ICv2 has D&D in third place after Star Wars

[darjr]

http://www.icv2.com/articles/markets/27068.html

Congrats to all three, however, Paizo, Fantasy Flight, and WotC.

 

[Bluenose]

I don't know whether IcV include the books and board-games in this total, but if not D&D has hit 3rd place with a product schedule of one reprint (Magic Item Compendium) and two adventures "Murder in Baldur's Gate and Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle), one of which was I think only sold at GenCon.

I'm actually more impressed by Evil Hat getting Fate Core in. I imagine that 10,000+ Kickstarter backers helped with that, either pdf supporters deciding to get a paper copy or others getting it from their recommendation. I know two people got it because of mine.

And kudos too to Privateer Press, their Iron Kingdoms game isn't really to my taste, but it's still a lovely book.

 

[Wicht]

Congrats to Fantasy Flight (and major continued kudos to Paizo...), but that's... well, that's disturbing for WotC to fall that far in sales. Granted there's no new releases, but their books are still being offered last I checked (yesterday) at bookstores. Its not like they are off the market.

 

[delericho]

I'm surprised that the various Warhammer games have fallen off the list. Well done to Privateer and Evil Hat on that achievement.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Granted there's no new releases, but their books are still being offered last I checked (yesterday) at bookstores. Its not like they are off the market.

No, but anyone who would've wanted those books would have bought them by now. I'm more surprised that it actually shows up on the list at all, based on no new releases. I think it says much more about the ubiquitousness of the D&D brand that even when the only thing to purchase are items a year or more old... new people are still coming in and picking them up.

Seems like it also gives lie to the idea that D&D will "die" if D&DNext doesn't set sales records when it's released. When WotC still appears third on the list based upon sales of books released months (if not years ) ago, surpassing all the so-called "fantasy heartbreaker" RPGs that are supposedly now taking D&D's place... it gives an indication that the health of D&D and it's place in WotC is not as black and white as some people claim it and wish it to be.

 

[Iosue]

No, but anyone who would've wanted those books would have bought them by now. I'm more surprised that it actually shows up on the list at all, based on no new releases. I think it says much more about the ubiquitousness of the D&D brand that even when the only thing to purchase are items a year or more old... new people are still coming in and picking them up.

Seems like it also gives lie to the idea that D&D will "die" if D&DNext doesn't set sales records when it's released. When WotC still appears third on the list based upon sales of books released months (if not years ) ago, surpassing all the so-called "fantasy heartbreaker" RPGs that are supposedly now taking D&D's place... it gives an indication that the health of D&D and it's place in WotC is not as black and white as some people claim it and wish it to be.

Indeed. Especially with a pretty stable set of digital tools. No real need to buy new books if you have a DDI subscription.

 

[Wicht]

No, but anyone who would've wanted those books would have bought them by now. I'm more surprised that it actually shows up on the list at all, based on no new releases. I think it says much more about the ubiquitousness of the D&D brand that even when the only thing to purchase are items a year or more old... new people are still coming in and picking them up.

Seems like it also gives lie to the idea that D&D will "die" if D&DNext doesn't set sales records when it's released. When WotC still appears third on the list based upon sales of books released months (if not years ) ago, surpassing all the so-called "fantasy heartbreaker" RPGs that are supposedly now taking D&D's place... it gives an indication that the health of D&D and it's place in WotC is not as black and white as some people claim it and wish it to be.

That seems like a rather rosey read to me.

The core 4e books should ideally be an evergreen product. I do think that current players are likely to already have the books, but I would be much more heartened if WotC kept their place as #2. It seems like no matter how WotC performs with what should be the #1 product on the RPG market, there is always an element that says we should be pleasantly surprised that they are doing as well as they are. I don't pretend to fully know what this portends, but if I was WotC, I would not be thrilled to manage a #3.

 

[Zardnaar]

They used to be one with something like 70-80% market share. Being number 3 reveals they have lost a huge %. At best they may have 30% but D&D has always been ahead by a large %. 2 years of no new product is actually a worse situation than the interruption caused by the TSR collapse and the WoTC buyout at least in terms of new product.

 

[DaveMage]

I'm surprised that the various Warhammer games have fallen off the list.

I was thinking that too. However, those books are god-awful expensive.

 

[Morrus]

I'm surprised that the various Warhammer games have fallen off the list.

The #5 position changes all the time.