Good Business Practices: Pricing Guide
Pricing your tabletop roleplaying game creations—whether it's a full game, an adventure module, a supplement, art, or other game content—can feel like a challenge to some. It's a common struggle I see among creators in TTRPG communities online. How do you price your work fairly, cover your costs, and make it accessible to players, all while respecting the time, energy, and creativity you’ve poured into it?
To help answer this, I wrote a TTRPG Pricing Guide about six months ago. It's a straightforward approach designed specifically for TTRPG-related products.
The guide is priced in Canadian Dollars (CAD) and reflects the economic reality of my context. That being said, I know that markets and economies differ across countries and communities, so I’ll also touch on how to adapt this guide to your specific needs.
I also know that some of you will not agree with this pricing guide but note that even I stray from this guide from time to time … in the end, this should only serve as a guideline, not as THE rules to follow:
DIGITAL BOOKS
Small Supplements (1–10 pages)
- Simple adventures, character sheets, or rules expansions: $1–$3
- Short stories, setting primers, or art books: $3–$5
Small Games (1–10 pages)
- Simple rules and minimal content (1–5 pages): $1–$3
- More developed rules and content (6–10 pages): $3–$5
Medium Supplements (11–50 pages)
- Adventure modules, character guides, or rules companions: $5–$9
- Setting expansions, NPC collections, or magic item catalogs: $7–$15
Medium Games (11–50 pages)
- More developed rules and content (11–30 pages): $5–$15
- Extensive rules, settings, and mechanics (31–50 pages): $9–$25
Large Supplements (51–100 pages)
- Campaign books, player handbooks, or game master guides: $9–$19
- Comprehensive rules revisions or world-building tomes: $15–$25
Large Games (101+ pages)
- Extensive rules, settings, and mechanics (51–100 pages): $15–$29
- Detailed worlds, complex rules, and adventures (101+ pages): $25–$39
DIGITAL BUNDLES
Small Bundles (2–3 items)
- Related PDFs, such as an adventure and its prep materials: $5–$9
- Themed collections, like horror or sci-fi settings: $9–$19
Medium Bundles (4–6 items)
- Complete campaign sets, combining adventures and supplements: $15–$25
- Rules and setting bundles, covering core mechanics and world-building: $19–$39
Large Bundles (7+ items)
- Ultimate collections, including all game content: $29–$59
- Mega-bundles featuring extensive rules, settings, and adventures: $49–$99
PHYSICAL BOOKS
Softcover
Small Supplements (1–10 pages)
- Simple adventures, character sheets, or rules expansions: $5–$9
- Short stories, setting primers, or art books: $7–$15
Small Games (1–10 pages)
- Small booklets or zines (1–5 pages): $5–$9
- Slightly larger booklets or zines (6–10 pages): $9–$15
Medium Supplements (11–50 pages)
- Adventure modules, character guides, or rules companions: $9–$19
- Setting expansions, NPC collections, or item catalogs: $15–$29
Medium Games (11–50 pages)
- Softcover books (11–30 pages): $15–$29
- Softcover books (31–50 pages): $25–$39
Large Supplements (51–100 pages)
- Campaign, player handbooks, or game master guides: $19–$35
- Comprehensive rules revisions or world-building tomes: $29–$45
Large Games (101+ pages)
- Basic rules, starter sets, or introductory games: $25–$39
- Advanced rules, deluxe editions, or collector's sets: $39–$59
- Games over 200 pages: $59–$99
Hardcover
Small Supplements (1–10 pages)
- Simple adventures, character sheets, or rules expansions: $9–$15
- Short stories, setting primers, or art books: $13–$19
Small Games (1–10 pages)
- Simple adventures, character sheets, or rules expansions: $9–$15
- Short stories, setting primers, or art books: $13–$19
Medium Supplements (11–50 pages)
- Adventure modules, character guides, or rules companions: $15–$29
- Setting expansions, NPC collections, or magic item catalogs: $19–$39
Medium Games (11–50 pages)
- Adventure modules, character guides, or rules companions: $15–$29
- Setting expansions, NPC collections, or magic item catalogs: $19–$39
Large Supplements (51–100 pages)
- Campaign books, player handbooks, or game master guides: $29–$49
- Comprehensive rules revisions or world-building tomes: $39–$59
Large Games (101+ pages)
- Basic rules, starter sets, or introductory games: $39–$59
- Advanced rules, deluxe editions, or collector’s sets: $49–$69
- Games over 200 pages: $99–$159
Note: Be sure to include POD (Print-on-Demand) production costs when setting prices for physical books. For premium materials, like higher-quality paper or full-color interiors, consider higher price points.
PHYSICAL BUNDLES
Small Bundles (2-3 items)
- Related softcover books, like an adventure and its prep materials: $19-$39
- Themed collections, like horror or sci-fi settings: $29-$49
Medium Bundles (4-6 items)
- Complete campaign sets, including adventures and supplements: $39-$79
- Rules and setting bundles, covering core mechanics and world-building: $59-$119
Large Bundles (7+ items)
- Ultimate collections, including all game content: $79-$159
- Mega-bundles, featuring extensive rules, settings, and adventures: $119-$249
SPECIAL CASES
Boxed Sets
- Small boxed sets (1-2 items): $19-$39
- Medium boxed sets (3-5 items): $29-$59
- Large boxed sets (6+ items): $49-$149
Collector's Editions
- Deluxe versions of core rulebooks or popular supplements: $49-$149
While the Pricing Guide provides a solid foundation, it’s essential to adapt it to fit your unique market and audience. TTRPG communities are incredibly diverse, and factors like location, currency, and purchasing power can significantly influence how your prices are perceived and what will work best for you. Here are some practical steps to help you tailor your pricing strategy:
Research Your Target Audience
Understanding your audience is key. Are you targeting seasoned TTRPG players, new hobbyists, or niche groups within the community? Each demographic has different expectations and spending habits. For example:
Seasoned players may prioritize high-quality, comprehensive content and be willing to pay more.
New hobbyists may gravitate toward budget-friendly, beginner-oriented materials.
Niche audiences might value specialized or thematic content and expect a price aligned with its exclusivity.
Use tools like community surveys, social media polls, or engagement metrics to gather insights about your audience’s preferences and spending habits.
Consider Regional and Economic Differences
TTRPG creators sell their work globally, but not all regions have the same economic conditions. Pricing a supplement at $25 CAD might seem reasonable in Canada but could be prohibitively expensive in countries with lower purchasing power. Here’s how to account for these variations:
Offer regional pricing tiers if your platform supports it.
Research local pricing trends by looking at similar creators in your target markets.
Keep an eye on currency conversion rates and consider pricing in a widely used currency like USD if you’re selling internationally.
Use Flexible Pricing Models
To make your content accessible while still valuing your work, consider these flexible pricing strategies:
Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW): Great for digital products, this model allows buyers to choose what they pay, with a minimum price set to cover basic costs. Many creators report success with PWYW, as supportive fans often pay more than the minimum.
Tiered Pricing: Offer multiple pricing options based on the level of content or rewards provided, such as a basic version for $10 and a deluxe version for $20.
Bundles and Discounts: Encourage sales by bundling related products at a reduced price or offering discounts during key sales events.
Test and Iterate
Pricing isn’t set in stone, and it’s okay to make adjustments as you learn more about your audience and the market. Start with an initial price based on the guide and the considerations above, then monitor feedback and sales data. If you notice patterns—such as consistent feedback that a product is priced too high or too low—adjust accordingly.
Communicate the Value of Your Work
When pricing your TTRPG content, make sure your audience understands the value behind your creations. Highlight unique features, the time and expertise involved, and how your product enhances their gaming experience. Clear communication about the effort and quality behind your work can help justify your pricing, even in regions where budgets might be tighter.
That being said …
Pricing your TTRPG creations can look like rocket science to some but believe me it's not. While this guide provides a solid foundation to help you set fair and competitive prices, remember that your journey as a creator is unique. Your audience, content quality, production costs, and market dynamics all play crucial roles in determining the value of your work.
Ultimately, your pricing should reflect not just the time and effort you’ve poured into your creations but also the experience and joy they bring to the players who engage with them. Don’t be afraid to experiment, gather feedback, and adjust as needed. The TTRPG community thrives on creativity and collaboration, and your contributions deserve recognition and respect.
Above all, trust in your work’s value and know that pricing isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating a connection between your passion and your audience’s enthusiasm. Whether you’re launching your first adventure or expanding your catalog with premium bundles, I hope this guide helps you navigate the process with clarity, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment. Happy creating!
Sometimes, we find pricing difficult because of Imposter Syndrome. Well, I might just have what it takes to help you with that as well!