WotC yanks the rug out

[prosfilaes]

I'm still wondering how a book company stays in business without releasing, you know, books.

What makes you think that WotC is a book company? They produce a number of board games, including one of the hottest games of this year. And looking up what else they do on BoardGameGeek reminded me of this little card game called Magic the Gathering. I actually don't think books are a very big part of their sales; not only that, this book sounds like it's as much about publicity as actual profits.

 

[Holy Bovine]

I'm still wondering how a book company stays in business without releasing, you know, books. While printing issues are legitimate and a longtime problem regardless of publisher, I'm left feeling that WotC gave a pie-in-the-sky original release date just to keep their name and IP on the front pages.

WotC is not a book publisher. They are a game publisher who occasionally publishes books. Magic:the Gathering makes about 10 times as much revenue as D&D (probably a lot more than that with the recent upsurge in Magic's popularity). They also have been doing a lot of board games in recent months which have actually proven to be popular and good. Given that they are ramping up for a new edition as well and you won't see many game books coming out.

 

[FireLance]

While it makes little difference to me (I wasn't going to get the books, anyway), someone in WotC really ought to grasp the concept of "Under-promise, over-deliver".

 

[GENEWEIGEL]

I hate to come in here after so many years and be the naysayer on WOTC's side but as long as its going to happen for the first time in a loooong time its really all good.

Did I just say that?

Well, with the exception of the lack of any adventures of original style and quality for the past 30+ years this is a good thing.

As long as there seems to be power in things I wished coming true...

I decree the destruction of all "official fantasy worlds"!

And there be a peace knot placed over Ed Greenwood's writing hand...

Crap! I asked for too much.. the magic... fading... Damn...

 

[Matt James]

WHAT THE HELL, WIZARDS. WHAT THE HELL.

Some people look for anything they can to trash WotC. Did this really bother you? Was your 1e game hinging on this release?

 

[catsclaw227]

Some people look for anything they can to trash WotC. Did this really bother you? Was your 1e game hinging on this release?

This.

Also, I am pleasantly surprised to see this is a decidedly pro-WOTC thread. I am not sure if thedungeondelver expected this kind of response.

As far as I am concerned, I would rather see the D&D Next playtest rules soon and let WOTC take their time to get the production quality of the 1e throwback books to perfection.

 

[tuxgeo]

I hate to come in here after so many years and be the naysayer on WOTC's side but as long as its going to happen for the first time in a loooong time its really all good.

Did I just say that?

< . . . snip . . . >

Gene, welcome back.

Uh, could you update your .signature here on EN World? The following link is broken:
GENE WEIGEL'S DUNGEON

 

[Echohawk]

Well, with the exception of the lack of any adventures of original style and quality for the past 30+ years this is a good thing.

At least half of the "30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time" as listed in Dungeon 116 were published in the last 30 years. But maybe you are right that Ravenloft, for example, lacks any original style and quality.

The first 93 issues of Dungeon were published by TSR/WotC, but perhaps you are right that there isn't a single adventure of original style and quality in any of those issues.

Hyberbole much?

 

[GENEWEIGEL]

At least half of the "30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time" as listed in Dungeon 116 were published in the last 30 years. But maybe you are right that Ravenloft, for example, lacks any original style and quality.

The first 93 issues of Dungeon were published by TSR/WotC, but perhaps you are right that there isn't a single adventure of original style and quality in any of those issues.

Hyberbole much?

Specifically, just to clarify, I'm saying my preference was for adventures of the original style and quality. I.e. there is a difference between what D&D was in the 70's and what it was in the 80's and later, etc. after Tsojcanth you'd be hard pressed to find a "drop and play" module again. Maybe. I don't know, point one out. Everything else became a domain of of the overly involved type fans who join clubs and wear funny costumes, etc. You can't blame me.

 

[GENEWEIGEL]

Gene, welcome back.

Uh, could you update your .signature here on EN World? The following link is broken:
GENE WEIGEL'S DUNGEON

Its all burned up. Got rid of it. I don't even haunt D&D forums anymore. Too much drama but in lieu of this unprecedented classic AD&D revival... well, its reason enough.