JamesBlond
First Post
Thanks again everyone!
I don't believe this particular survey site has an option to show the results upon completion,
But here they are so far:
1. How often/under what circumstances do you buy a product that has very similar free version? (Where the free version is not just a quick-start pamphlet or highly crippled software, etc.)
29 (48%): I buy it if I plan to use it often even if it is almost exactly the same as the free version.
16 (26%): I buy it but only if it offers something extra. Ex: better graphics and/or better layout if it is a book; extra features if it is software; etc.
5 (8%): I buy it in certain other circumstances (elaborate below.)
11 (18%): I rarely buy it if there is a free version that is similar.
2. Elaboration/comments about #1:
Even if it's free, if it's something that I'll actually use than I'll buy it, ESPECIALLY if it's electronic. Having a page that I can turn to and not have to have a computer right next to me is invaluable.
If, after downloading the free version, if I decide it's not something I want or will use, I don't buy the final/pay version. If I decide I am going to use it, I'll buy it.
If there is a commercial print version of a free electronic product I like, I'm likely to purchase the print version. I like physical books better than electronic ones and find them more useful.
Something extra can simply be convenience. For example, I learned 3.x with the books, not the SRD. The SRD was a good reference, but it wasn't great for reading and learning the system.
I buy physical copies of games I run if the rules aren't too heavily revised by errata, since physical books are easier to read on the can and to hand to players.
I tend to buy something where there is a free version only when the pay-for version is in print (since the free version is usually software or a website) and I plan on using it regularly.
I prefer real books over pdf's
A purchased version gives greater support for electronic products and books are currently much easier to read than PDFs
The top two answers put together are closer, for me, than either alone. If I plan to use it often then I will buy it, but it is nice if it also looks good.
If there is a good free game, I will definitely play it, instead of a similar commercial one. If I play it a lot, I will send money to the creator of the free game. I definitely prefer paying for something I tried and liked instead of paying fo0r being able to try it.
I buy it (or not) once I've checked out the free version and decided whether it's any use to me.
I'll buy it only if it comes pre-packaged with something else. E.g. I buy windows when I get a laptop, even though my OS of choice is Ubuntu.
I'll buy it to get a print version.
I will download the free product, read it, and decide if I want to play/run the game. If so, I will buy the physical version as long as it is better then the version I can print myself.
If I'm going to use something a lot, I find that a commercial print version works best. It also allows me to support the people who make the product.
I use forums like En World to get an idea of the product first and even then try to preview it further within a store before ordering at discount.
Only if the preview or free version has convinced me this is something I will want to keep. Otherwise I discard the free version and don't buy.
If I really like a PDF or plan on using it a lot, I will buy the hard copy if available. A free PDF has never stopped me from buying the hard copy version of a book, if I like the product.
I'm looking for value, so whatever I buy had best be better than free- and pirated stuff won't even be considered.
I prefer to read print, so PDF is just a tool for me to use to make using the RPG easier, such as printing out a DM screen of my own liking, or to easily copy/paste things I want to reveal to my players, or to make rules cheat sheets to help speed up our play. The free PDF offered by Eclipse Phase led to my buying HC and trying out the RPG.
I would not be comfortable using pirated copies of a NEW product for a long period of time. I might use it for a few weeks, but then I'll pony up the money (as long as the price is fair in the market).
3. How does software piracy affect your use of pdfs/rpg-related software?
15 (25%): I never use pirated software.
15 (25%): I may try something out that is illegally copied but I almost always buy it if it is useful.
15 (25%): I try things out that are illegally copied but I usually buy it if it is useful.
12 (20%): I only use a pirated version if I can't buy the official version.
3 (5%): I rarely buy anything I can get for free even if the "free" version I have is copied illegally.
4. Elaboration/Comments on #3:
If a company cares so little about a product that they won't publish it or make it available, and I really want or need a copy to run a game...I'll go hunting down a copy any way I can find it, secondhand, or if it's not around that way, find it elsewhere.
Not only will I buy it if I find it useful, I won't buy it if I can't see it beforehand (whether as a legal free download/version, or an illegal download). I won't buy anything until I can preview it. And I mean REALLY preview it. I need to be able to read all of the product, and possibly even test drive it in play a bit. If it's good, I'll then go buy a copy. If not, I either delete the file, or it simply get's forgotten on my hardrive.
The chance to see a game via a pirate copy or inexpensive pdf before buying it is my prefered way to shop these days. With fewer brick & mortar stores its hard to get a look at newer games (outside WotC & WW) before buying. A cheap or free pdf (Like Pathfinder Beta and Core) sold me on the game. And sold it to all my players. We bought 6 PFRPG books despite having the rules on pdf.
I get into this situation if a friend loans me something. If I like it (and will use it) I'll buy my own copy.
I buy many useless things and illegally copy many useful things. I hope that my purchases generally balance out my illegal copying.
I don't have a FLGS so it is a way of looking before I buy
Electronic copies are great for looking through to make decisions. I guess I could go back to looking through role playing books at the stores instead though.
I really think that piracy is a bad thing - when I get software I want access to the updates and patches, I want the publisher to know what they are doing right (or wrong - if I don't like a piece of software then I neither pirate nor buy it.)
I used to use pirated pdfs, but I stopped doing it a few years ago. There are a lot of games available for free or as cheap (
On books, if I have a hard copy I feel no need to repurchase it electronically and will download a pirated PDF copy If it is electronic only, I will purchase a copy
I'll watch something streaming on justin.tv but won't download torrents (I buy a DVD if I want to own it).
Some pirated material is out of print and/or insanely overpriced. In those cases, as long as the pirated version is a good clean copy, I will use that version.
I'm an adult, and if I want something, well, it's time to pay for it.
Personal conviction and choise.
Although I have downloaded pirated PDFs, I have never done so with the mind-set of "Good thing I got this free, otherwise I would have had to spend a lot of cash on it." EXCEPT in the situation of PDF-only products. But if I like the product and a book exists, I will buy the book whether o not I have a "free" PDF version.
I work as an entertainment attorney- fighting piracy pays some of my bills- and I can find no ethical reason to use pirated copies of anyone's intellectual property.
I will look over a illegal PDF, but if I don't like the RPG I will delete it, and if I do like the RPG I will buy the print version ASAP, and offering a free version of a PDF bundled with buying a print version does greatly increase the chances I will buy that as well.
Again, if the "real" price is fair in the market, I'll buy it after "trying out" the pirate version.
I liked to buy the expensive or core portions of any product and then when there are 30 add-ons/expansions/etc I generally will use these in pirated form.
In many cases pirated software is much more convenient to use. I have used much pirated software with the official version sitting (in shrink wrap) on the shelf since the pirated version is better (meaning no intrusive or bothersome DRM, usually)
5. How does having a "free" version (a version that has 90+% percent of the content, but may lack a few charts or artwork or in the case of software may have a few bonus/non-essential features missing) affect how likely you'll pirate the full/official version?
23 (39%): I never/rarely pirate anyway so it has no impact.
1 (2%): I would still want the full version and expect it for free.
35 (59%): A free version would let me try it so I'd be much less likely to need a "pirated" version.
6. Elaboration/comments on #5:
I like free/sample versions to let me try a product; I often go on to pay for the full version because I'm well aware that if I don't, more product will not be forthcoming.
I don't really even want a "full version" in a PDF, I want the full rules, but don't really care about the art, except for maps. What I want in a PDF is something that allows me to read the rules and to print out anything I need to print out as easily and cheaply as possible. Still, like I said above, I never keep a pirated copy, if I like it I buy legal copies, if I don't like it I delete it.
I have purchased stripped-down versions of RPGs and war-games that companies put out as low-cost alternatives to the hardcover, fully illustrated books as supplements to those originals. But again, those are legit products, not pirated IP.
As long as the "free" version lacks only artwork or fancy layout, I do not see the reason to even look at a pirated version. However, missing charts or text might make it difficult to know if the game is worth buying.
If a free version is available, I'll use that first (instead of a pirated version). If I like it enough and will continue to use it, I'll buy it.
In my business, I always pay for software (even if free versions are available, like AVG anti-virus). For personal use, I'll settle for AVG free.
See 4 above
Answer B didn't make sense. Is it trying to say that I want both a "free" version and full version, that is also free? Confusion. Also, by free, do you mean digital/pdf?
A free version that enables me & my group to evaluate a product can determine if we run it or not. If we run it, some of us (probably including me) will buy stuff for it. For example, we started playing D&D 4e before the books were published, thanks to the leaked PDFs. As soon as the books were published, we all bought copies. Some of us had NOT been excited about the prospect of playing 4e until we all actually gave it a try, and we could only do that using the leaked PDFs.
I have the money to buy what I like, so I choose not to pirate stuff. However, I often depend on demos/previews in making buying decisions.
It doesn't have to be free. A cheap pdf works just as well and generates sales $'s
If the free version shows me that it's somehting I'll want or use, then I will buy the official version.
Not certain if I understand the question. If I am not really interested enough in a game system to buy it...but it has a free version available...I'll probably take a look as long as it looks decent enough. If I like what I read and it impresses me that I might actually want to play, I'll definately buy it. If I don't like it then nothing lost except time...I wasn't going to get it in the first place...so except for time looking through it, I haven't lost anything and they probably haven't lost anything except the bandwidth I used to see if I liked it or not.
7. Other Comments:
One thing that keeps me from buying PDF's is because companies keep insisting that PDF's are worth 50% of the cost of a printed book. I am not dumb enough to fall for that. You want me to buy your PDF, offer it to me for less than 50%. I will have the print copy, and if you make the PDF too expensive I'll just scan what I want and print it that way, rather than let myself be ripped off.
The key thing to remember is that there is no way to stop piracy of game products. Steve Jackson Games, for example, knows it is going to happen but figures that it is not cutting into their profits enough, so they continue to publish pdfs of their books. If you have the physical books as the only available version for a certain time, then release the pdfs, you cut down dramatically the amount of piracy of your products.
A pdf is never as good as a book in your hands. Even a free pdf.
If someone sells a game for too much money or does not sell it in digital format, they lost me as a customer. I don't pirate, but I most probably won't even consider buying such a game. 15-20$ for everything I need to play is an absolute upper limit.
If I care about a product I will support it, if I do not like a product I will not.
Publishers who use cheap pdf's, quick starts and freebies to generate interest are more likely to get my gaming $.
Electronic copies of products should be free for those who buy hardcopies (or at least SIGNIFICANTLY reduced, not just a 10% reduction). If buying only an electronic copy, it should still be less than the hardcopy, but not as significantly reduced.
I don't believe this particular survey site has an option to show the results upon completion,
But here they are so far:
1. How often/under what circumstances do you buy a product that has very similar free version? (Where the free version is not just a quick-start pamphlet or highly crippled software, etc.)
29 (48%): I buy it if I plan to use it often even if it is almost exactly the same as the free version.
16 (26%): I buy it but only if it offers something extra. Ex: better graphics and/or better layout if it is a book; extra features if it is software; etc.
5 (8%): I buy it in certain other circumstances (elaborate below.)
11 (18%): I rarely buy it if there is a free version that is similar.
2. Elaboration/comments about #1:
Even if it's free, if it's something that I'll actually use than I'll buy it, ESPECIALLY if it's electronic. Having a page that I can turn to and not have to have a computer right next to me is invaluable.
If, after downloading the free version, if I decide it's not something I want or will use, I don't buy the final/pay version. If I decide I am going to use it, I'll buy it.
If there is a commercial print version of a free electronic product I like, I'm likely to purchase the print version. I like physical books better than electronic ones and find them more useful.
Something extra can simply be convenience. For example, I learned 3.x with the books, not the SRD. The SRD was a good reference, but it wasn't great for reading and learning the system.
I buy physical copies of games I run if the rules aren't too heavily revised by errata, since physical books are easier to read on the can and to hand to players.
I tend to buy something where there is a free version only when the pay-for version is in print (since the free version is usually software or a website) and I plan on using it regularly.
I prefer real books over pdf's
A purchased version gives greater support for electronic products and books are currently much easier to read than PDFs
The top two answers put together are closer, for me, than either alone. If I plan to use it often then I will buy it, but it is nice if it also looks good.
If there is a good free game, I will definitely play it, instead of a similar commercial one. If I play it a lot, I will send money to the creator of the free game. I definitely prefer paying for something I tried and liked instead of paying fo0r being able to try it.
I buy it (or not) once I've checked out the free version and decided whether it's any use to me.
I'll buy it only if it comes pre-packaged with something else. E.g. I buy windows when I get a laptop, even though my OS of choice is Ubuntu.
I'll buy it to get a print version.
I will download the free product, read it, and decide if I want to play/run the game. If so, I will buy the physical version as long as it is better then the version I can print myself.
If I'm going to use something a lot, I find that a commercial print version works best. It also allows me to support the people who make the product.
I use forums like En World to get an idea of the product first and even then try to preview it further within a store before ordering at discount.
Only if the preview or free version has convinced me this is something I will want to keep. Otherwise I discard the free version and don't buy.
If I really like a PDF or plan on using it a lot, I will buy the hard copy if available. A free PDF has never stopped me from buying the hard copy version of a book, if I like the product.
I'm looking for value, so whatever I buy had best be better than free- and pirated stuff won't even be considered.
I prefer to read print, so PDF is just a tool for me to use to make using the RPG easier, such as printing out a DM screen of my own liking, or to easily copy/paste things I want to reveal to my players, or to make rules cheat sheets to help speed up our play. The free PDF offered by Eclipse Phase led to my buying HC and trying out the RPG.
I would not be comfortable using pirated copies of a NEW product for a long period of time. I might use it for a few weeks, but then I'll pony up the money (as long as the price is fair in the market).
3. How does software piracy affect your use of pdfs/rpg-related software?
15 (25%): I never use pirated software.
15 (25%): I may try something out that is illegally copied but I almost always buy it if it is useful.
15 (25%): I try things out that are illegally copied but I usually buy it if it is useful.
12 (20%): I only use a pirated version if I can't buy the official version.
3 (5%): I rarely buy anything I can get for free even if the "free" version I have is copied illegally.
4. Elaboration/Comments on #3:
If a company cares so little about a product that they won't publish it or make it available, and I really want or need a copy to run a game...I'll go hunting down a copy any way I can find it, secondhand, or if it's not around that way, find it elsewhere.
Not only will I buy it if I find it useful, I won't buy it if I can't see it beforehand (whether as a legal free download/version, or an illegal download). I won't buy anything until I can preview it. And I mean REALLY preview it. I need to be able to read all of the product, and possibly even test drive it in play a bit. If it's good, I'll then go buy a copy. If not, I either delete the file, or it simply get's forgotten on my hardrive.
The chance to see a game via a pirate copy or inexpensive pdf before buying it is my prefered way to shop these days. With fewer brick & mortar stores its hard to get a look at newer games (outside WotC & WW) before buying. A cheap or free pdf (Like Pathfinder Beta and Core) sold me on the game. And sold it to all my players. We bought 6 PFRPG books despite having the rules on pdf.
I get into this situation if a friend loans me something. If I like it (and will use it) I'll buy my own copy.
I buy many useless things and illegally copy many useful things. I hope that my purchases generally balance out my illegal copying.
I don't have a FLGS so it is a way of looking before I buy
Electronic copies are great for looking through to make decisions. I guess I could go back to looking through role playing books at the stores instead though.
I really think that piracy is a bad thing - when I get software I want access to the updates and patches, I want the publisher to know what they are doing right (or wrong - if I don't like a piece of software then I neither pirate nor buy it.)
I used to use pirated pdfs, but I stopped doing it a few years ago. There are a lot of games available for free or as cheap (
On books, if I have a hard copy I feel no need to repurchase it electronically and will download a pirated PDF copy If it is electronic only, I will purchase a copy
I'll watch something streaming on justin.tv but won't download torrents (I buy a DVD if I want to own it).
Some pirated material is out of print and/or insanely overpriced. In those cases, as long as the pirated version is a good clean copy, I will use that version.
I'm an adult, and if I want something, well, it's time to pay for it.
Personal conviction and choise.
Although I have downloaded pirated PDFs, I have never done so with the mind-set of "Good thing I got this free, otherwise I would have had to spend a lot of cash on it." EXCEPT in the situation of PDF-only products. But if I like the product and a book exists, I will buy the book whether o not I have a "free" PDF version.
I work as an entertainment attorney- fighting piracy pays some of my bills- and I can find no ethical reason to use pirated copies of anyone's intellectual property.
I will look over a illegal PDF, but if I don't like the RPG I will delete it, and if I do like the RPG I will buy the print version ASAP, and offering a free version of a PDF bundled with buying a print version does greatly increase the chances I will buy that as well.
Again, if the "real" price is fair in the market, I'll buy it after "trying out" the pirate version.
I liked to buy the expensive or core portions of any product and then when there are 30 add-ons/expansions/etc I generally will use these in pirated form.
In many cases pirated software is much more convenient to use. I have used much pirated software with the official version sitting (in shrink wrap) on the shelf since the pirated version is better (meaning no intrusive or bothersome DRM, usually)
5. How does having a "free" version (a version that has 90+% percent of the content, but may lack a few charts or artwork or in the case of software may have a few bonus/non-essential features missing) affect how likely you'll pirate the full/official version?
23 (39%): I never/rarely pirate anyway so it has no impact.
1 (2%): I would still want the full version and expect it for free.
35 (59%): A free version would let me try it so I'd be much less likely to need a "pirated" version.
6. Elaboration/comments on #5:
I like free/sample versions to let me try a product; I often go on to pay for the full version because I'm well aware that if I don't, more product will not be forthcoming.
I don't really even want a "full version" in a PDF, I want the full rules, but don't really care about the art, except for maps. What I want in a PDF is something that allows me to read the rules and to print out anything I need to print out as easily and cheaply as possible. Still, like I said above, I never keep a pirated copy, if I like it I buy legal copies, if I don't like it I delete it.
I have purchased stripped-down versions of RPGs and war-games that companies put out as low-cost alternatives to the hardcover, fully illustrated books as supplements to those originals. But again, those are legit products, not pirated IP.
As long as the "free" version lacks only artwork or fancy layout, I do not see the reason to even look at a pirated version. However, missing charts or text might make it difficult to know if the game is worth buying.
If a free version is available, I'll use that first (instead of a pirated version). If I like it enough and will continue to use it, I'll buy it.
In my business, I always pay for software (even if free versions are available, like AVG anti-virus). For personal use, I'll settle for AVG free.
See 4 above
Answer B didn't make sense. Is it trying to say that I want both a "free" version and full version, that is also free? Confusion. Also, by free, do you mean digital/pdf?
A free version that enables me & my group to evaluate a product can determine if we run it or not. If we run it, some of us (probably including me) will buy stuff for it. For example, we started playing D&D 4e before the books were published, thanks to the leaked PDFs. As soon as the books were published, we all bought copies. Some of us had NOT been excited about the prospect of playing 4e until we all actually gave it a try, and we could only do that using the leaked PDFs.
I have the money to buy what I like, so I choose not to pirate stuff. However, I often depend on demos/previews in making buying decisions.
It doesn't have to be free. A cheap pdf works just as well and generates sales $'s
If the free version shows me that it's somehting I'll want or use, then I will buy the official version.
Not certain if I understand the question. If I am not really interested enough in a game system to buy it...but it has a free version available...I'll probably take a look as long as it looks decent enough. If I like what I read and it impresses me that I might actually want to play, I'll definately buy it. If I don't like it then nothing lost except time...I wasn't going to get it in the first place...so except for time looking through it, I haven't lost anything and they probably haven't lost anything except the bandwidth I used to see if I liked it or not.
7. Other Comments:
One thing that keeps me from buying PDF's is because companies keep insisting that PDF's are worth 50% of the cost of a printed book. I am not dumb enough to fall for that. You want me to buy your PDF, offer it to me for less than 50%. I will have the print copy, and if you make the PDF too expensive I'll just scan what I want and print it that way, rather than let myself be ripped off.
The key thing to remember is that there is no way to stop piracy of game products. Steve Jackson Games, for example, knows it is going to happen but figures that it is not cutting into their profits enough, so they continue to publish pdfs of their books. If you have the physical books as the only available version for a certain time, then release the pdfs, you cut down dramatically the amount of piracy of your products.
A pdf is never as good as a book in your hands. Even a free pdf.
If someone sells a game for too much money or does not sell it in digital format, they lost me as a customer. I don't pirate, but I most probably won't even consider buying such a game. 15-20$ for everything I need to play is an absolute upper limit.
If I care about a product I will support it, if I do not like a product I will not.
Publishers who use cheap pdf's, quick starts and freebies to generate interest are more likely to get my gaming $.
Electronic copies of products should be free for those who buy hardcopies (or at least SIGNIFICANTLY reduced, not just a 10% reduction). If buying only an electronic copy, it should still be less than the hardcopy, but not as significantly reduced.
