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What are the top (at least five) fantasy RPGs (preferably but not necessarily of all time, up to 2011)? Please base your answer on hard data. (Nota bene, I do not specify the kind of data and/or region and/or anything else on purpose. I'm curious what kind of hard data there is out there, so all are welcome.)

Reminder: I'm not looking for personal, subjective lists.

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Can you define RPG for your question? Is DnD 4e Darksun the same RPG as DnD 4e Ebberon? is DnD 3.5 the same as DnD 3? or is all DnD "one rpg"? Does "Hero Quest" count as an RPG for this question? What about computer game RPGs? – GMNoob Jul 17 '11 at 6:12
I don't have the time to find the answer, but supposedly GAMA (Game manufactuers Association) and ICV2 would have the data. – GMNoob Jul 17 '11 at 6:19
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I've intentionally left the question relatively vague, as I'd be interested in any kind of hard data based top list(s). So, if some list handles all 4e publications as the same rpg, fine by me, but the reverse is also true, it's okay if Dark Sun is considered a different rpg than Eberron. On the other hand, I'd prefer to leave out crpgs from this and focus on pen and paper games... unless said crpgs tie in with and add to the popularity of pnp rpgs. (So, if a list uses Forgotten Realms licensed crpg sales data as well to measure the popularity of FR (primarily a pnp game), it's okay.) – OpaCitiZen Jul 17 '11 at 7:24
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I can't submit this as an answer, because its a: not all time, and B. only top 5, but here is "a list". icv2.com/articles/news/20178.html – GMNoob Jul 17 '11 at 7:29
Right, I'll edit the Q to allow that A. Thanks. :) – OpaCitiZen Jul 17 '11 at 8:27

1 Answer

up vote 7 down vote accepted

According to ICV2, the top 5 selling RPG games of the first quarter of 2011 were:

  1. D&D
  2. Pathfinder
  3. Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch
  4. Dragon Age
  5. Mutants and Masterminds

A subscription to ICV2 would be required to go back through all their data to get an all time list.

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