blooddave | 06 Dec 2015 10:07 p.m. PST |
I like having rulebooks on PDF. Don't get me wrong, I like to have them in print, as well. I tend to use the print version when I am actually playing the game, and the PDF version at all other times. For example, when I am at work, I can pull the PDF up on my computer and read it, and people think I'm working. :) I can fit *all* my rules on my iPad, and read them when I'm waiting for my opponent to show up at the game store. I can read them on my phone at lunch. When someone in a forum asks a rules question, I can open up the PDF much more easily then rummaging around for the print book, and that assumes I am even at home, and not browsing the forums at work. I like to be able to print army lists for quick reference. I like to buy both at the same time, so I can read the PDF immediately, while the print version takes days or weeks (to the USA from the UK) to get to me. I want it NOW! Since I am happy to pay for both versions, I am puzzled why some companies do not offer PDFs. If they are worried about piracy, sell them through Wargamevault.com. They put my name and order number on every page. If I were to share the PDF file, they can trace it back to me with ease. I bring this up because I was listening to the recent Meeples & Miniatures podcast, and the guy from Great Escape Games seemed really clueless as to why anyone would want PDF rules. It seems to me that offering PDFs is an easy way to increase revenue. Do you like PDFs? Hate them? If you are a rules publisher, and do not offer PDF, why? |
Winston Smith | 06 Dec 2015 10:15 p.m. PST |
I dislike that I have to print them. |
darthfozzywig | 06 Dec 2015 10:22 p.m. PST |
I didn't care for PDFs until I got a tablet. Now it's rare for me to buy a game that ISN'T a PDF. I love books, but the utility of PDFs for gaming wins out for me. |
Grelber | 06 Dec 2015 10:24 p.m. PST |
Several of the Two Hour Wargames rules I've bought came with a hard copy and they sent me a pdf, as well. I have both hard and pdf copies of Pig Wars. I like this arrangement. Grelber PS blooddave, you do know there are random number generator programs on the web, right? Use them in conjunction with your pdf rules to play games at your desk on slow days! |
Pictors Studio | 06 Dec 2015 10:27 p.m. PST |
I can see how they would be useful on a computer but I hate touchscreens so their utility to me outside of my home would be limited. |
blooddave | 06 Dec 2015 10:31 p.m. PST |
@Winston: as I said in my post, I will buy both Print and PDF. When a ruleset is PDF only, then I use my tablet. I do like to print individual pages, like the page with my forces army list, but I never print the whole rulebook. |
Yellow Admiral | 06 Dec 2015 10:39 p.m. PST |
I like PDFs. There's only so much bookshelf space, and my rules shelves were full years ago. - Ix |
Coyotepunc and Hatshepsuut | 06 Dec 2015 10:53 p.m. PST |
I have a storage unit filled with accumulated wargaming crap… PDFs appeal to me because I can have them on my laptop and my phone, and I can print the parts I need as a hard copy or even as a smaller PDF for quick reference. |
The Beast Rampant | 06 Dec 2015 11:23 p.m. PST |
I dislike that I have to print them. Here, too. But if I loose it, or spill coffee all over it, I just make another one. And if the rules are crappy, I don't need to print them at all. And if the rules are sound, but were poorly written in Italian and translated/edited by a particularity dim hamster, I make my own extra-wordy QRS without being burdened by the sad husk of the original. |
Weasel | 06 Dec 2015 11:53 p.m. PST |
From a writers perspective, PDF also means I can fix a mistake or add new content, and instantly provide it to every single player who bought the game. |
Lucius | 07 Dec 2015 4:05 a.m. PST |
I never bought PDF rules until I got an IPad. Now I only buy PDF rules. |
Jcfrog | 07 Dec 2015 4:07 a.m. PST |
Space Ipad: can carry lots If not made as a scanned image, can use search into pdf. Very useful while playing at times. Can put notes insides, updates, without destroying it. Even rewrite. Print as many bits for players as needed with minimal fuss. As said above, I have rwo cupboards full of magazines and rules; three removals later I vowed not to add too much to it. |
79thPA | 07 Dec 2015 6:38 a.m. PST |
|
FusilierDan | 07 Dec 2015 6:45 a.m. PST |
Pros I can get quickly. Take up less space. Can print out only the sections I want. Can reprint as needed. Some times they're less expensive. Cons Difficult to navigate sometimes. Cost a little more if completly printed out and bound. Hard to lay on the couch or sit by the pool and read. Depending on layout parts can be missed while printing selectivly. |
XRaysVision | 07 Dec 2015 6:59 a.m. PST |
There is value in both. I appreciate the publishers that either deliver a pdf along with the hard copy like THW and those that make a pdf available in their web stores like Osprey. I do like having select rules available on my Surface and desktop when I simply want to read or need a quick reference, like when I'm ordering miniatures and need an army list. Some of the smaller softbound books I've taken to OfficeMax and had the bindings cut off, scanned them for my own use, and then spiral bound them. This kills two birds with one stone. I have a book that lays flat and can be doubled back on itself in addition I have a pdf that I can read/reference as needed. I don't like rules that are ONLY available as a pdf. Printing at home, especially a long book, is expensive. Then I have to take to OfficeMax for binding. |
Timmo uk | 07 Dec 2015 7:19 a.m. PST |
I like both with a general preference for PDF. I like to make myself up play sheets and taking bits from the PDF makes this possible. In one case I wrote a fast play version of the rules and the PDF made this much easier to do. I don't have a tablet so I still like hard copy rule books as I can read them anywhere. |
miniMo | 07 Dec 2015 7:43 a.m. PST |
I really like having a set of rules in both formats. Hardprint for actually reading and thumbing through, pdf for keyword searches. |
RavenscraftCybernetics | 07 Dec 2015 7:45 a.m. PST |
spilling a drink on a pdf can ruin your whole collection of rules. |
freewargamesrules | 07 Dec 2015 8:11 a.m. PST |
I too like PDF rules, you can use the search function to find what you want quickly. If the publisher provides colour and print friendly versions saving me ink, if I want a hard copy version as well. Also when an amendment is made to the rules I can get it instantly and not wait for it. I still buy print rules too but now I have run out of space PDF's are better. |
CATenWolde | 07 Dec 2015 8:52 a.m. PST |
About the only negative for me is the inability to "loan" the rules to someone to take a look at. |
nazrat | 07 Dec 2015 9:02 a.m. PST |
I like both as well, for all the reasons Dave gave. |
Stuart at Great Escape Games | 07 Dec 2015 10:25 a.m. PST |
blooddave, I do understand the desire for pdf rules. We are hoping to offer pdf versions of new rule sets in the near future. |
Thomas Thomas | 07 Dec 2015 11:13 a.m. PST |
I ended up marketing Combat Command as a PDF to accomodate those who want electronic versions and also those who want print versions. I priced them low enough that the extra cost to print and bind would still be less than similar hard bound stuffed with fluff versions of rules. Goal was to make everyone happy and judging by last Sunday's Battle of the Bulge Game – I have at least partially succeeded. TomT |
Texas Jack | 07 Dec 2015 11:58 a.m. PST |
I love pdf rules. For me the best thing is I can use the comment function to create a list of bookmarks for quick reference. Of course, the creators must allow commenting (yes, I am talking to you BKCII!!!). |
John Secker | 07 Dec 2015 3:05 p.m. PST |
One thing no-one seems to have mentioned is instant gratification. I can see some rules I like the look of, check them out, buy them and be reading them in ten minutes. I usually print them out, in whole or part, because I find that nothing beats paper for handy instant access at the tabletop. |
Field Marshal | 07 Dec 2015 5:35 p.m. PST |
I still prefer good old fashioned hardcopy but I like a PDF copy as well for instant gratification and ease when I am travelling. For a game and for sitting on the lounge at home give me a physical copy. So my vote is for both! |
sharkbait | 09 Dec 2015 4:32 p.m. PST |
I like both PDF and printed. If I had to choose one or the other, I'd prefer PDF. I often read them on my tablet or phone. |
huron725 | 09 Dec 2015 4:49 p.m. PST |
Agree with the Field Marshal |