Shocking D&D Players' Handbook Sales Update!

[@SweetLuups]

This channel's version of the Talespire ad is hands down the best ad on youtube

[@legionarybooks13]

Somehow, there needs to be a collab with Mike Judge, just so Deathbringer can finally meet Beavis!

[@scottgraham586]

100% agree, I like that ad a lot. It even made me go buy Talespire (now I need to find a way to add that music to Talespire)!

[@brendanthegreek]

And to all this I say, “Oh really, that’s neat. Who’s up for some Shadowdark?” 😏

[@legionarybooks13]

Yep. Our DND group (many of whom have been playing since AD&D) has sworn off WotC for good. We stick mostly with 5e, with the occasional AD&D throwback one-shot. Once I finally DM again, I'm going to incorporate Tales of the Valiant into the mix.

[@volairn70]

@@legionarybooks13 yeah, we are down the Shadowdark path, with a dabbling of DCC.

[@nowayjosedaniel]

@@brendanthegreek 😏

[@matthewmccloud4777]

I came here for this comment.

[@Flint138]

THIS is the correct answer!

[@MrRussell2020]

Physical books will always have a place in the market.

[@liamtaylor4955]

They're awesome when the power is out or off.

[@garethhamilton1252]

@@liamtaylor4955as long as it’s daytime or you have a good torch 🔦 😂

[@rustyxof]

I prefer to play digitally in WiFi free zones.

[@tyree9055]

​@@garethhamilton1252I actually run my in-person sessions by candlelight. It helps with the ambiance, imagination, and terror. Of course, I have a much larger oil lamp for myself, as I need to be able to see! 😂🤣👍

[@garethhamilton1252]

@@tyree9055 humans and their lack of darkvision 😞

[@dismaspickman773]

It's kind of funny, the D&D they play in Stranger Things, I believe, is the expert edition expansion to basic Dungeons and Dragons--a game that I played when I was a kid. This game is a whole lot more like many OSR and D20 offerings of the last decade, than current official D&D. You can still get those expert rules today, so ST fans who have an interest in D&D and RPGs have no need to spend their hard-earned cash on Hasbro/Wizards "monetization".

[@Xplora213]

There is very little that makes sense about that whole pathway 😂 I’d assume that Stranger Things was a Call of Cthulhu series. Not D&D at all. But that’s ok.

[@dsan05]

They had an Ad&d dm screen and fighting Vecna 🤷‍♂️. Can't remember what rules they were quoting though.

[@dismaspickman773]

@@dsan05 Same applies for AD&D, I played that too. I think you see the Expert book in one scene though. I don't know that logging into a cash shop on your phone to play with someone who isn't even in the same room really equates to what they are shown experiencing in the show :)

[@solowolf7418]

Of course it is expert D&D. The show takes place during the 80’s. That would be the edition running at the time

[@dsan05]

@@solowolf7418 errr... As was AD&D

[@emilibsen3423]

The shop I work in had 300 books on storage upon release. Half of them are sold by now. And we give out a free d&d dice for each book.

[@davespray6644]

I LOVE all Dungeon Craft videos and PDM! (Well and Stephen Glicker)

[@nowayjosedaniel]

Glicker & Mark is great, but some of their common guests are trash.

[@AdamK1095]

The question is will the video game still be used in 5-10 years. I've got 1e to 5e books and a number of clones/OSR. And that's what I will be teaching my kid. Those will be the experiences that will drill in their memory.

[@sirellyn]

I'm doing 1st and 2e and OSR with my kids. They love it.

[@BlindRambler]

1e - 3.5e/d20 for my players and my nieces, except for the niece who got my 5e books. I'm done with WotC.

[@paulvalentine4157]

your kids will do what their friends do

[@peaceandloveusa6656]

@@paulvalentine4157 To a certain extent. Most kids with at least above-average intelligence grow out of the hobbies they learned from their below-average intelligence friends pretty early, if not avoid them completely. And, as an adult, most of us end up more like our parents than we are like our high school friends. This often includes our hobbies. If you raise your kids on complex games like war games and TTRPGs, they are going to learn more from those games than they will in their entirety of schooling, putting them well above the average intelligence of the masses, therefore less susceptible to veering too far off into the spiral of stupid kids trying to re-invent the wheel because they "know better" than adults. Also, kids with nerdy hobbies find other kids with nerdy hobbies to play with, thus their friends in their "self discovery" years are also in the hobby, so they are doing what their friends do.. and what their parents raised them to enjoy. (Though, often with more alcohol involved than their parents raised them to play with.)

[@katherineberger6329]

Yeah, your kids are going to play the game that their friends play, not their dad's game. And that game will probably be the latest version of Dungeons & Dragons. Which as a Pathfinder player makes me mildly sad, but D&D's network externalities are insane.

[@optomix3988]

Analog is the only way.

[@DoinItforNewCommTech]

This. Every live service, every online game, every subscription model I've ever used, has died after 5-10 years. There are so many movies I love that are no longer on Netflix. There's so many video games I can't play, because they were multiplayer and the publishers shut down the servers. I have ZERO faith that D&D Beyond will exist in 5 years, 10 years... whenever leadership at Hasbro changes hands again, and there's some new product lead who wants to make their mark with a new edition that THEY designed. And now that Chris Perkins is out, who knows? It might be sooner than we think. Are people really gonna want to make a game they had no hand in designing? I'm thinking no. The desire for THEIR OWN edition will percolate, for years potentially, but eventually it'll happen.

[@optomix3988]

@@DoinItforNewCommTech I like the books because when the power goes out and all you have is pen and paper you can still game. I kinda hate keeping up with the digital joneses all the time.

[@DoinItforNewCommTech]

@@optomix3988 I couldn't agree more. Physical media is and always will be superior

[@maxducoudray]

I am mixed. All my most important books are physical, but there are supplements and adventures I choose to buy PDF only because I try to limit my storage needs to the essentials. I don’t mind looking up less important things on my Google Drive.

[@optomix3988]

@ You have a point with digital supplements.

[@westernbear2265]

I think there’s going to be a significant uptick once all 3 base books are out. It feels a bit weird to start running a new edition without have a DMG or MM to go along with it, when I’ve been conditioned to use them hand in hand. I’m sure others won’t adopt the new edition until they have those other books as well.

[@apepmedia3059]

I remember 2nd Ed core books came out 1 month apart back in 89

[@scottwascher1505]

Glad to hear that the giant corp. that owns DnD is treating the small and medium shops well.

[@izrador2264]

I kicked WOTC to the curb after 3.5 just like I kicked GW to the curb 20 years ago.

[@frankb3347]

Never played 4E or 5E. Never will. There's better companies and systems that are worth supporting.

[@hrothgargogo]

I have a friend with a similar stance, only he says that he plays pathfinder, after the 3.5 schism. that is why he is years without a game. I play the system that stories can be told, 5e, 4e, 3.5e, PF1e, PF2e, VtM, GURPS, CP2020, whatever someone who wants to GM is willing to run. That being said, I've stopped buying WotC content around 1998, when I saw one of the MtG faces and got scared of what that would mean for my dwindling kid pockets, but I'll borrow a book to play the system no problem.

[@charlienovember7399]

3.5 is still my favorite edition

[@underfire987]

Good and Smart man!

[@gbprime2353]

Yup, went right from 3.5 to 3.75... Pathfinder 1st Ed. Still running that.

[@LordOz3]

Glicker is very knowledgeable, but I find his Roll for Combat streams frustrating because he takes forever to get to the point. Thanks for keeping it succinct here.

[@Xplora213]

It’s radio. 📻 It’s not supposed to be quick.

[@andrewhallock2548]

I agree that WotC seems aimed at the subscription model. I don't buy games from Steam anymore as I want to actually own what I buy. Same goes for DnD.

[@alexabel8010]

I've always thought it was nuts that people were okay with that in the first place. Like wtf?

[@Jeffery_USBP]

@@alexabel8010 If you only play online, then it makes sense. And id gather that 90% of the people play online in 2024, it makes sense.

[@thedabblingwarlock]

@@alexabel8010 Here's the kicker, even if you buy the physical media for a video game, you're still only renting a license for the game software. Welcome to the crap shoot that is software licensing. You own nothing.

[@underfire987]

@@thedabblingwarlock Then we refuse to enter such a demonic market.

[@thedabblingwarlock]

@@underfire987 Given that you are using the internet, you're already in that market. Everything, and I mean everything digital uses software, and most of it is licensed out. You can either choose to be a luddite and not use anything manufactured after the 1970's or you can just accept that it's a mess that isn't going to be fixed any time soon, if ever.

[@MorganFleurDeLys]

It’s the number one selling book in our store. We’ve reordered it three times.

[@ianstambaugh6158]

And?

[@liamtaylor4955]

@@ianstambaugh6158 It's popular.

[@piRatCaptain]

Go away Chris Cocks.

[@CausticCatastrophe]

Despite my feelings about WOTC, im happy your store is doing well :)

[@Newnodrogbob]

@@ianstambaugh6158 he is lending credence via another data point to what was mentioned in the video-about it selling well in local stores.

[@davea6314]

I'll wait for the price to drop significantly on 5.24 edition books. My 5th edition books are fine.

[@michaelstronghold3550]

Been saying that about my 1e books since the 90s.

[@DarkAutumnScribe]

I discovered Runequest (after somehow dancing around it for 40 years) and not looking back…

[@a.b.3666]

Good alternative, great system as well…shame about those cartoonish ducks though :/

[@Oyster_Man]

I hope its a rising tide lifts all boats situation. D&D has the name recognition, but there are so many other systems out there. I recently fell in love with Cypher.

[@dzmitry_k]

I've recently started paying Dragonbane, which uses a roll-under system. “May all your rolls be twenties” now has a very different ring to me now :D

[@sirguy6678]

Excellent video and update! I am getting excited about the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons 7e ! 6e is already old hat.

[@JenEssitBroughman]

LOL :D

[@naptime_riot]

What is insane to me is that people are buying it when there are so many better, less exploitative games out there.

[@Alpha_Digamma]

DnD is popular. So there's a lot of people who want to be part of the popular thing. Hype like this rarely has something to do with the quality of the product.

[@AdamK1095]

You can lead a horse to water...

[@Naren25]

Really, it's "insane" for people to buy into the biggest, most well-known game? It's insane for people to want the maximum number of people to play with? If people aren't opting for the cheaper, better alternatives its because we're not converting them well enough. Luckily, we do have a pipeline for converting players from corporate D&D to hobby D&D. Professor DM, Bob World Builder, Arcane Libraray etc...

[@Loki-]

You assume people have the same knowledge and friend circles as you. Most people just play dnd because that's what a TTRPG is and they enjoy playing it.

[@scottcampbell9515]

That’s like saying it’s insane people buy Monopoly and pass up Azul. Just because they play games doesn’t mean they are aware of all options.

[@MetPhD]

The real metric isn’t the Player’s Handbook. The real metric is going to be the DMG. How many DMs are actually going to run 5.5 games?

[@talscorner3696]

Definitely agree on that, yeah

[@RobOfTheNorth2001]

My guess is a lot. The DMG was the weakest of the 5e books - 4e’s was much better. Early indications is that the new DMG is much much better.

[@MetPhD]

@@RobOfTheNorth2001 from the previews, I also think it’s “better” but as a DM I don’t plan to buy one. I’ll pull what I want in changes from online and keep using my 5e2014 hardcovers. So it’s not just if the book is better.

[@underfire987]

Not many by past experience.

[@chaddeshaw5068]

My group has talked about it but last session just decided to stick with 5e.

[@matthewmcguigan4293]

I play Shadowdark and 5e with my friends. My digital game of choice is Guild Wars 2. These things are very different and I intend to keep it that way. The first one is a creative outlet with friends and family where the only limits are imagination. The second one is a great MMO that I can play whenever I want and let anet be the DM.

[@MarkCherkowski]

I have DM over 100 games of 5e, and ShadowDark RPG is what I want to move all of my games to. Nothing that I see about the 2024 version makes me want to get it.

[@Ishpeck]

@1:18 is the best "call to action" I've ever seen in KZbin.

[@graynanuuq]

no interest at all in the new edition

[@b.lloydreese2030]

Same. I have to solo play, so d and d 5e is waaay too complicated for me. So i moved to shadowdark. I am also backing broken empires, so looking forward to it

[@Decado1628]

Same. I moved on from WOTC 5e over two years ago, before the OGL BS, as a GM and have not missed it for a single minute. The GMs in my group who plan to still use 5e have zero interest in moving to the new edition.

[@lightfighter4evr]

but here you are commenting on something you have no interest in at all.

[@dominicmetzger3246]

Luckily a lot are quite interested

[@Trelmoz]

​@@lightfighter4evr Yes, in order to support DungeonCraft.

[@RPGSean]

Bookscan numbers seem low, but not a surprise that they're low overall. I don't think I've bought an rpg book from a big box store since Waldenbooks in the 80's when distribution and sources were MUCH lower.

[@samdoorley6101]

Appreciate the follow up on this, PDM. And it's nice to see collaborations with other creatives like Mr. Glicker in the RPG-space on KZbin. As to what I think about 2024's apparent success despite all the scandals. Well, I'm not really here to judge how people enjoy the hobby. Personally, WoTC will never get another penny from me until they mend their ways (And I feel that's going to be a long time off). There are enough great alternatives to D&D that I don't really feel the lack.

[@RPG_Bliss]

I collect physical books personally but understand everything is going digital. Even my video games! It’s just the way of the future. Meanwhile I will collect physical books 😊

[@nowayjosedaniel]

The only remaining good video games are games you can own, so that's not a real problem. Just stop buying from places like Steam and stop buying into gambling addict exploitative "Games as a Service", since theyre so awful anyway. Just like with movies, music, theatre, ttrpg's, and all other forms of entertainment - the best is now with indies and everything AAA outputs is complete garbage or at least garbage by comparison. Heck, you can even argue this applies to books too. Almost everything suggested as trending / best selling on Audible is absolute garbage like a book from some celebrity shilling dank comedy.

[@LuiGuiShi]

Remember that nothing is preventing you for printing the book for yourself. You can easily go to a printing house and get a physical version of the PDF you have, hardcover and all. Same thing with video games, nothing prevent you for backing up the games on a floppy disk (lol), though it's a lot harder when games are online-only.

[@talscorner3696]

Scratch DnD, I need to see an hour special of Deathbringer's ads!

[@brokenmeats5928]

I love ALL Dungeon Craft videos!

[@thesonofdormammu5475]

I think it is selling a lot better than what people who dislike WotC want to admit. All good, there needs to be a product out there for younger generations to buy/play, I have a son that plays and his age group (15) doesn't want to play "old" games, they want to be able to go into the store to buy stuff. And once he gets older and version 10.5 comes out, he'll be talking to people online about how 5.24 is WAY better than 10.5 🙂

[@drillerdev4624]

Out of curiosity... Have you tried pointing them to other alternatives that might be self contained books and would be cheaper to adopt? Or were them fixated in "proper" D&D?

[@williamfranklin860]

I educate young people and get them to abandon Imbeciles of the Coastline. Once you show them that IotC appropriated D&D and used the settings to sell their garbage rules that have nothing to do with actual (A)D&D, it is easy to get the kids to check out TSR products. Using the leftwing's playbook against them works very well.

[@thesonofdormammu5475]

@@drillerdev4624 They want to play DnD, the kid that DM's already has all the books and that's what he wants to play. All good, as long as they are having fun!

[@drillerdev4624]

@@thesonofdormammu5475 Of course! :)

[@Xplora213]

I think the question really is not whether the number is higher but whether it is reasonable for a franchise valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. 💸

[@pnptcn]

I have PC games if I want them. My tabletop games will continue to be tabletop games. Yes some pdf files have entered the mix, there are digital resources like travellermaps but it's going to play out on my tabletop with pen and paper, maps, dice and minis I painted. This hasn't been D&D for a good while now tho, I play other games now. I don't mind this shift at all, it's probably a smart one for them to make, bet WOTC stonks go up for infinity. That's cool, I got minis to paint.

[@Wilhuf1]

Day zero errata makes me want to wait for a new printing with errata included.

[@cp1cupcake]

.....so the answer is the guy doesn't actually know, nor does he think wotc is ever going to release the numbers. If wotc really thought it did well, then they would have released numbers.

[@nowayjosedaniel]

It's good to know no one can know. Which means you're right bc if it was good, they'd be bragging to high heavens. This is Glicker's way of telling you this. He cant say it directly bc he is too P.C. Probably would offend a lot of his friends at WotC or that style just isnt his jam. He doesnt go hard on anything bc he has friends everywhere in all things.

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

Yes digital is what WotC is pushing. I won’t go digital or with 5.5 for at least a few years

[@alexabel8010]

First thing. That intro was absolutely crazy. Friken rad, man. Secondly... You were one of the first channels I subscribed to when I really got into DnD and DMing. Must've been 2 years now. I actually fell out of love with DnD before the debacle. I think it was the people I was playing with. I just couldn't find a good group to DM for. And DMing seemed taxing in general... Then I found out about 3rd party adventures. They were WAY cooler than the DnD ones, but at that point, I'd already tapped out. Cut to me sitting on the toilet scrolling through KZbin and noticing a *DungeonCraft/Dungeon Coach* collab video and thinking, _"Huh... That's an odd pair."_ You were talking about this new *DC20* system and my ears perked up. I looked into it and it sounded like all the things I _wanted_ in a DnD system. I backed the Kickstarter and have barely thought about DnD since. I've realised that I like story and people. I have an OSR-based style and TTRPGs are a phenomenal way to spend time with others. ESPECIALLY when they're *accessible* !! My love for GMing has been restored with DC20. I'm also interested in Mothership, Mausritter, Shadowdark, and Call of Cthulu. And I'm interested in _playing_ Cyberpunk RED if I can find a dope GM and group. Also I've even been enjoying playing PF2e... Even though it's a little rules-heavy for my liking. Shoot, I've even been thinking of giving Deathbringer a shot some time! We'll see! I'm kind of shocked people still care about DnD. I guess people are _really_ invested. I couldn't care less. Gun to my head, I'd sooner play Deathbringer. No joke.

[@porphyrogenitus6576]

_Deathbringer_ now has a captive _DungeonWrecker_

[@chrisbrennan1715]

Digital books (in various formats) is a sure thing in the future. I am decently confident that there'll always be some demand for real books. So many roleplayers have an anachronistic streak and eventually a desire to have a bookshelf filled with book-like objects. And a few us enjoy old style table-top. Sitting at a table with no devices and paper, pens and dice. Not all the time, but often enough. The brilliance of VTT is in bringing geographically distant groups together for a good gaming experience. (Also, by the way, on the tag line 'may all your rolls be 20s' -I absolutely see the appeal of this! But a fair few folks relish the opportunity to roleplay a Crit Fail from time to time. It can be just as character defining in epic battles! Cheers!

[@Adrian_Lee6113]

Cool to see Stephen on Dungeon Craft!

[@Cl0ne66]

In the end almost nobody cared about any of 2023 scandals.

[@tomkerruish2982]

Speaking for myself, I still care about the use of Pinkertons.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Nope.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You and me both but we are very few.

[@andrewlustfield6079]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 The 2023 scandals? Yeah---y'all aren't the only ones who remember those shenanigans. I'm also pretty miffed at how badly they treated Gygax and others in the intro to the 50th anniversary history of the game. Rob Kuntz is rightly infuriated. WOTC will still never see a dime of my money. Analog, folk D&D will survive WOTC.

[@JOHNDAVIS-ff1qt]

In Houston, I got mine at the store that also carries Death Bringer. They had already sold out of the special covers. Ettin

[@lancenydeen8620]

I have been playing since 1979! I still bought it. It is nice, will use what I want anyway.

[@chriswilson320]

So exactly what we expected. Good but their announcement was very particular. Still of the belief that the staying power of this edition is going to be what is important. I guess a good year or two before the fresh coat of paint starts fading unless they really knock future releases out of the park.

[@blazewinters2593]

Stephen Glicker, thanks for visiting the dungeon! Re: WOTC/Netflix making a Stranger Things spin-off - If WOTC and Netflix do attempt a spin -off, it will likely be without the Duffer Brothers since they are committed to their next series The Boroughs, which is scheduled to begin filming in March. In addition, they have several other projects for Netflix, including an adaptation of the manga series Death Note and Stephen King's The Talisman. With that in mind, I doubt the Duffer Brothers will have time to fit in a spin-off of Stranger Things.

[@Noob_DnD_Dad]

Thanks for the update! I've been really enjoying the 2024 PHB so far. My Army vet group switched to it, and my son's group will be switching/converting to it soon

[@doodsanddudes]

The full set is not out yet. Once the MM and DMG it will pick up. The book looks great. Cant wait to get one down the road when the full set is there.

[@salasart]

my 2 favorite RPG youtubers in one video!

[@raymondhemphill146]

I love this video and all videos from DungeonCraft. Even the videos about D&D…

[@RzorFox]

Great fair analysis ! Not just negativity!

[@chewbacca7856]

Never seen an episode of stranger things. I seen a lot of dungeon craft though

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Cool! Thanks!

[@Xplora213]

Check it out. It’s pretty good, but quite dark.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Hey it’s this guy! I like him. Nice job professor

[@pdpandion4931]

My FLGS is saying its selling very well. Let people have their fun with whatever version of a RP game they want to play.

[@Tizmanian]

Also keep in mind the difference between 'sell in' and 'sell through' for flag retailers. You can 'sell in' 10,000 copies a day but if you are only 'selling though' aka getting hard dollars from 500 customers out of that 10,000 that makes for a very different story. Those tend to be harder to obtain numbers but not impossible - just delayed in getting them.

[@TheLyricalCleric]

I play in one game and all of the players have switched over to the new edition except me and switched over to a digital platform except for me. I downloaded the app and got the free rules and started with a dwarven cleric, but I can’t find the skills without going into a dropdown menu and I can’t add anything to the sheet without going into the settings and I can’t do much with the sheet for writing things down so if I need information or loot, I’ve got to have a pad of paper. A lot of work for a fancy dice roller, in my view. I don’t even use the dice roller though, because I’ve got 15 years of dice to play with! All of the spells and class abilities seem like straight upgrades from the previous edition, which seems nice because we’re high level but I can imagine it makes running the game even harder for DMs. I haven’t dmed 2024 DnD, but I can imagine the xp and encounter math is still not solved. Everything has a ton of hit points and nothing moves in combat once combat starts or the entire session will be taken up with combat. I'm serious-at level 7, we have combats take two hours and nobody is spending more than a few minutes on their turn. No monsters move except to move into combat, no big monster actions, but everybody has an action and a bonus and often a spell effect and EVERY SINGLE ONE needs a roll, a bonus calculation, and if it hits, a damage calculation and a hit point calculation. So that means once my turn is done, I can essentially leave the table to go eat and come back 20 minutes later to an unchanged table with just some hit points taken off. No humans or monsters move around because that would take more time and then combat would be EVEN longer taking into account movement, cover, opportunity attacks, environmental hazards, etc. Everybody gets into place and stays there just to make the session go faster! Can you imagine? And we’re only level 7! So no, I’m not looking forward to 2024 DnD, it’s already bloated. Every time I try to take the air out of the system, it becomes something else-shadowdark, deathbringer, cypher, etc. Only DnD and pathfinder are this effort-heavy in ratio to gameplay-outcome. Makes me bored, frankly.

[@AMRosa10]

A health D&D, and by extension WotC, is a good thing for the entire TTRPG industry. Many of the designers who have gone on to design at some of the favorite independent publishers learned their trade at TSR, WotC, or writing for Dragon. Continuing to buy and support products sold by WotC will give opportunities for aspiring game developers to get the training that only a large publisher has the luxury to provide. I have also seen a lot of comments where people say they are annoyed about the staggered release of the Core Rulebooks, or that it is an accounting scam by Hasbro, but, if you look at all of the prior editions of D&D, with the exception of 4e, the core rulebooks have always had staggered release dates. The publication schedule for first edition AD&D was staggered over two to three years. These books have been a massive effort, with a much larger budget than the 2014 Rulebooks had, so a five month release schedule seems reasonable, especially since they are actually meeting those release dates.

[@mitchelltharp8023]

The new book is amazing i love the changes. Not everything is great but nothing in the world is. This is with out a doubt a much better book

[@tomkerruish2982]

I can't help but think about the "other" meaning of digital. I'm just glad that I reached my current age after they started using PSA levels instead of the older "hands-on" exam.

[@MourningConstitution]

Thanks!

[@SpiritWolf1966]

I enjoy all of Dungeon Craft videos 🎉🎉😊

[@Winterclaw42]

Books feel nicer to hold and I like having something real and turning the pages. That said, they take up a ton of space. They also don't use up power as long as you have a source of lighting. Digital on the other hand can get edited or memory-holed when you aren't looking. Plus they have to have their acts together so they can make it easy to find stuff cause you can't just use those little colored tab thingies or quickly thumb to the right section. But at least digital storage is cheap.

[@dantherpghero2885]

I LOVE ALL Dungeon Craft videos!

[@mr.smithsgovermentclass4556]

I don't want wizards at the coast to fail I want the current administration at wizards of the Coast to fail.

[@LuizCesarFariaLC]

It would be wild if the kids on the Stranger Things spin off started playing GURPS 😂

[@TheOGGMsAdventures]

Wow two of my favorite together

[@maorofl4366]

No Interist in digital stuff at our table

[@blitzthekraken9832]

Perfect Strategy! Get out of the box stores and go local, force the online. It gives the idea of support, without support. They probably have a five year plan on lowering quantities. Again, they are going after DM's. There is a place for books, but it will a very small market like records. They will target a younger audience. AI will drive RPTG World. I'm just going to say with OPtima coming out, I won't doubt they will use something like that as tool to run games at Con's. It's perfect use, and will definitely attract a younger audience curiosity.

[@lrdofstrms]

The local game shop got a mix of 15 copies in and sold them out on day one. Last time I was there he reordered 15 more copies and they were still on the shelves. As for me I do have quite a collection of digital rpg books, but I prefer physical copies because it is easier for me to mark pages for quick reference and it feels better to me to just wander my place with a book in my hands...

[@lulipe21]

I got out of the Wotc D&D during the 4e era, as even cutting fat we couldnt make a simple combat take less than 2,5h. The 5e wasnt that much interesting to me and my group. The more I see the more I understand that Deathbringer and the other OSR style games are right. Kudos to the Professor and his attitude towards TTRPG.

[@vg9422]

I bought the hard cover book in my game-store in Norway. I still play 5e in my campaigns, both as DM and player, but I like it so far. But I bought it out of curiousity, as I guess a lot of other people do. If you don't want it, don't buy it, very simple.

[@SNDurgon]

Today I finally got my group to look into a new system (Low Fantasy Gaming). Hopefully this is the beginning of the end for 5e at our table.

[@Scott-sk1rb]

Well, hopefully those who are buying it enjoy it.

[@garwynrosser8907]

Players get the "Players Handbook" and shareholders get the "Shareholders Guide"

[@Hellnikko]

Whatever it is, it's minus one. I'm not getting it.

[@Loki-]

Were you ever going to buy it? What would've convinced you? (Honest, non-rhetorical questions)

[@Hellnikko]

@@Loki- Not really. WOTC are just bad people now. I like to believe in redemption but it's gonna take a lot to reverse what they've become. Sure they backtracked a lot of ignorant decisions, but that's because they got caught. They'll either have to make amends or they are going to be more subtle next time. Either way, I'm not going to feed that machine.

[@kurtisdeakin]

I would've been tempted. I cut my teeth as a gm in 5e (was player in wfrp 2e before that). But then all the scandal? I'm not handing them a penny.

[@iansw8536]

Yeah, I’m sticking with 2014 rules until my current campaign is over and then I will probably change to something like DC20.

[@nowayjosedaniel]

​@@Loki-Nothing can convince me to support violent companies. Sending the pinkertons over some nerd cards is a level of political violence that is unacceptable at a deeply ethical level. Just like how the moment I find out Israel is committing a Genocide killing babies and toddlers bc they love the idea of the holocaust, I stopped buying anything ever connected to them. If Free League were to start a war in another country or hire police to beat up Paizo employees, I'd find that sickening and boycott them too even though I love them. If I saw Glicker punch Mark on air, I'd tap out of Battlezoo. Any amount of violence from any company leadership is unacceptable. Violence is on a whole new level beyond anything a corporation could ever do as just a typical unethical American Corporation. Any level of violence from a corporation is BEYOND unacceptable. Even just one act of violence is more than enough to rid them of my support forever. And if you dont think sending the Pinkertons was a violent act, you need to wake up to reality and really think about what that means.

[@CyFr]

I just visited one of my Indigo/Chapters and saw that they have a 20% off sale on the 2024 PHB

[@gremlingames5299]

I own a small gamestore . My store sold over 150 copies

[@rontalkstabletop]

Hasbro is going digital. Physical book sales no longer matter.

[@jamesmorgan3623]

Physical books sales are huge compared to digital sales.

[@ChrisBeck-ij9zs]

Thank you for the video.

[@thetworoos]

I returned my 2024 PHB. There’s no real need to buy it if you have the 2014 edition; it’s well done but is just a remaster with power creep built in. I think in time it will replace the 2014 edition but it will take a while.

[@travisbaggett2813]

I love all Dungeon Craft videos!

[@watchtowerdragon7098]

Does Book-Scan report sales to consumers, or sales to vendors/retailers?

[@theGhoulman]

@5:52 Yea, 100,000 sales at DNDBeyond for the 5.5e PHB would be a flippin' lot. Monthly.

[@dustinwhitcomb3585]

Yall should check out everyday hero. That's my 5.5

[@GhostManBrandonDDpre]

Saving my silver for Stockholm Kartel games, sandwiches, a new Orange cabinet and delay/looper effects.

[@chadbrow]

What's flags?

[@VengerSatanis]

Friendly Local Game Store or FLGS. *CHA'ALT*

[@chrishnaugh]

I believe he is referring to FLGs ,which is Friendly Local Game stores.

[@blurootz]

We have 22 gaming stores in Albuquerque that sell dnd books and products. 1000 in all of America is way to low. I bet Texas and California beat that number by a lot.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You might be right. But let's say it's 2000. That's still not a lot. They depend on digital sales now.

[@DoinItforNewCommTech]

My feeling is, it's the same edition with a rules update. So I don't really NEED new books that teach me to play the game I already know how to play. If a subclass comes out that I'm absolutely blown away by and I get an opportunity to step out from behind the DM screen, yeah, I can see myself dipping into 5.5e for that. If there's a campaign setting (the upcoming Realms books) that don't cost $300 on ebay, yeah, I'll pick those up. But I like to DM. As the DM I don't really need to know about player options. That's what my players are for.

[@kurtisdeakin]

There's better systems, people, that aren't trying to nickel and dime you!

[@liamtaylor4955]

Sounds like diversification is working out well for them. I'm psyched to buy all three books in hardcover (I believe I get the pdf/online access with that, too).

[@SanJacintoArtGuild]

I am saving up for Daggerheart!

[@petemcsorley]

I Love All your content Professor. Keep it up. I find it interesting to see what the owners of my favorite game are doing to secure the future and longevity. Change is never easy, but it is constant.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Appreciate the support. We'll keep the content coming.

[@jaymiescott96]

I feel like the subscription-based model has already been demonstrated through paizo. Understanding the relationship between Wizards of the Coast and Piezo it only makes sense for the largest kid in the playground to capitalize and Implement off of the success their largest competitor developed

[@meraduddcethin2812]

"Fastest" doesn't equal most. Fastest is quickest out the door. Given the direct sales, especially the electronic copies only, 'fastest' makes sense.

[@CharlesTersteeg]

does this said gold dragon do dishes or cook?

[@subterranean327]

Everything you said turned out to be right. DnD's ultimate money making strategy: 1. Create a game that is more dependent on technology to play well, so that players and GMs will spend more on extra digital products. 2. Pull out of book stores so that no one will discover other RPGs on accident. DnD must become a legal monopoly. 3. Focus on FOMO and cultural relevance to keep people buying. They just forgot one simple step that lost me as a customer. 1. Make a good game with an intuitive ruleset. GOODBYE DND, HELLO DC20! My group has officially made the switch. We're more contemporary heroic fantasy RPGers, but even if we were into OSR, then we would probably be switching to Shadowdark anyway.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

News videos on the business side drop today and Monday. Stay tuned!

[@cb-nz]

What I find amusing is the number of OG 5e people (bizarre there is such a thing) who laughed at the Grognards 6 months ago, and who now say "you will prize 5.14 out my cold dead hands" 😂

[@beowulfshaeffer8444]

And a couple years of good sales means that no matter what the long term consequences are, the execs involved in these decisions will have already gotten bonuses and career boosts and moved on to the next big thing, with only positive reinforcement of their subscription and micro-transaction based business models. It will take a very long time for the current corporate culture to change, especially where it overlaps with entertainment industries.

[@drillerdev4624]

While hyperlink based digital books are faster to use im most context, the collector effect of physical books can't be denied. That's why usually you get both when you buy the book. Digital for usage, physical for the sheer joy of ownership On easier systems, well designed books can be enough and you won't need the digital help, but d&d is pushing towards lots of content versus concise rules and lore proposals of other systems

[@newtpondskipper]

Love your work.

[@willchurch8376]

Books aren't going away. They didn't go away with video games, they didn't go away with computers, they didn't go away with audio books, etc.

[@Jeffery_USBP]

People are turning to digital not because its better then hardcopies....but because nowadays most groups get together online. I agree in person is more fun. But realistically, its very hard to consistently get a group together and stay together because we all have lives. Online is much easier. I can goto Start Playing right now, and in 2 hours be doing a one shot, or joining a campaign of my choice. Sure it will cost 10 to 20.00 per session.....but i save gas, time and can sit on my bed and play while my kids are asleep,wife watching tv in bed with me, and still make my 8am work call. Its convenient.

[@willchurch8376]

@@Jeffery_USBP I agree with you that playing online is more convenient. I disagree that 'playing online' equates to books going away. I have nowhere near the level of collections that some people do, and I've got three bookcases filled with just 1e PF and 5e DnD. An amount, I might add, completely disproportionate to the amount of games I'm able to play (none atm, typically once a week back in my Army days) I'll buy a good adventure or campaign setting just to read it at my leisure, with zero chance of running a game that uses it. Basically, the success of digital will not cause physical books to vanish. Especially when more courts rule in favor of corporations that end their digital offerings and cause people's entire libraries of games, books, etc to vanish. No one can take your physical copy away. (Or your pirated pdf.)

[@Jeffery_USBP]

@@willchurch8376 I agree. Physical books will not go away.

[@Oddmanoutre]

0:52 Death Bringer has two Axes now....