gamerprinter
Mapper/Publisher
Two years ago maybe, but with Paizo's Beginner Box, and with Core PF, I've brought in more new players to RPGs, then my entire life's history playing D&D (I know that's anecdotal). WotC doesn't even have an entry product for new players - Essentials certainly is no kind of entry product. D&D is still the most recognized, but for how long? I don't see D&D as the entry game any longer.
Being a 3PP, I'm of the mind that dropping the OGL was the problem, not the OGL itself. Had WotC maintained the OGL, there would be no Pathfinder - there would still be other games like M&M, but no true competitor. The OGL didn't bite WotC in the butt, WotC's decision to drop the OGL is the only biter here.
And I think 4e would have been far more successful had the OGL been maintained. I, as a business man, completely disagree that the OGL in of itself was ever a bad thing for WotC - replacing it with the GSL is what bit them really.
Paizo is basking in the glow of the OGL, they have over 100 3pp's creating products for them. If the OGL was such problem, shouldn't Paizo be affected negatively by it - it's not. Same would be true if 4e was OGL, then D&D wouldn't have worry about becoming a #2 RPG company, like they seem to be right now.
I don't expect it to be any better than 4e's success. Initially sales should be good, perhaps the first year or so, then it will fall back to where it is now in comparison to current competition. I could definitely be wrong, but nothing about DDN makes me think otherwise.
I can much more agree with this part, though (except the part about getting back players from Pathfinder, that is doubtful).
Last edited:
