ICv2’s latest best-selling RPG chart is full of mysteries

ICv2 is a site about the tabletop hobby industry (board games, card games, wargames, etc) which is primarily intended for shops and press. It’s a business to business site, although the news is often interesting to the rest of us.

Once a quarter they publish charts of which games are selling the best, and they get this data by talking to the shop owners. That’s a good method, but it’s not the same as, for example, Spotify counting the number of times a track has been played. The latter case is precise, unforgiving and constant.

Today’s news, the Top 5 Roleplaying Games – Fall 2020 has some mysteries in it.

It’s not a mystery to see Dungeons & Dragons in the top position, nor is it to see Pathfinder in second.

Given that Fantasy Flight Games are handing their RPGs to sister studio Edge, and haven’t been able to say much about the Star Wars RPG, it’s probably not a surprise that game doesn’t make the top 5. Although it often does.

What’s that entry in position 3? “5E – Compatible” by Various. Is that an unnamed RPG that uses the 5e system? Is that a collection of games that use the 5e system? Why not say so?

ICv2 does offer pro access, for about $10 a month, which this loss-making blog does not have. The mystery in position 3 may be explained in the comments or in a pro access only report.

That’s not the only mystery though. R. Talsorian’s “Cyberpunk” is the 5th bestseller.

Do they mean Cyberpunk Red? That’s not out yet. There is a Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit that was sold in 2019 by stores.

Did someone find an abandoned warehouse of Jumpstart Kits?

I do not believe pre-orders qualify for this chart, but if they do, then that could explain the listing.

Update: 12th August R. Talsorian have clarified that the Jumpstart Kit is readily available in stores and many classic 2020 Cyberpunk books are still in print and available through distribution.