Pathfinder 1E Paizo/Pathfinder Subscriptions Service

[Belen]

I am a fan of the subscriptions service through Paizo. It rocks and it makes things a bit easier on me; however, I have friends who own the friendly local game store. Unfortunately, they do not stock Pathfinder products because no one is buying them from them. I convinced them to get some Paizo products and they sit on the shelves.

I have been trying to promote Paizo products in the area. A small pathfinder community exists, but we all subscribe to the subscription service. I think it has the effect of keeping the community small.

I think that Paizo needs a store program or a delegate/event program with a vengeance and that Paizo really needs to make stores their allies. The online discount is great, but the effect is that stores have to directly compete with Paizo rather than help them expand the product line.

This is just my thoughts, but I thought I would throw it out to the larger community.

 

[Betote]

Well, what can I say. To me, the winning feature is the euro-dollar exchange rate. I tried to subscribe to Pathfinder via my FLGS, but that way each issue costs me twice than having it delivered to my home (20€ at the store, between 10€ and 13€ with my current suscription).

 

[thecasualoblivion]

Its a niche product. It doesn't have the name recognition or shelf appeal to be widely distributed on FLGS shelves.

 

[Belen]

Its a niche product. It doesn't have the name recognition or shelf appeal to be widely distributed on FLGS shelves.

It does not have to remain a "niche" product and I doubt they want to remain in that spot.

 

[thecasualoblivion]

It does not have to remain a "niche" product and I doubt they want to remain in that spot.

I think Paizo is happy occupying a solid niche. A solid niche is the most Pathfinder is likely to be, as being more than that would require everyone to abandon 3.x in favor of Paizo's version, which IMO isn't likely to happen. Without being accepted as the universal standard for 3.x D&D play, Pathfinder isn't going to be mainstream. There are other reasons I believe this, but that is the most fundamental one.

 

[Qualidar]

Its a niche product. It doesn't have the name recognition or shelf appeal to be widely distributed on FLGS shelves.

I think there are a few factors here:

1) FLGS in general are a dying breed. It's not that "Pathfinder" is a niche product, it's that RPGs are niche products. The question is what's the best way to sell a niche product, and apparently Paizo's answer is "online".

2) Considering that they had their Dungeon and Dragon magazine subscriber lists to market too, they were able to focus an a nice core group who can support them. Selling through a LGS is just throwing stuff up on the shelf and hoping people notice you. I have a suspicion that few people pick up new games by browsing in a store. They're attracted by word of mouth via forums such as this or by recommendations from friends.

3) Speaking for myself, the adventures drive the gaming. I don't have time to write 3.5 adventures, so if I'm running in that ruleset it's Paizo if I want new stuff. If I'm interested in a "living" game, then it's Pathfinder.

4) Speaking of "Living" games: Pathfinder Society is an RPGA-like system that still exists for those that want a 3.5-like RPGA-like experience. There are no alternatives to that, as far as I know. (Could be: RPGA = not my thing).

 

[thecasualoblivion]

I think there are a few factors here:

1) FLGS in general are a dying breed. It's not that "Pathfinder" is a niche product, it's that RPGs are niche products. The question is what's the best way to sell a niche product, and apparently Paizo's answer is "online".

Which shifts the sales of books bought in person to places like Barnes and Noble and Waldenbooks, where Pathfinder would likely have even less appeal.

 

[hazel monday]

Its a niche product.

Niche product or not, The Pathfinder modules and settings books are the best RPG products ever made.

 

[Qualidar]

Which shifts the sales of books bought in person to places like Barnes and Noble and Waldenbooks, where Pathfinder would likely have even less appeal.

The point isn't where people are buying RPG books in person, but that more and more people aren't buying RPG books in person. FLGS, the Video Store of the next decade.

EDIT: I'm not talking about D&D and WoD here, I'm talking about everything else in the RPG market. Pathfinder (and everything else) isn't D&D, and won't succeed by their methods. But that doesn't mean they won't succeed by their own measure.

 

[thecasualoblivion]

The point isn't where people are buying RPG books in person, but that more and more people aren't buying RPG books in person. FLGS, the Video Store of the next decade.

EDIT: I'm not talking about D&D and WoD here, I'm talking about everything else in the RPG market. Pathfinder (and everything else) isn't D&D, and won't succeed by their methods. But that doesn't mean they won't succeed by their own measure.

Pathfinder succeeding by D&D's methods was kind of the point of this thread. Even still, its kind of hard for FLGSs and even major booksellers to compete with Amazon's price cutting these days on D&D books. Gamers aren't generally made of money.