>
> Lets face it! Game system rules exist to sell supplements like razors exist
> to
> sell blades (and perhaps to shave). Releasing a minimal set of rules for
> free,
> and charging for the Gloranthan content makes perfect sense. Especially since
> Hero Wars rules are so simple. Take out the Gloranthan material and what is
> left? Not much. After reading the draft version of HW I was *more* desperate
> for the final release, not less!
>
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A friend of mine, who owns a RPG store says that rules are a really strong
seller in comparison to supplements. I would say this sounds true at least
here in Finland because a gaming group usually has several people, every one
of whom will probably want to buy the rules set and perhaps one culture book
or equivalent but usually only one buys the scenario and background books.
With RQ and probably with HW we will have relatively few supplements
compared to rules set if one compares to for example D&D. So the rules sets
will generate probably relatively a bit higher amount of revenue than with
the D&D & ilk.
Giving away free is not a very bright move in our industry where rather large percentage of would be buyers might be kids, teenagers and students with rather limited budget compared to adults with salaries etc.
Especially when the RPG market is rather limited anyway and not growing, it seems, except perhaps in card games.
Not everyone who would gain access to free rules is as altruistic as we list members and buys the set even when he/she/it has them already from the web.
I would say Issaries needs each and every (rules set) dollar to finance the development and marketing to get us the Hero Wars supplements we want.
Let's be patient, the rules will come out...
I want Issaries and Hero Wars to succeed. I really want to see (and buy) all the books in their publishing schedule.
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