Price-Sensitive Gamers

[Heretic Apostate]

It's gotten to the point where I can't justify my hobby any more. I spend about $2,000 a year on RPGs. And for what? I haven't even sat at a gaming table in about 4 years, and haven't played an RPG in 9 years.

Personally, the only way I can think of to cure me of the addiction to purchasing supplements I won't ever use is to sell it all off, so there's no chance in heck of me rebuilding my collection (short of winning the lottery, of course).

If I can get a decent offer, that's exactly what I'll do. (Mind you, that won't stop me from talking about the game. I might just keep the core three books, on the off chance I someday find a gaming group. Not likely, though. The OTHER reason, aside from money, for me divesting myself is the fact that there might be a snowball's chance in hell of me getting together with the girl whom I've adored for 14 years now. I've had more fun hanging out with her in church than I've had in the last several years combined browsing through my supplements. Heh, a heretic and an apostate in church. Go figure... )

 

[rounser]

No roleplaying book does anything though -- except inpire you, and art can certainly do that well.

Ooh, good point. Very true, too...

Do RPG book art directors consider the amount of idea content, atmosphere and inspiration in pictures on top of whether they're just pleasing to look at or technically correct?

Probably, but it may explain why some amateurish, old RPG ink artwork is more idea-inspiring in some cases than beautiful oils done by pros working to specific requirements.

 

[gariig]

Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Macy's are all department stores -- and I don't think they follow quite the same model as Wal-Mart.

That is very true, but normally when a place like that "clearances" stuff its becuase there is new clothes to fill it (different seanons/styles) or they are selling HORRIBLY. If you ever go to Wal-Mart and look for clearance it's almost non-exsistent. It doesn't fit their model, their markup is already nil they can't afford to discount it even more (unless no units are being sold and it would be better to fill the space with something more profitable).

I was at Office Depot for a while and stuff on clearance there was normally Model 1 of Product A and the improved Model 2 will be out so they need to get rid of Model 1 or stuff no one buys (backup tapes).

Gariig

 

[Mistwell]

That is very true, but normally when a place like that "clearances" stuff its becuase there is new clothes to fill it (different seanons/styles) or they are selling HORRIBLY. If you ever go to Wal-Mart and look for clearance it's almost non-exsistent. It doesn't fit their model, their markup is already nil they can't afford to discount it even more (unless no units are being sold and it would be better to fill the space with something more profitable).

I was at Office Depot for a while and stuff on clearance there was normally Model 1 of Product A and the improved Model 2 will be out so they need to get rid of Model 1 or stuff no one buys (backup tapes).

Gariig

Fine, then use the bookstore analogy. It is probably closer to the RPG market anyway. Bookstores release new hardbacks, and included in the price of those hardbacks is the assumption that after 6 months, it will be placed on sale. If you badly want to read the new release, you buy it at full price. If you can be patient and wait, you can buy the on-sale version six months later. Perhaps RPG's should work the same way.

 

[Purple]

I wish people would quit comparing movies to RPGs. A great movie stays with you looooooooong after the running time is over.

And a really great game session dosen't? I haven't played much in the past 5 years or so (not at all for over 2 years), but I can still remember details from games ~15 years ago. There are a lot of movies I don't remember as well that I've seen more recently.

On the subject of price, the only reason that I haven't picked up some of the more recent stuff is that I don't have a gaming group to use any of the stuff I've already picked up with. I'd really like to get Spycraft and d20 CoC, but they really, really would be just reading material. At least when I go to Origins I know that I will be able to play D&D. It is an addiction (for me at least), but if I kicked it then I don't know what I would do with all of that money. Probably just buy more card games.

-Purple

 

[KnowTheToe]

I'll just chime in and agree with those who say that they wished that some RPG books cost more.

I want the best RPG books I can get. I want brilliant people to be able to support themselves by writing and producing great material for this hobby. This is my favorite hobby. I want it to be better. And I'm willing to pay for it.

The problem is if prices climb too high, new players may not give the game a chance and then there are fewer books, fewer players and fewer choices. Quantity is the only way to turn a long term profit in this market.

 

[KnowTheToe]

May I also add, price usually does not translate equally to quality.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

No roleplaying book does anything though -- except inpire you, and art can certainly do that well.

Maybe. But art doesn't need to be full color on glossy paper to be inspiring. I find the 3e art to be...weak. Some of the Iconic characters seem to be from a blade runner flick. Sure it's technically better than the old stuff, but the feel isn't half of what I get from the older stuff. The picture of the Sorcerer is almost enough to inspire me to play an older edition.

I guess art is the least important thing is my buying decision concerning RPS's.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

And a really great game session dosen't? I haven't played much in the past 5 years or so (not at all for over 2 years), but I can still remember details from games ~15 years ago. There are a lot of movies I don't remember as well that I've seen more recently.

On the subject of price, the only reason that I haven't picked up some of the more recent stuff is that I don't have a gaming group to use any of the stuff I've already picked up with. I'd really like to get Spycraft and d20 CoC, but they really, really would be just reading material. At least when I go to Origins I know that I will be able to play D&D. It is an addiction (for me at least), but if I kicked it then I don't know what I would do with all of that money. Probably just buy more card games.

-Purple

My thing is this. Me and most of my friends still use lines from Caddyshack in our daily conversation. We still laugh when we talk about our favorite parts.

 

[mmadsen]

But art doesn't need to be full color on glossy paper to be inspiring.

I can't help but think that most people prefer full-color art on glossy paper to black-and-white line art on pulp paper. (Not that black-and-white art doesn't have a place in setting, say, a gothic mood.)

I find the 3e art to be...weak.

You're not alone in disliking 3E's art, but I don't see that as damning to art in RPG books as a whole.

I guess art is the least important thing is my buying decision concerning RPS's.

Many people say that -- quite vocally too! -- on RPG boards all the time, but products with good art consistently sell better.

To get back on topic, would you buy more products like the Forgotten Realms book if they lost all the art and high-quality paper but cost a few bucks less?

I consider myself price-sensitive, but I definitely think art and presentation carry great value.