Last week, I went sleuthing to see how well D&D’s new Player’s Handbook was selling. I saw mixed reviews and mixed success.
It looks like I was wrong.
Wizards of the Coast have put out a press release. Jess Lanzillo, VP of D&D Product and Franchise at Wizards of the Coast, said it;
We couldn’t be more pleased with the resounding critical and fan acclaim and record-breaking launch of the 2024 Player’s Handbook, and we have our loyal fans to thank for it. They played a major role in helping make this product what it is. Our team has been analyzing feedback from players since the release of the 2014 Player’s Handbook and have worked hard and thoughtfully to implement it into the new core rulebooks to create something that we hope everyone will enjoy.”
In fact, the Player’s Handbook has become the fastest-selling Dungeons & Dragons product ever in just its first week. It has even surpassed the impressive sales of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, which has held the previous record since its 2020 release.
Anticipating high demand, Wizards of the Coast tripled the initial print run of the 2024 Player’s Handbook compared to its 2014 predecessor, making it the largest first printing in D&D history. This gamble paid off, as the new handbook has already sold three times more copies than the 2014 version at launch.
This success comes during D&D’s 50th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the game’s resurgence in popularity. With over 85 million fans globally and 18 million registered D&D Beyond users, Dungeons & Dragons is still holding strong after experiencing a remarkable revival.
Fans can get their copies of the 2024 Player’s Handbook now. Many gamers may purchase copies on D&D Beyond, where only Wizards of the Coast can see the sales. For a physical copy, international retailers like Amazon have the main book, local retailers like Forbidden Planet have the rarer alternative clover and digital partners like the Dungeon Masters Guild have some options.
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