Splitting up your ttrpg into free vs $, pdf vs hardcover

[cavetroll]

Kevin Crawford (Star Without Numbers, Worlds Without Numbers) does a spin on this.

You can get the books for free, but there's deluxe editions that have some additional stuff in it. For example, in Worlds Without Numbers you get all the stuff you'd expect from a core rulebook for free. The rules, the classes, the equipment, etc. But there's an additional chapter or two of very good DM tools in the deluxe editions that have somewhat became his trademark and it incentivizes people to get the deluxe edition. Always seemed like a very honest offer to me, and he seems to be having some success!

Great point, I'll take a look at that, maybe the simplest thing is to split it into two books, like a Players Handbook and a DMG with the DMG containing all the monsters. That way players don't need to pay for a lot of pages they don't need per se. Nice thanks!

 

[Jd Smith1]

Well thats not the point of the thread, and they are good questions, lets just say I know its new and exciting and there is nothing like it, but I am a little biased Whether there will be broad appeal, whether I can market it wide enough, that is a different question that will remain to be seen. But I'm not doing it "for the money" im doing it "cause its fun" and if I make just 1000 people happy for a few days, then its worth it.

Its never too early to pimp your work. But my question wasn't angling for a description, but whether you felt actually had something new.

Every regular poster here knows you're not in it for the money; the odds of you breaking even are pretty long. But hey, you might be the exception that proves the rule.

 

[gamerprinter]

I am a small TTRPG publisher, though I'm primarily a creator of map content, and I support the Starfinder Roleplaying Game with modules, supplements and setting material. I have one FREE product in the form of a one-shot module. The rest of my products are paid for items, though not very expensive, just the same. I do all my maps, and all my art - so I don't require immediate pay back to pay them. I split profits with my authors, and we edit each others work, to preclude having an editor. I don't know if how I marketed my goods in comparison to your choices is better or worse, though I will continue to create and market as I've been doing for the past 15 years. I'm Gamer Printshop, my publishing company, though I primarily sell on DrivethruRPG.

 

[cavetroll]

Its never too early to pimp your work. But my question wasn't angling for a description, but whether you felt actually had something new.

Yeah its new, but its a very specific niche, that will appeal to some but of no interest to many. How many is some, idk. But I would have loved it as a kid, but ttrpgs genre is still pretty small compared to video games, so small of small, maybe its 1000, 10k, 100k, idk, I hope to finish by Christmas and then we shall see.

 

[Jd Smith1]

Yeah its new, but its a very specific niche, that will appeal to some but of no interest to many. How many is some, idk. But I would have loved it as a kid, but ttrpgs genre is still pretty small compared to video games, so small of small, maybe its 1000, 10k, 100k, idk, I hope to finish by Christmas and then we shall see.

Leave far more towards 1000 or fewer. Probably closer to a couple hundred.

 

[gamerprinter]

Yeah its new, but its a very specific niche, that will appeal to some but of no interest to many. How many is some, idk. But I would have loved it as a kid, but ttrpgs genre is still pretty small compared to video games, so small of small, maybe its 1000, 10k, 100k, idk, I hope to finish by Christmas and then we shall see.

Not going to give you any predictions, as I cannot determine the success on my products (some sell, some don't), and while I try to create content that I think has value and should sell, I don't use some method to generate the most capital or the most sales as a proper business might, rather I'm more a gamer and artist who creates content more for my needs to create than anything else. It does creates an income stream, though it might not replace a job. I'm retired, so I'm in different circumstance, probably.

 

[cavetroll]

Not going to give you any predictions, as I cannot determine the success on my products (some sell, some don't), and while I try to create content that I think has value and should sell, I don't use some method to generate the most capital or the most sales as a proper business might, rather I'm more a gamer and artist who creates content more for my needs to create than anything else. It does creates an income stream, though it might not replace a job. I'm retired, so I'm in different circumstance, probably.

I'm creating it more for my legacy to give some joy in the world, cause D&D was a huge impact and joy in my life when i was 11, and then in college.
I'm thinking suppose users only buy 100 books, in that case its irrelevant if it is free or $2 or $5.
But lets say, in the unlikely event its wildly popular and I move 10,000 books.
If I sell them at $2 each, then great I've paid off the artwork and its a great success.
But if they were all free its a success, just a missed financial opportunity.

Anyway I think what I will do is as suggested, I'll give away the Core Rules and the starter adventure.
Then I'll have a DMG and Monster Manual equivalent for $5 pdfs and cost + $10 books as they are not technically required unless you are building your own adventures.
Second modules and ongoing adventures I'll do the same $5 profit each. I think that's a nice balance.

 

[Jd Smith1]

I'm creating it more for my legacy to give some joy in the world, cause D&D was a huge impact and joy in my life when i was 11, and then in college.
I'm thinking suppose users only buy 100 books, in that case its irrelevant if it is free or $2 or $5.
But lets say, in the unlikely event its wildly popular and I move 10,000 books.
If I sell them at $2 each, then great I've paid off the artwork and its a great success.
But if they were all free its a success, just a missed financial opportunity.

Anyway I think what I will do is as suggested, I'll give away the Core Rules and the starter adventure.
Then I'll have a DMG and Monster Manual equivalent for $5 pdfs and cost + $10 books as they are not technically required unless you are building your own adventures.
Second modules and ongoing adventures I'll do the same $5 profit each. I think that's a nice balance.

If you sell 10,000 copies, you'll be a legend. Remember, a lot of gaming groups only see the GM purchasing a copy.

Start establishing a social media presence now; you'll need all the help you can. And take a look at all the threads started here by other game designers. A lot of real legends in this industry are stone cold broke.

 

[IvyDragons]

If you sell 10,000 copies, you'll be a legend.

10k doesn't sound a lot, some youtube Canadian boys did it https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2144996758/dungeons-of-drakkenheim
and theirs were $80 a pop.

 

[Jd Smith1]

10k doesn't sound a lot, some youtube Canadian boys did it https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2144996758/dungeons-of-drakkenheim
and theirs were $80 a pop.

Well, while I would never question the veracity of someone on YouTube, I would suggest consulting one of the real RPG designers that post regularly here. There are countless threads in which they bemoan the difficulties of the industry.