EN World GameStore Closing

[Jdvn1]

Does that mean that, technically, there's a monopoly in the PDF retail market?

Believe me, emotionally this is pretty hard on me... I had a LOT of great ideas and hard work into ENGS. In the long term, though, this is likely better for me, Twin Rose Software, and for EN WOrld as a whole.

But rest assured, you haven't heard the last of me

I hope not! I really liked your ideas!

 

[Vocenoctum]

That's correct -- full disclosure: I handle customer service emails for RPGNow. So not really involved in the decision-making processes at all.

I'm also the owner of Adamant Entertainment, one of the top 15 publishers at RPGNow, and we will be charged a higher rate than we are currently -- but given the increase in exposure and consumer convenience, we're expecting that the small percentage loss will be made up in increased sales volume overall.

Just a question, but if a publisher was present on all three Sites before, how will their sales increase?

In addition, we now only have to upload product to a single site, as opposed to three, and once the new unified site launches, product management will be consolidated as well, so I'm actually viewing that as a considerable savings in my time (which, since I run this as a full-time business, has to be paid for). As such, my plans for Adamant are unchanged, and we will not be raising our prices.

Again, as a curiousity, since I'm no publisher, how difficult was it to upload to 3 sites? Did the software take a while or was complicated or something? I imagine (as long as it's a good format, naturally) it'll be easier to just deal with one format instead of figuring out three different ones, just wondering at the actual time savings.

 

[jgbrowning]

You benefit - if it means some retailer stays open. I would not be surprised if they weren't particularly stable to begin with.

Let me surprise you then. They are stable and profitable ventures. Much so than any of the publishers they are selling. James has made enough to open a brick and morter store, and drivethru is just a company created to benefit white wolf and their 700+ backstock of PDFs.

They're all fine companies and, up to this point, I haven't any conflict or concerns with my relationships with any of them. Even this difference can end up with a win-win situation for them, publishers, and customers — just like removing DRM ended up happily for everyone involved.

joe b.

 

[Roudi]

how difficult was it to upload to 3 sites?

Well, annoying in that the same product had to go through 3 different processes, and be uploaded 3 times in total. Now, there's one process, one upload.

 

[jgbrowning]

Just a question, but if a publisher was present on all three Sites before, how will their sales increase?

For me personally, the growth of the site would have to:

1. Be proportional.
2. Grow 15% to equal my current profit level. This is at the reduced royalties rate resulting from the merger.
3. Grow that 15% from #2 above and beyond than what the three independent sites were already growing. For example if the three were growning at a combined rate of 15% per year, the first year's growth of the new site has to be 30% for me to maintain the income I would have received from the three independant sites. And to make that even worse, that growth wouldn't come the first month, which means even it if grows 30% I'm not going to break even until the last month of the year.

Again, as a curiousity, since I'm no publisher, how difficult was it to upload to 3 sites? Did the software take a while or was complicated or something? I imagine (as long as it's a good format, naturally) it'll be easier to just deal with one format instead of figuring out three different ones, just wondering at the actual time savings.

It took me about 15-20 minutes per product to upload to the three sites, barring any mistakes on my part or errors on theirs.

joe b.

 

[Urizen]

For me personally, the growth of the site would have to:

It took me about 15-20 minutes per product to upload to the three sites, barring any mistakes on my part or errors on theirs.

joe b.

15-20 minutes that could be spent writing another product.

 

[jgbrowning]

15-20 minutes that could be spent writing another product.

A product of which I would receive 10% less on, no?

15-20 minutes that's going to cost me $90 a month? Please be reasonable. I'm only in 15th place in revenue at rpgnow.com. Someone like Phil is going to end up paying $350+ for those 15-20 minutes. I wouldn't be surprised if it's even more than that.

For someone who only makes $100 a month, it doesn't matter much. They're not eating from that. I've been informed that my fixed expense for their service is going to increase 40% and that saving 15-20 minutes of my time per product is somehow a justification for such an increase?

I don't think so.

joe b.

 

[GMSkarka]

It took me about 15-20 minutes per product to upload to the three sites, barring any mistakes on my part or errors on theirs.

Right -- and I was for sale at 3 sites. That's about an hour. Per product. When you're looking at 4 to 6 products per month, that adds up. I've got other things I could be doing with that time.

 

[GMSkarka]

I've been informed that my fixed expense for their service is going to increase 40%

You're a Gold Vendor at RPGNow, right? So that rate was 30%. The new rate for non-exclusive vendors is 35%. I'm trying to figure out why you're claiming a 40% increase....

 

[Vocenoctum]

15-20 minutes that could be spent writing another product.

If time is that tight, I'm sure he could also be writing new PDF's during that 15-20 process?