GC 2006 - Ptolus Hardback $120!?!

[Clangador]

According to the GamingReport coverage of the Malhavoc GenCon seminars at http://www.gamingreport.com/article.php?sid=18356&mode=thread&order=0, next year's release of the Ptolus campaign setting hardback is going to retail for $120 US! Has the success finally gone to Monte's head? Is gamingreport wrong on this one? Can anyone else confirm or deny that price point? I mean, it sounds like a very awesome book, but 120 dollars? Kee-ripes that's nuts!

Gah! That's insane.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

I've always found it amusing that many gamers want 2005 quality books on 1985 printer costs.

Actually, I want 1985 quality books at 1985 prices. But I'd settle for 1985 quality books at 2005 prices. My 1st edition books are still in good order and my 3rd edition books are faling apart. Plus, I'd much rather buy several 200 page books at 30 bucks than 1 800 page book at $120

 

[Vocenoctum]

I seriously doubt this would happen. I think if WotC was to do a "big product for a big price" product we would see a massive D&D Miniatures set with a lot of specifict figures, some random figures, maps, and books. Hell, maybe the new map/adventure packs are testing the market for just such a project.

$100-$200 for a "campaign in a box" -- isn't that just the thing Ryan Dancey predicted a few years ago?

If WotC made a 700 page Sigil/Sharn/Waterdeep book, they'd be derided as padding the word count. Every stat block would be seen as simply wasting space. We can't judge Ptolus until we see it, I only hope it's not in need or Erratta the week after it's released.

But, heck, that still doesn't address the UNWIELDY nature of a big honking 700 page book. It wouldn't even fit in the cookbook stand I use!

I think boxed sets are a better bet for such things realy, then you can get some extra's and such that wouldn't fit in a book. I think Call of Cthulhu always did handouts the best myself, and I'd have loved to see a nice high end product from them during their heyday.

 

[Vocenoctum]

And I think asking game manufactuerers to charge so little for their books that they live well south of the poverty line is far more offensive.

It's really the subject for another thread, but how many hours go into a game book? (not "how long did it take to write", since playing video games doesn't really count) It'd be interesting to see how much writers make per hour.

No one's asking them to live below poverty level. That doesn't mean consumers don't have a right to discuss value for their dollar though.

 

[philreed]

If WotC made a 700 page Sigil/Sharn/Waterdeep book, they'd be derided as padding the word count. Every stat block would be seen as simply wasting space. We can't judge Ptolus until we see it, I only hope it's not in need or Erratta the week after it's released.

No book will ever be perfect. EVERY book, no matter how much time/money is spent on it, will have mistakes.

 

[DaveMage]

Actually, I want 1985 quality books at 1985 prices. But I'd settle for 1985 quality books at 2005 prices. My 1st edition books are still in good order and my 3rd edition books are faling apart. Plus, I'd much rather buy several 200 page books at 30 bucks than 1 800 page book at $120

My 1E Unearthed Arcana had pages separate within a week after I bought it.

My other ones are pretty good, though!

 

[philreed]

My 1E Unearthed Arcana had pages separate within a week after I bought it.

My other ones are pretty good, though!

The first 60-odd pages of my UA are loose. I swear that book was cursed.

 

[trancejeremy]

Now that I think about it, I do think products like this run the risk of polarizing gamers (at least if they becomone a trend) - ones that can afford massive books and those who cannot. Certain posters here like to rub it in against poor people (which is something I notice, being poor ) and I suspect if this book trend continues, then things will get worse...

 

[WildWeasel]

No one's asking them to live below poverty level. That doesn't mean consumers don't have a right to discuss value for their dollar though.

Which is fine, and has been happening some, but not exclusively. The real bugaboo I (and others have) is people rejecting a given price as untenable, without even looking at the per dollar vaule. Comments that $120 is "offensive" or "ridiculous" or "price gouging" with zero consideration to what that $120 is buying.

 

[mythusmage]

But I wouldn't buy Ptolus if I were Donald Trump. I think asking $120 for a gaming book is offensive.

Have you looked at what Malhavoc is going to include in the book?