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average word counts for modules and rulebooks?
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Post Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 10:51 pm 
 

Does anyone know of any good research and analysis for rulebook and module word counts for TSR-era products?

All I could find was an old thread at which only discussed the 3 OD&D rulebooks:  Word count on original 3 books

Allan.


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Post Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 11:12 pm 
 

grodog wrote in average word counts for modules and rulebooks?:Does anyone know of any good research and analysis for rulebook and module word counts for TSR-era products?

All I could find was an old thread at which only discussed the 3 OD&D rulebooks:  https://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5286&c=1

Allan.


Hi Allan... Many many years ago I converted A1 into a word doc.  Not really an average but could give you a ballpark.

Here is a screenshot of the counts. I can send it to you if you are interested.

Attachment:
A1 WordCount.png


-Len

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Post Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 9:53 am 
 

Thanks Len!

My ballpark was 20K words for a 32 page module, given that's what Rob Kuntz would target for his writing projects, so it's good to see that A1 aligns with that esimtate!

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Post Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 8:34 pm 
 

Guy Fullerton shared these details over at the Alehouse:  

Guy Fullerton wrote:Quick word count breakdown for the ones I could easily do.
This only counts words for the meat of the module: intro, keys, new monster descriptions, spells, and similar. I tried to omit pages of just pregens, the title page, and other obvious fluff.
Word counts are rounded down to the nearest thousand. Next to the word count is the page count for the counted pages; I did not count pages with full page illustrations, obviously.
Generally you are looking at 1000 words per page, plus or minus, for the meat of the module. Illustration density affects things, obviously.

Code:
A1        19k / 18p
A2        40k / 36p
A3        16k / 22p
A4        19k / 25p
C1        31k / 24p
C2        16k / 16p
D1-2        28k / 26p
D2        15k / 15p
D3        31k / 27p
G1-2-3        35k / 29p
G2        6k / 7p
I1        25k / 26p
I2        22k / 25p
L1        28k / 27p
N1        27k / 28p
Q1        30k / 31p
S1        11k / 9p
S3        30k / 28p
T1        18k / 15p
WG4        29k / 30p



Allan.


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Post Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 8:54 pm 
 

Allan, I found this free site that counts words in a pdf.  As long as the file is under 10MB it works. How accurate it is, is anyone's guess. I tried Q1 and it was very close to your stated number.  I'm curious, is this just research or are you going to publish something?

https://docwordcounter.com/en/word-counter

-Len


Last edited by Sir Kill Alot on Wed Feb 01, 2023 9:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
  


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Post Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 11:05 pm 
 

Sir Kill Alot wrote in average word counts for modules and rulebooks?:Allan, I found this free site that counts words in a pdf.  As long as the file is under 10MB it works. How accurate it is, is anyone's guess. I tried Q1 and it was very close to your stated number.  

https://docwordcounter.com/en/word-counter


Very cool, I'll check that out, thanks Len!

Sir Kill Alot wrote in average word counts for modules and rulebooks?:I'm curious, is this just research or are you going to publish something?


Yes =)

Allan.


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Post Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 11:09 pm 
 

Wise-ass answers aside, a friend on another board was asking for research purposes.

But I am also always interested in this kind of data, since it is useful for publishing projects.

And I am taking the opportunity in this #dungeon23 year to get a few of my levels of Castle Greyhawk finally ready for publication!

Allan.


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Post Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:14 am 
 

grodog wrote in average word counts for modules and rulebooks?:And I am taking the opportunity in this #dungeon23 year to get a few of my levels of Castle Greyhawk finally ready for publication!

Allan.


Ciao Allan, that would be great!!


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