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Another odd sentiment I have heard expressed here is that sales of 4e are inflated because of those folks who, out of morbid curiosity, ordered the books just to see how bad they really are.
Given the sales figures I truly doubt that the morbid curiosity crowd is much more that a small fraction of the overall sales.
You do not crack the top 10 on Amazon because people are curious about your product.
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Another odd sentiment I have heard expressed here is that sales of 4e are inflated because of those folks who, out of morbid curiosity, ordered the books just to see how bad they really are.
Given the sales figures I truly doubt that the morbid curiosity crowd is much more that a small fraction of the overall sales.
You do not crack the top 10 on Amazon because people are curious about your product.
I would say that EVERY top 10 on Amazon is because people are curious about your product.
Everyone puts their own spin on things. Some just use more extreme spin then others.
But maybe what the person should have said was:
"As the game sales are currently prerelease sales, we can not distinguish whether all the sales are from people who will continue with the game. Certainly some of the people are preodering the game without having played it. Some people are probably buying it out of curiosity, tradition or optimism. The true numbers of sales break down can not be discerned right now."
Or something.
Or something.
Actually, I think the original poster was saying he thinks most of the people who've preordered 4th Edition on Amazon are doing so because they are genuinely interested in reading and/or playing the game... They aren't just buying out of what some might call "morbid curiosity".
Not morbid curiosity...Yes there are probably a small percentage..
But the majority of sales are from people who loved previous D&D and are jumping into 4th edition sight-unseen not knowing anything about it.
Or people who want to get in on D&D from the ground floor and are buying the new core books to play for the first time and dont know anything about it.
Im guessing that over 75% of people buying 4th edition know NOTHING about it until they get the books and start looking through them.
Im guessing that over 75% of people buying 4th edition know NOTHING about it until they get the books and start looking through them.
I'd say for a majority of people ordering their books, yes this is true.
Or something.Actually, I think the original poster was saying he thinks most of the people who've preordered 4th Edition on Amazon are doing so because they are genuinely interested in reading and/or playing the game... They aren't just buying out of what some might call "morbid curiosity".
True it makes little sense to buy something that you think sucks... but maybe some people have way to much money and nothing interesting is happening in their life.
True it macks little sense to buy something that you think sucks... but maybe some people have way to much money and nothing interesting is happening in their life.Or something.Actually, I think the original poster was saying he thinks most of the people who've preordered 4th Edition on Amazon are doing so because they are genuinely interested in reading and/or playing the game... They aren't just buying out of what some might call "morbid curiosity".
If that's the case, WotC has just filled that void. :)
... but maybe some people have way to much money and nothing interesting is happening in their life.Given the state of the economy and the great variety of entertainment choices I don't see this as a viable explanation of the sales numbers.
Never said it was.
Another odd sentiment I have heard expressed here is that sales of 4e are inflated because of those folks who, out of morbid curiosity, ordered the books just to see how bad they really are.
That's just crazy talk.
Many that abhor 4e (most of whom haven't yet seen it) can't fathom other people liking it or even being interested in it -- so they make stupid claims. Off-topic, but in the same vein, quite a few 4e supporters can't seem to fathom that 4e might not be all things to all people.
Most people are just narrow-minded and stupid -- it's human nature. Not me, of course.
...but maybe some people have way to much money and nothing interesting is happening in their life.
I wish they'd send some of that money to me...
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I've played D&D for about 18 Years now and spent lot's of bucks on D&D books.
While I was quite sure that 4th. ed. wasn't the game for me, The discussion about the new rules was far to heated (and sometimes to stupid) to make up my mind. So I decided to buy the books and see if I like the game or not for myself. I must say I still like 3.5 much better (only KotS yet...), but it is a solid high powered fantasy game - one more game in my shelf to lay from time to time I guess, or a gift to someone I wan't to get into roleplaying - I will see in time.
After years of playing and spending money on the game I did't want to base my opinion only on what I've read or heard from other people.
It was curiosity - not morbid curiosity but curiosity. I don't think that is a bad thing.
Some people may be buying it just so they have their hands on it even if they don't plan to play it. For instance, I bought 1e D&D although I never play it. It's like buying the last season of your favorite TV show just to round out your collection, even if the last season sucked.
And because D&D is a social game, many people may feel obliged to purchase the books just to keep up with the conversation, although they may not particularly care for the game.
I don't know how many people make up that portion, but I imagine it's a pretty big percentage.
It's like buying the last season of your favorite TV show just to round out your collection, even if the last season sucked.
Or, like buying the last season of your favorite show because it's the best season. To each his own.
Given the sales figures I truly doubt that the morbid curiosity crowd is much more that a small fraction of the overall sales.
You do not crack the top 10 on Amazon because people are curious about your product.
Morbid curiosity can't be more than a minute percentage. The idea of buying a product just to see how bad it is is stupid.
But, curiosity is a strong motivator.
When Amazon first listed the 4e gift set, people were posting that they were preordering it because the price was so low they could get their money back if they didn't like 4e. It's a pretty good plan.
In addition, there have been posts from people with no intention of running 4e who are buying one or more of the books to see what they can steal for their 3.x campaigns.
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Another odd sentiment I have heard expressed here is that sales of 4e are inflated because of those folks who, out of morbid curiosity, ordered the books just to see how bad they really are.
Given the sales figures I truly doubt that the morbid curiosity crowd is much more that a small fraction of the overall sales.
You do not crack the top 10 on Amazon because people are curious about your product.
I agree that if you do not like 4e this is kind of strange, as it helps WOTC plan, after all they don't care that you like their book or not, only that you bought it.
Which won't happen in my case.
So Razz : in this case, you screwed up. sorry pal.
I agree that if you do not like 4e this is kind of strange, as it helps WOTC plan, after all they don't care that you like their book or not, only that you bought it.
Which won't happen in my case.
So Razz : in this case, you screwed up. sorry pal.
Indeed. In a capitalistic society, your opinion is your dollar.
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To add a new wrinkle to the analysis, your FLGS might actually order through Amazon in bulk, inflating sales. If it sits on the shelf at your FLGS I wouldn't consider that a valid sale.
There are lot's of situations where a book hits the New York Bestseller list simply because places like Border's, Barnes and Noble, etc. buy a bunch of books based on expectation of sales...only to see those books in the bargain bin a few months later and still not selling.
Its hard to differentiate retail sales from wholesale in a lot of these sales figures (Amazon.com list a major case in point).
I am likely NOT to play 4e at all. But I still want the core books.I have every core book from every edition, why wouldn't I add to my collection.
Bring this topic up again in a year, after people have played it, and PHB II is on the Amazon charts...that will be more telling as to 4E's strength.
Morbid curiosity can't be more than a minute percentage. The idea of buying a product just to see how bad it is is stupid.
Agreed, particularly when they could let the slavering masses be stupid (re: buy) and wait for posted reviews, blogs, and web board posts for their info. First to know and divulge must be addictive.