darjr
I crit!
I think this makes sense. I’m surprised at the magnitude of the difference though.
GenCon sale on his book!
https://bit.ly/BookplatePromo
Behold! Actual Dark Sun sales numbers!
We’re going to try something different here. Since I have EVERYTHING for Dark Sun between 1991 and 1998, we’re going to look at the line first year by year in the hope that it gives us insight into the life of a product line at TSR.
In 1991, TSR released 3 DS products, a boxed set, an adventure (Freedom) and a novel. (Verdant Passage.)
The thing that jumps out at me is that the novel sold significantly more than the boxed set and novel COMBINED!
Now in fairness, the adventure did come out in December, and would sell another 17,383 copies in ‘92.
But if you add that to the total ‘91 gaming sales, THE NOVEL STILL SOLD MORE COPIES! Today, I would say selling 10,000 copies of a fantasy novel is the minimum for a career in the genre, and Verdant Passage sold nearly 80,000 copies in just the LAST 4 MONTHS of 1991.
In the 90s, TSR bragged that it was the largest publisher of fantasy fiction in North America. Clearly, they had some standing for the claim.
If you find me interesting, my book on D&D history, Slaying the Dragon, is out now. Pick it up anywhere books are sold, or use the link below!
I’m doing seminars at Gen Con Friday & Saturday. I would highlight my Saturday 11 AM panel where I will spill the tea on 3rd edition!
Raw data below!
We’re going to try something different here. Since I have EVERYTHING for Dark Sun between 1991 and 1998, we’re going to look at the line first year by year in the hope that it gives us insight into the life of a product line at TSR.
In 1991, TSR released 3 DS products, a boxed set, an adventure (Freedom) and a novel. (Verdant Passage.)
The thing that jumps out at me is that the novel sold significantly more than the boxed set and novel COMBINED!
Now in fairness, the adventure did come out in December, and would sell another 17,383 copies in ‘92.
But if you add that to the total ‘91 gaming sales, THE NOVEL STILL SOLD MORE COPIES! Today, I would say selling 10,000 copies of a fantasy novel is the minimum for a career in the genre, and Verdant Passage sold nearly 80,000 copies in just the LAST 4 MONTHS of 1991.
In the 90s, TSR bragged that it was the largest publisher of fantasy fiction in North America. Clearly, they had some standing for the claim.
If you find me interesting, my book on D&D history, Slaying the Dragon, is out now. Pick it up anywhere books are sold, or use the link below!
I’m doing seminars at Gen Con Friday & Saturday. I would highlight my Saturday 11 AM panel where I will spill the tea on 3rd edition!
Raw data below!
Behold! Dark Sun sales from 1992!
Two observations:
First, by the end of its 2nd year, Dark Sun had FOURTEEN products available for sale. By comparison, 5th edition’s release schedule appears to be glacial. However, I would suggest that perhaps, just perhaps, the 5th ed team is intentionally not repeating this publication schedule…
Second, Dark Sun’s second year again demonstrates the strength of TSR’s fiction releases compared to their games. The best-selling release from the prior year was a novel. The bestselling product released this year is also a novel.
If you find me interesting, my book on D&D history, Slaying the Dragon, is out now. Pick it up anywhere books are sold, or use the link below!
I’m doing seminars at Gen Con Friday & Saturday. I would highlight my Saturday 11 AM panel where I will spill the tea on 3rd edition!
Two observations:
First, by the end of its 2nd year, Dark Sun had FOURTEEN products available for sale. By comparison, 5th edition’s release schedule appears to be glacial. However, I would suggest that perhaps, just perhaps, the 5th ed team is intentionally not repeating this publication schedule…
Second, Dark Sun’s second year again demonstrates the strength of TSR’s fiction releases compared to their games. The best-selling release from the prior year was a novel. The bestselling product released this year is also a novel.
If you find me interesting, my book on D&D history, Slaying the Dragon, is out now. Pick it up anywhere books are sold, or use the link below!
I’m doing seminars at Gen Con Friday & Saturday. I would highlight my Saturday 11 AM panel where I will spill the tea on 3rd edition!
GenCon sale on his book!
GEN CON SALE!
Buy my book, Slaying the Dragon, anywhere before midnight Saturday, and get this amazing Jeff Easley bookplate autographed by me! Just click the link in the comments below to get the bookplate! Offer good while supplies last!
Buy my book, Slaying the Dragon, anywhere before midnight Saturday, and get this amazing Jeff Easley bookplate autographed by me! Just click the link in the comments below to get the bookplate! Offer good while supplies last!
https://bit.ly/BookplatePromo
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