There’s a new game out there called Hollow Earth Expeditions. It’s a pulp RPG from what I believe is a new company called Exile studios. I happen to be a big fan of the genre so naturally I want this product to do well. I don’t run a business and I know nothing about having a game company, but the guys at Exile Studios seem do be making some fundamental mistakes that even a neophyte like me can’t help but shake his head.
I first heard of hollow earth adventures on one of the many gaming boards I frequent. I went to the website to see what all they had. There was a game but it wasn’t ready yet. The game was going to be unveiled at GenCon. I waited a few weeks and checked back after Gen Con. According to all the sources I could find the game was visually very appealing and well put together. However they ran out of copies almost immediately. Their website has an online store but no game to sell. They either decided not to offer the game in PDF format it just didn’t occur to them in the first place.
So here’s a brand new company trying to break into a small competitive market. They have a visually appealing product which they unveil at the premier event in the business. However, they quickly run out of the product and have no means to sustain any buzz they may have generated with the grand unveiling. There is no option for obtaining a PDF copy, and a wait of several weeks before another run of print copies are ready for distribution, In the meantime though, the consumer is told that if they want to reserve a copy it’s $39.99. I looked at the website a few seconds ago and they are promising more copies arriving the second week of September, today is October 2nd   ( it’s hard to put a lot of faith in a company that cant even keep their website up to date this early in the game). I’m not sure about most people but 40 bucks for a new game in an untried system is a bit steep for me especially if I’ve never even held a copy in my hand. For half that price I can go to RPGnow and get a couple of pulp games, supplements and even some cardstock buildings and miniatures. Yes it’s easy being an armchair quarterback, and I’m sure there are probably good reasons for why they did or did not do certain things, but I can’t help but feel they are losing a great opportunity. Like the saying goes “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” I wish them luck.

Gotta link?

For any smaller gaming company these days to NOT offer PDF versions of their games is tantamount to suicide.

To not even think of it, to not be aware that the market works this way now, tantamount to idiocy.

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPunditFor any smaller gaming company these days to NOT offer PDF versions of their games is tantamount to suicide.

We've had it in the works for a while, but the Hollow Earth Expedition RPG is now available in PDF format! Check out our press release here: http://www.exilegames.com/press/112406.html.

Jeff Combos
President
Exile Game Studio
//www.exilegames.com

I think that most of the lack of product problem relates to Exile not expecting the amount of success the game has had. I picked up my copy @ Gencon and was geeking out all the way home while reading it. From what I heard they sold quite a few books @ gencon.

Quote from: McrowI think that most of the lack of product problem relates to Exile not expecting the amount of success the game has had.

Indeed, you are exactly right. The game was so well received at Gen Con that I doubled the size of the original print run. Unfortunately, as more and more people discover Hollow Earth Expedition, demand has quickly outstripped our supply.

The good news, however, is that we've been able to scale up to meet the growing demand. I already have a second print run of HEX in the works that I expect will serve our ever-increasing customer base for a long, long time.

In addition, I'm hard at work on a GM Screen and the first sourcebook, Mysteries of the Hollow Earth. It's a busy time over at Exile, but it's a good busy, and we're looking forward to putting out some great products that are readily available to everyone that wants them.

Jeff Combos
President
Exile Game Studio
//www.exilegames.com

This was all hashed out in a purple thread a few months back wasn't it?  How Exile screwed the pooch but largely because they hadn't expected that level of success.

I'm glad to hear that they've got round to producing a PDF.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalThis was all hashed out in a purple thread a few months back wasn't it?  How Exile screwed the pooch but largely because they hadn't expected that level of success.

I'm glad to hear that they've got round to producing a PDF.

With exactly the same opening post if i recall correctly.

Quite... suggesting this is more about the OP grinding an axe and trying to drum up antagonism towards the company than any real desire to discuss things.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalQuite... suggesting this is more about the OP grinding an axe and trying to drum up antagonism towards the company than any real desire to discuss things.

Time better used playing the game?

Or engaging in self-harm.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalQuite... suggesting this is more about the OP grinding an axe and trying to drum up antagonism towards the company than any real desire to discuss things.

First of all ... oops! I didn't mean to ressurect a thread that has already been hashed over. It just wanted to let everyone know about the happy ending.

As for the OP, while I can't speak for his reasons for starting the original thread, I've gotten to know the Evil DM since his post, and he's a really nice guy that's given me some really helpful feedback. He's active over on the Exile forums and I consider him a friend of the company. I'd venture to guess that his views on Exile have changed since his first post here.

Jeff Combos
President
Exile Game Studio
//www.exilegames.com

Quote from: RPGPunditFor any smaller gaming company these days to NOT offer PDF versions of their games is tantamount to suicide.

To not even think of it, to not be aware that the market works this way now, tantamount to idiocy.

RPGPundit

Why? Most gamers prefer print to electronic. I'm not saying PDF's aren't a good idea, but they sure as Hell aren't mandatory.

But my point remains. Gamers don't want to read "The Compleat Guide to Necromantic Gong Farmers: a 224-page book of feats and prestige classes on their computer terminals; they want said book in hardcover form, and they want it in print.

When I get a pdf I end up printing it out if it's going to be a frequently referenced book. And I've never read an entire pdf product unless it was printed out first. I love the convenience for looking things up, but I'm too old fashioned to convert completely.

Two generations down the road though, anyone not using a searchable document on screen will be laughed at as a dinosaur.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalQuite... suggesting this is more about the OP grinding an axe and trying to drum up antagonism towards the company than any real desire to discuss things.

No not "quite".
My original post was in no way an axe grinding. I was discussing a situation where I felt the company was making what I considered fundamental mistakes in the marketing of their product. I expressed as much to Jeff C. In several friendly and informative correspondences. as I said in my OP I want this company to succeed and I still do. At the time I spoke as a consumer who's intention was to try and evaluate a product that is part of a genre near and dear to my heart. I was frustrated in my attempts to secure the product and felt that the company might be missing the boat on potential revenue by not offering a PDf on the onset of their initial offering. And if you read the OP I also conceeded that they may have good reason for their actions.

So there is no axe, there is no antagonsim. there was however an opinion that I expressed.

And yes Doc, the time would have been better spent playing the game. but that was the whole point. I couldn't get a copy of the game. that part however will be shortly resolved.