Has the release of d20 material slowed down?

[Crothian]

Ya, the rate of books has dropped but the over all quality has increased. And while I could just use Wizards book for my D&D game I don't want to. We have reached the point that there are a few companies that are making equal if not better products then Wizards.

 

[Ranger REG]

Yeah, D20 material output has slowed down, D&D output on the other hand has sped up (and have become bigger and more expensive).

Bah! Until I see a Wizards' rulebook (standard, non-collector's edition) with a $45 price tag, I'd say your hallucinating. With the exception of the campaign setting core sourcebook and Star Wars licensed RPG products, most supplements are less than $35.

 

[Crothian]

Bah! Until I see a Wizards' rulebook (standard, non-collector's edition) with a $45 price tag, I'd say your hallucinating. With the exception of the campaign setting core sourcebook and Star Wars licensed RPG products, most supplements are less than $35.

most are less then 35$ but we are seeing many more this year that are more expensive then previous years.

 

[johnsemlak]

most are less then 35$ but we are seeing many more this year that are more expensive then previous years.

Hardback does seem to be becoming standard for WotC releases, making them a tad more expensive. When was the last $19.99 release from WotC. But I would agree with RangerREG that the hardback rulebooks ahven't gone up in price. The core rulebooks still sell at $30, same as they have for a while.

 

[Crothian]

sure the core rule books have not increased. But the other books have.

ToH2: 35$
Relics and Rituals :Excalliber 35$
THe Deep: 40$
Book of Familiars 30$
Denizens of Avadnu: 40$
Fantasy Bestiary: 45$

All of these are really good books, but the cost on them is higher then similiar books a few years ago. So while the number of books goes down, quality goes up and that drives up the price.

 

[Treebore]

I think the need to make money on a much smaller print run has more to do with the price of 3rd party material versus WOTC. Of course WOTC will realize this will be their excuse to jack their price since most consumers won't know any better.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

could be in General discussion forum

According to an empirical study of my bank account there is still plenty of new d20 stuff to buy.

Heh he! Mee too.

From my highly unscientific research I have concluded the following: ( I may be wrong, but this is what I have seen/heard )

-There are not a whole lot of less titles for d20 now

-Most 3rd party titles sell less copies than before ( by a LOT ! )

- There are only a few less publishers than before ( I expected a larger shakeout before now )

- Prices have gone up ( So have metal miniatures! )

- 3rd party quality peaked right before the 3.5 release and is slowly getting back to that point as 3.5 is learned by designers

- Mongoose produces WAY too many books

- I'm still a sucker for monster books and Campaign setting books that I'll never use

 

[johnsemlak]

could be in General discussion forum

That's a point. Could one of those folks with a glowing username maybe move this go general?

-There are not a whole lot of less titles for d20 now

It's not a whole lot less, no. But some publishers are moving away from sourcebooks and concentrating on accessories such as minis and counters--Fiery Dragon and Privateer Press for example. Pinnacle and Eden Studios seem also to have moved away from d20 lines as well.

 

[Cergorach]

Bah! Until I see a Wizards' rulebook (standard, non-collector's edition) with a $45 price tag, I'd say your hallucinating. With the exception of the campaign setting core sourcebook and Star Wars licensed RPG products, most supplements are less than $35.

I didn't mean this as more expensive for the same product, i'm talking about splatbooks that have become bigger and therefore more expensive (from $20 to $30), i'm very happy with that because the 'splatbooks' are now 160-192 pages (twice as big), are full color, and are hardcover, all for a measily $10 extra.

What i am trying to say is that there is both an increase in the number of products and the average pice for each product (by WotC). That means that if a person wants every WotC RPG supplement they'll need a far bigger budget then two years ago...

It's kewl to get so much choice, but it also puts a strain on consumers and retailers. Retailers need to order everything WotC, that means that there's less room/money for other lines/companies.

 

[Cergorach]

It's not a whole lot less, no. But some publishers are moving away from sourcebooks and concentrating on accessories such as minis and counters--Fiery Dragon and Privateer Press for example. Pinnacle and Eden Studios seem also to have moved away from d20 lines as well.

Not to mention Green Ronin for example, they are moving in other directions as well, WFRP is one, Licensed properties is another (oh and card games). It also seems that their release 'speed' of D20 books has slowed down...