As the year wraps up, Geek Native and DriveThruRPG have been looking back at the RPGs, supplements and accessories published this year. Which sold the best?
In this article, we’re looking at games that the publisher described as “modern” in genre. Now, we might have a good idea of what’s to come because we saw science-fantasy and urban-fantasy in the ‘Other’ fantasy best-sellers list and we’ve already looked at horror.
Best selling modern RPGs of 2019
These are the top ten selling modern genre RPGs, supplements and accessories published this year at DriveThruRPG.
- Shadowrun, Sixth World Core Rulebook by Catalyst Game Labs.
- Changeling: the Lost Second Edition by Onyx Path Publishing.
- Scion Second Edition Book Two: Hero by Onyx Path Publishing.
- Shadowrun: No Future (A Cyberpunk Sourcebook) by Catalyst Game Labs.
- Scion Second Edition Book One: Origin by Onyx Path Publishing.
- Signs of Sorcery by Onyx Path Publishing.
- M20 Gods & Monsters by Onyx Path Publishing.
- Shadowrun: The Neo-Anarchist Streetpedia by Catalyst Game Labs.
- Carbon 2185 | A Cyberpunk RPG Core Rulebook by Dragon Turtle Games.
- Night Horrors: Shunned by the Moon by Onyx Path Publishing.
Wow. The list is dominated by two companies. Catalyst Game Labs have the top position with Shadowrun and two other entries. If it wasn’t for Carbon 2185 sneaking in at position number nine, Onyx Path Publishing would have every other slot.
How much should you pay for a best selling modern RPG?
The prices are all in the same range here as only a few publishers are setting the rates. The average is $19.95, the lowest at $14.99 and the highest at $26.65.
These prices are for the lowest cost option at DTRPG, which generally means the PDF. We’ve tried to take temporary sales out but if a publisher is marking a PDF as ‘discounted’ to compare it to the physical books, then we use that price.
Movers and shakers
Quite plainly, Onyx Path Publishing is a powerhouse in this genre.
Is this new? Not at all, it was the same story in 2018 with 6 RPGs in the chart. Not that you can strictly compare the two; this year we’re only looking at new releases.
Creative Commons credit: Hacking the city by Francesca.
Join (or start) the healthy debate. Share your observations below.
