DriveThruRPG Metal changes

Psikerlord · November 08, 2018, 08:44:52 PM

Quote from: Gypsy Knights Games;1063631My thoughts would be that it's one of four things:

2> Keep in mind that if you sold 250 on DTRPG and another 250 on RPGNow (for a total of 500), then your product would be silver on DTRPG and silver on RPGNow. So, despite selling 500 copies in total, that product is only going to be at silver.

Yes this was my error with Midlands. Metal rankings on DTRPG and RPGNow are accounted for separately, but the default sales numbers report combines both. I didnt realise that until they expained it to me the other day

Delete_me · November 08, 2018, 08:54:55 PM

Quote from: Gypsy Knights Games;1063722If they start stonewalling you, then I'd say you'll know for sure that it is actually #4 and this is some attack with malice against you.

Which would potentially be a breach of contract and possibly a tortious action, and probably worth consulting a lawyer on depending on the level of damages you could reasonably estimate based on sales after products hit a certain level.

Independence Games · November 08, 2018, 09:12:12 PM

Quote from: Psikerlord;1063792Yes this was my error with Midlands. Metal rankings on DTRPG and RPGNow are accounted for separately, but the default sales numbers report combines both. I didnt realise that until they expained it to me the other day

In my opinion, it's a definite problem. If you're going to separate the metal rankings by page, then they need to provide sales numbers for each page. This would eliminate a lot of the confusion.

OTOH, (and, in my opinion, the best option) they could just unite the sales reports and the metal rankings.

RPGPundit · November 09, 2018, 04:56:33 PM

RPGnow was originally meant to be more for Small Press products. To some extent, it still is.

Toadmaster · November 09, 2018, 09:45:42 PM

I always go through Drivethru, never RPGNow. It is the one saved in my favorites with my compiled wish list. Bundle of Holding also links direct to Drivethru.

I had no idea that it mattered to the publisher which one the sales came from I just assumed after they merged they kept both store fronts open as a convenience for customers.

RPGPundit · November 11, 2018, 04:14:25 AM

It's hugely unfortunate for the hobby that they're essentially the only game in town.

Rhedyn · November 11, 2018, 03:33:33 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit;1064133It's hugely unfortunate for the hobby that they're essentially the only game in town.

Buying directly is always an option. That's my preference.

RPGPundit · November 16, 2018, 03:47:02 AM

Quote from: Rhedyn;1064194Buying directly is always an option. That's my preference.

Yes, that's great and strongly recommended, but it doesn't pick up casual buyers.

Bunch · November 16, 2018, 11:05:42 AM

Quote from: Tanin Wulf;1063795Which would potentially be a breach of contract and possibly a tortious action, and probably worth consulting a lawyer on depending on the level of damages you could reasonably estimate based on sales after products hit a certain level.

This is the RPG industry. The money is never significant enough to involve a lawyer.

Count me as one who always buys through drivethrurpg.

Zwiehanders author has gone into detail on how he generates sales, why he does the deal of the day and why he thinks the discounts Ultimately results in more profit.

RPGPundit · November 17, 2018, 05:51:36 AM

I guess we'll see, eventually.

estar · November 20, 2018, 08:03:38 AM

I just got a newsletter saying that RPGNow is folding into DrivethruRPG. That among other things metal rankings will merge. That one way to fix the issue I suppose. Also RPGnow links will redirect to their DriveThruRPG equivalent.

This will occur in February 2019.

BoxCrayonTales · November 20, 2018, 01:28:14 PM

Quote from: estar;1065456I just got a newsletter saying that RPGNow is folding into DrivethruRPG. That among other things metal rankings will merge. That one way to fix the issue I suppose. Also RPGnow links will redirect to their DriveThruRPG equivalent.

This will occur in February 2019.

I'm surprised this wasn't done a long time ago. They'd already merged accounts during the initial merger. Due to mismanagement on my part I had to contact customer support to get multiple accounts I'd opened merged together.

RPGPundit · November 24, 2018, 05:42:41 AM

Yes, the merging of rankings is probably a good thing. But there are potentially other issues. We're going to be talking about this on Sunday's episode of Inappropriate Characters.

Pat · November 25, 2018, 04:48:51 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit;1063700No. Being aware of this I've done ALL my publicity efforts on RPGnow. I have shared only the RPGnow links, whenever I'm promoting the book it's on RPGnow.

I can't fathom that the situation would be one of equal sales in spite of a completely one-sided promotion. Not in a product like this where word-of-mouth is usually the main way to sell it.

In the email they sent out to publishers announcing the merger, they said RPGNow accounted for less than 1/10th their sales. So it's quite likely that almost all your buyers who googled, or searched the store front instead of following a link, used DTRPG.

RPGPundit · November 28, 2018, 03:37:21 AM

Quote from: Pat;1066020In the email they sent out to publishers announcing the merger, they said RPGNow accounted for less than 1/10th their sales. So it's quite likely that almost all your buyers who googled, or searched the store front instead of following a link, used DTRPG.

It's possible. I mean, L&D is rated as a Silver product on both sites; though again, given the significant profits it's shown ever since its release I'm still dubious as to how it could still be Silver rated, when other products I have with that same rating have had way less profit.