Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

I wonder how it works in sjgames? Does the writers send proposals and a biz plan w/ costing or its the management who assigns someone this task (proposals and biz plan). Is saying GO a matter of risk, everyone tied up, or is wotc minis supplier exclusive or cant beat their prices, or the maket is just too niche?

I could already guestimate from lurking its going to be a lot of work, if it gets approved probably 6 months to finish pre launching stuff given the current load that appears for people im sj.

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

It is interesting to note that since Ronnke started this thread, Orcslayer has sold 18 copies. It sold 13 copies in the whole of 2011, and 21 in 2010.

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

Well, that primarily referred to new customers where I can see different advantages of the box approach, e.g. closer relation to already known board games which "builds bridges" and makes it easier to sell this also in stores not specialized in rpg's.
But in general, also for experienced gamers, in my opinion boxes have some psychological bonuses: For instance there is a relation to opening a nice packaged present (which makes it a better gift also).
There are a lot of details coming to my mind, but I find it hard to explain in short. Also in my local and online gamer community I noticed a lot of interest in boxed versions across the systems in the last years, which may have something to do with retro (old school) factor, too. Anyway, there is never an evidence for such marketing assumptions, so you might see it differently.

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

I want GURPS miniatures, too. An array of basic fantasy characters would be good, but what I really want is even more niche; I want miniatures of the aliens from Aliens. Of course, the cidi mini would be a little speck.

I've thought about having some made by Shapeways, but my modelling skills still need some work, I am finding.

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

I've noticed that you seem disconnected with reality of the table-top RPG gaming market. Do you play anything other than GURPS? Have you been to a RPG hobby store in recent years?

Just curious.

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

Perhaps. But I'm looking for any real sales data, and I'm going off Ryan Dancey's recent note on ENWorld, in which he mentioned that the cost of a boxed set over a hardcover was often a "multiple, rather than a percentage."

Yes, I am aware of Paizo's success with its entry-level product, though I wonder how the extra shelf space given to Pathfinder over, well, anything but D&D makes a difference here.

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

The whole point of an entry level product is to get people to buy additional product. In a way it's much like a lost leader that's used to get people into a store. I have reason to believe that an introductory boxed set is too much work for too little reward for SJG to bother. And over on the Ogre board we got into discussion of plastic figures and got a solid not going to happen response.

I've argued for a GURPS lite fantasy module for years and will continue to do so. I even offered to write it but Steve Jackson told me no. Though it was really cool that he took the time to do so directly. I suspect one reason SJ is resistant to the idea is that the races and monsters in Banestorm are its main selling point. So just copying and pasting them together with the magic rules in the Basic Set as I've often suggested probably isn't viable.

I'm running GURPS Fantasy these days so I might get around to writing one myself and ask for permission to put it out there as a fan made book if my store results in a bit of dead time when I can work on such projects.

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

Very good article, thanks for mentioning it, I really did not know that boxed sets were often sold with loss in the past... However, the author himself points in the direction that one of the possible future paths is a closer relation to family (board) games, which are boxed sets! (Quote: "I think that commercially successful TRPGs of the future will be constructed more like a family game – something that can be unpacked, learned quickly, and played with little prep work.")

IMHO that is what makes an entry product as other have said, too! Of course such a box is expensive but the payback is getting new customers and establing new gamer networks rather than the money directly paid for that one box... The follow-up products in the line, like different source books, advanced rules etc., don't need boxes anymore.

Re: GURPS Orcslayer - Entry level GURPS
 

I suspect that you're right, which depresses me to no end. I understand that SJG has been successful by being careful about what they invest their money in, etc., but I also suspect that this is a strategy with potential downsides. If one is too hesitant to invest in some sort of marketing product (e.g. like the beginner's boxed set we've been talking about), doesn't that create the potential that your company starts losing money and customers (if only potential ones) just through lack of presence? With GURPS, has SJG simply decided to only publish products for the established customer base (which is my suspicion)? Is there ANY strategy for actively trying to win new players or is it simply being left to word of mouth? One would think that Kromm and RPK (and everyone else involved in publishing GURPS material) would have a vested interest in expanding their customer base or at least maintaining it. The tabletop RPG market may be shrinking overall, but I don't see why that has to mean that you can't fight for a bigger piece of the smaller pie. I would love to see some sort of official statement about this.