When you back the project in the FIRST 48 HOURS and you'll get the advance Definitive Edition digital manuscript by the end that week. That's FOUR WEEKS BEFORE later backers!
This Campaign Includes:
The revised and expanded deluxe version of Ars Magica 5th Edition, including a host of new material published since the original's release.
The full-color book is over 600 pages and features heirloom production quality, with new art and golden foil embellishments on a leatherette hardcover.
A premium slipcover holds the Definitive Edition core rulebook, plus the new Storyguide Screen, Reference Guide booklet, and poster map of Mythic Europe.
The campaign will feature digital options and other add-ons, too!
Really excited about it! I live in Europe, though, so i am a little bit concerned about the shipping costs. Is there an estimation on how much will be the cost to deliver it to Europe?
I would also love to hear more about shipping costs. I live in Australia and shipping tends to be on the prohibitive side of expensive. I'd really like to get a physical copy for this one but it'd be good to know what to expect.
It's too soon to know for sure about shipping costs, especially since shipping rates will surely change between now and when the books are done. And we don't know exactly how much the book will weight, but it will be massive.
If the package were 6 lbs. and we shipped it today, this is what some international shipping rates would look like:
Canada: $22
UK: $26
France: $26
Australia: $30
In many places VAT would also apply to the cost of goods and shipping.
I'm going to say at LEAST six months, just knowing things that still need to be done (such as the two-page color spreads that are stretch goals), production time, and likely manufacturing somewhere overseas.
I also really like the back within the starting period and get the pdf quickly. Very nifty.
I wonder how much this will cost but honestly after all the years I have wanted this as long as its reasonable there is no way I'm not supporting it. The big issue will be where do I put it on my shelf, my Ars section has no more room. lol
I do wonder how much this is going to be for like the category of 'the book in print' category. There are a number of things going on in October rpg wise and its like "budget what budget wheeeee" which is uh not the best. lol
Anyway. Just commenting. Honestly I have wanted a comprehensive version of Ars Magica for years so like there is no way I'm not supporting this.
Also yeah. Time to move things around and figure out the alternate shelf space. hehe
Do we know at this point what higher backer levels might be and might give as rewards? My group is considering pooling our mythic pounds if we can get our characters included in the book or something similar.
(Not that $150 isn’t already stretching our budget…)
That is... a steep pricepoint. I assume prices for the Backerkit campaign will be a bit lower, since that is the MSRP? And do we know if a tier would allow a troupe to get the book at a cheaper pricepoint, like without the SG screen?
Yep, it's steep. The Backerkit package will include the digital Definitive Edition as well, which otherwise sells separately.
Definitive Edition is only coming as the package bound together with book, screen, booklet, map, slipcase, as one unit. The existing softcover B&W 5th Edition will remain available as the ArM5 budget alternative, and we'll have the screen/booklet as a separate SKU for folks who just want to add that to their existing Ars Magica library.
Definitive Edition is made to be something that no one needs (it's still 5th Edition rules, and all the content is already out there, spread across the books published over the decades), but we hope everyone will want.
I am not surprised in the least. While the price may seem steep when viewed as an absolute value, the book is marketed as a premium item with heirloom production quality, similar to Chaosium's The Guide to Glorantha slipcase set, which is specifically aimed at die-hard fans.
Do we know the anticipated price point for the top-tier level? I recall reading that it will include the book along with all the existing softcovers (non-POD, I assume). Also, how much would shipping to Europe cost?
Unless we see some kind of amazing add-on sales for sourcebooks that have been available for up to 20 years, justifying an offset print run of 1000+ units per title, I expect that all of the softcovers of existing books will be POD going forward. We just don't have the warehouse space to receive and store them -- POD allows us to maintain in stock a couple dozen of each title, and we replenish them monthly or so.
I'm going to keep the top-tier pricing close to the vest for the moment. I can tell you that I calculated its total MSRP to be over $2600. I also have not yet calculated its total weight or figured out shipping to Europe. I am certain it will vary considerably depending on the specific destination. That much weight/value is handled differently for shipping versus a small package. For example, it's above the level of de minimis exemption from duties (besides VAT). We would look at each case to try and get the best price and service at the time of shipping.
