D&D 5E Where are the whaling vessels? (A.k.a. material for big spenders)

[DEFCON 1]

Congrats to Neonchameleon for a great post. The question of "where do we go from here?" is one that WotC really doesn't have an answer for.

Uh... no.

The question of "where do we go from here?" is one that WotC most likely DOES have an answer for... but they're just not telling YOU what it is.

Sorry... but you're an Infrared citizen and the folks in the WotC office have a clearance level of Green or Blue. So you don't get to know what's going on and they don't care if you're baffled by it. So just take your Happy Pills and you'll be fine.

 

[Mallus]

Good question!

My immediate response is that WotC has it's whaling fleet deployed in M:tG's waters and they're -- for now, at least -- hesitant to send another fleet into the territory already being fished by Paizo.

 

[ninjayeti]

A couple of points:

1) I think the "whale" model works well for ventures where you can charge extra for something that does not take much time and effort to produce. Using your example of kickstarters, it does not cost anything to list someone as a backer/producer/special friend in the credits, yet a handful of superfans will gladly pay $1000 bucks or more for the privilege. Similarly, video games can release "collector's edition" with extra in-game items, and maybe an early access period that costs the creator virtually nothing to produce, but can justify an extra $20 price tag.

By contrast, creating an RPG product requires 1) someone to write, edit, produce art, etc. for the product 2) physically producing the book, boxed set, etc. I am sure that WotC knows that they must sell X number of copies of a product to not lose money. With a niche field like RPGs if only the "whales" are going to buy a given product it will likely lose money.

2) Comparing D&D to Paizo is misleading because from what I understand Paizo currently has about five times the staff as WotC has for D&D. So don't expect WotC to be churning out two adventure paths and 2-3 splatbooks every year in the near future.

3) Selling a ton of splatbooks can make money in the short term, but it can also deter new players for picking up the hobby when they see there are dozens and dozens of rule books for the game. Even Paizo seems to recognize this with their new "core campaign." In past editions D&D has cranked out splatbooks as fast as they could sell, but this time around they seem to be taking a 'less is more' approach - sell a few books to a lot of customers, rather than trying to sell a lot of books to a few customers.

4) It is still very early in the 5E product cycle and I suspect Hasbro is taking a wait and see approach. If the next couple of product waves sell well, I would bet that they will ramp up their release schedule. If not I think we will see a minimalist release schedule and some sort of OGL.

 

[Beleriphon]

So the question of additional revenue is a very good one. I am absolutely baffled at how WotC is congratulating itself for not producing additional product for people to buy, while at the same time not having any sort of alternative revenue stream in place in even the foreseeable future.

Given that half the team for D&D is actually doing licensing, I image the job posting is more about needing another person to brought onboard. I'll also note that one of the job postings, which doesn't specify the game line but I figure is MtG, requires you be an artist with a fluent knowledge of written and spoken Japanese.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Where does the money come from? What am I missing?

The money comes from the sale of the minnows you mentioned. Apparently, the D&D department can subsist on the sales of the few RPG products, the D&D books, the D&D boardgames, and the other licensed D&D products.

And because the D&D department is only one small segment of the Wizards of the Coast company... they don't have to have money available to pay people in the departments like HR, Finance, Cafeteria, Legal, Custodial, Travel or whatever-- that's all covered by WotC's business expenses.

If the 8 people in Dungeons & Dragons R&D plus the other 20+ folks in the other D&D departments like Customer Services, Adventurer's League, Art Department etc. can get paid by the money that is coming in... and WotC is not expecting or demanding outrageous profits on top of that... it seems to me then that they can get by with what they have as they figure out what they want to do in the coming years.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

It is entirely possible that the game doesn't go that far from here. Adventures, maybe another sourcebook or two over the next few years. Third party stuff with the new license. There is more than enough game just with that for me. If one is looking for more WOTC may not be catering to you.

...and they may say screw that and in 2017 we have Ultimate Fighter 7 released. Who knows. Seems a bit early to get too worked up one way or another.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

It's valuable enough to spawn a multi-million dollar lawsuit that has the potential to redefine the legal status of sequels (potentially costing everyone involved big). I personally find it hard to believe, but it really does look like someone thinks it could serve as the successor to "Lord of the Rings".

No, the only reason someone cares is because of the potential to redefine what a sequel is. Not because they care that much about a D&D movie. Its about whether or not the X-Men can come back under the Marvel studios movie.

I think the real money is in the Dolphins, at least if you care about sustaining the brand. Its what Paizo is doing, releasing multiple products per month, with a low enough price point where adventures or mini splats are basically impulse buys. DM's do the bulk of the buying, as they get the core books, then minis, maps, adventures, etc. The issue isn't that there's no $10,000 beholder statue for some rich guy to buy, its that there's NOTHING for Joe Average DM to buy to help run his game.

And assuming that gaming stores help keep/retain players, what do you think they'll steer new players towards? The game with a paltry 3 book footprint or the one that keeps churning out product to encourage (or hell, at least enable!) repeat purchases. I think it would be in WOTC's best interest to get out some short $12 - 15 adventures quickly.

 

[delericho]

No, the only reason someone cares is because of the potential to redefine what a sequel is.

I'm pretty sure the lawsuit started before anyone realised the potential issue with sequels.

I think it would be in WOTC's best interest to get out some short $12 - 15 adventures quickly.

Problem is that there's no (Hasbro-scale) money in such things. Though if they would get the OGL issue sorted...

The other thing I really wish they'd get on with doing is bringing back the magazines, for much the same reason.

 

[Nytmare]

I think the real money is in the Dolphins, at least if you care about sustaining the brand.

i.imgur.com/H2STmEC.gif

 

[Uder]

Catering to whales is for theme parks and casinos. If you want to see where that thinking gets you, look to the constant "collectable" limited-release churn that Games Workshop is going through trying to chase whale tail. It's almost to the point that the whales are all that's left...