WOTC switch to watermarking, finally...

[Beckett]

Neat! I was thinking this morning that I'll need to buy Weapons of Legacy when I get around to starting my AoW game back up (as a couple of characters are using legacy items, and the player whose book I was borrowing has moved). That's one I wouldn't mind getting as a PDF once they release it, and the prices sound more or less reasonable.

(and yes, Amazon might be cheaper, but add in shipping and that changes things (sometimes I don't want to hunt for another $5 purchase for super-saver))

 

[Alzrius]

I think these prices are still more expensive than I'm comfortable with, but between the reduction and the switch to watermarking, this is still a huge leap in the right direction. Needless to say, as I'm running out of shelf space in my room, I'll probably be purchasing some of these soon.

It's probably too much to hope for bookmarking and printer-friendly versions, though.

 

[Crothian]

It's a pdf file. They don't need to pay for printing/paper ect. It's a file that just gets copied over and over from a website. There's not much cost for them to sell it other than web maintenance costs.

I think it shows that the cost of art and the many months it takes to write a develop one of these books is much more of where the cost comes from then the printing.

 

[rom90125]

This is good news indeed. While I agree that some of the prices are on the high end, I still plan on purchasing some of the WotC PDFs (as my wife lets me). I wonder what factors play into whether or not a person purchases PDFs. Obviously one's familiarity with computers is a big factor, as is cost, but I wonder if age/gender/other also play a factor. I'd like to see a marketing study on this topic....

 

[DMH]

Better get them before the sale ends- 3/12.

 

[Agamon]

Better get them before the sale ends- 3/12.

It's a sale? LOL!

 

[Alzrius]

Better get them before the sale ends- 3/12.

Crud...I just noticed that banner on the front page that said that they're only 30% off until 3/12. I just checked the reduced prices, and yep, all exactly 30% cheaper than that of the printed books.

So, in about two weeks, WotC PDFs will again cost as much as the print books.

At least the DRM is gone.

 

[Ranes]

Thanks for the news. This is heading in the right direction. I will always buy the hardbacks I'm interested in, for a whole bunch of reasons. However, I'll pay extra for good PDF copies of the same, to make my life easier as a DM. If WotC can extend the range of titles available, move towards these prices permanently (and beat them by offering configurable bundles), I'll buy.

 

[Sir Elton]

Now, sure, I can buy Complete Arcane in hardcopy for $19.77 on Amazon, and Magnum Opus for $17.81, but there's an economy of scale operating there which doesn't apply to RPGNow or DriveThruRPG, even once OneBookShelf itself is up and running.

I can get Complete Arcane for $16.00 on Amazon.

Elton.

 

[jgbrowning]

Over at DTRPG and RPGnow I noticed that the WOTC products were back up. I checked and it seems that they have shifted over to watermarking, not only that but they their books are no longer cover price.

That's great! I'm glad that Steve and James have managed to convince WotC that piracy isn't prevented by DRM and that prices lower than cover price will have no effect on hardcopy sales through distribution channels. Excellent news.

joe b.