Friday, June 27, 2008

Inflation Calculator

Just a quick observation about game prices. I was reading a review about the new D&D online tools and read a gripe that the 4.0 books are now $34.95. Lets pull out the old inflation calculator:

D&D 3.5 out in 2003
Price: 29.95

Adjusted for inflation for 2007 (the latest numbers available)
Price: $34.35.
You can probably add $.50 or so for 2008.

Notice how I carefully skipped over the 2000 release of 3.0 and their teaser price of $19.95.

You can read my analysis comparing D&D 1st edition to 3.5 here. The books are a much better value in todays dollars.

5 comments:

  1. Of course, I'd probably be willing to pay $50 or more for individual core books if they were built like those old 1st edition books. Those things will last forever.

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  2. Hmmm. $50 for half the page count, in black and white instead of color, with cartoony artwork, and edited by an insurance salesman.

    I think I would have to pass, although I think I had more fun with them regardless.

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  3. I think it is a value thing. It is for me, at least. The price of D&D vs. the fun. I don't like 4e, so any price would mean suck. I bought it, read it, and consider it a waste of money.

    On the other hand, there are games I really like and know I got a deal on. Warhammer RPG (both) are well worth their entry fees. Savage Worlds is another.

    Miniatures allow me to paint and clear my mind and are also worth the price, even if I rarely play in a minis game.

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  4. I didn't say I would pay that for AD&D. There is state of the art in RPG design and production to take into account, but in terms of sheer quality of bindery nothing beats those early AD&D books.

    I would be willing to give up color for durability if that was the trade-off.

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  5. Erol Otus? Yes cartoony, but the best, AFAIAC.

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