Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A Strong Opening
Purchases of the 4e core books gift set (which includes all three books in a slipcase) are off to a roaring start, at least at Amazon. Getting all three books for the price of two is, I'm sure, a very attractive offer. I'd say this bodes well for the brand and the hobby, though I'm curious exactly what sort of numbers are necessary to reach this level of sales.
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I confess a certain level of guilt at having pre-ordered a set of the 4E books through Amazon. I usually try to buy through my flgs but you're right; the price was just too good to pass up.
Unfortunately, it's making things rather hard for the brick-and-mortar game stores. I was talking with one of the owners of my local shop and he was telling me how there was simply no way he could come close to matching Amazon's price. I think he said that Amazon was selling retail for less than he paid wholesale. It's hard to beat that sort of cold math.
I believe it. I have no interest in starting a 4e game, but I looked at that price and seriously considered ordering them, rationalizing by thinking about plundering the design and art for ideas and considering the very real possibility that the Trollwife and I might be invited to join a game sometime in the next four years.
I resisted. (Have I mentioned lately that I'm cheap?) But I've always had luck with Amazon in the past, and if I was tempted, I can just imagine the reaction of those who eagerly anticipate this game.
- Brian
I'd say this bodes well for the brand and the hobby
This is only true is the people who ordered 4e both play the game regularly and buy future releases for the game. We won't know that for a good six to twelve months.
One way to tell how well 4e is doing: watch D&D Insider. If it becomes more clearly integral to 4e rather than merely supplemental, that's a sign that 4e sales are flagging.
One way to tell how well 4e is doing: watch D&D Insider. If it becomes more clearly integral to 4e rather than merely supplemental, that's a sign that 4e sales are flagging.
Huh. I was thinking just the opposite. If the books sell well, I would imagine stronger attempts to tie the books to Insider. However, my view is, I think, more apocalyptic than yours. If things go poorly, I imagine Insider will be allowed to stagnate, perhaps with some features still unfinished, while Hasbro shops for a buyer for the D&D brand. But that's clearly a sort of worst-case scenario.
- Brian
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