RUMOR: WotC to stop reprinting 4E Core Books in favor of Essentials line

[Morrus]

[title]RUMOR: WotC to stop reprinting 4E Core Books in favor of Essentials line[/title]

At this moment this just a rumour. Source here. This has not been verified in any way.

ManaNation has received a tip that Wizards of the Coast has decided to end the print run of the Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition Core Handbooks, instead aiming to turn the game in the direction of “Dungeons and Dragons Essentials”, a product to be released later this year. The first product for the Essentials line is starting with the ‘Dungeons & Dragons Fantasy Roleplaying Game’ also being called ‘the Red Box’ and is due to be released on Sept. 7th, 2010.

It is our understanding that they are not going to be reprinting any of the three main books, the Players Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide and Monster Manual from this point on to allow them to be phased out. No other books have been mentioned.
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This does not match repeated assertions by WotC that the Essentials line is not D&D 4.5. At the moment - pending confirmation - this has "take with a grain of salt" status. I'll let you know if I hear anything more.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Um... what?!?

Nobody panic!

Okay, good. There's no need to get violent about this.

 

[TheClone]

What has not reprinting books to do with D&D4.5? If Essentials ist the new "core book", why reprinting the old books? Who has them can still use them and for the new guys they have this box that contains all they need to have to start playing. So there is in fact no reason to continue printing the PHB1, DMG1 and MM1, except for tradition. This decision just makes sense. If they would do NEW core books, that would be something which I'd call 4.5. But this? Hell, no.