Why don't you buy non-WoTC stuff?

[hong]

For better or for worse, WOTC "owns" D&D. When many (I'd say most) people think of D&D material, they think of the stuff put out by WOTC first and foremost. It'll be a long time before this connection breaks down, if it ever does. And WOTC probably doesn't want this connection to break down.

Here in SAtLDU, Qantas owns the Peter Allen song "I Still Call Aust[ral]ia Home." I don't mean they have the copyright to it, I mean that it'll forever be associated with the company due to how often it's been played in their ads. The same thing goes here.

Myself, I've got most of the Rokugan stuff from AEG and am happy to plug that into my campaign. I've also just got the Nyambe book, although I doubt whether that'll see use in the short term.

 

[gariig]

because in other countries and smaller cities non-wotc stuff is less readily available then wotc stuff.

Beyond the ignorance of the rest of the D&D populace (playing around) I think this is another factor. I was in Tampa one weekend when Quintessential Elf was out and my girlfriend and I tried to track it down for her (she play's an Elven Druid archer of Mielikki). We went to about the only gaming store we could find in Tampa and they had only WoTC stuff and I think a SSS book or two.

I think the smaller D20 publishers need to push their goods into smaller gaming stores and build "brand recognition". Unfortunately, WoTC didn't really tell people that D20=D&D3E all that much. So when you go to your FLGS and see all this D20 stuff next to your Official D&D WoTC stuff, you don't really know it's the same system. That seems to be a problem to me.

Gariig

 

[MEG Hal]

I think the smaller D20 publishers need to push their goods into smaller gaming stores and build "brand recognition". Unfortunately, WoTC didn't really tell people that D20=D&D3E all that much. So when you go to your FLGS and see all this D20 stuff next to your Official D&D WoTC stuff, you don't really know it's the same system. That seems to be a problem to me.

Gariig

Ok, so if retailers do not know how do we get them to figure this out? And I live in Tampa area and there is a kick butt LGS in Brandon that has all d20 stuff called Comics Club at and they are online at http://comicsclub.com (I think). But keep the ideas going and I will look into helping where I feel we can, we want brand recognition as well, and are looking for ways to get customers and retailers knowing about us. Thanks

 

[Tsyr]

Percentage wise, I buy more of WotCs products than most other companies, yes. But volume wise, I buy more non-WotC d20 stuff than I do WotC.

And on a book-by-book bases, I'm more likely to find stuff I want to use in a non-WotC book than a WotC book, frankly.

 

[Numion]

Well, i have the relics & rituals book. I think most of the non-WOTC books are not sold, because in other countries and smaller cities non-wotc stuff is less readily available then wotc stuff.

That is so not true here in finland. S&S stuff is in sale here before it's generally available in the US of A. At least I was one of the first to spot the SL hardcover on these boards. WotC stuff on the other hand.. since the distrubutor changed things have been soooo crappy. ELHB hasn't come yet, for example.

THG HAL:
....so why don't people buy non-WoTC stuff, retailers have told me that a lot of the non-WoTC stuff has less errata

Or is it because everytime a book by WotC is released people like to rip through it very meticulously, while other publishers just get a mention "mechanics are mostly sound". Smaller publishers get away with funky rules stuff more easily. That turns me off of most d20 stuff. And I run the Realms, so campaign specific stuff isn't that useful for me.

However, if I know that the mechanics are top-notch, I'll buy d20. I've got most Malhavoc Press stuff, and I anticipate very much from the upcoming Tome of Horrors.

 

[Nightfall]

Well it's nice to know that S&SS has a good market share outside of the US. I guess the US born players though don't always care. (Not that I think that's true HERE)

Btw, thanks Hal for sticking up for me. Or at least d20 in general!

 

[Kugar]

I buy WotC material bacause you never know what the players pick up.

I buy non-WotC stuff becuse of brand reconition/good reviews and really good witing.

Constructs got me loyal to the Arcane series.
Hallowfaust hooked me on Sacrred Lands
Armies of the Abyss got Green Ronin on my radar.
Malhavoc had me at "Monte"

These are the type of products that led me to by other products I read once and let sit on the shelf.

I pick up other stuff based on the reviews, covers, and current finantial situation

Part of the D20 problem is that the first books out were CC1 and Foundation. My players still think that 3-party stuff sucks unless I pull a cool ability out of them

Still a consistant look, good ideas, and clean rules will move people to your brand. Don't ask how you lost my money, instead ask how you can add to my game.

 

[Napftor]

Ok, so if retailers do not know how do we get them to figure this out?...

For starters, tell them when you shop there.

I was at one of my FLGS's a few weeks ago. Now they have a pretty decent collection...WotC, SSS, Mongoose, Atlas, Troll Lord, Kenzer, and perhaps a few others. But I asked if they were ever going to get any Mystic Eye stuff. The guy said they only got bigger name companies to sell. Well, I asked if he'd get in Urban Blight (which, as many of you know from another thread, I'm a crusader of) and he did agree. I explained that I had written some of it and wanted to see it for sale around those parts. He was kind enough to do so and I saw it on my next visit. A couple more weeks went by and when I stopped yesterday, the guy said, "Hey, I've sold a couple of your Urban Blights."

I was ecstatic! So what I'm babbling about is that maybe you should just ask them to order something and trust the public to recognize quality when they see it. On a side note, when 3e first came out, I saw some SSS books with the corebooks and thought, "What the hell is this? Compatible with D&D 3e?" When I asked the owner (same guy as above) what was up, he knew enough to explain it to me. So not all FLGS owners are clueless.

Here's someting else besides telling them to get in more stuff. Have the game store make and display a sign that says such and such companies are 100% compatible with the 3e D&D game. Heck, make the sign yourself and take it in. They shouldn't be too hesitant to post it since it would theoretically generate more sales.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Greyhawk is my favorite setting, but I haven't bought anything from WOTC since the Manual of the Planes was released. During that time I bought a few Green Ronin products.

 

[Thalantor]

He Nightfall,

I DM a group in which a wizard has a special ability to cast 0-lvl spells without having to memorize them, and he refuses to let go of the my R&R book. It's good that he is my roommate, otherwise i'd have to charge rent for the time he sits in my room reading that book. I point to the PHB saying that has spells as well, and he just goes :"I don't care, that one doesn't look like a spellbook. "

Oh, and thank you for the darkbolt spell. I finally get to use that paper-shredder i got for my birthday with all the carefully made battleplans for my enemies. Sheesh, he shoots them out like patriot missile defense.