How many people are buying less books for 4E than previous editions?

[ggroy]

My perception (note, reality may demonstrate differently) is that they're churning out more product for 4e in less time than they did for 3e. And with the noninsignificant pricetag on hardcover gaming books, DDI is nothing short of awesome.

From a rough count, the rate of books churned out for 4E has been about the same rate as it was during the 3.5E era. This is including all those many 3.5E Eberron and Forgotten Realms splatbooks.

 

[alleynbard]

My purchases have slowed down but that has more to do with finances rather than desire. I do purchase as many 4e books as I can get, despite the fact my group is currently playing Pathfinder. I like Pathfinder, I truly like 4e, but I have to be careful what I spend my money on these days. For instance, I have no plans to purchase the Bestiary because I am experimenting with using 4e monsters in a 3e game. Essentially my players are using 3e characters and I am using modified 4e monsters. There is still a strong possibility that this campaign will be converted from Pathfinder to 4e some point in the future. This experiment will help that transition should it come.

I am a subscriber to Paizo's modules because they are usually pretty darn good and can be converted if necessary. I am not sure how long I will remain a subscriber. Definitely sticking around for the next three because of these two modules:

Carrion Hill: http://paizo.com/store/paizo/pathfinder/pathfinderModules/pathfinderRPG/v5748btpy87df

Realm of the Fellknight Queen: http://paizo.com/store/paizo/pathfinder/pathfinderModules/pathfinderRPG/v5748btpy87iy

I figure both would make great conversions.

I do buy some fluff products from Paizo, notably the monster revisited books and the planar books. For instance, the new book on the Nine Hells looks great.

Mostly though, I find myself purchasing a ton of props these days. I have lots of cardstock terrain, campaign coins, item cards, and other minis and props that help bring the sessions to life.

I do have to say that 4e re-ignited that creative bug and I am more inclined to design a campaign from scratch now than I was at the height of 3.5. I don't use a lot of pre-fab adventures unless I think they are truly amazing. Even then I usually just steal bits and pieces for inspiration. That has led to a slow down in its own way.

But I still find sourcebooks really appealing, even if I already have access to that material in the DDI. I guess I am something of a collector because I still purchase the occasional 3e book that I will never use.

 

[Scribble]

Awhile ago I picked up some of the 3E/3.5E Scarred Land books found in various bargain bins at local FLGS.

Scarrd Lands stuff is awesome. I might try to pick up some of the Golarion stuff and see what's up.

 

[AllisterH]

From a rough count, the rate of books churned out for 4E has been about the same rate as it was during the 3.5E era. This is including all those many 3.5E Eberron and Forgotten Realms splatbooks.

I always find it fascinating how common the belief is that 4e has a more heavy release schedule than previous editions.

I wonder if the perception of 4e being release heavy has to due with WOTC much more heavily advertising each release. Each product gets much more exposure on WOTC's webpage and about a month to itself with twice weekly previews.

In previous editions (2e especially), TSR/WOTC didn't advertise as heavily any new release and without advertisement, I suspect it was much easier to ignore and thus considered less important/core as the producers didn't make a big deal of it so why should the buyers?

 

[tyrlaan]

I always find it fascinating how common the belief is that 4e has a more heavy release schedule than previous editions.

I wonder if the perception of 4e being release heavy has to due with WOTC much more heavily advertising each release. Each product gets much more exposure on WOTC's webpage and about a month to itself with twice weekly previews.

I don't think that's it, for me at least. I've bought into this perception because more of the releases feel like core/"must-haves" than in 3e. I didn't feel like I was missing out if I didn't get Complete Divine unless I was playing a divine caster. On the other hand, I "need" PHB2 because it's got X more races and Y more classes. And so will PHB3! I need it!

That said, this really just percolates up to good marketing. I'd expect that slapping the title "Player's Handbook" on a cover probably gets you a lot more sales than "<Power source> Power" or "Complete <Power source>". Actually, does anyone know if there is solid sales evidence to support this notion?

 

[bastrak]

I've bought no 4e at all and do not intend to. Not my thing at all.

Previously bought loads of every other edition.

 

[samursus]

Technically I have bought less books than 3e, but that is only because my financial situation isn't so healthy AND the fact that I haven't been able to play... I am attempting to get a new group together as we speak, so hopefully that part will at least change.

 

[ggroy]

That said, this really just percolates up to good marketing. I'd expect that slapping the title "Player's Handbook" on a cover probably gets you a lot more sales than "<Power source> Power" or "Complete <Power source>". Actually, does anyone know if there is solid sales evidence to support this notion?

During the 3.5E days, I thought the 3.5E versions of PHB2 and DMG2 looked kind of superfluous. For other gamers I knew locally, this was same perception they had of the 3.5E PHB2 and DMG2 books. Their frequent responses were "Why bother?" or "What's that good for?".

 

[Obryn]

More, for me. I got most of my 3.5 books secondhand, and not being a fan of Eberron or Forgotten Realms back then, I didn't have any desire to own any of the books being produced for them other than their core setting books.

Also a DDI subscriber.

-O

 

[hailstop]

I am finding I'm buying a LOT more (as in all of them) of the DM specific books. The player books after Martial Power, I leave to the players...with the exception of the core PHB books.