D&D 4E So why does the 4e DMG costs the same as PHB?

[Mistwell]

Because the PHB should cost more, but like with 3e they reduced the PHB price to persuade more people to buy it's first print run

 

[dmccoy1693]

I work in production.

So I only know what Marketing tells me (It's based on Margketing Logic, so do with that what you will).

A lot of effort goes into determining the price.

Cost (Production, my area).

Competition (WW, Green Ronin).

Audience (Where Marketing Logic comes in).

This just didn't seem right to me and I've been trying to figure it out all day and I finally figured it out. It's the competition line, there is no competition. WotC effectively has a monopoly on the PHB and DMG. Yes some other companies have come up with alternate PHBs and plenty have alternate MM. But DMGs are still without competition. There are supplements of traps and magic items, but none that I know of that also contain DMing advise, instructions on how to write an adventure, examples of what various NPC classes should look like at various levels, a point buy chargen system, etc. Even the PHB has little true competition. Some tweek the informaiton presented in the PHB and some expand the information prestented, but few replace it. Simplist reason is that if it was a true replacement for the PHB, it would not be able to call itself d20.

WW (even Arthaus) is not D&D's competition. Same with Green Ronin. White Wolf makes a game with a completely different feel, in an entirely different universe, using totally different systems. WW is in as much competition with D&D as Hostess cupcakes are in competition with Green Giant Mixed Veggies. Both are sold in a supermarket, both are eaten by humans, but they serve completely different needs/desires, and buying one generally doesn't mean one less sale of another. Same could be said for Green Ronin and Paizo, but for different reasons. D&D is the McDonalds of the gaming industry. Green Ronin and Paizo are like Jack in the Box and Whataburger (if you've never heard of these, that's half the point). These two burger chains don't compete with McDonalds, but thrive on those that don't like McDonalds or are looking for something less unhealthy or simply want a different taste. Over the long haul, these companies don't put the hurt on WotC's profits. They may work in area not covered by WotC (or not covered well), but don't truely go head to head with them.

 

[thalmin]

I beg to differ. The PHB has a lot of competition, if you consider it not just as the PHB but as D&D. It competes with M&M, Rifts, Runequest, World of Darkness, WOW, Nintendo, Wii, television and anything else a potential gamer might spend his entertainment money on.

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

WW (even Arthaus) is not D&D's competition.

I DID say marketing Logic (Which may be a lot more complicated now that Hasbro is in the mix).

D&D is a RPG. D&D Sells to the RPG Audience. Therefore, anything that sells to the RPG Market is Competition.

They may determine the Competition is Minor. However, every White Wolf player (or WoW player for that matter) could be seen by marketing as a potential consumer.

Therefore, you must either A) Try to get them to buy your product instead. B) Forget about them, and all those massive, massive, amoutn of lost sales.

Once Marketing gets involved, things get tricky. Off-hand, I'd say they view their greatest competiton (and most potential sales) coming from the MMORP People.