More On Electronic Publishing

More Thoughts and Ideas

by William McHarg

You are probably right Allan. I think selling things over the web via PDF files is going to become more common. I don't really have a problem with it. I do think the price is a problem. There are some very finished rules that go for $30 U.S. The problem of piracy is going to be there. If a small group of gamers decides to play Fantasy Rules!(rules published in PDF format), they certainly don't need to buy more than one copy. As long as they don't sell copies over the web, it would be pretty much impossible to catch them. I have no problem with someone making money off this hobby. That being said, this also cuts into the sales of the local hobby shops.

Some are forging some new ground here, and I personally hope it turns out well for them. I really think right now the problem is that someone can go to the store, look at the pretty picture on the cover, fondle the rules, and get instant gratification uy buying something they can go home and read. Companies selling PDF based rules need to come up with some way to get people to look at a description on the web and have that same urge to buy.

I think that web based sales are going to have to come up with ways of making it seem more like seeing something in a store. Perhaps more solid information on the game, down-loadable army lists and scenarios, etc. They need to come up with some way of selling the sizzle, since we can't smell the steak.

Electronic Publishing Pros and Cons

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