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What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/24 12:55:34


Post by: legoburner


That would include large codexes, standalone rulebooks, campaign books, etc...


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/24 14:10:40


Post by: nemesis5490


depends if you mean the FW HH book then £70 i will pay if you mean GW new chaos i would pay £25


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/24 14:22:14


Post by: Cladmir


Essentials of Precalculus with Calculus Previews, Fifth Edition (Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Learning / Authors: Zill and Dewar), a 400-page hardcover textbook is listed as $162.95 according to the publisher's website (http://www.jblearning.com/).

Be very happy that GW rulebooks are not priced like textbooks.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/24 14:30:34


Post by: PolecatEZ


Considering the rulebook should be what those in the hustlin' business refer to as the "free taste", anything over $40 for the hardcover nice version is too much generally. The little rulebooks that come with the starter kits should be free and handed out like candy.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/24 14:33:48


Post by: clively


Comparing textbooks to rule books is a non-starter. They have a completely different focus and target. Most importantly though is the shear amount of research, development work and QA that goes into textbooks that simply isn't present in a rulebook.

That's not to say that development and playtesting doesn't go into a rulebook, just that it's on a completely different scale. Further, if a textbook is found to be flawed through misinformation they don't simply "faq" it, they actually rerelease and, in some cases, replace existing ones. Rulebooks on the other hand tend to stay static for 4+ years with only FAQs being available for download. I can only recall one instance (previous necron book) that actually had two versions. Finally, there are legions of people willing to playtest a rule book for free (whether allowed to is another matter entirely) whereas you will rarely find someone willing to spend the time to properly QA a college textbook without being paid.

The point is that comparing textbooks and rulebooks is like comparing the cost of a motorcycle to a sedan; although both have wheels and an engine they serve a completely different purpose with radically different distribution.

-----------------

That aside, softcover rule books for 40k should be about $35USD. $20 if distributed electronically.

If hardback, I'd say $50 is the max. But again, only $20 for an electronic version.

Forgeworld: $60US, $40 if distributed electronically. I'd agree with a slightly higher price only because the number of potential buyers is much smaller and therefore per book costs are much higher. Of course, they would have a higher distribution if they sold their models in regular stores (GW as well as hobby ones) but that's their own problem to figure out.

The figures above are what I think is acceptable.

-----------------

My final note on this actually contradicts my opinion. In a commercial environment an item (rulebook, car, whatever) should be priced at a point in which the company is able to profit by an amount it's shareholders deem acceptable to ensure ongoing operations and long term growth. Priced too high and the market will rebel and go elsewhere, interestingly the same thing happens if priced too low due to lack of perceived value. Therefore, if GW's market research says the sweet spot is $50 for a codex for 40k players then go for it.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/24 19:05:00


Post by: Terraformer


For a book printed from a large company that already produces a huge amount of printed material, I would expect them to be able to pass their savings on to customers and would expect the book to be about $35 - $40.00 USD. But I would also expect said company to sell mass-produced plastic models at more reasonable prices as well, and I would expect people to stop buying things at inflated prices, so I guess expectations go out the window when we're talking about supply and demand, or more accurately, dealer and addict

Also, a couple people in that poll say they think the book should be $100.00+


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/24 19:22:37


Post by: Sharkvictim


I said 50-60 bucks. For 300 pages that's plenty. It doesn't matter how good the artwork is (though it should be the best they can produce)companies should be willing to take a hit on the rulebooks because they are going to drill us a new one on the models (GW).
Even the companies that have more reasonably priced models turn a nice profit from model sales. Last I checked you can download Infinity's rules for free? That's weird...


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/25 00:52:49


Post by: quilava1


Free Cause We Spend So Much Money on the Hobby We At Least Deserve Free Rules :3


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/09/25 06:23:45


Post by: dalsiandon


I say between 30 and 40 dollars. I understand that paper and ink costs are continuing to go up and GW generally uses the nice ink and paper for their stuff so I understand a higher cost, you generally get what you pay for, but (finecast for instance) sometimes you overpay and you don't sell it to your friends so they don't buy it for themselves and then the next product is even higher prices to make up for the lack of sales in the previous book, which leads to the overpricing everything and alienating huge portions of your market.

However, If I've been playing 40k (for instance) for 25 years and am at the point where I might buy a model or two a year, then fine I'll spend 50 bucks on a book so I can continue to use the collection of toy soldiers I've been accumulating for the last quarter century.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/10/26 14:16:53


Post by: Diezel


 Sharkvictim wrote:
I said 50-60 bucks. For 300 pages that's plenty. It doesn't matter how good the artwork is (though it should be the best they can produce)companies should be willing to take a hit on the rulebooks because they are going to drill us a new one on the models (GW).
Even the companies that have more reasonably priced models turn a nice profit from model sales. Last I checked you can download Infinity's rules for free? That's weird...


Ok but realistically, you can download the BRB free aswell... ( you just choose to pay for it ) Same with any Codex...
Torrents...


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/10/26 17:01:00


Post by: Manchu


The illegality of a choice makes it ... somewhat less of a choice, at least for law-abiding citizens.

As a reminder, DakkaDakka is not the forum for advocating IP piracy.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/10/26 17:09:07


Post by: jmurph


Printing cost on a basic hardback is somewhere around $5 for a run of $2000 and probably no more than double that for lots of pictures/color. So I would say no more than $20-$40.

For reference, a full color hardback cookbook with 200-300 pages can be had for $25-30 retail. Art books are comparable.

I would say this is a reasonable comparison: http://www.walmart.com/ip/15656770
Dragon Age 2 Collector's edition
Hardcover 287 pages MSRP $34.99

$50 or more for this page count should be very high end. This is where the high quality artist collection books start. $70 is borderline absurd for something that requires no real research, permissions, etc.

By the time you hit $100, you are in the range of fine art history books.

Strategically, the rules should be cheap (or free) to push the already premium priced miniature sales.



What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/10/26 19:11:19


Post by: Dannygee


Just want to add that I think it really should be $60+. When I look at the rule book, I concider the material of the book. I can see that rule books by GW for example can be the same quality as decent hard cover college books(they they range from $60 - $250 easily). So I just want to put my little 2 cents in their. I have a feeling that the people that say it should be $30(or less) dont take into the fact of that. So I think that with current standards of rule books, their price is fine, but if people are thinking they should be $30 or less, then there should be a digital version, or a more basic paper back copy of a rule book to have that cost.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/10/26 22:40:55


Post by: Adrian Fue Fue


$0-$10, $10-$20, $20-$30, $30-$40??????

Are you crazy??? Why don't they just give it away. Tell me, where in the US can you buy a 300 page hardbound book.

This is a necessity book to boot, so tell me a college hardbound book that is a new release still in shrink rap that would cost the same?

$90-$130 is fare as any equivalent college book would be brand spanking new. Now a $20 magazine sized book, or a $35 Graphic Novel sized book, that is where it gets out of hand.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/11/19 04:54:25


Post by: cox.dan2


The rulebook should be a lot cheaper.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/11/19 06:37:31


Post by: AlexHolker


I said 40-50. That's approximately what the full colour, hardcover 3rd edition D&D sourcebooks went for, and that seems a fair price to me.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/11/28 04:22:13


Post by: bibblles


I'd expect 50 bucks would be resionable for just about any kind of "rule book." That said, I'd still pay 60 to 70, but at that price I wouldn't be buying anything else at the same time. Like if I'm getting a 50 dollar book I'd probably be buying paints and brushes or a couple figures too. Anything higher than about 70 to 80 dollars I'd probably wind up waiting until it goes on sale.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/11/29 01:46:49


Post by: snooggums


 Adrian Fue Fue wrote:
$0-$10, $10-$20, $20-$30, $30-$40??????

Are you crazy??? Why don't they just give it away. Tell me, where in the US can you buy a 300 page hardbound book.

This is a necessity book to boot, so tell me a college hardbound book that is a new release still in shrink rap that would cost the same?

$90-$130 is fare as any equivalent college book would be brand spanking new. Now a $20 magazine sized book, or a $35 Graphic Novel sized book, that is where it gets out of hand.


http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Book-Chocolate-Great-Recipes/dp/0764161571

"This book might well be the most lavish, most complete and most beautiful volume ever published on that most sensuous of all foods--Chocolate. Filled with history, anecdotes, delicious photos, and, of course 300+ mouth-watering recipes from deserts to drinks. It's a chocoholic's literary dream come true."

--The Putnam County Courier, November 26, 2008

Hardcover: 704 pages
Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (October 1, 2008)

List price was $29.99

While it depends on the type of book and the work involved, yes full color books can be found for far less than GW charges for the same or more full color pages while college books are far outside normal book prices for completely different reasons. Unless there was a jump in price, D&D's rulebooks are far cheaper than GW's for similar amounts of printing and work put in.

That doesn't mean GW shouldn't charge what they want, just that people like me who marked $30 or less do know of comparable books with pricing in that range.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/12/28 16:53:31


Post by: mottie85


Let's differentiate between cases. For those of you who remember buying the third edition 40k book, what did you think of the $50 dollar price? I don't know about you, but I was new to the hobby and didn't know any better. So I thought it was a normal price.

Compare that mostly black & white, soft-cover, 300 pager to the 6th edition 450 page hard-bound, full-color tome. Sure, GW recycles much of their portfolio of artwork, but there are still plenty of new pictures. Consider the overall upgraded quality of the newest book to the old. Surely it's is worth the extra $25? Consider how pleasurable the weight and feel of the new book is. It's luxurious.

Would you want to go back to black and white diagrams of rules with drawings of miniatures instead of actual photos? Or maybe you'd enjoy seeing how long a rule book lasts when it is printed on the same paper as a Dover Thrift Edition? The pages would certainly hold more of your gaming memories in the form of coffee stains and the blood from your inevitable paper cuts.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/12/28 17:24:37


Post by: SoloFalcon1138


why is anything lesss than about $60 an option? most hardbound books on that size end up near that, adding full-color photos increases printing costs astronomically.

is this another "GW sucks because their stuff is too expensive" thread?


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/12/28 22:22:21


Post by: dragqueeninspace


 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:
why is anything lesss than about $60 an option? most hardbound books on that size end up near that, adding full-color photos increases printing costs astronomically.

is this another "GW sucks because their stuff is too expensive" thread?


Yet some people manage to sail under that level, there are plenty of similar sized hardbacks costing far less going by list price, manufacture costs are not the cause of the high book prices. Personaly I think padding a rule book out to twice its length with photos adds nothing to its value. The fact that the volume is then priced higher than most other books in the same industry does not endear it to me either.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/12/28 22:36:57


Post by: Trondheim


70 to 80 USD, but for that price I expect the quality we got with the 6th edition book, or Tamurkan


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/12/30 07:02:41


Post by: SoloFalcon1138


 dragqueeninspace wrote:
 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:
why is anything lesss than about $60 an option? most hardbound books on that size end up near that, adding full-color photos increases printing costs astronomically.

is this another "GW sucks because their stuff is too expensive" thread?


Yet some people manage to sail under that level, there are plenty of similar sized hardbacks costing far less going by list price, manufacture costs are not the cause of the high book prices. Personaly I think padding a rule book out to twice its length with photos adds nothing to its value. The fact that the volume is then priced higher than most other books in the same industry does not endear it to me either.


Guess you've never cracked open a 2nd Edition AD&D book, huh?

And seriously, 16 people thought it should be less than $10? Reality check time...


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/12/30 22:41:20


Post by: SneakyMek


Well i think it should be around 40-100 dollars at max,but hey thats just me.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2012/12/31 16:10:49


Post by: dragqueeninspace


 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:
 dragqueeninspace wrote:
 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:
why is anything lesss than about $60 an option? most hardbound books on that size end up near that, adding full-color photos increases printing costs astronomically.

is this another "GW sucks because their stuff is too expensive" thread?


Yet some people manage to sail under that level, there are plenty of similar sized hardbacks costing far less going by list price, manufacture costs are not the cause of the high book prices. Personaly I think padding a rule book out to twice its length with photos adds nothing to its value. The fact that the volume is then priced higher than most other books in the same industry does not endear it to me either.


Guess you've never cracked open a 2nd Edition AD&D book, huh?
And seriously, 16 people thought it should be less than $10? Reality check time...


I just got mine from the spare room, its 250 pages and $20 US RRP. It is however a old book and prices don't hold forever, mine was printed 1994 and as such is a misleading comparison. Plenty of other industries can put out books like these for under $60, the price is set by business model not by manufacture costs.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/01/22 18:18:55


Post by: jprp


Free with purchase of a big pile of minis.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/01/29 11:13:08


Post by: radred609


okay, so for a hard cover, full colour 200-300 page book

Skyrim Concept art book - $80 (from e-bay as it was never sold seperately/retail, only pre-order)
Halo 4, awakening, Concept art book - $50 (from the interwebs, including postage and handling from the UK the AUS)
Graffitti World, grafitti from around the world - $40 (from the National Art Gallery gift shop)

(all three of these are hardcover books around 200-300 pages of full page colour)

now, considering that $50 seems about the standing point for these three my initial response of $50-60 seems about right.
Mind you, that's for a full colour, hard cover book like the 6th ed rule book.
A Codex like the Orks, Eldar or Guard should be no more than 20 bucks imo. but I'll it slide around $30.

I think that something worth pointing out is that a standard box of marines is $62 in Australia. whereas it's $37 in US (and our dollar has been at parody with the US for almost a decade)

so the $74 USD seems mighty F ING REASONABLE COMPARED TO THE $124 AUD WE HAVE TO PAY!!!
Even if you consider GST, (goods and services tax) that's only %10 more ($80)

For the same amount US and UK buyers could get the book and a box of dudes. But even if the book was that price here we'd still only get half a box of guys.
And they wonder why Australian buyers stopped buying from GW and went to European, UK and US distributors? I mean come on. it was still cheaper despite the international shipping charges
(oh yeah, then they stopped that by preventing them from shipping to the australasian region )


aaanyway. i'll get down now


EDIT: edited for typos due to copious amounts of RAAAGE


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/03/02 14:05:10


Post by: captain bloody fists


 radred609 wrote:
okay, so for a hard cover, full colour 200-300 page book

Skyrim Concept art book - $80 (from e-bay as it was never sold seperately/retail, only pre-order)
Halo 4, awakening, Concept art book - $50 (from the interwebs, including postage and handling from the UK the AUS)
Graffitti World, grafitti from around the world - $40 (from the National Art Gallery gift shop)

(all three of these are hardcover books around 200-300 pages of full page colour)

now, considering that $50 seems about the standing point for these three my initial response of $50-60 seems about right.
Mind you, that's for a full colour, hard cover book like the 6th ed rule book.
A Codex like the Orks, Eldar or Guard should be no more than 20 bucks imo. but I'll it slide around $30.

I think that something worth pointing out is that a standard box of marines is $62 in Australia. whereas it's $37 in US (and our dollar has been at parody with the US for almost a decade)

so the $74 USD seems mighty F ING REASONABLE COMPARED TO THE $124 AUD WE HAVE TO PAY!!!
Even if you consider GST, (goods and services tax) that's only %10 more ($80)

For the same amount US and UK buyers could get the book and a box of dudes. But even if the book was that price here we'd still only get half a box of guys.
And they wonder why Australian buyers stopped buying from GW and went to European, UK and US distributors? I mean come on. it was still cheaper despite the international shipping charges
(oh yeah, then they stopped that by preventing them from shipping to the australasian region )


aaanyway. i'll get down now


EDIT: edited for typos due to copious amounts of RAAAGE


Oh i know that feeling. I think a lot of Australian play players have turned to ebay to get models cheaper?


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/03/02 18:19:15


Post by: Amaya


You can't compare a book that is primarily text with some art to a book that is all say, concept art, or a collection of the year's best in scifi/fantasy art or something similar. The two should be priced completely differently. Bad poll.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/03/03 10:32:46


Post by: Nocturnal391


Here in Australia the hardcover 40k rule book is 125 Australian dollars. Codex's at $55. Which IMO is WAY overpriced for something so essential.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/04/13 00:43:15


Post by: Earth Dragon


Anyone below that 30.01-40 range should be slapped and those above like $80.

It just costs too much to ship that sort of thing around anymore. I think $60 for your 300 pager seems fair. 40-50 for a lighter 200 pager.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/05/06 13:32:59


Post by: Mad Boss Morgrot


Don't think the rule books should be free..... That's just not business. At the end of the day, yes it's required to play the game but it should stil cost something!
Seeing as it is in dollars and not GB sterling ill have to say about 30-40 as that's what I'd pay for a rule book here. My only criticism is that thy never print enough limited edition! Scrap the limited bit and just do a rule book & a fancy rule Book with pull outs etc etc.
gets to me that every time I go for a release, I don't have the money to buy a limited rule/codex and when I an afford it, their all gone!
To top it all off some **** is selling one on an auction site for double the value!
Scrap limited print and out more content into your rules and codex!


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/08/08 11:04:43


Post by: Dakkamite


Voted $60 - approx what the Infinity rules cost here in NZ converted to USD. Seems very fair given the size, hard cover, and colour images etc in it.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/08/08 12:29:38


Post by: dementedwombat


Hard to say. I'd probably pay $60-80 for a giant tomb if I actually wanted to read it all, but I think they should also produce a softcover "stripped down version" that's just the rules without all the fluff/background/hobby advice and sell it for $30-40. That's what keeps putting me off the 40k book, I already know the 40k universe. I don't want to pay $80+ for a book that's 2/3s "filler" that I already know.

Or even better make the base rules free online and let you buy the book for the art/fluff (although I doubt that is a sustainable model, although I did buy Eclipse Phase after reading the entire rulebook off the developer's website in pdf format, so you never know).


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2013/08/08 15:06:21


Post by: Spaz431


Every few months or weeks or days, this topic pops up. Yes, we as consumers want to pay less for products we want. Yes, we as rational human beings see the value of the book. In the end, it will always come down to supply and demand. We demand product. They create the supply, at their deemed value. Either buy it or don't. I'm honestly tired of seeing this keep popping up, moderators. It diminishes the value of your site.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/01/13 10:05:16


Post by: doktor_g


Anybody who says less than $75... Seriously? Have you ever bought a physics textbook? They're like $150! These books are expensive as heck to produce and print. It's not like they're going to be best sellers. Then there's what 8-ish languages?


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/04/16 10:45:10


Post by: frozenmilk


I'm okay paying 60-70.00 dollars for a large full color hardback rule book. I think that 40K codex prices are too high, and that they should be more in line with the Warmachine army books.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/04/16 11:44:46


Post by: rexscarlet


Has anyone looked on Amazon at current "Coffee Table Books" prices? (less than $40, averaging $25)
That is how much a 300 page hardcover book should cost.
Coffee Table books pay for licensing, writers, photos, editors, researchers, art, and etc. just like a Rule Book.
A Coffee Table book is also good forever, whereas a Rule Book is only good for an average of five years or LESS.
.
Stop being manipulated into thinking rewritten, cut and pasted fluff, accompanied by NINE pages of rules is a book worth more than $40. It is not.
.
Laughable...


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/04/19 20:34:28


Post by: Mysterious Pants


I think the base rules should be available online as a free .pdf, or there should be a "Games Workshop SRD" that compiles all the base rules and FAQ's into a handy reference document.

They did this for Dungeons & Dragons (Pathfinder), and there was not any significant loss in sales of the big rule book.

As for the cost of the big rule book in hardcover, $40.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/05/17 11:52:22


Post by: hellrath


Wow... everything is cheap in America, here in England we have to pay £50 for the rulebook, which must be about $70, you self-entitled bastards, you!


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/05/17 12:46:44


Post by: Tristan228


$30 are a reasonable price for e.g. the GW-Rulebook.
You have to consider these books are not handwritten by monks,
they're mass products printed somewere in china in huge runs.




What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/05/18 01:35:32


Post by: scarletsquig


Mantic sells theirs for £25 or $40.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/05/18 02:34:23


Post by: CappyBen


I have paid $200 for 200 page physics text books in the past. Im more that happy to pay around $100 for 200-300 pages of badass colour pictures and rules.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/05/18 06:38:44


Post by: Smacks


I think it really depends on the content not just the size. I think my biggest issue with the 40k rulebooks is not that they are expensive, but that they are mostly padding.

If the 7th edition BRB had the same scope for content as 2nd edition then it would include:

- All the basic rules
- Background for all races
- Bestiary for all races
- Detailed wargear book (with pictures)
- Army lists for all races
- Campaign missions
- Common vehicles

If the rulebook included all of that then it would probably be worth what they are currently asking. 2nd edition omitted special characters, and alternate marine armies (such as BA and SW) which I think is fair enough (even as a BA player).

As it stands now I think the BRB is worth about £20... Though even that is expensive for the amount of content.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/06/18 11:16:05


Post by: Dessorag


You know, when I Google D&D monster manual, I can amazon it for $22-35 US depending on if you believe MSRP. That's about a third of the content for the main rule book. Triple that and you get 66-105 US for a primary rule book, which is right where GW is. Seems right in line price wise.

The things that seem to fall out of that model are the codices. Those are 100 pages and about 70% of the price for 1/3 the content. The supplements are even worse. They should probably consider a shift back to soft cover for those. That said, we buy them anyway. The special editions seem to sell out pretty well too, so the community is really making its own bed. Nothing left to do but sleep in it.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/06/18 12:16:43


Post by: jason1977


Is the 200-300 pages pure rules or does it include fluff and art work?? If pure rules i question if a game whose rule book is that big is worth my time to start no matter the cost for rules alone. Art and fluff is great to have but not really needed with codexs and web sites.

Id like to see a $50 cost for 40k core rule set and $30 for a codex.

The rule book for MLB is 240 pages: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1600789455/ref=mw_dp_mpd?pd=1 and costs under $10.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/06/18 13:06:03


Post by: Tye_Informer


A rulebook should cost X where X = (((Wages of people doing the work + cost of materials to do work + miscellaneous costs to support those doing the work) / number of books you will sell) + cost of materials to print book ) * reasonable profit margin.

For a 40K rulebook, I would expect the number of people who will purchase it to be about 7 times higher than the number that will purchase a codex but the amount of effort to create a codex to be about the same magnitude less, so a hardcover codex (similar cost of materials to produce the book) to be about the same price as a rulebook.

That being said, if we could get a bunch more people to start playing 40K, I expect we could get a rulebook down to the $50 range, but at the moment the pricing looks about right.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/06/18 16:14:36


Post by: Verstaka


Well considering Paizo and WotC can sell their bestiaries, player's handbooks, and other similar products (Pushing 400 pages sometimes) for $50 I think that is a reasonable price for any 'main rulebook'


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/06/18 21:21:03


Post by: Quarterdime


200-300 pages, hardback, in color. I voted $60-$70, considering there are probably costs involved that we don't know about, and of course the all important profit margin. Remember being told in school that if you lose any of those hardbacks they'd be expensive to replace? You also have to consider the following:

Even their model prices, be they ridiculous to us, are to keep them in this constant state of expansion. Every new unit is a new plastic mold, and I'd imagine they'd need to add a new industrial machine to put them in for every number of molds. Taking that cost into consideration, along with the whole "the products that sell need to make up for the products that don't" element, with of course the large amount of people who are paid full-time jobs through this... The prices actually make sense.



What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/08/20 10:32:46


Post by: Stormonu


Ya'll are crazy for being willing to pay the same for a GAME rulebook as an OVERPRICED college textbook.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/10/02 16:41:36


Post by: Brennonjw


60 bucks. GW's codex are fine in price, but the rulebook peaking 80 bucks is ridiculous.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/10/07 12:02:49


Post by: Sanka


 doktor_g wrote:
Anybody who says less than $75... Seriously? Have you ever bought a physics textbook? They're like $150! These books are expensive as heck to produce and print. It's not like they're going to be best sellers. Then there's what 8-ish languages?


Hey, they are game esentials... Rulebooks should be cheap and paperback. I don't mind that they make a hardcover, but it should be optional...
Probably these books have a lot bigger production run then physics textbooks... How many 40K players arte there world wide????
And most languages are used in several country's.

And they replace them every few years... This should also be a consideration...

We need rulebooks, and those two extra books should be seperate... I do not want to pay for those, as I do not need them....
The rulebooks do not need that much fluf, if at all.. No full collor... Just the rules.... That's what we need....
Like those little books in the starter sets....


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/10/22 20:52:19


Post by: Knockagh


We need to ask. Do we want a future for our games, do we want kids to buy a rule book with their pocket money and learn a new exciting game or do we want the games we love to become exclusive clubs for middle class 20 and 30 year olds? GW have already answered this for themselves and that's ok I get what they are doing with high price, high quality gaming materials. But it's no longer a game for kids. 20 to 30, or cheaper, is plenty for a book for games with a future.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/10/22 21:10:02


Post by: jprp


I for one certainly don`t want the hobby full of 20 and 30 year old kids, if you didn`t game in the early 80`s we dont want you.
lol


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/12/24 11:47:00


Post by: rexscarlet


As much or LESS than a Coffee Table Book.
.
Examples; (remember paying for License is a large cost, whereas game companies do not pay for license)
Art, editors (haha editors), printing, distribution, and marketing, are close enough to the same.
.
DK Children, hard cover Illustrated;
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_browse-b_1?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ADK+CHILDREN%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A2656020011&keywords=DK+CHILDREN&ie=UTF8&qid=1419421070&rnid=618072011
.
Lego and star wars;
http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Star-Wars-Dictionary-Expanded/dp/1465419217/ref=sr_1_24?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419421512&sr=1-24&keywords=hardcover+star+wars
.
Marvel Encyclopedias;
http://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Encyclopedia-Matt-Forbeck/dp/1465415939/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419421363&sr=1-1&keywords=marvel+encyclopedia+new
.
so many low cost examples.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2014/12/24 16:52:17


Post by: Talys


 Amaya wrote:
You can't compare a book that is primarily text with some art to a book that is all say, concept art, or a collection of the year's best in scifi/fantasy art or something similar. The two should be priced completely differently. Bad poll.


Yes, I completely agree.

300 pages of fiction is just a novel, and 300 pages of art or photography is a coffee table book -- both of which are worth a lot less than 300 pages of rules, which is worth less than 300 pages of campaign and scenarios.

Bad poll.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Knockagh wrote:
We need to ask. Do we want a future for our games, do we want kids to buy a rule book with their pocket money and learn a new exciting game or do we want the games we love to become exclusive clubs for middle class 20 and 30 year olds? GW have already answered this for themselves and that's ok I get what they are doing with high price, high quality gaming materials. But it's no longer a game for kids. 20 to 30, or cheaper, is plenty for a book for games with a future.


I don't know if that's realistic. You know that a video game that a kid will get bored with in 20-30 hours costs $60, right? Kids are expensive these days :X

Realistically, even a small model count game like Warmahordes is way out of reach for most families as something to introduce 12-15 year olds to (ie before they have income of their own). Also, it used to be that boardgames and role-playing were the "gateway drug" to tabletop miniature warfare. Now, about the closest thing for youth is TCGs. The number of 13 year olds I see reading RPG rulebooks and scenarios is practically zero (none in my extended family, or their immediate friends), whereas the number that play FPS, RTS, console games, etc., especially boys, is almost 100%.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/01/26 04:50:16


Post by: darrenthurman


Economic theory predicts that GW will charge as much as we are willing to pay. At the risk of sounding snarky, if you want them to charge less, don't buy at the current price. I don't play GW games anymore because I don't think they are worth the price.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/02/26 14:01:28


Post by: Guardsmen Bob


Don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but FFG sells the Warhammer 40k RPG books which are 200-300 pages of quality art for only $60. That's a whole friggen game mind you.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/03/23 19:48:10


Post by: ChildrenoftheCorns


 radred609 wrote:
okay, so for a hard cover, full colour 200-300 page book


I think that something worth pointing out is that a standard box of marines is $62 in Australia. whereas it's $37 in US (and our dollar has been at parody with the US for almost a decade)

so the $74 USD seems mighty F ING REASONABLE COMPARED TO THE $124 AUD WE HAVE TO PAY!!!
Even if you consider GST, (goods and services tax) that's only %10 more ($80)

For the same amount US and UK buyers could get the book and a box of dudes. But even if the book was that price here we'd still only get half a box of guys.
And they wonder why Australian buyers stopped buying from GW and went to European, UK and US distributors? I mean come on. it was still cheaper despite the international shipping charges
(oh yeah, then they stopped that by preventing them from shipping to the australasian region )


aaanyway. i'll get down now


EDIT: edited for typos due to copious amounts of RAAAGE


GW is mad because ya'll keep control of uranium prices globally. They are jealous of the power!


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/03/25 06:01:05


Post by: Hordini


I would say $30-40 is prime for me, and also wandering towards impulse buy territory (especially if it's $30). Up to $50 is okay, but I'll usually put a lot of thought into it before buying it. $60 is probably the max I'd pay, but I'd have to really want it, and $60 and above is within the range where I seriously begin considering not buying it even if I want it.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/03/27 10:26:46


Post by: CalgarsPimpHand


The big rule book is essentially a coffee table book; those who think otherwise are delusional. The vast majority of it is flavor text and licensed images (and even then they reduce costs by recycling fluff and using in-house photographs of models), i.e. the same content as a coffee table book on pictures of horses or what have you, printed and bound in the same quality.

The only difference is inclusion of rules and diagrams. Condensed down I doubt the rules run to more than 50 pages or less once you remove flavor text and images that aren't diagrams. And again this is largely recycled and poorly play-tested to boot. This is not remotely comparable to a 300 page college textbook, where the research and editing costs are quite large (and the target market is very small) and even then I believe those are overpriced.

Given all that, GW could probably be selling their hardback rulebooks for $40 and still profit. If they were smart, they would reduce prices, and offer a free condensed rules PDF like virtually every other wargaming company. It's a loss-leader that brings in players to buy your models, and in practice probably doesn't even result in losses. $40 is likely still profitable, and as with D&D, the free pdf rules probably wouldn't keep people from buying the physical book if the quality and usefulness are high.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/04/28 19:31:41


Post by: dpal666


Rage, Whine, Cry, or moan, players will still buy it.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/05/11 19:07:01


Post by: FenixPhox


$20 maximum, which is the reason why I haven't even thought about taking up a second army yet.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/05/12 08:10:30


Post by: Delicate Swarm


IMO a Codex shouldn't even be hardback in the first place. $20 for a softback, or less for a digital version.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/07/31 11:45:49


Post by: TyranidPainter


Well ideally I'm sure we'd all want it to cost nothing. But we don't live in an ideal world.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/07/31 19:26:38


Post by: StarDrop


I wouldn't mind to pay more for a good rule book. But I have other problem. Are the updates in the new books worth of the money we pay for the whole book?

If we look into other game systems that are printed in hard book, 200-300 pages style, like D&D for example. The basic set is is three books, clocking around $100. And there are tons more to supplement your game. But three basic books give you everything and pretty much last until next generation. Fair Enough. Next generation brings new stuff, redefined artwork etc.

The way I see it now, in 40K you need at least three books (Rule book, Codex, IA or some Supplement book) in order to field your first army, clocking around $160. Any additional army after would be around $100. Keep playing for few generations and that you will end up with $800 spent just to keep your minis 'in game'. Thru the generations, the amount of updates may not be tremendous, and there may not be new artwork and without possibility to recycle your books it ends up being an pure expense.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/10/02 13:10:51


Post by: Mathieu Raymond


How about... instead of making books with bloated page counts, you just make a lean rule book, and make non-essential art books and fluff books separate purchase. In the end, charge a bit more for those. You'll make more money, but the game aspect of it will lighten up a great deal. And you might even want to think about indexing your books smartly, to make using them a nicer experience.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/10/02 14:23:40


Post by: Telly


If GW truly views themselves as a company that primarily makes models, then they should try to get their biggest product catalogue (ie. the rulebook) into as many hands as possible. There should be a soft-cover version of the rulebook that contains the rules and a brief description of each army, followed by pictures of each army's models. GW should sell this version of the rulebook at cost.

On top of this, GW should offer a premium, hard-cover edition of the rulebook that includes fluff, painting guides, and perhaps even bundled extras like limited edition dice, templates, mission cards, objective markers (something that you can't get by torrenting a pdf scan of the book)


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/10/02 14:59:58


Post by: Filch


omg, GW please stop making $100 hard cover 300pg rule books. I would like a $15 version with the fluff and picture galleries cut out for a 50 page soft cover booklet of just rules and charts.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/12/03 11:51:20


Post by: Unxpekted22



I know a lot of work goes into them and they really are top notch quality physically and visually. If you are an active gamer, it is also something you will get a lot of use out of, so $50-60 seems fair to me. I know we'd all LIKE them to be $30...I guess even the 400-500 page novels which also took a ton of work are only about $12 though...I suppose it's mostly the cost of high quality color printing and such.

Stil, $100 seems ridiculous.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/12/03 15:55:26


Post by: GraywarTS


Most companies are getting with the times and giving free rules as it should be, having to buy a big book and flip threw it is on its way out.
(Except for the few like me who still enjoy having the book)

In my opinion it should be a standard practice of any gaming company to...

1) Give access to all rules / codex for free via website
- This would lure more customers to try or get into the game.
- This would also allow more $ to be spent on models that said company produces (since most gaming companies are focused on model production)
- Also updates or FAQ could easily be fixed into the rules / codex allowing access to all players
- Having a system, or "living" rule set that can be updated would drive less players away as changes would be slow and would hopefully change for the better
- Having an easily updateable rule set could allow a community of players to better interact with the gaming company, the game would be a living play test with feedback from players

2) Still Sell hardback Books People will buy them.
- Gamers like myself love the fluff, love tabbing pages, or just flipping threw the book
- Art books, or painting guilds, and fluff should be paid for, its extra for the die hard fans


This is just my opinion and im sure a lot of people agree. I have had some silly games showing up at a store with...
- A 200pg rule book
- Codex Astra Militarum
- Codex Militarum Tempestus
- Expansion codex StrongHold Assualt
- FAQ print off for Astra Militarum codex
- FAQ for Core Rules
- FAQ for Stronghold Assault
- FAQ for Militarum Tempestus codex
- Army List

And just let me say, its really annoying when half the rules you need are in one book, but not included in another book causing flipping back and forth...
Or my personal favorite when the book that should have the rule (ie Space Marines) says read rules in main rule book?


(In GW defense, I think the current Space Marine Codex fixed that issue of profiles not included)


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2015/12/16 17:41:22


Post by: Ghidorah


GW rulebooks and army books are priced EXACTLY where they should be priced: whatever the consumer sheep will pay. Since you all buy these books every time they print them, regardless of the prices, they will keep raising the prices to fleece you all over and over and over. They will never listen with their ears, but they WILL listen with their bottom line.


Ghidorah


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2016/01/04 13:56:35


Post by: morfydd


$20 for 200 pages of RULES ..They can keep the fluffy bullcrap I can download tons of fluffy pictures of kittens for free..those have no place in my basic rule books...


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2016/02/05 14:01:43


Post by: Battlesong


I voted 30-40, but that's so dependent. I paid for the last Tyranid codex and felt COMPLETELT ripped off just because of how little new content there was in it. If they're going to do 80% copy/paste, then it's not worth money to me.

As a side note, I still say that, for a game that requires so much money in equipment to play, the rulebooks should be smaller and much, much cheaper. As a comparison, I play a lot of RPGs, with the big one for my group now being Pathfinder. The corebook for PF is 50.00 retail and the Bestiary is 40.00 and that's all the buy-in you need to play that game. Now, compare that to 40K, where you need a 50.00 Codex and to either buy an $80 rulebook, or you buy a starter set for a mini rulebook and then have to lay out x hundreds of dollars in models to play (x being dependent on the army your playing).


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2016/02/07 00:16:26


Post by: a_dead_thing


I don't want a 200 to 300 page rule book. Present the rules in an organized and terse manner. Why use 250 pages when in can be done in 50!


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2016/07/10 16:28:29


Post by: JimOnMars


I'd pay a lot more for a 200-300 page rule book than I do for my lousy 108 page one.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2016/07/10 17:12:07


Post by: edwardmyst


I know I am a bit late...but I have been an author on two separate college textbooks, and several that were never published. So I have some experience.
Please stop using that comparison. The reason college textbooks cost so much more is the number of authors and contributors who get royalties, as well as the royalties paid out to dozens of sources for material used in the textbook. I worked on two History 101 textbooks, and in each case, the publisher was paying royalties to more than 30 people!! This included picture credits, charts, research, theories produced and protected, etc. For example, if you are not aware, some of the ridiculous copyright in the US (for which you pay a fee to include) At one time included the word Nazi (yes, some lawyer did that) Joseph Stalin's name, etc. So, my royalties per book (and I was on the low end as a grad student, and no, the majority of contributors are NOT listed on the cover or even in the book, publishers are only required to keep an official list for each book), ran at around .25 cents American, I would guess that the book (which sold for 101$ in the 90's) paid almost 40$ in royalties. In comparison, an author E publishing can earn 30-70% on a paperback. The big six publishers pay less although it is far more complicated. Now, I am not claiming to be an expert, only someone with some inside information trying to give a few more facts for people to make their choices with.

The comparison to art books, or historical picture books like time life or readers digest is more accurate.

So...do not compare a 150$ textbook (and trust me I am the first to say they are way overpriced...but the old captive audience applies) to a mass produced work of fiction.


All that said, I believe a rulebook for a game, should range in the 35-50$ range when it is of the quality GW produces. Now, as to an electronic version...it is ridiculous to charge the same price.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2016/10/13 14:26:42


Post by: Lance845


The DnD Players handbook is about twice as thick as most core army codexes (Space Marines would be the one exception), costs $35, is made from better materials/has a better binding for sitting open on a table, isn't 1/2 ads showing off pictures of models to get you to go buy more models, and is all you need to play the game with your entire group of friends.

If DnD is doing that for 35 then the codexes should be no more then $20 USD.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2017/02/17 17:28:17


Post by: HunterEste


If it's over $40 USD, I'm likely just going to look for a .PDF


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2017/04/19 12:10:33


Post by: U02dah4


50p per page of useful rules capped at £20 more than that and the books to bloated.

With a £1 reduction for each page of annoying fluff/pictures you have to wade through to get the rules you want.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2017/04/26 00:04:21


Post by: Megaknob


Books are relatively cheap to make GW sticks a huge price tag on them because they are vital


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2017/06/21 14:19:45


Post by: CadianGateTroll


PolecatEZ wrote:
Considering the rulebook should be what those in the hustlin' business refer to as the "free taste", anything over $40 for the hardcover nice version is too much generally. The little rulebooks that come with the starter kits should be free and handed out like candy.

I agree.

I want the little rule book.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2017/08/23 10:42:25


Post by: kestral


Don't sell huge expensive hard covers that are going to be obsolete in 2 years or less.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2017/09/24 12:25:42


Post by: jeff white


Cladmir wrote:
Essentials of Precalculus with Calculus Previews, Fifth Edition (Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Learning / Authors: Zill and Dewar), a 400-page hardcover textbook is listed as $162.95 according to the publisher's website (http://www.jblearning.com/).

Be very happy that GW rulebooks are not priced like textbooks.


Textbook pricing is an infamous scam.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
 HunterEste wrote:
If it's over $40 USD, I'm likely just going to look for a .PDF


Absolutely.
And deservedly so...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Lance845 wrote:
The DnD Players handbook is about twice as thick as most core army codexes (Space Marines would be the one exception), costs $35, is made from better materials/has a better binding for sitting open on a table, isn't 1/2 ads showing off pictures of models to get you to go buy more models, and is all you need to play the game with your entire group of friends.

If DnD is doing that for 35 then the codexes should be no more then $20 USD.


I miss me some D&D.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
 dpal666 wrote:
Rage, Whine, Cry, or moan, players will still buy it.

I won't.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2017/11/26 14:48:25


Post by: Scott-S6


136 people think a 200+ page book should cost less than $10?

Really?


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2017/11/26 16:11:57


Post by: John Prins


This is totally a case of 'it depends'. What's the text to art ratio? Art is more expensive to produce. Glossy or plain paper? Color or black and white? Is it paying for an IP it doesn't own? What's the print volume for the first run? All these things affect the price. Lavish art books with low print runs are very expensive. Plain text, black and white books with large print runs (most hardback novels) are cheap.

GW books are full color glossy with tons of art, and while the print run is high for RPG/Wargaming, it's not super high either. I'd expect the 8th edition rules to run in the 60 USD range. OTOH, a low print run RPG in black and white with fairly basic art could run in the same dollar range because of economies of scale.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/01/28 21:37:21


Post by: Wibe


Its the rules you need to play with the really expensive figurines. It should never be sold with the goal to make a profit, if anything they should sell it with a loss to anyone buying "so-so many dollars worth of miniatures". Win some good will with the customers.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/01/29 07:26:37


Post by: Scott-S6


Wibe wrote:
Its the rules you need to play with the really expensive figurines. It should never be sold with the goal to make a profit, if anything they should sell it with a loss to anyone buying "so-so many dollars worth of miniatures". Win some good will with the customers.

I agree with the sentiment but selling the physical book at a loss doesn't make sense.

I do think that you should get a voucher for the digital rules only version in the box with the minis.

Maybe a program where you can trade several of the vouchers in store for a voucher for the rules and fluff digital edition?


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/05/03 11:22:32


Post by: parakuribo


I wholeheartedly agree with most of you folks.

Warmahordes-free rules and cards

Malifaux-rules at Drive-Thru RPG(main rules free), cards with figs

Dark Age-free rules and cards

Bushido-free rules, cards shipped with figs

Eden-free rules and cards

Wild West Exodus-free cards and rules

Relic Knights(DONT HIT ME!)-free rules, cards with figs, 2.0 upgrade cards

Age of Sigmar-free rules(online or at GW), tomes at $25-59 but scrolls are free, $35 for yearly book(not bad deal)

40K-$135 first year($35 each year) only one game format free, $175 if you worship Khorne or Slaanesh

Middle Earth-Quote Iori Yagami, 'huhuhu....hehehe...HA,HAHAHA...'

GW did the right thing with AoS but what they should do next edition is move all rules to Chapter Approved(or at least make a condensed rulebook), go Sigmar's route for Codexes and datasheets and update stats online and in real time(a la PPs Cid).


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/05/03 12:56:20


Post by: Dwro1234


I think they should offer 2 books. 1 the way it is with all the pretty pictures and fluff and blah blah blah... And one actual rule book without any of the useless Crap.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/06/04 17:15:09


Post by: Neroku


If the rule book was 35$ I would own it but since it’s over 50$ I’d rather spend it on models and borrow the book from chumps


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/06/04 17:23:04


Post by: darthdaddy


Cladmir wrote:
Essentials of Precalculus with Calculus Previews, Fifth Edition (Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Learning / Authors: Zill and Dewar), a 400-page hardcover textbook is listed as $162.95 according to the publisher's website (http://www.jblearning.com/).

Be very happy that GW rulebooks are not priced like textbooks.


True, but in your example the books information will still be correct in a year from now. Lol


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/06/05 03:15:39


Post by: Scott-S6


 darthdaddy wrote:
Cladmir wrote:
Essentials of Precalculus with Calculus Previews, Fifth Edition (Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Learning / Authors: Zill and Dewar), a 400-page hardcover textbook is listed as $162.95 according to the publisher's website (http://www.jblearning.com/).

Be very happy that GW rulebooks are not priced like textbooks.


True, but in your example the books information will still be correct in a year from now. Lol

But it is useless to you in a year and if the person running the course arbitrarily changes the textbook or it gets updated then it also has minimal resale value so pretty similar really.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/06/05 09:36:22


Post by: Crazy_swede


Quite obvious, as much as people are willing to pay for it.

I REALLY can't understand why those yapping about price doesn't change to a different game, or make there own WarharMer ruleset for free - then they will even make it totaly balanced.

But why, it's easier to complain.

/ Best regards, Fredrik


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/07/05 13:34:28


Post by: parakuribo


Crazy_swede wrote:
I REALLY can't understand why those yapping about price doesn't change to a different game, or make there own WarharMer ruleset for free …...



I am lucky I can choose between Iron Kingdoms, 40K(both of which I am workin' on) Guildball, Xwing and Flames of War where I live. However, there are some people that have no other choice; spend $$$ on a rulebook for the only game in their town or hope the people at the stores like charades.


As for making the ruleset, you can write down a summary for some games. As for others, like any GW game, I think almost everyone here knows the obvious...


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2018/09/07 10:03:54


Post by: Just Tony


Easily say in the $51-$60 range, but only so long as there's a paperback version for $40-$45


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2019/01/11 10:34:26


Post by: Woodbro_Chillson


I'll weigh in at the 30 to 40 range. Considering this is for "fun" and taking into account that the rule books are far from the only thing required to play the actual game. That's not to say books like the various w40k codex don't include enough fluff to get 15-20$ worth of a read out of on top of the actual purpose of the book. I feel that current pricing models on 40k codex/ rule books and CA is fair. You get what you're paying for.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2020/02/24 12:08:25


Post by: Grey40k


Free; otherwise it introduces bad incentives (change rules just to sell more books and models).

Rules should be part of the continued support you get from the company once you buy the models.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2020/05/27 10:19:09


Post by: A.D.


Yeah old post but the poll makes no sense obviously ideally 0$

As somebody who wanted to get in to the game the fact I had to buy a rule book, space marines codex, then ultramarines codex (3 books) was pretty over the top. And theres probably even more than that I'd need to get. Will stick to painting for now haha.

Edit: did I bump this by accident? It was literally the poll on the welcome page to DakkaDakka.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2020/05/27 11:43:02


Post by: ierp


I could pay more than 50 dollars, up to 90 dollars if :

1) this is a rule book, not a 2/3 lore book from a fluff that was already displayed in the previous big black book, with 1/3 of content actually being rules. Let's say at least 220 pages of rules on 300 total pages.

2) the book won't be obsolete for about 5 years


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2020/05/28 18:08:38


Post by: BobtheInquisitor


The last few rule books I’ve bought, with one exception, were all between $20 and $30; Horizon Wars, UrbanManhunt, Star Breach, Gangfight’s multiverse system (although the $18 shipping fee soured the deal somewhat).

The only rule book I’ve bought recently that compares with GW in quality and depth is Dropfleet’s Battle for Earth book for $35. That felt a bit pricey, but since the lore is so good I felt it was worth it.



What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2022/07/21 11:32:49


Post by: Amishprn86


Some of us dont want large rule books, just the rules and no fluff/art. I would love a streamline rules book that is small and doesn't get obsolete within 6 months of its 4yr run time.

So any price for the version we have now are over costed.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2022/07/23 06:42:31


Post by: Cyel


Well, if the question is "ideally" then the answer is simple - 0$.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2022/11/25 11:26:37


Post by: StaevinTheAeldari


It is not about the price

The current crop of codices could cost 1 USD and they would not be worth it.

The rules become obsolete within 2 weeks of purchasing it.
The lore and flavor is just regurgitating what already exists in prior codices.
Aside from a handful of pictures there is no hobbyist material in the codex.

As long as all the points cost get errataed near immediately anyway there is no point whatsoever to purchase a codex.
If all it is is a bundle of data sheets with some flavour text thrown in there is no reason to pay more than a handful of dollars for it.

A 40-60 dollar hardback codex should:

1. Contain rules that will last for more than a year, not 2 weeks.
2. Explore the thematic and narrative of a faction. Provide overviews of past battle fought, recommend stories, contain a few shorts or otherwise provide the perspective and psychology of a faction.
3. Explore aesthetics and paint styles of a faction. Provide examples of paint schemes, symbols, banners and useful techniques.

That is at that price point it should cater to the three core interests of wargamers:

Those interested in the game.
Those interested in the lore.
Those interested in the modelling and painting.

If the codex could cater to at least the first group, its existence might still be justified. It's supposed to be a rulebook. But currently the codices fail at every single one of them.

They are not worth money.


What should a 200-300 page hardback rulebook ideally cost (in US dollars)? @ 2023/10/05 19:48:22


Post by: bullisariuscowl


I live in europe, so I'd say 20-30 euro is best. Bolt Action did it best, I think. Nice art, but not padded out with useless stuff. I love 40k fluff in rulebooks, they're just so damn expensive.