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Message: <blockquote data-quote="rogueattorney" data-source="post: 1447119" data-attributes="member: 17551">Why is there no money in making modules?  Well, obviously, not enough people buy them to make them profitable.  The numbers speak for themselves.Does this mean that the adventure module, in and of itself, is a bad idea?  Or is there something else going on?  I honestly don't know.  What I do know, is that the modules produced by TSR from about 1979-1982 were published in incredible numbers, such that they are still widely and cheaply available, and are still used by players of all editions in converted form.  If it hadn't sold in the first place, B2 wouldn't have gone through 6 printings, C1 wouldn't have gone through 5 printings, S1 and D3 wouldn't have gone through 7 printings, etc., etc.After 1983 or so, module format began to change.  Epic, linear (or rail-roaded, if you prefer), narration heavy format became the theme of the day.  I6 Ravenloft was the prototype, and the original Dragonlance series became the epitome.  The general content also began to decrease in depth and quality - compare B2 and B4 to latter B-series modules like B8 and B9 if you want a good contrast.  This general decline in module quality was pretty constant up to the end of 2e.  (Ask a 1e fan about classic modules and he'll talk your ear off - ask a 2e fan about classic modules and he'll list some 1e modules then have trouble coming up with a half dozen 2e mods half of which are those "Return to" 1e modules.)So, when people say that modules don't sell, what are they talking about?  Are they talking about all modules, or are they talking about the modules being produced in the last 15 years or so of the hobbey?By saying 1) 1e-style modules are bad, and 2) modules don't make any money, you're missing the whole point.  1e modules did sell.  Then they stopped making them like that.  Then people stopped buying modules. Goodman, Necro, et al, are testing the market under the theory that people will buy old styled modules.  They aren't trying to sell to people who don't like the old style, because, apparently, those people don't buy modules in enough numbers to make it worth while.R.A.</blockquote>

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