Price-Sensitive Gamers

[mmadsen]

In an old thread, Ryan Dancey (or someone quoting him) said that he'd like to see just how much gamers would be willing to pay for a high-end gaming product. Forgotten Realms sold even better than projected, and it was a $40 book.

Someone else, a game publisher, pointed out that he wasn't selling many of his super-cheap water-damaged products off his company's web site.

Basically, they were both saying that gamers aren't that price sensitive. They'll buy a really good product even if it costs more, and they won't buy a so-so product (or one that isn't right up their alley) even if its cheap. (Please note the price-sensitivity goes both ways.)

Really, I'm not so sure about that. A few months back, when I swung by the Wizards of the Coast store, they had a 50%-off clearance section. I picked up both Creature Collections and three adventure modules. I would not have bought any of those products at full price, I don't think.

Further, I perused Rokugan and Magic of Rokugan, and I was quite impressed by both books -- but I picked up the bargain books instead.

So, are you a price-sensitive gamer?

 

[Sulimo]

Yep. I'm willing to admit I'm pretty price sensitive normally. Aside from a few lines, I'm very particular about what I buy these days. And its always related to price. I remember in ye olde dayes where our group used to buy pretty much anything that turned up. Whenever a new system would come out we'd buy it.

Now with most things being hardcover and full colour (and with the local currency exaccerbating the problem) I dont buy much at all. For instance the last full-price WOTC book I bought was Sword & Fist when it was first released.

There's plenty of things I'd love to get though...Travellerd20, Judge Dredd, Slaine for instance. Price is also the reason why I havent bought any Realms or Star Wars supplements (beyond the main books).

Then again, I still buy comics and look at the costs there. Although again I've cut way back due to rising costs.

 

[Crothian]

You wouldn't know it by looking at my collection, but I am. I get use out of almost everything I have. There are only two or three books (out of like 50) that I think I'll never use. I always look over the used or dicounted stuff, there are things I will buy at a discount that I would not at full price.

 

[Thorin Stoutfoot]

I've always been cheap

So the minimum discount it would take to hook me has been Amazon.com's 30% off with free shipping. (It turns out to be 35% for me, since I use an eCard (http://www.getecard.com), which offers an additoinal 5% off)

Lately, I've been wondering why I bother buying stuff that I'll never play, so I've been slowly backing off on stuff I buy. Still, adventures always interest me, so I'll pick up the Banewarrens eventually. After all, adventures usually end up getting used, though unfortunately sometimes not until 10 years later.

My record, though is Temple of Elemental Evil. I bought that in 1987, and didn't play it until last year (2001), when I dusted it off and applied 3e to it. I bought Masks of Nyarlathotep, and didn't play that until this year (2002).

I was suffering from d20 Modern & Spycraft lust, but my players didn't want me to run d20 Gatchaman, so now both those games are off the "must get" list. I guess we'll have to finish my ToEE game first before I get around to playing any other campaign.

 

[Sulimo]

Re: I've always been cheap

Lately, I've been wondering why I bother buying stuff that I'll never play, so I've been slowly backing off on stuff I buy. Still, adventures always interest me, so I'll pick up the Banewarrens eventually. After all, adventures usually end up getting used, though unfortunately sometimes not until 10 years later.

I was suffering from d20 Modern & Spycraft lust, but my players didn't want me to run d20 Gatchaman, so now both those games are off the "must get" list. I guess we'll have to finish my ToEE game first before I get around to playing any other campaign.

I still haven't done that yet. I'm just more selective, mainly buying crunch-lite sourcebooks that are fun reads.

 

[Ulrick]

The last gaming product I bought at full price was the Warhammer Fantasy Role Play. But that's only because I was told it had bang for its buck (and it really does), and I couldn't find it cheaper elsewhere.

But I refuse to pay full price for an RPG product...unless I really want it and I can't find it elsewhere (and that is very rare, very rare).

I hardly ever buy anything at my local gaming store anymore because they never have decent sales (or sales for that matter). I take advantage of Amazon's 30% off with free shipping on orders more than $25.

Also I've cut back on buying products...I just don't have the money. And if I had the money I'd probably wouldn't buy so much anyway.

Ulrick

 

[Umbran]

I remember the discussions you mention, mmadsen. I was one of those who suggested going to higher prices would be bad for business, especially in the long run.

Folk like me, working on a student's budget, have to be price sensitive. Simply can't afford to throw money away. For the moment, gamers may generally be affluent old-timers. But in the long run, new gamers will likely come from the student ranks. That means the long-term health of the hobby calls for keeping prices down a bit. IMHO.

 

[mmadsen]

Folk like me, working on a student's budget, have to be price sensitive. Simply can't afford to throw money away.

Understandable.

For the moment, gamers may generally be affluent old-timers. But in the long run, new gamers will likely come from the student ranks. That means the long-term health of the hobby calls for keeping prices down a bit.

I think the key is that there has to be a cheap entry-point into gaming -- but it doesn't hurt to have high-end supplements for those "affluent old-timers" (assuming they do indeed sell). I'd love to see a true Basic Set for 3E, like the Adventure Game, but with just a bit more meat.

 

[Thorin Stoutfoot]

I think the key is that there has to be a cheap entry-point into gaming -- but it doesn't hurt to have high-end supplements for those "affluent old-timers" (assuming they do indeed sell). I'd love to see a true Basic Set for 3E, like the Adventure Game, but with just a bit more meat.

I don't see it happening any time soon, given the economics. If you take a look at say, the Lord of the Rings adventure game, that's selling at $40. Not only that, but it's selling well according to the folks at Decipher. Compare with the Players Handbook at $30, and I think you'll see that the PHB is already cheap enough. And that's all you need as an entry-level player. The DMG, MM, and other splats aren't necessary to play. If you're DMing, you're not an entry-level player.

To top it off, you can buy all 3 core books for $60 at Amazon.com, free shipping.

A lot of old timers are thinking of the old D&D basic set retailing at $10. But remember, with inflation and the cost of boxed sets going up, I'll be surprised if WoTC could make money on those even if they were priced at $30. And a basic set at $40 would just be superfluos, compared to the $30 price of the PHB.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I'm a spend a holic, if i have the money chances are i'll leave with something, although sence my income has dropped off recently i've been thinking about price a lot before buying anything. Some of the prices on books these days are painfully high. While there are a lot of things out and coming out that i want, i have no choice but to pick up the few things that i want the most and that will actually get used. For instance i got Monster Manual 2, but am passing on DoVD, and the Silver Marches for now. I'll get Mutants and Masterminds, becuase i really want it and my DM is already preparing a game, but i'll hold off on any supplemental material.

When the moneys there i guess i gloss over cost, but now that it's not...the high prices have become a real issue.