Is 4e bringing new players to the game?

[Mistwell]

This is the feeling I am getting around these parts. I know a lot of the people who had purchased 4e books and are now either going back to an older edition or going to a different game system entirely. When 4e first came out the two FLGS I visit were very excited about how many new and old players were coming out to purchase the new game. They have not had nearly the follow up as they expected. I wonder how many people are just sticking to playing the "core" three books and are not interested in the splat books? So far that is all I have purchased.

I am going to be stopping by the game store this afternoon and will ask again how sales are. And specifically, how many are from people new to the game.

I also wonder how much of this is the death of the FLGS in favor of internet purchases and chain book stores.

I really do not know anyone who buys their game books from the game store anymore. All books are purchased at Amazon, another store online, or even a book store like Borders given their 30% and 40% off coupons to members.

 

[Shroomy]

I also wonder how much of this is the death of the FLGS in favor of internet purchases and chain book stores.

I really do not know anyone who buys their game books from the game store anymore. All books are purchased at Amazon, another store online, or even a book store like Borders given their 30% and 40% off coupons to members.

I buy almost every book through Amazon.com; Dungeon Delve will be the first book that buy from a bookstore, and that will be Borders because my future sister-in-law gave me a gift card. I also think that DDI may be having an impact; originally, I was the only person in my group with a subscription, but my proselytizing got two people, including our DM, to buy subscriptions. Also, my DM gets most of his books via .pdfs since he got a sweet laptop.

 

[PeelSeel2]

I also wonder how much of this is the death of the FLGS in favor of internet purchases and chain book stores.

I really do not know anyone who buys their game books from the game store anymore. All books are purchased at Amazon, another store online, or even a book store like Borders given their 30% and 40% off coupons to members.

I know for me, its a simple matter economics. On Amazon, I can buy a book for $21.95 to $24.95, at a store it is costing me $39.95. I am going to put the difference in my pocket instead of a strangers.

Our gaming group has increased from 5-8 players to 9-14 due to 4e. Our group is a mix of Grognards (like myself) to 18 year olds, male and female. And I see them buying books (which did not happen with 3.x).

 

[crash_beedo]

I also wonder how much of this is the death of the FLGS in favor of internet purchases and chain book stores.

I really do not know anyone who buys their game books from the game store anymore. All books are purchased at Amazon, another store online, or even a book store like Borders given their 30% and 40% off coupons to members.

Sure - I agree with this. I live NE of Philly, and there aren't any true game stores within a half hour ride - but there are 2 Borders and a B&N right in town. The 40-year old working dads will drive over to a mainstream bookstore and get their books, or order online, but why drive 45 minutes to a game store?

I think 4E will continue to bring in new people, but with the death of the FLGS I don't see how it will act as a "gateway game" to other RPGs that (unless they also have mainstream distribution).

 

[DaveMage]

Adventurer's Vault: 37
Monster Manual: 45
PHB: 96

Wow - look at that drop-off between the sales of the PHB and Adventurer's Vault.

Why do you think that is?

How well did the 4E undead book sell for you?

 

[Burrito Al Pastor]

Wow - look at that drop-off between the sales of the PHB and Adventurer's Vault.

Why do you think that is?

How well did the 4E undead book sell for you?

I'm guessing that the Adventurer's Vault has MM-type sales because you don't really need more than one to a group. If your DM has one, then you don't much need to buy one of your own, probably. Open Grave is probably in the same boat.

 

[Rechan]

I'm guessing that the Adventurer's Vault has MM-type sales because you don't really need more than one to a group. If your DM has one, then you don't much need to buy one of your own, probably. Open Grave is probably in the same boat.

It'd be worth seeing if MM/Open Grave/AV sales are on par with DMG sales.

Although I think Open Grave/Draconomicon sales are going to be fewer than AV, because 1) AV has appeal to players, the other two do not, and 2) Magical items are far more frequent and necessary than extra undead/dragons. More specialized the book, the more limited its application, the fewer universal purchases.

Another interesting place to look would be Martial Power sales are closer to the PHB or the MM. It is, after all, a player book but even so, only one person in the group needs it.

 

[ProfessorPain]

I think PHB sales are always pretty big compared to other material. I would pay attention to the PHB II sales figures.

 

[Rechan]

I would pay attention to the PHB II sales figures.

This was my next thought. If PHBII sales are anywhere near PHBI, then that shows the popularity is still going.

 

[Felon]

There are lots of folks - myself included - who don't like 4e.

When it comes down to it, though, that doesn't matter. Regardless of whether we like 4e or not, the vast majority of folks around here are gamers, and it is unlikely that a single edition of a single game could be so horrid that it would repulse a person to the extent of forsaking the hobby forever.

So the folks who don't like 4e are still part of the gamer population, is essentially what I'm saying. It's a loss for 4e, sure, but it's not a loss for the hobby in general.

The logic behind the "that doesn't matter" statement is highly questionable, particularly since it's supported by the faulty notion that no single game could drive someone to forsake the hobby. Because gaming requires a commitment of time and effort, 4e doesn't have to be "horrid" to have that effect, it just has to fail to sustain their passion.

Since the hobby in general feeds off of D&D's table scraps, anything that's bad for D&D is bad for the hobby. I've had two guys in my group abandon gaming since 4e came out, one a lifelong vet and the other a relative newcomer. 4e was basically the straw that broke the camel's back.