The past is the future

Complaining about the costs of our hobby is common among us gamers, and always has been, as the letter below illustrates. What's interesting is that prices haven't changed all that much in the past 12 years (using his figures). RPGs and minis tend to be higher (though not by a whole lot, and you can still get some RPGs for $30), but supplements in the $15-$30 range are still common.

I am concerned with the ever-rising prices in the gaming industry. I understand that prices rise due to inflation and such, but some of the prices I’ve seen recently have driven me to write this letter. A little over a year ago, a pack of lead miniatures with four figures cost $4.00. Now, a pack of two or three miniatures made from lead-free metal costs anywhere from $6.95-$8.95 or higher. There also is a need for more common monsters and such to be produced in a wider variety of poses. Games also have been affected. The average price of an RPG now is close to $30.00! And supplements for them average from $15.00 to $30.00 also. I know that the companies making these products are in business to make money, but how can you get people involved in a hobby that keeps getting more and more expensive every day?

- Dragon #213, Jan 1995 (Forum letter)