D&D 5E I think we can safely say that 5E is a success, but will it lead to a new Golden Era?

[trancejeremy]

That many Pathfinder players would try 5E is not surprising at all, but to declare that you're switching from Pathfinder to 5E without even having seen the DMG and MM seems rather hasty, and I'm seriously skeptical that a majority of Pathfinder players are so tired of Pathfinder that they're willing to jump from ship.

Beyond that, it's not really the core books that makes Pathfinder popular, I think, but the adventure paths (and support material for said paths).

WOTC seems to have improved their adventure design with the first module, but can they keep it up?

 

[pedro2112]

I concur, wholeheartedly, that the AP's are a major draw of PF. Frankly, I'm very tempted to base my upcoming 5E home campaign in Golarion instead of the Realms, it's that good. Maybe my experience here in the heartland is different than yours, but most of the PFers around here moved to PF due to their disappointment with 4E. Having said that, they still think that PF is too bloated, combats are too long and complicated, casters are way too powerful starting at mid levels, etc.. In other words, they don't necessarily love PF rules (we do love the world and APs), and they seem to like the 5E rules better.

I wonder if 5E takes off (which remains to be seen, obviously), if Paizo will make APs or at least setting material for 5E.

 

[prosfilaes]

I wonder if 5E takes off (which remains to be seen, obviously), if Paizo will make APs or at least setting material for 5E.

Can they? I looked for an open license for 5E, like there was for 3E and 4E, but I didn't see anything.

In any case, I seriously doubt it. It would split the sales in half for any particular volume, splitting them between 5E and Pathfinder; it would be unlikely to be add enough sales to make it worth that. If the sales on Pathfinder dropped enough, I guess it's inevitable they would end Pathfinder, and maybe then, but otherwise I can't imagine them splitting their business.

 

[Herschel]

I'm sorry, but this just sounds like "If you don't have facts, don't bother saying anything." This isn't a court of law my friend, it is a discussion board! The point is to discuss things, to speculate, to have fun. Not every perspective needs briefcase full of facts to back it up.

When you're making definitive statements about results, yeah, you really do. Otherwise you're engaging in the very behavior that fans the flames of the edition wars.

 

[Mercurius]

When you're making definitive statements about results, yeah, you really do. Otherwise you're engaging in the very behavior that fans the flames of the edition wars.

Nothing like opening a can of vitriol past its due date.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Okay, here's my take after talking with James Sutter of Paizo at GenCon. If D&D is even a moderate success, it's great for the whole industry.
His take was as such, when 4e dropped and ultimately "flopped", Paizo stepped into the power vacuum and kept things going. So if WotC is ready to push the envelope then all of us have to step up our game, only good can come from this.

I agree BTW, even though I didn't p/u Pathfinder. After the ENnies this year it's obvious that between Monte Cook, Evil Hat and Paizo, the industry could survive for quite a while, but it's also obvious that WotC took the hint and is really trying to get back to being the 500 pound gorilla in the corner. I think even if it isn't the commercial success they are looking for, WotC has a winner on their hands.

What WotC should probably do is convince Hasbro that D&D can survive mass markets and put the starter box in general commercial stores (like Wal-Mart, Target, etc.) right along side their M:tG Cards. The 80s are over and the "evil evangelical empire" of parental watchdog groups have many other fish to fry (Hip-hop culture, drugs, etc.) Hell, D&D could even come out looking good as a socially acceptable form of activity as you usually gather at the "dining room table" IOW in the house and in sight of parents.

I can't say this last part will happen, but it could and should.

Just my two coppers.

 

[carmachu]

That many Pathfinder players would try 5E is not surprising at all, but to declare that you're switching from Pathfinder to 5E without even having seen the DMG and MM seems rather hasty, and I'm seriously skeptical that a majority of Pathfinder players are so tired of Pathfinder that they're willing to jump from ship.

Majority? No highly doubtful.

A segment of gamers? Heck yes. I know at least 4 locally that are tired of pathfinder, paizo for a variety of reasons. 5e looks good so far and the 3 products released(beginner box, PHB, First adventure especially). Myself personally has a variety of reasons to switch- hate the last couple AP's, its gotten too expensive, bloated releases, and ruined the one product I actually liked a lot(modules). Among other reasons. And I was at one point a charter subscriber.

Highly doubtful hard core pathfinder fans will jump. But 5e looks good, and will catch folks(so far) switching. I know I've converted 2 myself and they weren't hardcore fans, but casual ones. They like what I was showing them in previews.

 

[DM Howard]

I still think a series based on a group of people playing D&D with interesting stories both in and out of the game would be amazing. Think The Gamers: Dorkness Rising.

 

[DaveMage]

I spent some time with the 5E PHB a couple of days ago.

As a Pathfinder fan, I came away thinking 5E was a good game, but not rich enough to lure me away from Pathfinder. This, combined with 5E's light product offerings, makes me think that 5E will not herald any return to D&D's glory days - at least for the PnP RPG.

 

[Haffrung]

A strong D&D 5E is good for Pathfinder. This hobby suffers relentless attrition of players who get older, get bored, move away from friends, have kids, etc. Pathfinder does not have anywhere close to the capacity to attract players completely new to the hobby that D&D has. Without a strong D&D as the recruiter for the hobby, every other RPG suffers. People need to stop thinking this is some kind of zero-sum competition between Paizo and WotC.