D&D General The Double-Edged Sword: Is The New D&D Edition a Cash Grab in Disguise?

[Thomas Shey]

Why do you feel like it isn't? Do you feel that rebuying the whole game is just "the way it is" and accept it?

Given, in practice, its the way virtually every new edition of every RPG ever worked, why wouldn't we? The only difference here is D&D has a bigger product line than some (but not all). If someone doesn't want a new edition, and can stand the fact there's passive motivation by the player base to move on, they just--don't. The fact there's such passive motivation is how the business element of RPG companies continue to function, and while not everyone has to like that, acting like its some sudden, unreasonable change here is a bit--dramatic.

 

[velkymx]

You being a cynic doesn't change the fact that multiple authors and designers work on these for years.

I'm not saying they don't. I'm saying put that creative use into making great content for the base and not forcing a change to the core rules.

 

[Remathilis]

See, and that's again going to be a problem, that makes your old books will be completely obsoleted as the rules would no longer apply to them. Why not keep both SRDs?

The old one doesn't disappear. It's in the CC, it CAN'T disappear. All WotC can do is offer the new one alongside it.

WotC never got rid of the 3e SRD when the 3.5 one came out either. It was just less popular to use, but you could make a project today using it and OGL 1.0. you can remake the 3e PHB if you want. Don't know who your audience will be, but you're free to do so.

You might want to look into the CC before you go down that road.

 

[payn]

But they do because newcomers naturally gravitate towards the latest edition, leaving veterans forced to adopt the rules if they want to play with them.

What is the acceptable amount of years in which they have to wait before releasing an update?

 

[Shardstone]

Why do you feel like it isn't? Do you feel that rebuying the whole game is just "the way it is" and accept it?

No, I appreciate better art and formatting, and think those two things alone good enough to buy reprints of the book. I do not like the art in the 2014 PHB nor do I like the formatting.

I wish they did a slip cover special edition with a ribbon bookmark too. I'd be ok with that.

 

[velkymx]

The argument for new editions often hinges on the need for innovation. D&D must evolve, they say, to keep the game fresh and exciting. However, this innovation often comes at the cost of accessibility. Drastic rule overhauls can alienate veteran players and make it harder for newcomers to jump in.

From the article

 

[DEFCON 1]

sigh and you just accept it like a good little consumer.

Only if (general) you are dumb enough to hand your cash over without actually considering whether the product is worth having or not.

At some point a person has to take personal responsibility and come to a conclusion whether or not they HAVE to buy something. And if they don't have to buy it but they do so anyways... then that's their own problem and not the company that made the product in first place.

 

[Remathilis]

What is the acceptable amount of years in which they have to wait before releasing an update?

OD&D (1974) is the one True edition of D&D. Everything else is a poor reflection of the original.

 

[velkymx]

What is the acceptable amount of years in which they have to wait before releasing an update?

There has been a steady stream of updates. There's been something like 48 books released in that time frame.

 

[velkymx]

Only if (general) you are dumb enough to hand your cash over without actually considering whether the product is worth having or not.

At some point a person has to take personal responsibility and come to a conclusion whether or not they HAVE to buy something. And if they don't have to buy it but they do so anyways... then that's their own problem and not the company that made the product in first place.

Eventually everyone is strong-armed into buying a new core rulebook, monster manual, and setting guide just to continue to play with new player and adopters as the community as a whole shifts.