Return of Boxed Sets?

[Ashrem Bayle]

Cross-posted from the WOTC boards:


Imagine this:

For, let's say $60, you get:

• An adventure that goes from 1st to 5th level.
• A miniature for every monster used in the adventure. (Let's assume 20 minis, many of course would be used multiple times.)
• Miniature scale maps for every planned encounter. (Let's assume 15 maps.)
• A small book for the players that has 10-15 pre-generated PCs complete with proposed backgrounds and story hooks.
• A book for the DM that has the adventure in it.
• An appendix book that includes stats for nonstandard monsters, new magic items, town/city details, etc.

I think WOTC could do that and make a profit, and I know I'd buy it!
For around $60, you'd get everything you need for a few months of gaming.

I wonder if there is a market for this and if WOTC is giving it any thought. What do you guys think?

 

[Frostmarrow]

It can work. Only there won't be a mini for every monster. I sense that proxys will be used (because author creativity trumps miniature availability every time). I can't see premade characters make it in either. People are generally not interested in premades. Besides after Shadowfell (where premades is the only option) players will be longing to make there own.

 

[Glyfair]

[*]A miniature for every monster used in the adventure. (Let's assume 20 minis, many of course would be used multiple times.)

Based on my Eyes of the Lich Queeen miniature list, that's awfully low. That adventure runs about that many levels (admittedly the 5-10) and takes over 200 separate miniatures. Even if you discount the masses of pirates, you are still over 100 different miniatures.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Based on my Eyes of the Lich Queeen miniature list, that's awfully low. That adventure runs about that many levels (admittedly the 5-10) and takes over 200 separate miniatures. Even if you discount the masses of pirates, you are still over 100 different miniatures.

It depends on the intent of the adventure. You could write a good adventure that requires only 15 minis or so. But then again, you could write an adventure that requires the DM to go out and buy 100 minis too.

I figure they could supply 15 minis and provide a list of suitable substitutes. The DM can either buy the rest of the minis he needs, or use the subs.

 

[delericho]

I would be interested in something like that, up to a price point of $100 or so. However, it would need to include every miniature I would need (a reasonable level of substitution is acceptable), or no deal at any price.

 

[Gort]

That's a really cool idea, and I hope they pick it up. As long as the price is right, I'd be very tempted to buy it.

 

[Morrus]

I think WOTC could do that and make a profit

Are you saying this from a degree of knowledge about printing, distribution and development costs?

(Not knocking the idea - I'd certainly pay for it at that price. Just dunno how viable it is).

 

[Blackrat]

Yeah. I'd pay for it. Intriquing idea.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

I'd do it for $100, but I'd want:

• An adventure that goes from 1st to 10th level.
• A miniature for every monster used in the adventure. (Let's assume 30-50 minis, many of course would be used multiple times, and a small level of substitution would be ok.)
• Miniature scale maps for every planned encounter. (Let's assume 25 maps, some could be generic maps like city streets or forested areas that could be used multiple times.)
• A small book for the players that has 10-15 pre-generated PCs complete with proposed backgrounds and story hooks.
• Three books for the DM that have the adventures in them. Book #1 has levels 1-4, Book #2 has levels 5-7, Book #3 has levels 8-10. The adventure also needs to be designed so the PCs can take time to do other things between the three sub-adventures so DMs can work in their own stuff and PCs can deal with their own goals such as item creation or whatever.
• An appendix book that includes stats for nonstandard monsters, new magic items, town/city details, etc.
• A CD containing everything in PDF format.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Are you saying this from a degree of knowledge about printing, distribution and development costs?

(Not knocking the idea - I'd certainly pay for it at that price. Just dunno how viable it is).

No, not really. I know boxed sets are expensive, that's why WOTC dropped them. I think the price could be close to that, but it might vary a bit.

That said, it shouldn't be as expensive as it used to be now that WOTC has ramped up miniature production and technology has improved.