RPGNow Sales Numbers Update

[jmucchiello]

I would like to see the PDF industry be more involved with the developers of PCGen to get some of thier info into the books. Heck, you could bundle the PCGen or E-tools files into the ZIP file you send out with the PDFs. To me, I have to purchase a book and then spend a good amount of my time coding the data (in this case The Book of Templates from Silverthorne games).

I don't use PCGen or E-tools. While it would be nice to include such goodies with my products, I just don't have the time to learn yet another markup system to translate my stuff into. I haven't looked at PCGen in a while but IIRC a year or two ago there were constant changes to the file layout.

Also, considering how fast I am with getting new product out there (read: too dang slow), should I spend my time learning how to program stuff into those tools? Making sure edits make their way into those files? Patching those files when the file format changes? Sorry. But I don't think you want me to raise the price to include that extra work. (And even if you don't mind a higher price, other potential customers, who don't need these files, will mind.)

 

[Nine Hands]

I don't use PCGen or E-tools. While it would be nice to include such goodies with my products, I just don't have the time to learn yet another markup system to translate my stuff into. I haven't looked at PCGen in a while but IIRC a year or two ago there were constant changes to the file layout.

Also, considering how fast I am with getting new product out there (read: too dang slow), should I spend my time learning how to program stuff into those tools? Making sure edits make their way into those files? Patching those files when the file format changes? Sorry. But I don't think you want me to raise the price to include that extra work. (And even if you don't mind a higher price, other potential customers, who don't need these files, will mind.)

I could always see what I can do. I already have most of the Senses Tuesday Two Pager done in PCGen. Maybe we can work something out

 

[Krug]

Any further updates?

 

[philreed]

Update

Just the for sale D20 PDFs on RPGNow.

101 Spell Components -- 186
101 Collection -- 33
101 Mundane Treasures -- 413
101 Spellbooks -- 346
Another 101 Mundane Treasures -- 179
Construct Mechanus -- 125
BlackWater -- 67
Possessors -- 55
Scrollworks -- 23

 

[annadobritt]

SRD in pdf format - 41



Have to say that RPGNow is the best place to buy pdfs

 

[Scott Lynch]

Howdy, all-- here are my RPGnow figures as of tonight:

The Book of Distinctions & Drawbacks: 273
Deeds Not Words Revision 1.1: 21
Killers, Volume One: Cold Hearts & Hired Knives: 9


Now, DNW 1.0 sold 350+ copies off my own website, and 1.1 has sold another 20+ off the website... I'd just be curious to find out what I could do to give it a boost on RPGnow.com. DNW has already earned its keep, don't get me wrong, it's just that 1.1 is, IMHO, superior to 1.0 in every respect and I'd like to see it do just a tad bit better, sales-wise.

I would concur with the thought that the more generic a d20 PDF is, the better its sales will probably be, and I would add that the *more useful/cool the topic* and *the more under-represented the topic,* the better it will do. For example, the Book of Distinctions & Drawbacks has also sold 120+ copies off my own website. I can't seem to *stop* people from buying it. It's still outselling both of my later RPGnow releases four months after its posting on RPGnow.com. I don't know of any other commercial product covering its niche.

*Killers,* on the other hand, while something I badly wanted to get "out of my system" for fun... I guess I should have known that NPC collections this late in the d20 game just aren't going to bring the crowd to its feet.

Cheers!

SL

 

[jgbrowning]

A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe - 386
A Magical City Guide- 658
Party of One: Leda- 20

joe b.

 

[meatpopsicl3]

OK, here goes:

Tournaments, Fairs & Taverns -- 1071
The Elements of Magic -- 822
WIld Spellcraft -- 700
Four-Color to Fantasy -- 530
In the Saddle: Horses & Other Mounts -- 357
The Complete Guide to Drow -- 303
Moon Elves -- 294
Death: Guardian at the Gate -- 231
Dweomercraft: Enchanters -- 188

We're Not Worthy!

 

[philreed]

Update

Since this thread came back to the surface here's an update.

101 Arcane Spell Components -- 191
101 Collection -- 98
101 Divine Spell Components -- 38
101 Mundane Treasures -- 427
101 Spellbooks -- 354
Another 101 Mundane Treasures -- 225
Construct Mechanus -- 150
BlackWater -- 76
Possessors -- 62
Scrollworks -- 47

These are RPGNow numbers and just my D20 PDFs that are for sale.

It's interesting to watch the sales from month to month.

 

[jgbrowning]

A Magical Medieval City Guide (free)- 1276
A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe- 538
Internet Arcana- 38
Party of One: Leda- 30

Disappointed with Internet Arcana (think the two SRDs that came out right before it killed sales) and just slightly disappointed with Party of One:Leda (we'd hoped it would be over 50 by now).

joe b.