Follow the Money Edition Poll

[Starglim]

Interesting, if it's representative.

I read "I own the PHB, DMG and MM" and "I own the PHB" as alternatives to each other. It's not the most important comparison here, though.

 

[RFisher]

For me, “own but didn’t buy” (i.e. “gifted”) is a significant category.

 

[Glyfair]

My answers might be a bit misleading. I have bought 3.5 in the last 3 months. However, it was only because of "going out of d20" sales. I won't turn down great deals of 3.5 product that I can use in 4E (or other fantasy RPGs I might play). However, I am very unlikely to pay full price (or even slightly discounted) for 3.5 material in the future unless it is very rules light.

 

[Jhaelen]

I own the three core books for both 3E (PHB & DMG 3.0; MM 3.5) and 4E.

The only 3E books I bought in the last three months were a load of Goodman Games' DCC adventures.

For 4E I've bought (not sure if all of them were bought in the last 3 months [probably not]):
- Martial Power
- Adventurer's Vault
- MotP
- adventures H2 & P1

 

[Fifth Element]

Interesting, if it's representative.

If it's representative, it's through blind luck, and we'll never know it's representative.

 

[Lanefan]

My issue: I meant the "I have the PHB/ DMG / MM" to be people who have the 3 core books needed to DM a system.

I meant the "I have the PHB" to be people who have at least the equipment to be a player.

I meant for people who have all 3 core books to answer yes to the first and to the second (being as they by definition do own a PHB).

Yet the number who own all 3 is larger than the number who own the PHB, per the poll. Very curious.

Needs better wording, then; something like:

* I feel I own enough material (e.g. PH-MM-DMG) to DM 4e
* I feel I own only enough material (e.g. PH) to play 4e
* I don't own enough material to play 4e
* [repeat selections for each edition or option]

As an example, I own the PH and DMG for 4e but not the MM. However, I also own some 4e adventures and could probably run the game if I had to.

That said, my biggest RPG purchase over the last while (other than minis, curse them!) was a bunch of 1e adventure modules that turned up in a local store.

Lanefan

 

[jaerdaph]

Interesting poll.

The only problem I see is that the poll may show a spike for 3E sales in the last 3 months, due to people buying up stuff they always wanted in case the products disappear soon (as with Goodman and others).

While I don't play 4e or own any 4e core books (I will be buying some 4e DCCs from Goodman in the near future though), I would have to say this was certainly true in my case and influenced my choices in the poll.

 

[Scribble]

Interesting, if it's representative.

I read "I own the PHB, DMG and MM" and "I own the PHB" as alternatives to each other. It's not the most important comparison here, though.

Thats how I read it to.. as an I own all three, or I only own the phb...

I own all the game stuff I ever bought (that wasn't stolen.) I don't really get rid of it, I just collect it. (My wife LOVES that fact...)

 

[howandwhy99]

Internet polls never prove anything. They are for entertainment purposes only

I agree. It's difficult to judge accurately why people may have voted one way or another. Attempting accurate data collection is a huge part of the social sciences and even the best methods have some fallibility. An internet poll by you or me is far more likely to be invalid than valid.

For instance, did responders who clicked "I own the PHB, DMG, & MM for 4e " also click "I own the PHB for 4e" as the first option encompasses the second? Or did they pick only the first option thinking the pollster wanted discrete categories?

Also, I know I chose "I've sold my personal 3.0/3.5/Pathfinder core books". But it should not be assumed these were sold for any reason. I sold mine as I don't likely have to play 3E d20 again, not because I've switched to 4e d20.

 

[Starglim]

Also, I know I chose "I've sold my personal 3.0/3.5/Pathfinder core books". But it should not be assumed these were sold for any reason.

Quite right, and it would be equally mistaken to assume that someone who didn't vote "I've sold my personal 3.0/3.5/Pathfinder core books" still has those books, or has made any positive decision to keep them.