 4e.

 

[Mistwell]

Ah, the hazards of being a fanboy, believing that the corporation loves you when all they really love is your dollar...

Actually, the corporation doesn't think or feel anything. It's a fictional thing. It exists only on paper, for tax and liability and organizational reasons.

 

[Wormwood]

Actually, the corporation doesn't think or feel anything. It's a fictional thing. It exists only on paper, for tax and liability and organizational reasons.

That's, like, just what THE MAN wants you to believe, dude.