Star Wars RPG--What Happened?

[PenguinKing]

Do you see my point?

A creditable attempt to divert the issue - but no dice. The initial complaint was that WotC was engaging in gouging by charging more for exactly the same product. I just pointed out that it's not exactly the same product - production values widely differ. If you're saying it would be better to have cheaply-made products to keep production costs down, that may be a valid point - but it's the subject of a different argument.

- Sir Bob.

P.S. Nih!

 

[Bull]

Actually, reread my posts. I never said they were price gouging. I even said that, for what you get, it's a good value. But I'd RATHER have a slightly less "Slick" product for a more reasonable price.

The point was, $35-$40 is too damn much for a casual purchase, and for gamers as a whole, a lot of what we spend money on is a casual purchase. I've made my points on this, I don't need to repeat them.

Oh, and I'd disagree with you very much about the quality of art in WitC products, as a note. I loath the new art styles in the core books and the FR books. But that's another discussion for another day (And probably another flame war from the rabid WotC fanboys).

Also as another comment going off on a tangent... <shrug> I buy VERY few video games, and when i do, they're usually discounted. I can;t justify spending $50 for a video game, especially one I know I won't be playing 6 months from now. Hell, I can;t even bring myself to shell out $45 for the Sims, and I love that game and I know I'd still be breaking it out every now and then for the next couple years...

Bull

 

[dagger]

I dont mind spending 40 bucks on a book that I will be able to use in some way for 10 or more years.

 

[PenguinKing]

Oh, and I'd disagree with you very much about the quality of art in WitC products, as a note. I loath the new art styles in the core books and the FR books. But that's another discussion for another day (And probably another flame war from the rabid WotC fanboys).

I admit, perhaps "better" is too general a term, so allow me to elaborate: artists charge a higher commission for watercolor paintings than they do for pencil-sketches or black-and-while line-drawings, and it costs more per printing to reproduce a detailed painting than it does a photocopy-quality sketch.

- Sir Bob.

P.S. Nih!

 

[Ranger REG]

Actually, reread my posts. I never said they were price gouging. I even said that, for what you get, it's a good value. But I'd RATHER have a slightly less "Slick" product for a more reasonable price.

The point was, $35-$40 is too damn much for a casual purchase, and for gamers as a whole, a lot of what we spend money on is a casual purchase. I've made my points on this, I don't need to repeat them.

I usually spend $50 a month on casual purchase. So I shop more wisely before I buy products.

Oh, and I'd disagree with you very much about the quality of art in WitC products, as a note. I loath the new art styles in the core books and the FR books. But that's another discussion for another day (And probably another flame war from the rabid WotC fanboys).

Nevertheless, the arts are made by artists who need to get paid for their service, an expense that WotC has to factor into the pricing of the books.

You may loathe the new arts but then other people like it because of the visual, not their worth in an art gallery.

Also as another comment going off on a tangent... <shrug> I buy VERY few video games, and when i do, they're usually discounted. I can;t justify spending $50 for a video game, especially one I know I won't be playing 6 months from now. Hell, I can;t even bring myself to shell out $45 for the Sims, and I love that game and I know I'd still be breaking it out every now and then for the next couple years...

Bull

Good for you for being frugal. At least the all-in-one revised core rulebook is below $45.

 

[TeaBee]

I was about to ask them to switch my subscription to the Star Wars Insider to Star Wars Gamer. I guess I need'nt bother now.

 

[Vuron]

I think the issue is more related to WotC gauging initial sales based on 3e sales figures. This BTW seemed to also be the fate of Wheel of Time, which many people myself included think is a superior system than default 3e. Anyway back to analysis WotC executives no doubt assumed that SWRPG would enjoy the same number of purchases as 3e did based upon the wider appeal of the material and the fact the system was relatively self contained.

So lets say that WotC gets the printers to make something like 500,000 copies of the core rulebook (maybe higher or lower) but they sell only 300,000 well suddenly thier profit margin has been shredded and as retailers can't move all thier core rulebooks they order less of the supplements. Vicious circle ensues.

Don't get me wrong I have most of the SWRPG d20 materials and I thoroughly enjoy the system despite wonky ship rules. Could it be improved yes and I expect lots of improvements in the 2nd release. In fact I'd love for WotC to utilize some of the exciting rules changes found in SWRPG and WoT in a revised 3e.

I think the fundamental problem is that sales did not meet expectations or perhaps printing costs on the supplements and we are suffering the effects of that with a drastically reduced production schedule and the cancellation of SW Gamer.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

.
In fact I'd love for WotC to utilize some of the exciting rules changes found in SWRPG and WoT in a revised 3e.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!

I see a vicious cycle here, WOTC will put out a new revised SWRPG core book after the third movie as well, with "crucial" material and rules updates based on the third movie. I don't want D&D to be putting out new revised core books every year. The game is fine the way it is, before long it won't be D&D anymore if people keep changing it to be inline with other d20 games.

 

[Ranger REG]

That depends on George Lucas. Word has it that Lucasfilm ordered WotC to put out a new revised rulebook with material from Episode II. This gives WotC an added opportunity to make changes to the rules to please fans' feedback.

One more thing: please support Star Wars Gamer magazine. Convince your friends or better yet, buy a copy for a friend. Let WotC know that this magazine (albeit not widely circulated around the world outside of US/Canada) is worth selling.

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

Word has it that Lucasfilm ordered WotC to put out a new revised rulebook with material from Episode II.

Star Wars II: "Ve were only obeying orders!"

Fuhrer George (to WoTC): Achtung! Putten out der new game at once! Mein Episode Zwei ist comink out und ve must haff more lizensed merchandise for der peoples to buy!

WoTC (to George): Jawuhl, mein fuhrer!

WoTC (to employees): Ve must not disobey der Fuhrer's directive! Putten out ze new game at once! Mach schnell, meine herren Wiker und Slavicek! Get der lead out!

I can see it all now, LOL!