Amen. I see so many old books that are really, really great that aren't available in any form. I really like DriveThruRPG for their POD service, plus selling good old PDF's.
Kyle, Head Honcho of Loreshaper Games
I write frequent on game development, storytelling, or life in general, in case you want to follow what I'm up to.
Though we are talking about two things here: 1. Value, and 2. Functionality
If the book holds illustrations, pictures, is nicely printed and bound, then it's for the value. And nothing can replace that. You can have the text of the New Testament all over the internet but that won't replace, say, a 1865 Doré Bible. If you just want some sheets of paper for quick reference, because opening up your computer would distract you from the flow of the game, then it's just that, a tool.
I mean what I say, I say what I meant - RPGs should be books, 100 per-cent!
Games that aren't in dead tree format aren't as real to me. I like being able to take it into other rooms and read where I'm comfortable, rather than sitting at a computer.
Conversely, I don't like the idea that you need a $200 dollar Kindle or $400 dollar notebook computer as a vital gaming accessory - games should be affordable - I started with a twenty-five dollar book and five dollars of dice.
Extra technology at the table is a potential distraction. Screen illumination ruins the mood lighting, games and apps steal attention.
Its easier to lend someone a book than your computer (we'll leave off a discussion of copying PDFs...)
Games of imagination are never truly done. Yet tomorrow we shall start another one.