D&D 5E Crystal Ball: A year in, how do you think 5E will unfold going forward?

[graves3141]

Never mind...

 

[Mercurius]

Focusing on the experience at the table is a much better strat to me. Which means keeping options relatively limited. There are already more options in the three core books than any group could exhaust in a lifetime of play. "More" muddies the waters in ways that might be great for *readers* but not necessarily players. Spending three hours referencing six different books to make a bad guy was by no means necessary, but EASY to fall into with earlier editions.

I like that strategy too, but I think you're conflating all options into one. For instance, I can and do agree with regards to traditional "splat" books (rule expansions, player options, etc), but I don't think the same principle holds for adventures and setting stuff, at least not as much. Adventures only cause bloat in terms of actual bookshelves; settings only cause bloat if there are too many settings available. Neither actually bloat the play experience at the table, like supplemental rules do.

 

[graves3141]

I'd love to see a Manual of the Planes, 2-3 different campaign setting books, a couple more monster manuals and some short 32-64 page adventures. I don't see how any of that would cause bloat.

But, we're not going to see any of those things or any other kind of splat books in 5E so the bloat issue isn't really relevant anyway.

 

[Kramodlog]

IME people like you come to the table of people like me and ask to use those options - or occasionally just use them without asking...

The horror. The horror.

 

[Kramodlog]

It's more win-draw-lose.

Nope. I win cause I get options. WotC wins cause it gets my money. You win cause you got the core books and are find with just those.

 

[cmad1977]

Nope. I win cause I get options. WotC wins cause it gets my money. You win cause you got the core books and are find with just those.

Your money is not sufficient to offset production costs. Certainly not to the degree that their current plan does. So no, WoTC loses. At the very least that is their conclusion to this non-issue and I suspect they have significantly more data than you or I do.
And as said in another thread, they have no concern whatsoever about your opinion as it been about a years worth of hearing people whine and those people are still slavering for more books. You guys will be around to complain when they do release more books that aren't right up your alley.

 

[Kramodlog]

Your money is not sufficient to offset production costs.

Indeed, bu I'm not the only one who wants content and is willing to pay for it. If WotC can't make a profit with a Forgotten Realms campaign setting book and a Psionic Handbook, their problem is that their RPG isn't relevant outside of nostalgia and curiosity for the core books. Now I do not think D&D is there yet, so, it is just a miss opportunity for them.

I suspect they have significantly more data than you or I do.

They had more data when making 4e and that was a commercial failure. Data doesn't mean they make the right business decisions.

 

[cmad1977]

They had more data when making 4e and that was a commercial failure. Data doesn't mean they make the right business decisions.

And now they have even more data pointing to the fact that releasing books that appeal to a thin slice of their customer base isn't a viable option. Thanks for making my point for me.

Edit: also WotC hasn't missed an opportunity at all. You aren't going anywhere. The opportunity for them to sell you stuff is still there. You will buy. Hell, I will probably buy. WotC isn't missing out on anything, just looking long term.

 

[Irennan]

Even if the delivery of said option is via the setting chapters of the next ~5 years worth of APs?

It seems likely that that is where future Realms info will be shared with us first, excluding the Salvatore novels of course.

Ed Greenwood's and Erin Evans' novels too (Salvatore's novels are mostly self-contained AFAIK). Ed in particular is doing his best to include bits of updated lore about the fate of some of the most popular characters/deities, while giving additional info on the setting in general. Believe it or not, for many of the people who like the FR, canon matters, even if games could completely diverge from it.

Such info may also come from Mr Greenwood himself, since it is possible to directly ask him. The sum of all these options may very well be the closest we will get to an updated, official FRCS...

 

[Kramodlog]

And now they have even more data pointing to the fact that releasing books that appeal to a thin slice of their customer base isn't a viable option.

When did they say that? Seems like your making stuff up to back your point. Especially with Paizo doing well releasing all those evil money losing books and supplements.

You will buy.

Nope. Their lackluster APs are not worth my money.