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<blockquote data-quote="Appleseeth" data-source="post: 4677588" data-attributes="member: 72496">I think we're all forgetting one thing piracy of the 3 core books actually did for 4e, that is make more people buy into the game. Those leaked pdfs made a lot of skeptics who probably weren't going to buy the books at all look through them and make a good, informed decision. I will, in fact give you my timeline with 4th edition to illustrate.Step 1: 4th edition is announced. I question why they're making a 4th edition, seemingly so soon after 3.5.Step 2: I go to a preview game of 4e at a local game store with my D&amp;D buddies. It sucks. We make fun of 4th edition, a lot.Step 3: More previews come out for 4th edition. I am slightly intrigued again, but still generally happy with 3.5.Step 4: The pdfs are leaked. I download them. There are many unplayable errors in the books, but now I actually understand how 4e is meant to work, which is awesome.Step 5: I buy the hardcover books and my group has been happily playing 4e ever since.I suspect this is close to what happened for a lot of 4e players, at least those who weren't on board right away. I recall some blog post somewhere that actually talked about the leaked pdfs and how they apparently boosted sales. I think it was from a WotC employee too.Another thing about digital piracy in general: People will pay for things what they are willing to pay. If you are losing a lot of customers to piracy, then your item costs too much. Some people will of course never pay for anything, but that's just them. I know it's hard to believe, but people actually do want to pay you for your hard work on that music/move/book, it's just not necessarily the amount you're asking. Just look at the In Rainbows album from Radiohead as a perfect example.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Appleseeth, post: 4677588, member: 72496"] I think we're all forgetting one thing piracy of the 3 core books actually did for 4e, that is make more people buy into the game. Those leaked pdfs made a lot of skeptics who probably weren't going to buy the books at all look through them and make a good, informed decision. I will, in fact give you my timeline with 4th edition to illustrate. Step 1: 4th edition is announced. I question why they're making a 4th edition, seemingly so soon after 3.5. Step 2: I go to a preview game of 4e at a local game store with my D&D buddies. It sucks. We make fun of 4th edition, a lot. Step 3: More previews come out for 4th edition. I am slightly intrigued again, but still generally happy with 3.5. Step 4: The pdfs are leaked. I download them. There are many unplayable errors in the books, but now I actually understand how 4e is meant to work, which is awesome. Step 5: I buy the hardcover books and my group has been happily playing 4e ever since. I suspect this is close to what happened for a lot of 4e players, at least those who weren't on board right away. I recall some blog post somewhere that actually talked about the leaked pdfs and how they apparently boosted sales. I think it was from a WotC employee too. Another thing about digital piracy in general: People will pay for things what they are willing to pay. If you are losing a lot of customers to piracy, then your item costs too much. Some people will of course never pay for anything, but that's just them. I know it's hard to believe, but people actually do want to pay you for your hard work on that music/move/book, it's just not necessarily the amount you're asking. Just look at the In Rainbows album from Radiohead as a perfect example. [/QUOTE]

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