Niche products

[Nellisir]

Does anyone else feel that we're getting more and more "niche" products, that the niches are getting smaller and smaller, and we're getting fewer "broad" products?

I'm buying less and less, because more and more seems to be so narrowly targetted, it's simply of no use to me.

Cheers
Nell.

 

[jmucchiello]

Does anyone else feel that we're getting more and more "niche" products, that the niches are getting smaller and smaller, and we're getting fewer "broad" products?

I'm buying less and less, because more and more seems to be so narrowly targetted, it's simply of no use to me.

So what broad products would you like to see more of? Is there a niche that are waiting for? We can only produce what we think people want. Sometimes what we think people want and what they actually want coincide. Sometimes we need to be told.

Additionally, for the small publisher a niche product is a good place to stay out of the way of the big publishers. Big publishers can make 200 page books of monsters or spells. Little guys can focus on archery or portals.

 

[senodam]

Seems to me that the growing number of 'niche' products is a response to the growing D20 marketplace. The more companies there are out there, the more specialised the individual companies are going to get just so they can stay in business.

 

[Krug]

Yes. in upcoming releases I see a sourcebook just focusing on pit traps. When you're talking about the subset of a subset, it is getting pretty niche.

However, I haven't seen as niche stuff as some of the min-games in Polyhedron magazine, such as a rock star campaign... whattttt?

 

[EOL]

Does anyone else feel that we're getting more and more "niche" products, that the niches are getting smaller and smaller, and we're getting fewer "broad" products?

I'm buying less and less, because more and more seems to be so narrowly targetted, it's simply of no use to me.

Cheers
Nell.

Well if I may let me turn the question around. What sort of book are you dying to buy. What sort of book or supplement or pdf would make the money literally leap from your pocket? For myself I can barely use the monster compilations I already have but if I decided that I was going to start an underwater campaign (for example) there are all sorts of "niche" books that I would probably be on the lookout for. Like the complete guide to Sahaugain or Joe's Book of 500 Underwater Spells.

It's possible the reason that you're not buying as much is because no one's stumbled into the niche you're looking for and you have as many "general-purpose" books as you need.

BTW my website is pretty new and I don't consider it a "niche" product, but YMMV.

 

[jmucchiello]

However, I haven't seen as niche stuff as some of the min-games in Polyhedron magazine, such as a rock star campaign... whattttt?

Actually, I was disappointed in that because it didn't have rules for Roadies and Tour Managers. It's not a Josie and the Pussycats ripoff without Alexander and Alexandria?

 

[der_kluge]

Be on the lookout for my next work - Prestige Classes for left-handed female kobolds - the followup to my successful "Prestige Classes for right-handed female kobolds", due out in stores this summer.

 

[Frilf]

Yes. in upcoming releases I see a sourcebook just focusing on pit traps. When you're talking about the subset of a subset, it is getting pretty niche.

Guilty as charged. But it's a sourcebook for the nouveau niche I like odd topics, what can I say? We still hope you'll give it a look, Krug There are many ways to die by falling ...

Be on the lookout for my next work - Prestige Classes for left-handed female kobolds - the followup to my successful "Prestige Classes for right-handed female kobolds", due out in stores this summer.

Cynicism is anger's ugly cousin, Kluge. From now on... unacceptable BTW, you got a release date on that?

Cheers!
Ian
"Niche is my Niche"

 

[tensen]

Be on the lookout for my next work - Prestige Classes for left-handed female kobolds - the followup to my successful "Prestige Classes for right-handed female kobolds", due out in stores this summer.

So if you use cleave on the poor female kobold they will be happy to fall into two pieces to be perfectly suited for both products?

 

[Wolv0rine]

Cynicism is anger's ugly cousin, Kluge. From now on... unacceptable BTW, you got a release date on that?

Someone's been watching Adam Sandler movies. (although if I recall, the quote was "sarcarsm is anger's ugly cousin", but that was still fun to stumble over).


(Okay I'll feel really stupid if you haven't actually seen Anger Management)