>> >> Anyone want a look inside the economics of Open
>> >> Gaming from the standpoint of a billion dollar
>> >> corporation?
>> Is this one of those "96 page modules will
>> drop to a $12.95 price point"
Naw, as I read it -- it says, modules will become a commodity, drop to $1.95
each and the core handbooks will sky rocket up to $60.00.
Unless, the module makers figured out a way to commoditize {is that a word}
the core handbook market. Then, the module market will rise.
In reality, at least according to my manager and his spiffy new BS in
Bussiness Economics, is that if WotC can make modules into a commodity, they
can use that to leverage the price of the core handbooks up (and sell more
of them at the same time.) As WotC sells more handbooks, it (in theory)
will create an increased demand for modules -- which in theory should cause
the cost of that commodity to rise.
But there is a problem with the theory, when put into practice here. People
generally never buy the same module twice - thus the market demand for any
one piece of this commodity never really increases. But then this is
something everyone already in the RPG market knows, a new {specific} product
has a limited life span -- unless d20 became like Pokemon -- so any
particular products life span is only 6-18mo.
But the overall market for module commodities does increase. So if a
publisher can figure out how to get on the shelf in the first place, can
accurately predict the number of copies that will be sold before the
products half-life is reached, can have a new product ready to go to press
at the point the first products half-life is reached and can sustain quality
product so the market place will be willing to purchase from that publisher
time and again -- then, it is a sound bussiness strategy. Albit, not as
easily understood as WotC's side of things.
On a vaguelly related note:
Actually, has anyone seen the PHB & DMG guide actually selling for more then
$19.95 anywhere? I thought that there was supposed to be an increase in
price scheduled, but everwhere I check locally {WotC stores and RPG/hobby
shop -- I haven't checked B&N/Borders} it is earther a) still priced at
$19.95 (old stock?) or it has a higher price point, but has been on
continous sale for the last couple of months at $19.95 {WotC stores.}
Just me 2 cents,
--
Mike
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