D&D 4E

[Meg]

It's coming, like it or not.  The Gameologists are trying to keep updated on news about the game and even though are pessimistic and cynical, are probably more excited than the average bear about it.  Talk about it here!

[Meg]

Since we recorded the episode, a little more info about Fourth Edition has been released. However, we’re all still pretty much in the dark. It looks like the focus is on streamlining play, and in providing a fulfilling character advancement at every level.

I wonder if this is what people feel needs to happen to D&D. Do you feel the need for a new edition? What do you expect from it? What is your greatest fear regarding it?

[gefahrmaus]

I find it interesting that WotC is acting like 4E is a software project. "Development Kits" for 5 large ($5,000.00)!? http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=215976

Could have some blowback, but it is does provide some market protection for publishers, small and large, to release with 4E. It's the smallest publisher that doesn't have access to 5,000.00 dollars that might be offended, or the garage writer/gamer/DM that gets slighted.

But, hey, I'm a capitalist, so if the smallest publisher wants out of the unwashed masses and enter the big money world of D&D supplement and module writing, with all of the rights and fame thereto, maybe $5,000.00 is a fee worth "ponying up." It puts you in a group of people that is serious about the game and, at least, on the radar of WotC... maybe even a person worthy of soliciting opinion. If I was playing D&D, and not Warhammer, invested in its success, etc., I might do it.

[Josh]

I like the fact that WotC treats its products like they are a business. 

The problem that the d20 movement had when it opened up was the plethora of really bad stuff that came out and drowned out the good stuff. 

This is an attempt by WotC to help only the highest quality producers make supplements.

We will see how well the concept works. 

[Peaboo]

Yeah, not to mention how many people ran out and bought all those third party supplements? Personally I only have four non-WotC books, but only because the topics interested me.

So when folks complain they have hundreds of books, it's not completely WotC's fault so many were put out. Nor is it their fault people bought so many of them.

As for the money for the right to publish for 4e release, that's a good thing. People are less likely to violate an NDA if serious cash has been paid out. (Even the NDA should be enough but, what can you do once the cat is out of the bag?)

WotC is in the business to make money for WotC, not for any other company. The d20 movement was good in getting people into the industry because let's face it- who's going to buy some unknown RPG from some unknown company?

At the same time, anyone with a computer suddenly thinks they're a publisher...

 

[Josh]

Yeah, not to mention how many people ran out and bought all those third party supplements? Personally I only have four non-WotC books, but only because the topics interested me.

So when folks complain they have hundreds of books, it's not completely WotC's fault so many were put out. Nor is it their fault people bought so many of them.

People are not mad that they bought the books, they are mad that they are obsolete.

[Tazendra]

I've probably spent at least $1k on 3.5. I haven't figured it out because I really want to know. But I'm a source book junkie. I love reading game books, even for ones I suspect I'll never play. The way I look at it is that thought I've spent a lot of money, its not much if I think of how many hours of fun I've had gaming.

[heffroncm]

I'm in the happy place of having spent less than $200 on 3.5 books, materials, mini's, and etc.  So I'm making up for it.  I've already doubled my 3.5 investment in 4.0 materials ^.^

[Prime32]

I've probably spent at least $1k on 3.5. I haven't figured it out because I really want to know. But I'm a source book junkie. I love reading game books, even for ones I suspect I'll never play. The way I look at it is that thought I've spent a lot of money, its not much if I think of how many hours of fun I've had gaming.

Same here. I have never actually played a face-to-face game, and the PbP game i'm DMing is still at level 1, but due to obsessive reading, I know the rules better than some experienced DMs. I'll probably get them...

[Tazendra]

I play in one face to face game, but that's it, and I really don't have time for that. PBPs are my only outlet for anything other than 3.5E D&D.