ICV2 numbers from GAMA are interesting

[Parmandur]

I think it depends on the timing of release. People are always going to gravitate to the shiny new toy (a newly released game). As a result, a new game will enjoy temporary attention, which may explain why Starfinder was rated above Pathfinder, and Cosmere was number 2.

IMO, games shouldn't be considered until they've been out for a full year. So many new games receive a lot of hype, and then slide into obscurity.

I'm...not entirely sure I understand what you think this list represents...?

This is simply business data gathered to help small business owners making stocking decisions based on what is selling. It is more clear if you go out and look for the board game top 10, which is significantly more dynamic over time and an indicator of what board games a FLGS should have on the shelf to be "with it". This isn't some sort of judgement of quality or worth?

it should definitely be included in the report, but drawing conclusions from how popular it will end up being is premature.

It will also drastically undercount games like Draw Steel that do not even attempt to get into stores and rather sell directly, which at this point is D&D’s trend too, they are just so big that it does not change their #1 spot (and they still do sell into the channels, they just prefer direct sales)

Yeah, it is worth taking with a grain of salt and is only part of the picture. Even when Pathfinder was doing better on this list than D&D, WotC and Paizo insiders have since confirmed D&D was actually still selling better...just not as hot in FLGS spaces before the 2014 core rules dropped.

Still, it is fascinating that Daggerheart is outselling what was historically considered the second biggest game, and Cosmere is doing well on top of a big push at Barnes & Noble and Amazon and the giant crowdfunder.

Anx now I am really curious about Crooked Moon, which as a single 5E third party product is outpeforming Daggerheart and Pathfinder.

 

[cranberry]

I'm...not entirely sure I understand what you think this list represents...?

This is simply business data gathered to help small business owners making stocking decisions based on what is selling. It is more clear if you go out and look for the board game top 10, which is significantly more dynamic over time and an indicator of what board games a FLGS should have on the shelf to be "with it". This isn't some sort of judgement of quality or worth?

Sure, and if they overstock on a game that only has brief popularity, they will have stale inventory collecting dust. That's why it's important to go with games that are sustainable, not just this weeks shiny new thing.

 

[Morrus]

I don't think KS backers count. They get direct deliveries, and are not sold via stores. I agree though, if the KS backers would figure into this, it's no surprise.

ICv2 has been including Kickstarter since 2015.

 

[Parmandur]

Sure, and if they overstock on a game that only has brief popularity, they will have stale inventory collecting dust. That's why it's important to go with games that are sustainable, not just this weeks shiny new thing.

Stores are about selling now?

 

[Parmandur]

ICv2 has been including Kickstarter since 2015.

That makes the results a little less interesting, then. Probably means Cosmere will be number two again this Fall, when the Mistborn game ships. And explains why Crooked Moon made the top ten.