Return of Boxed Sets?

[Duncan Haldane]

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?

I've often thought about something similar to this idea.

My idea is for a "value-added" extra component for the mega adventures.
I ran a group through Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, so I had some experience working with this.

My suggestion is that the "extras" for the module are purchased seperately. I'd also go for a cheaper method - Electronic download, print-yourself, Dungeon maps, monster tokens, and as well, character files for the NPCs (specifically the classed ones, not just monsters).

Now I would be interested in buying maps and tokens pre-printed, but I don't think such a product would sell enough for most stores to carry. If it's electronic then you don't need to pre-make or stock copies, so that makes it easier.

A whole community sprang up around RttToEE, with people creating PC Gen files for many of the NPCs (unfortunately outdated when PC Gen versions changed dramatically), and including variation on NPCs with newer material published by WotC (ie, prestige classes in splat books replacing other class levels on NPCs where appropriate).

I know I would have been prepared to pay a fair amount to buy these kind of value-added products for the module.

Also I think it's something that WotC could consider outsourcing to smaller third-party companies. WotC have a lot of overhead that smaller companies don't.

Duncan

 

[Michael_R_Proteau]

Another thing to consider in the cost is that boxed sets historically have high rates of damages and returns from the bookstore market that buys products on a returnable basis (as opposed to the hobby market that does not). Damaged returns from chain stores like Borders, B&N etc. on boxed sets is somewhere around a quarter to a third of units shipped ot them, which means those units net 0 profit for WotC and MSRP has to be raised to account for such predicted shortfalls on products of this nature. Damages are usually pulped or discarded with onl;y a cover or side of the box returned to establish credit by the retailers (all those books with their covers shorn off). Hardcovers and siftcovers have a much lower rate of returns (and a much longer shelf-life) than boxed sets, so do not eat into print run profits as much.

As someone said, the Basic Set was essentially a loss leader and/or experiment ot see if market conditions changed with boxes. With bookstore retailers and Amazon buying on a returable basis, the risk of potential loss on such a product is higher than on the hardcovers, and that potential risk has to be covered by an inflated MSRP on the product. $60 for a boxed set is a low low estimate, especially considering the MSRP of the boxed sets from 3rd party publishers over the last 2 years has been higher than that and have had no minis or minature scale maps in them. Even considering the costs of printing a smaller print run for the 3rd party publishers, I would say that an MSRP of $60 for a product with contents like you described is way too optimistic. $75 would be my lowest estimate, and that is I think wishful thinking.

A starter for DDM has 8 approximately 7-8 minis, 2 maps, a rulebook and a d20, and has retailed for $20. At 3 times that price, you are more than tripling the number of minis involved, more than tripling the number of maps, and adding an adventure, and all the other mateirals you mentioned. I don't see it happening. I might snag it if it did, but I don't see it happening at that price point.

-M

 

[MerricB]

I'm also going to point out the more recent D&D Basic Game has only twelve minis in it. One Large Blue Dragon + 11 medium or small minis.

Cheers!

 

[Treebore]

I'm just going to point out I have bought the Wilderlands boxed set, City of Brass boxed set, DCC 35 Boxed Set, and the Rappan Athuk: Reloaded Boxed set. Plus I have every intention and desire to buy the "Castle Whiterock" boxed set.

So boxed sets have "been back" for me for a couple of years now.

Strangely, all the boxed sets I have bought haven't had miniatures, or mini scaled battle maps.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I'd buy it in a second. It'd be a great way to have a "pick-up" game around the house with which to introduce new players to the game.