ICv2 Reports 23% Growth In RPGs in 2019

ICv2 has published its latest estimates for the size of the hobby games market in the US and Canada as of 2019.

The hobby games channel is up 5-10%, being the 11th consecutive year of growth, and the number of stores is increasing.

TCG category dominated with 44% of all hobby games. Miniatures and boardgames are about half that, and RPGs are the smallest category.

• $745M collectible games
• $355M non-collectible miniature games
• $356M board games
• $130M card and dice games
• $80M roleplaying games
• $1675M total

Roleplaying games are up 23% since the previous year, up from $65M in 2018. Here's RPGs over the last six years:

• 2014 $25M
• 2015 $35M
• 2016 $45M
• 2017 $55M
• 2018 $65M
• 2019 $80M

ICv2 reports a few factors -- Pathfinder 2E and Shadowrun 6E were both strong, while the low rate of new D&D products drives secondary sales like dice and accessories.

Kickstarter has increased for the 5th consecutive year, though the growth has slowed (20% in 2018, down to 7% in 2019).

 

[Morrus]

I think WotC will come thru relatively unscathed.

Wildemount has already sold tons, so far the most popular campaign setting book for 5e. Theros is already selling very well, although not crazy well like Wildemount.

Other stuff might have to be delayed sadly, but it's not like WotC puts out a ton of products anyways and most of, if not all of them, should be released this year.

I really wasn’t worried about WotC...