Game Development Times [Numenera, 13th Age, D&D Next]

[Dwimmerlied]

D&D has some big shoes to fill. I guess they have much more challenging design goals. If the sentiment were the whole story, I'd feel it acceptable given those design principles. If they could pull off their original aims, they'll justify their right and ability to maintain ownership and production of D&D, so it'd be worth the time, for them, and for us with a great product that we have been asking for.

I'm cynical though, and I don't trust WOTC.

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

4E took 3+ years. The development of the next iteration of D&D is at least an order of magnitude more complex and mine-filled than putting out yet another RPG. WotC want to capture hundreds of thousands of gamers, 13th Age and Numenera are trying to capture a few thousand. It's more like designing a production car vs creating a kit car. For better or for worse. (snip)

I would agree with that... if D&D Next was being designed from scratch. But it isn't. It's basically 2.75E or 3.75E or a combination of the two.

 

[Gilbetron]

I would agree with that... if D&D Next was being designed from scratch. But it isn't. It's basically 2.75E or 3.75E or a combination of the two.

It's being designed "from scratch" moreso than any other edition, yes including 4e. 4E was building on the ideas from Book of Nine Swords and several other like the Warlock from Complete Arcane and Marshal from the mini book.