Map Folio I: Whay would you buy it?

[MerricB]

But again, the big question is, are these maps based on a 1-inch square scale? I don't want a bunch of pretty little maps depicted on 8.5" x 11" sheets.

They're not 1" square scale. I'm really glad they're not, actually.

This is not "Dungeon Tile Folio I", it's "Map Folio I".

Cheers!

 

[MerricB]

OTOH, Map Folio 3D will be in 1" square scale - because it will be a lot of fold-up buildings.

Cheers!

 

[Felon]

They're not 1" square scale. I'm really glad they're not, actually. This is not "Dungeon Tile Folio I", it's "Map Folio I".

You're really glad the product's not as useful as it could be? Okey-dokey.

To each their own. I'll go with Eye Tyrant's original assertion. It's a fairly worthless product.

 

[Ember_Ion]

You're really glad the product's not as useful as it could be? Okey-dokey.

To each their own. I'll go with Eye Tyrant's original assertion. It's a fairly worthless product.

I agree. Its an old scam...1$ for 1000 plastic forks is still a waste of a buck if you already have 100 plastic forks and don't use them to begin with. Honestly, unless one designs a game around the map folio book it is very unlikely that you will use all the maps (or even half of them). I found the online ones useful once or twice, but only after much image editing to fit my game (and that adds an extra step of scanning it back in with a printed product.)

As for the "its for people who don't visit the website" theory... I dont buy that either. Its for DMs (I dont really see a lot of use a player can get out of it). Any DM willing to spend extra money on those "little extras" will most likely have a computer and use online resources. If not, then instead of wasting 10$ on a map book, I think they should stow it away for a computer and a printer. The computer will help out a lot more.

My theory is that it is for 2 basic types of gamers:
1. The "must have all WotC D&D related material" gamers. These guys have every printing of the PHB and every little supplement like the Hero Builders Guide and Greyhawk Gazeteer. Many of these gamers even bought the d20 bundle even after they already had all the core books so they could get the "awesome slip cover". Some of these gamers consider themselves "collectors" and will be first in line to buy that "special edition players handbook" (it will prolly be their 8th or 9th PHB by that time).

or

2. The map and art lovers. Some of these gamers buy books just for the pictures. I know a few that have extensive libraries of gaming material and haven't read any of them. Many like the look of professionally printed maps and will buy it just for that.

So, while the book is utterly useless to me (since I don't fit in either of these gamer catagories) it will still sell. Regardless, I doubt the book will see much use. To each their own.

Ember

 

[Alzrius]

I'm buying it because I'm a complete and utter tool for WotC.

 

[Storminator]

I imagine WotC's thinking something like: "hey! This map a week thing is the most viewed page on our website. Maybe people like maps... do you think we could sell maps to them? We've already got these maps made, lets just print 'em up and see if they sell!"

Hard to see the downside for WotC.

PS

 

[WayneLigon]

Well, I'm a map and art lover but if it's not a set of foldout 1" gridded maps that can be used in play I have little use for the type of map I see there. If they were overland or city maps I would certainly buy them, if they were not done in the computerized style usually used in the Map-of-The-Week; usually those are too dark-toned, they don't photocopy well at all, and.. they just don't look right. Something in the style I've seen in Dungeon, yeah, I'd buy that in a minute.

 

[Felon]

I imagine WotC's thinking something like: "hey! This map a week thing is the most viewed page on our website. Maybe people like maps... do you think we could sell maps to them? We've already got these maps made, lets just print 'em up and see if they sell!"
Hard to see the downside for WotC.
PS

The downside is, of course, the product not selling and thus they wind up having to absorb losses on the costs of producing full-color high-resolution maps. Not to mention the less tangible downside of having another area where distributors lack enough faith to order similar products in the future.

 

[erian_7]

I've got two reasons:

(1) I buy everything WotC produces for D&D. I've declared their material my "baseline" for campaigns. If other players want extraneous material, they have to buy the other source material. Helps me manage the RPG budget and also supports a company that (IMHO) has done a good job overall, contributes much to the industry/hobby, and provided me with RPG enjoyment for 20 years.

(2) Same reason I buy all the WotC plastic minis--ready-made props. I collect props of all kinds for gaming. I've got a computer folder of fantasy art for use in games that's at about 1.4 GB. I've got at least one of each mini from the Harbinger and Dragoneye set, with 8 of the "grunt" units (e.g. elven archer, dwarven fighter, skeletons), 4 of the "special troops" (e.g. hobgoblins, ghouls, elf spearmen), and 2 of the often-paired monsters (e.g. giant spider, umber hulk, gargoyle). I just bought a case and a half of the Archfiends set to start that collection.

I'll use some of the maps as player handouts, others as inspirational material (Yes, I've already downloaded all the maps from Map-a-Week, but it's easier to find something printed). If one of the maps really strikes my fancy for use in play, I'll scan-print it to a large format printer (prints 42"x84" in 32-bit color).

Obviously from the above I devote a fair amount of money to my hobby. I don't generally attend cons, so that saves me a bundle, I'm well out of school (even grad school), and luckily my wife is a gamer. So maybe WotC is targetting people like me, folks with a disposable income dedicated to their hobby of choice. I generally agree that this particular item would be a "luxury purchase" rather than a core need, or even want.

I really have a third reason-I love nice maps-but someone's already posted that possibility.


Eric

 

[Storminator]

The downside is, of course, the product not selling and thus they wind up having to absorb losses on the costs of producing full-color high-resolution maps. Not to mention the less tangible downside of having another area where distributors lack enough faith to order similar products in the future.

But no costs for designer, editor, art, no schedules to maintain...

The cost of printing it is pretty insignificant compared to the cost of designing a new product from scratch. After all, that other new product also runs the risk of not selling.

PS