How much for 1 monster (with extras)?

[Nellisir]

Inspired by a comment on the "Should I buy MM2/MM3" thread.

How much would people pay consider reasonable to pay, or charge, for 1 monster entry, if said entry included, where applicable, 1) a paragon class, 2) at least 2 advanced or templated versions of the entry, 3) feats, spells, treasure, or other minor crunch (new or from OGC sources)?

Cheers
Nell.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

I charged $1.25 for my Bardic Lore: The Fachan, which includes precisely that. I wouldn't go higher than that, perhaps $1.50 if it also included a sample lair with map, but even then it would be pushing it. One dollar to $1.25 is about right.

 

[Nellisir]

Right after posting this I found a single monster + "sample lair" on RPGNow for $2. 11 pages. I haven't bought it yet, but I'm curious. I have a hard time imagining 11 pages without a relatively large font and generous margins, two things I'm not a fan of.

Three, four years ago I started a monster book. Stopped. Started. Stopped. (The story of my writing career.)
It'd be nice to get some mileage out of what I've done, and the illustrations I've accumulated so far....:\

Cheers
Nell.

 

[DaveStebbins]

Several factors to consider. How complex is the society, abilities and powers of the creature. Is it something that a campaign can be built around, or just a cool monster? I found RoninArts The Possessors to be very useful, but it fit a very specific niche. Also, for a single creature PDF, I would expect at least one piece of artwork, no matter what the price.

-Dave

 

[Bloodstone Press]

Three, four years ago I started a monster book. Stopped. Started. Stopped. (The story of my writing career.)
It'd be nice to get some mileage out of what I've done, and the illustrations I've accumulated so far

Speaking as someone who has published over 60 monsters as well as more than 200 feats, 200 spells, and more than 8 prestige classes, more than 100 equipment items, and dozens of optional rules, I can tell you that publishing monsters is the hardest thing to do. And the least rewarding. If you want to publish, don't start with monsters (unless you already have some done, of course)

Monsters are a real headache to design and they typically don't sell well They are also tough on the editor, who (if he's a good editor) will double check all you calculations etc.... Plus, customers won't be interested in it if there isn't a lot of artwork, which drives up your production costs.

As for your product concept, note also Blackdirge’s Bestiary, published through Skeleton Key. It is basically unique individual monsters (NPCs with a monstrous race and a template, typically), I don't remember the price on them, but you can find them at RPGnow.

 

[V_Shane]

Same here. I had started an "Artifacts of the Arcane" but with monsters rather than the usual weapon and character types I offer on RPGnow. Just never finished it, I ended up combining it with another Publishers clip art Edtn and called it a day. But until then, my efforts st around on the hard drive for 1/2 year!

 

[eris404]

I'm probably the odd one here, but I like this idea and I'd probably buy one for about $1-2, depending on the amount of detail, ideas and utility (sorry to be vague there). Granted, I'd buy it only if it featured a monster I liked or at least was intrigued by. Of course, one thing to think about is how much time was spent writing/editing the PDF versus how many of these one can reasonably expect to sell. I know that no one expects to get fabulously rich off of a single PDF, but the investment v. reward is something to consider.

 

[Cheiromancer]

Sorry, I posted before I read the thread. I said 25 cents, but I was thinking of Monster Manual style entries. With crunch it might go to 50 cents- but it might not. Sometimes it is better to have a lot of easy to use monsters rather than very detailed intricate rulesets for monsters that never see play.

 

[Nellisir]

Sorry, I posted before I read the thread. I said 25 cents, but I was thinking of Monster Manual style entries. With crunch it might go to 50 cents- but it might not. Sometimes it is better to have a lot of easy to use monsters rather than very detailed intricate rulesets for monsters that never see play.

Well, pick n' mix is 49 cents for 2 pages, -max- (plus OGL), so that figures into the equation now.

 

[Cathix]

I'm probably the odd one here, but I like this idea and I'd probably buy one for about $1-2, depending on the amount of detail, ideas and utility (sorry to be vague there).

I agree.

You could fashion such a pdf one of two ways: a longer more extensive pdf, with a generous helping of background info, culture of the monstrous race (if its intelligence warrants that), more about its habitat, and ways to include it in your game/plot hooks. One good illustration of the monster would do nicely, then you could include small pieces of stock art of the monster's environment to give the pdf a richer feel. That I could see selling for 1.00 - 1.50.

You could also do a utilitarian version, just stats, abilities and basic fluff. That could be a Pick and Mix/.49 cents.

The difference between a McDonald's 99 cent cheeseburger and a gourmet 'The Works' burger at your local steakhouse.

(I should reallllly eat some breakfast...)