As a data point for the future, I thought it would be useful to post up how the pre-order period went for Hot War.
Pre-orders (only through IPR) ran from the 10th until the 31st of July. During this period, we received 39 pre-orders through IPR. Each pre-order received the PDF version of the game for free.
The PDF version of the game was added to DTRPG on the 16th of July, but not actually advertised until the 19th (for various reasons). During the period the PDF has been available, we sold 45 PDFs and gave 10 complimentary copies of the PDF pack away.
So, the totals for the pre-order period looks like this:
Pre-orders: 39
PDF sales: 45
Complimentary PDFs: 49
Total number of copies (PDF and hardcopy): 133
What does this all mean?
The pre-order and PDF sales during the period 10th to 31th July allowed us to totally cover the print costs for the product. In fact, we more than covered the print costs and started eating in to shipping costs.
The free PDF with the hardcopy, anecdotally, prompted people to place the order and served to increase our initial sales.
What are the effects?
We've already received one, highly positive, review of Hot War during this period. Another should also be appearing in the very near future. This allows us to build momentum for the actual hardcopy release of the game and for the appearance of Hot War at Gen Con.
The game received most attention at RPGnet and UK Roleplayers, with positive mentions and feedback on both sites. It generated an extremely long-lived thread on RPGnet that undoubtedly drove sales.
Attention on Story Games and other such sites was less significant.
Cheers
Malc
39!
Submitted by Gregor Hutton on Fri, 01/08/2008 - 18:02.
39 preorders of the book is a ringing endorsement of your previous books and the Hot Buzz that the game has in the gaming community.
Looks like the print run is paid for already!
Indeed, the pre-orders and
Submitted by Malcolm Craig on Fri, 01/08/2008 - 21:59.
Indeed, the pre-orders and PDF sales so far have more than paid for the print run.
It's true that without the solid base of a|state and Cold City, it is very unlikely that we would have had quite that many sales in such a short time. Likewise with 3:16, the reputation built up with Best Friends, with 3:16 in the Ronnies, with your well-regarded presence on various fora, that all contributes towards the success of the game.
Cheers
Malc
Contested Ground Studios
Out of curiosity, what was
Submitted by David Donachie on Sat, 02/08/2008 - 07:26.
Out of curiosity, what was the initial Hot War print run?
http://www.solipsist-rpg.com/ - http://cubicle-7.com/starblazer/
Print Run
Submitted by Malcolm Craig on Sat, 02/08/2008 - 11:45.
Out of curiosity, what was the initial Hot War print run?
We have printed a batch of 200 copies in the first instance. That's our normal number for any print run, as it provide a good balance between cost and expected sales.
Cheers
Malcolm
Contested Ground Studios