The Year of Drizzt? (20th Anniversary)

Glyfair · Apr 13, 2007

http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/10400.html

Wizards of the Coast is planning a massive marketing campaign, beginning this fall and continuing into 2008, celebrating the 20th anniversary of R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt Do' Urden character. The dark elf, introduced in Salvatore's 1988 novel The Crystal Shard, will be featured in a series of products beginning this September, supported by nearly $400,000 in marketing in 2007 alone.

The 2007 Drizzt marketing campaign includes print advertising in electronic game magazines such as Electronic Games, GamePro, and Beckett Massive Gamer; comics from DC, Marvel, and Dark Horse; Geek Monthly; Wizard, InQuest, and Toy Fare; and other titles including Scrye, Make, Rocket, and Realms of Fantasy. Public relations, a fall Salvatore book signing tour, and p.o.p. support will also be employed. And a Drizzt themed adventure will be featured in this year's Worldwide D&D Game Day.

Marketing support for the 20th Anniversary of Drizzt campaign wil continue in 2008 exceeding 2007 levels.

The Fall 2007 Drizzt product releases are the Legend of Drizzt Scenario Pack for the D&D CMG (see "Full D&D Slate in the Fall") and the hardcover release of The Orc King, the first book in the new "Transitions" trilogy by Salvatore.

A full slate of Drizzt releases are planned for 2008, with releases in the RPG, CMG, and novel categories in every quarter. The first 2008 Drizzt release will ship in January.

In addition to his appearances in fiction in the past, Drizzt has been featured in videogames, comics (see "Final Volume from 'Legend of Drizzt' Trilogy"), and as a D&D CMG figure.

Shade · Apr 13, 2007

I can't believe it's been 20 years! :heh:

Joshua Randall · Apr 13, 2007

Fishbone · Apr 13, 2007

WHY!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Mycanid · Apr 13, 2007

Hmm ... :\ ... not quite sure what to think of this one. SIGH.

wayne62682 · Apr 13, 2007

(said in the Revenge of the Sith Vader voice) NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

There is no God.

trancejeremy · Apr 13, 2007

Not to mention, "Robin of Sherwood" was released on DVD in the US this year. I'm not saying Drizzt is a total ripoff of Nasir (Nasir didn't have a pet tiger), but Nasir was clearly the inspriation (I mean, how many people dual wield scimitars? And are rangers? And the Drow in the surface world is pretty much analogous to a Saracen in England)

Zaukrie · Apr 13, 2007

I've never understood the Drizz't hate on this site. I can see having a distaste for players who aren't fun to play with who happen to like Drizz't, but the novels for the most part have been fun to read. The Drizz't mini looks nice, even if it is unplayable at the highest levels of competition. Some of the events in the books have made the FR more interesting for those that RP there.

Why the hate for something that others like? Why the judgement on others' hobby interests?

Zaukrie · Apr 13, 2007

Heaven forbid that WotC take it's most marketable commodity and use it to get PR for that commodity and their other games. More marketing = good for D&D. More appearances in non-gaming stores = good for D&D.

krunchyfrogg · Apr 13, 2007

Zaukrie said:
Heaven forbid that WotC take it's most marketable commodity and use it to get PR for that commodity and their other games. More marketing = good for D&D. More appearances in non-gaming stores = good for D&D.

But with geeks there's a different mentality: It's not cool to like something the majority likes.