GC 2006 - Ptolus Hardback $120!?!

[tetsujin28]

You have any idea what it costs to fill 600+ pages with color artwork? Quality color artwork? Including cartography?

Wulf, you nailed it. All this whining about it being too expensive is from people who really haven't done the math. When you add in all the stuff from the pre-order, you're getting 1100 pages. That comes out to $.11 per page. Cheap. As. Chips.

 

[tetsujin28]

Agreed. What I suspect it is, is that people feel they can't afford something they like the looks of, so they feel left out. It's not like those who buy it will be forming a secret society so we can smoke big cigars in our luxuriously-appointed game rooms while laughing evilly and looking down on the "little gamers."

Or will we...?

I'm all for that. We can all drive our Ferraris, too!

 

[tetsujin28]

$20.00 down payment, $10.00 a month. Plus shipping and handling. You can't afford that, you're in college.

Heck, I'm in college and can afford it. I buy two beers per month fewer than normal. Done.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Wulf, you nailed it. All this whining about it being too expensive is from people who really haven't done the math. When you add in all the stuff from the pre-order, you're getting 1100 pages. That comes out to $.11 per page. Cheap. As. Chips.

That's counting such things as Banewarrens though, there's no need to falsely inflate the value of the item. It's pretty well established that it's not geared towards Per Word rate.

 

[SWBaxter]

Lets say Monte did this as a $60 book, with lesser frills, no CD, etc. Compared to the $120 version, he will make less per book, but sell more books. Lets assume for the same of arguement that he makes the same amount of profit either way.

Let's not, since we don't have anything other than vague wishful thinking on which to base this assumption. Monte has a product he wants to publish, presumably he actually knows how much it'd cost to put it out in various formats, let's just assume some basic level of competence on his part and assume he's chosen the route that he believes will give him the best combination of market penetration and return on investment, then go from there.

 

[Vocenoctum]

This product is not for you; other high end products may not be for you either; but you can rest assured that someone will be around to meet your needs and accept your money.

As others have said, "The market will take care of itself."

I'm still not sure why my point is not clear here, but are you saying that this product is not made for fans of Ptolus/Monte Cooks? Basically, if you can't afford the book, you're not meant to have the book?

If this product were not geared as a "high end" product, there are plenty of folks that would buy it that won't buy it as a "high end" product. Ah well.

 

[IronWolf]

That's counting such things as Banewarrens though, there's no need to falsely inflate the value of the item.

Why is the inclusion of Banewarrens valueless?

 

[Vocenoctum]

Let's not, since we don't have anything other than vague wishful thinking on which to base this assumption. Monte has a product he wants to publish, presumably he actually knows how much it'd cost to put it out in various formats, let's just assume some basic level of competence on his part and assume he's chosen the route that he believes will give him the best combination of market penetration and return on investment, then go from there.

I'm going from the assumption that this book is a labor of love. Monte Cook wants Ptolus designed to be the way it is. I'm sure he wants the book to profit for all involved, but that didn't seem to be the design goal he had in mind, from what I've read of his.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Why is the inclusion of Banewarrens valueless?

Adding the PDF for a product from years ago? I'd say it's a nice addition, but it's not a part of the purchase price.

 

[IronWolf]

I'd say it's a nice addition, but it's not a part of the purchase price.

Part of the purchase price or not, it being a "nice addition" will add value to the whole package to many. Take for instance me. I have heard many good things about Banewarrens, but have never picked it up. To hear it is included with it (PDF form or other, makes no difference to me) adds value to the package deal, even if it is an extra.