Quote from: Pierce InverarityWhat I DO like is when a publisher gives me the pdf right away when I order the book on his website. This is what PIGames and BTRC do, and I'm sure a lot of others, too. I get instant gratification AND I get a present in the mail two weeks later.

That's definitely the classy way to do it.

Why PDF's rock --

1) Search function
2) I can bring my gaming library to work with me and port it around easily (I bring a laptop to work every day, and when I head to gaming afterwards, it comes in with me)
3) Easy to print things everyone needs a copy of (e.g. character sheets, tables, etc.) -- and in the environments I'm in printers are usually easier to come by than photocopiers
4) No cheap binding (unless you print them out...)

There are probably others, but these are the key ones that jump to mind.

Cheers,
-E.

i don't own a laptop or a printer with cheap(er) printing options. Thus pdf's don't rock.

I like PDFs, and I like the idea of them even better. The usual list: portability, storage, cutting-and-slicing, searching, updates, all that shit. Love getting a PDF with book, like others--best of both worlds.

I can see that one day when screen technology is more advanced and laptops weigh six ounces and PDF producers take full advantage of PDF's features (eg hyperlinks), PDFs (and similar formats) will be so normal as to be be the accepted way to read. Already, sometimes I read more in a day on a computer than I do in print. Imagine when it's even more convenient and easier on the eyes!

Quote from: droogI can see that one day when screen technology is more advanced and laptops weigh six ounces and PDF producers take full advantage of PDF's features (eg hyperlinks), PDFs (and similar formats) will be so normal as to be be the accepted way to read. Already, sometimes I read more in a day on a computer than I do in print. Imagine when it's even more convenient and easier on the eyes!

That's essentially all I'm asking for. A better machine to read them with.

I like pdfs on the whole. However, my dial-up internet connection doesn't like them at all.

Quote from: flyingmiceA Sampling of my own games:

StarCluster 2E Print = $32.90*
StarCluster 2E pdf = $ 12.00

In Harm's Way: A Napoleonic Naval RPG Print = $22.90
In Harm's Way: A Napoleonic Naval RPG pdf = $11.00

In Harm's Way: Aces In Spades Print = $ 23.54
In Harm's Way: Aces In Spades pdf = $11.00

Cold Space RPG Print = $ 21.99
Cold Space RPG pdf = $ 11.00

* Used to be $27.97, but Lulu instituted a uniform pricing agreement, and raised the price to the list price of the versions they sell via amazon and B&N. If I lower the price, I cut my already slim margins of the amazon print versions to nothing.

PDFs do NOT cost the same to produce as print games, though they do cost a good bit if you make good pdfs. They shouldn't cost the same as a print version. The publishers who have embraced pdf - like myself, Hinterwelt, PIG, and a bunch of others - instead of fearing it see this and price accordingly. Those who fear pdfs price them so it's not worth your while to buy them. My price reflects the cost of creating the game, plus distribution, plus print costs, plus a profit margin. With pdfs, the print cost is gone, and distro cost is lower.

-clash

To break it down for a HinterWelt title:
Roma Imperious Print : 39.99
Roma Imperious PDF : 12.99*
Print cost : ~4
Amount grossed through Distro:14.40
Amount grossed through OBS: 8.44
 
So I make slightly less on PDFs than I do through via PDF than I should but I do have less hassle (shipping books, dealing with distributors and so forth).

To add, I talk with a lot of print publishers and retailers and another motivation for a lot of the pricing of PDFs os to "protect" the print sails. Most retailers are not pleased with publishers who do PDF. Some even refuse to carry their books. Especially if a player shows up in the retailers shop for a game with a freshly printed PDF of a game they carry on their shelves.

Now, to really blow you minds, I could sell my 39.99 Roma Imperious for $20 plus shipping if I did not go through the distribution chain. About 65% of the price of a book is eaten up by fulfillment, distributors, and retailers.

Finally, remember, I owned and operated my own chain of game stores. I know what they go through. It can be a true pain to feel like a publisher is shining you on. There are SO many reasons not to carry a game and only a limited few to do so. RPGs were the bread and butter of our stores back in the 90s but not any more. Sales tend to run towards all manner of other products. A publisher has to be aware that they are no longer just competing for rack space with the latest RPG but also the latest comic, used book, Mini, or CCG. Tough market.
 
*Increased from 10.99 due to the 40% jump in fees at OBS.

Bill

It's easier to make 4 copies of a pdf to distribute to the gaming group than to share or copy the book.  ::whistles innocently::

Quote from: One Horse TownI like pdfs on the whole. However, my dial-up internet connection doesn't like them at all.

I download on my super fast work connection and pop them on a memory stick to take home- but that's not available for everyone.

PDF prices are rather variable.  I've seen what are essentially pamphlet PDFs (<50 pages, largish font) for prices higher than what I'd pay for print - many of the Forge style games are guilty of this.  But quite often it's much cheaper, especially for hard to find or out of print stuff- would I rather have $50 on ebay or a $8 pdf?

I like printing the just the  odd page for game use so printing costs don't factor in for me.

I'm sorely tempted to get the classic Traveller and Traveller 2300 CDs, each with everything for that line for $35.

In no particular order...

1. I like PDFs because I can check out a game and decide if I want to buy it in print. For publishers (like the one I work for) that give a discount if you buy the PDF then the printed book, this is even cooler.

2. I like PDFs because they're so much easier to work from.

Creative Mountain's bookmarked SRDs are more or less the bible for me. I use them every day.

3. I also like PDFs because they have kept me from needing a day job for going on three years now.

4. I like SMALL PDFs because you can get exactly the targeted bit of rules you need, like archer feats or new mundane items.

5. I like LARGE PDFs because they'll tackle well-researched topics, that are a bit more off the beaten path, than a lot of the print stuff I run across.

Chuck