[mathgeek]

> This is the question I’m asked the most: “Will there be a physical edition?”. I would love to have one, but it’s something very complicated to produce – especially for a 528-page color book! Most on-demand printing services won’t do something this big, and even if I cut the book down to CreateSpace’s 480-page limit, it would be a VERY expensive book, costing over $60!

I think the author is severely underestimating just how much people will pay for a physical book on this kind of topic. I really hope that they find a way to get this printed. $60 isn't even nearing what many people interested in this kind of topic would consider "very expensive."

[Figs]

Also, they could just split the book in half at whatever is the most logical breaking point, and print two approximately 264 page volumes. It would probably make physically handling it easier too...

Edit: Just finished downloading and took a look at it. Splitting it into a "1975-2000" volume, and a "2000-2014" volume seems to make the most sense. That splits it almost exactly in half by page count, as well.

[otterpro]

Two volumes are perfect, at that junction, between "classic" and "modern". I've also split the PDF into 2 smaller PDF files, to make it easier to load on low-end system.

    cpdf crpg_book_1-0.pdf 1-259 -o book1.pdf
    cpdf crpg_book_1-0.pdf 260-end -o book2.pdf

[oldcynic]

$60 is peanuts. I've no doubt plenty would pay well over $100.

Better still get a price, and minimum print run, for a quality hardback with premium paper. Then all or nothing kickstart it with whatever minimum and price is needed. Not forgetting enough profit in the deal for time!

Many many people who grew up with these now have decent earnings and a whole load of nostalgia. There's been countless successful Kickstarts in this niche - books, emulators, films, arcade cabinets etc.

[felipepepe]

But it would be $60 for a softcover CreateSpace version chopped down to 480 pages. Not exactly a premium product. :/

[Al-Khwarizmi]

I would happily pay twice that price, or maybe more, for a good-looking version.

I agree with mathgeek, and would like to encourage you to at least do some kind of poll based on a quote from a decent printer. I think you would be pleasantly surprised.

I'm not rich and don't go around throwing $100+ at random whims, but man, we are talking about an impressive tribute and memory of the games I, and many of us, love. A good bunch of the games you cover were an enormous influence during many years in my life (and I still come back to them regularly). It would be one of the most cherished books in my library. Although I love books, these years I'm limiting my physical book purchases to three or so a year due to lack of space, but I would get this one without even a second thought.

I don't want to believe that I live in a world where this book can't get a physical edition to make it justice. One way or another, it must be done.

PS: in page 79, the caption of the last screenshot of Ultima IV seems wrong. I think it was miscopied from a screenshot of The Bard's Tale.

[gommm]

Like a few here, I'd gladly pay $120 or more for a two volume hard cover version. Do consider doing a kickstarter or other form of crowdfunding. I've been reading the book and it's a real trip down memory lane :)

And in term of taxes, as someone living in Japan on a temporary visa in Japan, you do not pay taxes in Japan on income from abroad that does not get sent to Japan. I'm not sure about the Brazilian side of things but you might qualify as non-resident and in that case not be on the hook there. Of course, consult with a professional or read the double taxation agreements (which is a dry reading) but it's likely to not be too complicated in your case.

[Merem]

Heh, I'm still remembering this line: "[...]but if all goes well we're talking of a colored 480-page paperback for about $25-30. And that's printed on-demand via Amazon." ^^

But really, it is as mathgeek says. You are underestimating how much people are willing to pay for this. Though, as you said in the blog post, it's all future-talk at this point.

[danbolt]

I'd pay closer to $140 USD for something hardcover that would look good on the coffee table.

[mathgeek]

True. I was speaking to the quality of the content more than the paper it's printed on, but that does come into play as well.

[PakG1]

Indeed, the target market especially is the type of market that will especially appreciate and pay for the type of work that goes into making this book. Someone tweet at that man.

[Marazan]

Yeah, like seriously: https://readonlymemory.vg/shop/book/britsoft-an-oral-history... is a incredibly lovely book, 420 pages only a small smattering of colour plates it it is £30, around about $45 USD.

This CRPG book full colour book would be snapped up at $80.

[aidenn0]

It is hard to say; for a hard-cover that's at least as big as an octavo (larger would be better though), I'd pay up to $120, but that might completely eat their costs if they do print-on-demand.

They would have to do an actual print run to actually make any money on it, which means crowd-funding, and I'd only put the odds at 50-50 that it gets funded.

[romaniv]

It's a finished product that just needs a physical release. Kickstarting it would make a lot of sense.

[nrjames]

Why not just put it up on lulu.com or something?

[bringtheaction]

Does that price even include any profits for the author though?

[douglaswlance]

He should approach a relevant publisher with the completed manuscript. If all contributors sign off on it, they can print it.