Wizards of the Coasts are overcharging us and "TSR"

[WayneLigon]

Very good observation, but if that is true: WoTC is only interested in the their sales. While TSR was only concern was to provide gaming material fo us. And that's why TSR was bought out but WoTC (well, thats the story around the campfire anyway).

Er, no. Every business is concerned with their sales. If they are not, they are not in business for very long. No business is a charity.

As for TSR's altruistic motives, go read Col_Playdoh's description of the last several years of TSR. Loraine and The Blume Brothers come off as some pretty clueless yet money-grubbing little empire builders who probably would have crippled their grandmothers if it would get them some cash. Williams even goes so far as to try and turn TSR into her own personal little cash register when they buy heavily into the Buck Rodgers license (all companies pay fees for stuff like that; she got a cut of it, being either the license holder herself or related to him/her; I forget which).

There were (and are) certainly a lot of smaller publishers that did it purely for the love of the hobby, crafting labors of love in their basement, seeking little or no reward save the praise of the gaming populace. I can't think of a single one from that period that's still around now.

 

[Starman]

Have you notice the difference between the amount of content in 2nd Edition and 3rd (3.5) Edition products? For example, just take a look at the book "Faiths and Avatars" compared to the more recently produced "Faiths and Patheons". Notice any differences?!? I do; for starters look at the price of the two books: 2ndE F&A ($25.00) vs 3rdE F&P ($32.95). Even though the F&P book is hardback, my 2ndE F&A has seen a good 8 years of gaming, it was published in 1996 ( It still looks good for its age!). Another noticable difference between the two is the colorful illustrations (F&P is probably ten-times as better than F&A in the department of presentabilty and pictures). But the pictures cant really provide gamers with more gaming material. I did notice that F&P has more pages than F&A (223 pgs vs. 191 pgs), but the 2ndE book was printed in a much smaller font thatn the present version of it. So, the final question is: What gives more gaming content for your dollar, 2nd or 3rd edition? All replies to this post are appreciated, it is our oppinon after all. Thanks and please respond!

You know what the best thing about our fine hobby is. If you think it's too expensive you

Don't

Have

To

Buy

It!

Starman

 

[Greylock]

Alright, I have been acused of bait-switching (Geylock)...

What makes you think I was refering to you? I was talking about those bastids at Green Ronin, making me think I was buying a "fluff" book, then giving me said "fluff" book, with crunchy bits galore. Doubled the value of the book at no cost to me. Rotten sobs...

.....and what in the Nine-Hells is "bait-switching", Greylock?

That's what you are doing. And, if you don't mind, myself as well. Makes for more interesting discussion. Especially since your original point is silly and unfounded in fact.

 

[Turjan]

First and farmost, what is the defintion of the "church vs fluff" debate?

I don't know why, but somehow this reminds me of Jack Chick...
He must be responsible for all this crunch in the 3.x books !

 

[alsih2o]

Hear this, Alsih20. My fighter takes it in the next session, I'm ready to stat up an Aasimar Avatar! Be warned...

Cool!

Who are you gonna be gaming with?

 

[johnsemlak]

Sean K Reynold's piece on why RPG products are not too expensive
http://seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/rants/rpgsaretooexpensive.html

 

[philreed]

If you honestly feel that products in your store are too expensive visit:

www.rpgnow.com

All of the material you could ever want, at very low prices, and available right now. This includes old AD&D products to help you complete your collection.

My opinion is that WotC is charging what they have to. There has only been one instance where I felt that one of their products was priced too high.

 

[Maggan]

Sean K Reynold's piece on why RPG products are not too expensive
http://seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/rants/rpgsaretooexpensive.html

And here's John Wick's.

http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/columns/wickoct99.html

Cheers!

Maggan

 

[DaveMage]

And there's always are friends, Mr. Supply and Mr. Demand.

If (print) items are overpriced for the value they offer, chances are you'll see them on e-bay sooner or later at a much reduced rate...

...which helps my collecting.

 

[Numion]

As for TSR's altruistic motives, go read Col_Playdoh's description of the last several years of TSR. Loraine and The Blume Brothers come off as some pretty clueless yet money-grubbing little empire builders who probably would have crippled their grandmothers if it would get them some cash.

Remember that thats Gygax's side of it; the man was no business genius himself. In the end he got locked out of the company he started (literally locked out of his own office), so he too made some mistakes along the way