Re: Adventurers' Guild

From: leeme@cnsvax.uwec.edu

Date: Thu, 06 May 1993 17:46:42 +0000

In article <1993May6.015440.28766@news.tufts.edu>, gharris@jade.tufts.edu (George W. Harris) writes:
> In article <C6KMDD.C34@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> pat3n@dayhoff.med.Virginia.EDU (Patrick A. Truman) writes:
>>AG costs almost $10/turn.
>>DM costs about the same to run all 5 fights.
>>
>>Presumably, one will be playing either game for a long time.
>>
>>An initial outlay of $3.50 does not seem to be more than a drop in the
>>bucket compared to the playing costs.  Try it, you'll like it.  Or try
>>it and don't like it-- either way it's only $3.50.
>
> 	My point exactly.  It's only $3.50, so why should they be charging
> that for starting if their game's so good anyone who'll try it will be
> hooked.  If it'll get'em more customers, they *should* give the rules
> away.  Like you say, an initial investment of $3.50 (less, since I'll
> bet the rules packet costs less to produce) for sending the rules to
> someone with a casual interest is chicken feed compared to what they'll
> rake in from turn charges.

It's only $3.50 for the CUSTOMER, not the company.  Dependent on the size of
the company, you could get anywhere from 100 requests to thousands of
requests for a rulebook.  Not many companies can afford to send out
hundreds upon hundreds of rulebooks out to anyone who asks, especially not a
small company like Entertainment Plus (AG).

> 	If it's only $3.50, why don't *you* pay for my rules book and
> start up costs?

To show you how the PBM industry is doing these days concerning rulebooks/
setup here is the following from companies advertising in Paper Mayhem
May/June issue (Adventurers Guild is not the only company having to charge
for rulebooks/setup!):

Game               Price to start     What you get
The Weapon             $12            3 turns and 'free' rulebook
Fleet Maneuvers        $9             3 turns and 'free' rulebook
Out Time Days          $5             Rules, startup turn and 5 turns
World War IV           $4             Rules (returned on setup)
                       $12            Full setup, rules, map, 2 turns
Epic                   $12            Setup, rules, $8 in game credit
Victory                $15            Rules
Lords of Destiny       FREE           Free rules, free setup
Into the Maelstrom     FREE           Free rules, setup, 2 turns
Takamo                 $10            Setup, rulebook
                       $5              Rulebook alone
Star-Saga              $12.75         Setup, 2 turns, rules
                       $3             Rules
Bounty Hunter          $5             Startup package and 1 free turn
                       $20            Startup package and 6 turns
Adventurer Kings       $2             Rules (credit when you begin game)
Darkness of Silverfall $2             Rules
Land of Karrus         $7             Rules
                       $15            Rules, setup, 2 turns
Hyborian War/Duelmasters FREE         Free rules, setup
Warlord of Thunder Crag $15           Rules, map, setup, 3 turns, newsletter
Nexus of Mystery       $20            Rules, setup, 3 turns, newsletter
EverMoor II            $6             Players Guide
                       $25            Guide, map, setup, 3 turns
Dark Magus             $10            Startup
Galactic Anarchy       $15            Rules, 5 turns
                       $4             Rules alone
Flying Buffalo games   Around $2      Rules
Perseus Arm            $20            Rules, 3 turns
Glory II               $6             Rules
                       $10            Rules, map, initial turn
Middle Earth           $25            Map, rules, 2 turns, 3 month newsletter
Legends:NIC            $15            Legends Rules
                       $12.50         NIC module (map,setup)
and many more....

The main point I am trying to get across is that $3.50 for a rulebook is hardly
anything for the customer.  Almost all PBM companies these days charge for
rules/setup.  Almost all the companies will also send a brochure or even
samples of turns if you send a request for more info and a S.A.S.E.

Take up Dave Saville's offer to pay for the AG rules, you won't be
disappointed.

Mike Lee

> gharris@jade.tufts.edu
> George W. Harris              	"He'd kill us if he had the chance."
> Dept. of Mathematics
> Tufts University              			The Conversation

References

Re: Adventurers' Guild
bjohnson@athena.mit.edu (Brett W Johnson)
Wed, 05 May 1993 14:06:14 +0000
Re: Adventurers' Guild
gharris@jade.tufts.edu (George W. Harris)
Wed, 05 May 1993 17:50:39 +0000
Re: Adventurers' Guild
pat3n@dayhoff.med.Virginia.EDU (Patrick A. Truman)
Wed, 05 May 1993 20:32:01 +0000
Re: Adventurers' Guild
gharris@jade.tufts.edu (George W. Harris)
Thu, 06 May 1993 01:54:40 +0000