"TSATF/20 as a PDF - Part 2" Topic

We did not mean to imply that offering TSATF/20th in PDF form had anything to do with our updating and release of the 40th anniversary edition in 2 1/2 years. See original post:

TMP link

This decision has come about mainly due to the continuing rise in postage costs outside of the US and the effects on some of our International customers. We thought now would be the right time to implement such a change since we're in the midst of lots of things at Sergeants 3. Being around for almost 40 years lends itself to periodic reflection as a member of the historical miniature wargaming community. And in the excessive heat and humidity of New Orleans in the summer months, it's a very good time for such reflection (indoors).

As to the "production" costs of a PDF and the one poster's remark of never paying more than $10.00 USD for one, let me just offer our philosophy on this. We are not in the "production" business, we are rules publishers. We publish rules that are designed by extremely talented members of the hobby. Granted there are costs in printing and shipping the rules, but what about the creative aspect of designing the rules? As someone with an art background (from a family of artists) when doing a commission for a client, they didn't just pay me for the paints, brushes, and canvas I used. They paid me for my ability to create. Gamers tend to overlook this when questioning costs within our hobby; figure designers, rules designers, terrain designers, and accessory designers all create not just produce or manufacture.

Over the years and after experiencing first hand how insignificantly some people value creativity in our hobby, we hope to continue to honor creativity as we move towards the 40th year of The Sword and The Flame. Dad used to tell gamers, who complained to him about the "high" cost of TSATF and other rules, that they could always write their own set. That's what he did back in 1974-79.

We are planning on emailing your PDF's by the end of this week. 90% of the orders we have received have been non-US customers. Again, if you have any questions, please contact us, and thanks.

I believe it is a good move on your part especially for the international market. In my own case I purchased a PDF copy of Rapid Fire II because a hard copy from the source would have cost about 3 times as much with postage and all.
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For all those who wont pay above a certain amount for a product

A younger and stupider me once said "don't you think rules are expensive for what they are?" to which a wiser man than me replied "remember that you're paying for a concept"

that's stuck with me for 30+ years.

Although i'm no fan of "Style over substance" rules (which TSATF is definitely not!) Someone had to research, write, refine, playtest what you're buying. You aren't just paying for a physical (or electronic) product…..just saying….

For me personally, a $18 USD PDF is a far better introductory price than $33 USD plus shipping. If my new gaming group is playing TSATF for Colonials, this price point allows me to jump right in, both for cost and not waiting for something to arrive by mail. The "$10 rule" might apply for something new and unknown, but as has been stated TSATF has been around for 40 years and is a foundation set of rules for Colonial gaming.

Hear! Hear!

If you gave it away for free, some would complain about the cost of printing it up.
Do what's best for you.

PDF a great idea for overseas and space constrained customers.

I agree, it's a great idea for over seas as well as convenience! People do need to understand that the creativity is a HUGE PART of it. We can never recoup actual hours spent in rules design, terrain building, figure painting, book/article production, etc, but these are very real costs that sould be incorporated into cost of the product as much as possible. If it was easy everyone would do it.

IMHO it is well worth the cost! Especially if the rules addendum and official changes are incorporated into this rules addition.

Cheers,
JB

Hi Lori,

Just ordered the PDF version! Looking forward to the same for the 40th Anniversary edition and hoping the 40th has all the official rules changes added into the main body of the texts and game charts updated as well.

Cheers,
JB