THe RPG book you've waited for is going to be a PDF only release, do you buy?

[Crothian]

Eden on their boards has posted a very interesting question. They have asked their fans to see if the much waited for Welcome to Sunnydale book for Buffy can only be a PDF release would people buy it. I want to generalize that question to be any book you've been waiting for by any company. If the book was only able to be relased as a PDF would you still buy it?

 

[Jdvn1]

I might need an 'other'--I'd answer "Only if it were through ENGS"... I like having the bookshelf.

 

[Crothian]

I might need an 'other'--I'd answer "Only if it were through ENGS"... I like having the bookshelf.

The method used to recieve the PDF doesn't need to be a factor other then you are buying it not getting it for free. You can assume that if you would only buy from X store that they would carry it. Thanks.

 

[Barak]

I voted no.

While I enjoyed reading some PDFs, I do not use PDFs in my regular gaming. And while I do play in games on-line, in which case a "book" being a PDF is not really an issue, I don't buy gaming material only for on-line play.

 

[Beckett]

Sure. I've bought some books as PDF, and only later upgraded to hardcopy- Mastering Iron Heroes and Transcendence are two that come to mind (and the later I only got a copy because I think I had a discount, and I was finding the book very handy). Others, like Iron Heroes, I was so excited about I bought the PDF, since it was release first, then grabbed the physical book as soon as it came out.

I prefer to buy real books, because having a physical copy makes it easier for me to read anywhere (on break at work, in the bathroom), not just when I'm thinking about it and at my computer. The Book of Iron Might has some nifty stuff, but because I only have it as PDF, it just doesn't get used. But, if I can only get a book as PDF, I'll still buy it.

 

[Psion]

Apparently so, since I am still awaiting Green Ronin to finish out their Advanced Race and Class Codices online...

I've got a printer. Hardcopy published would have been nice, but in the end, it's all about the content.

 

[EricNoah]

I am somewhat of a PDF convert. I do find that it depends on the product though. A setting or adventure product really needs to be printed out, too -- I can't really read and digest a lot of text reading from the screen. If it's more of a reference work (lots of little chunks that can be read in any order) then PDF works fine for me. So, ultimately -- sure, I'd buy it in PDF if that were the only format.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Well, first let me address the "Buffy" aspect of this poll...

I've been a supporter of Edens' "Buffy" game since Day 1, and I've been waiting for this supplement since it was first anounced. (It's actually still on my "Special Order" list at my local FLGS!)

And I'd be sorely disappointed if this were to come out in PDF only. I'm not -completely- opposed to PDF but I would always prefer the printed version over the PDF, even if the PDF version was cheaper.

Sure, I -could- print it out and have it bound, but it wouldn't look as cool on my shelf next to all the other Buffy supplements.

So, personally speaking, I'm gonna say I'd pass on a PDF version of this, and I'd have to reconsider buying any further Buffy RPG books from them, if they produce any. (I know it sounds harsh, but I speak with my dollar. I've supoprted them since the beginning, and there are tons of other PRINT books I could buy that are ALSO on my list.)

In general?
I -might- buy a PDF of a book I want, as long as A) It's not for the "Collecting" sake (IE: I like having all my "Exalted" books in one place on my bookshelf), and B) if it was at a substansial (50%+) as opposed to a print book. Though again, I would almost always prefer Print over PDF.

 

[jrients]

I voted yes, but I would seriously look at the vendor supplying the PDF and the price. I've passed on PDFs I've wanted because the price was a tad high or because I wasn't certain of the customer service at the vendor level.

 

[SteveC]

I would have to say "it depends on the medium and the cost."

A reasonably priced PDF with no DRM? Not only would I buy it, I have bought it from different publishers.

A full-priced PDF with DRM? No way.

--Steve