I Want My Boxed Sets!

[JohnNephew]

A DM's screen appropriate to the setting is a nice bonus. A boxed set is a great place for one as when they're sold seperately they tend to be overpriced.

Oh, on the topic of screens -- they're overpriced because, well, they cost a lot more to make. The odd size of a 3- or 4-panel screen means using a different layout or even special sized cardstock on the presses, plus a special die for scoring/folding the oversize "cover."

By way of example, I had to get a range of quotes for the GM screen for our Feng Shui RPG, which is currently at the printer. Printing this 4-panel screen (color outside, B&W inside) plus a 32-page booklet, with the booklet placed inside the screen and the whole package shrinkwrapped, actually costs slightly MORE than printing Seven Cities in the same quantity. (Seven Cities is 144 pages, perfect bound.)

The FS screen is $17.95; Seven Cities is $21.95 -- and while the one seems overpriced in comparison, we actually make a significantly better profit margin on the softcover book than the screen.

In the detailed breakdown, the screen itself is 3/4 of the cost of screen-and-booklet combo. So if I wanted to make a screen just to insert it into a boxed set, I need to add about $13.50 to the box set's cover price. Ouch!

 

[Samothdm]

Preference for Hardbacks

I've been playing since the early 80s, and while I really enjoyed the box sets from that era, I now prefer to have my campaign settings in hardback books for two reasons:
1) I don't actually use the campaign setting "as is". I use the material for ideas and supplements to my homebrew world, so the maps and stuff are relatively useless to me. It also means I don't have to worry about separating the player info. from the GM info.
2) A few of the people in my group have kids, which means I'm a traveling DM since we play at their house. I'd much rather stick a hardback into my backpack than lug a big box around.

That's just how I use the material. I imagine that if you're actually playing in the world, then the box set format is the way to go.

 

[Skarp Hedin]

You know, John, and this is a bit of a hijack here.. but I've found the posts from you and Clark Peterson, and some other industry types whose names escape me at the moment, regarding some of the proverbial nuts-and-bolts of the publishing end of the whole d20 industry have been extremely interesting and informative.

This hasn't got much to do with boxed sets (though, for topicality: the Planescape and Birthright boxes were great, my Spelljammer box is in ruins. Sturdy cardboard is key.) but I just wanted to mention it. So keep up the good work, and fight the good fight and don't take any wooden nickels, and other such things

 

[Davelozzi]

John, thanks for the breakdown. I understand that things often look different on the publishing end. I was refering to the screens being overpriced relative to the perceived value from my point of view as a consumer. Also, part of the reason that I like having them in the box is that the cost of the screen is hidden from me (even if secretly I am paying an extra $13.50 for the whole set).

At any rate, I agree with Skarp that the info that you, Clark, and others have provided on publishing costs is really interesting. From what I hear, I would agree that economically, the hardcovers are a better format, so I understand why that's what everyone is doing these days. But in a fantasy world (or in this case for one ) I would prefer a boxed set.

 

[mmadsen]

At any rate, I agree with Skarp that the info that you, Clark, and others have provided on publishing costs is really interesting.

I have to agree with Davelozzi and Skarp Hedin; the nuts-and-bolts business info is great. Thanks, JohnNephew. That bit about the VAT tax hitting games but not books was wild...

 

[Orcus]

Thanks!

We are shooting for a boxed set for the Wilderlands becasue it has 18 big maps. 18!

My original plan was a hardback with a CD in the back, but kids steal the CDs out of the back so we decided on hardback.

There is always the chance we will change our plan, but right now the Wilderlands will be a boxed set. And John is right. Boxed sets suck from a publisher standpoint. But sometimes there is little choice.

Clark

 

[ForceUser]

Boxed sets were cool, and I still have some, but the boxes are so fragile! I swear, mine always got sat on, or buried under a pile of books, etc.

 

[Tsyr]

Thanks!

We are shooting for a boxed set for the Wilderlands becasue it has 18 big maps. 18!

My original plan was a hardback with a CD in the back, but kids steal the CDs out of the back so we decided on hardback.

There is always the chance we will change our plan, but right now the Wilderlands will be a boxed set. And John is right. Boxed sets suck from a publisher standpoint. But sometimes there is little choice.

Clark

Personaly, I would suggest NEVER doing that.

If I bought a product and found that I was expected to either lug my computer with me or pay to print out 18 multi-page maps, I would be REALLY cheesed off.

 

[dema]

Please bring Boxed sets back.

I used to love carrying about 10 hugh boxed sets for my FR/Planescape/ Ravenloft game. And the players guides in the boxed sets were awesome. If I will the world design contest, boxed sets or no setting, yes we should all demand that.

The PC never knew where they would end up. It was alot of work, both physically and mentally but well worth it.

Ohh, and the little christmas thing is just so cute.

Now for putting monster pages in binders. This way I get to choose where my monsters go (orderwise.) I still have all of my, in their nifty little (big) binders, with reinforments. Hell I even colored my monsters. ( yes i had alot of spare time)

 

[Shadowdancer]

I have mixed feelings about the boxed sets. The ones I used a lot (the original Forgotten Realms setting, the first Cyberpunk game), I liked because I could put extra supplements and sheets of notes in the box, and keep everything in a nice, neat package for the game. And the maps were always so big and easier to take care of.

But the boxes do take up a lot of room in my backpack, and they are fragile. And if you're not using all of the material, it's a hassle to haul the whole box around. And the extra cost could really put a dent in your gaming budget, meaning you might not be able to buy other products you want.

Of course, with various booklets in the boxed sets, you could just take the booklet you needed if you weren't using the whole product, and leave the box and other stuff at home.