Is the economic crisis affecting your gaming purchasing?

[Gothmog]

Nope, my gaming budget has increased by about $25-50 a week. I just got a big pay increase, I don't have any money in the stock market, and I don't have any debt. All this comes at a perfect time for me, since 4e books are being released now, and I had pretty much quit buying gaming books over the last few years except for the odd WHFRP2, Dark Heresy, Savage Worlds, NWoD book, or Reaper minis. I'm also going back now and picking up sets of Dwarven Forge I hadn't earlier. For me, this is a great time to be a gamer!

 

[Henry]

If you count the news of the past couple of months, not at all. If you lump the business of the past few years (more industries closing or moving overseas), then it's made a large impact on me over that time frame. I've been restricting my game purchases for the past year, but the current situations aren't touching me yet at all.

Emphasis on "yet." The future is, as always, the future.

 

[Wombat]

I'm almost 50

Due to this, yes, the economic crisis is making changes in all my spending habits -- fewer books, fewer games, fewer movie rentals, etc.

To say otherwise would be madness for me...

 

[Shroomy]

Nope, not at all. I live in a town that is generally described as "recession proof" due to the presence of the UW and state government; plus, I work for a fairly stable utility and my fiancee works in education.

 

[Zaukrie]

slightly, yes.

I had planned to be more careful in my gaming purchases, and maybe cut back from buying nearly every book for this edition. The fact that I'm more worried about getting laid off has just reinforced this decision. Also, my wife is a personal chef, and demand for that high priced personal service is down quite a bit (and she hates the selling part too). So, yup, a little.

that said, I'm playing more than ever....so I'm getting more value out of the purchases I have made, which is nice.

 

[SteveC]

Not for me, even though I haven't purchased just about any products recently. What has been affecting it is that WotC hasn't been producing hardly any products I've been interested in. For me it's been the core books, Keep on the Shadowfell and Adventure's Vault. For the rest of the year it looks like Martial Power will be about it. That's sad.

Even worse is that there really isn't that much else out there that's interested me. I picked up Starblaze Adventures (which is fantastic) but I haven't seen any titles that have been of interest since then.

With the birthday coming up, it's sad to not be anticipating any major purchases, but perhaps that's good: saving money seems to be a good thing to do in these times.

--Steve

 

[The Ghost]

I said slightly. I have been cutting back since the beginning of the year mostly due to how much I spent last year on games. That, coupled with the fact that there is nothing coming out that really interests me. Although, MtG's new set looks pretty sweet!

 

[megamania]

Because of 4e I no longer buy books

Because of WoTC I no longer buy Dragon or Dungeon magazine

Because of the economy I will buy few to no miniatures where I used to spend over a 1000 a year on them.

 

[MonkeyDragon]

Nope. I don't often spend a lot of money on gaming stuff, but my personal income hasn't been effected by the economy yet.

What I have noticed is that this year's convention where I sell my artwork and crafts had noticably lower attendance, and a lot of the people that did come did not have a lot of money to spend. There were also fewer guests and dealers at the con.

My friend's dad has an art booth at our ren fest and has been at gen con the last couple of years. They noticed a significant decrease in sales, particularly at gencon. Last year was their first year, and they were in the back corner of the art show, and yet they were in the black. This year they had a more favorable spot, but didn't make as much in sales.

Things like what we do are basically luxury purchases, and those treats are often the first things to be trimmed back when the belts are tightened.

 

[frankthedm]

Oh yeah.

Gamer's Paradise is gone so 80% of why i went to shopping malls is no more.

Challenge Games / Patriot games is now gone after 3-4 moves in the last decade.

Gas hurts so bad I have not been up to Mount Prospect's Games Plus for months.

Heightened Ebay and amazon fees have killed many potential bargains.

Hell, my group's gaming is taking a hit.

One group member has been unavailable for months due to a hazardous seven day a week job because he had no other employment options.

3 other group members have had to accept working on our game day because of fear refusal could adversely effect our jobs.