D&D 5E What would be your ideal 5E yearly product output?

[Remathilis]

I'm wondering why [MENTION=2525]Mistwell[/MENTION] and [MENTION=2067]Kamikaze Midget[/MENTION] haven't come by yet to tell you all that you're just SWIMMING in stuff and you should use what you have first before asking for more.

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It appears the vast majority of the people around here want more than just two APs + accessories. We can debate the details of what and how much, but I think its safe to say that they want SOMETHING else. However, if my thread is to be believed, then most would just be happy with what they've gotten so far (three core, two AP/year, pdfs). I think it will depend right now on how WotC wants to proceed, knowing no matter what they are going to lose money (splat doesn't sell, setting don't sell, small products aren't as profitable) vs. keeping interest (can the D&D community live on just 15 level modules and UA?)

 

[Mistwell]

I'm wondering why [MENTION=2525]Mistwell[/MENTION] and [MENTION=2067]Kamikaze Midget[/MENTION] haven't come by yet to tell you all that you're just SWIMMING in stuff and you should use what you have first before asking for more.

Don't be a jerk mang - cross-thread whining isn't cool. Me explaining that we are in a middle ground is not the same as me saying you shouldn't feel like you want more non-adventure books. I want more too. Not a lot more, but a bit more.

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It appears the vast majority of the people around here want more than just two APs + accessories. We can debate the details of what and how much, but I think its safe to say that they want SOMETHING else. However, if my thread is to be believed, then most would just be happy with what they've gotten so far (three core, two AP/year, pdfs). I think it will depend right now on how WotC wants to proceed, knowing no matter what they are going to lose money (splat doesn't sell, setting don't sell, small products aren't as profitable) vs. keeping interest (can the D&D community live on just 15 level modules and UA?)

Here is the disconnect. People are satisfied with 6 hardback books/major releases per year, which is what we've gotten so far. They are not satisfied with 2 hardback books/major releases per year, which is what you keep claiming is the rate, despite it being 6 so far. That's the issue here. You keep pretending somehow the starter boxed set and three core books publishing slots from this prior year of publication will not be filled in any way by future releases in future years. I have no idea why. WOTC never said they will only put out two books a year - they said they will put out two big ADVENTURES per year, and that they won't put out splats and books for the sake of books...but that they WILL put put out stuff in formats not seen before. And that they won't announce stuff in advance. That leaves a LOT of room for more products in this upcoming year. This "only two books, and they will be adventures" is bogus - it's a total myth. WOTC never said that, you just took it that way and keep running with it like it's fact.

So yeah, 6 books is a middle ground, not 2.

 

[delericho]

I think it will depend right now on how WotC wants to proceed, knowing no matter what they are going to lose money (splat doesn't sell, setting don't sell, small products aren't as profitable) vs. keeping interest (can the D&D community live on just 15 level modules and UA?)

Based on the "Mearls tweets" thread, my best guess would be 2 storylines this year and next, and then some sort of super-splat in 2017 that adds a whole raft of additional options (more races, more classes, lots more sub-classes), and thus a injection of interest, into the game. Basically, it would be a PHB2, but I'd bet they won't be using that particular name.

 

[Jester David]

I guess I should have specified books and adjusted the numbers accordingly. Either way, the descriptions in the poll options shouldn't be too confusing for people to vote appropriately.

3-5 books is a huge range as well, which is my biggest thought on the poll.
I might have clicked on a "3 book" option (1 more than the adventures), but I don't want 4 books, and 5 is right out.

 

[Remathilis]

Here is the disconnect. People are satisfied with 6 hardback books/major releases per year, which is what we've gotten so far. They are not satisfied with 2 hardback books/major releases per year, which is what you keep claiming is the rate, despite it being 6 so far. That's the issue here. You keep pretending somehow the starter boxed set and three core books publishing slots from this prior year of publication will not be filled in any way by future releases in future years. I have no idea why. WOTC never said they will only put out two books a year - they said they will put out two big ADVENTURES per year, and that they won't put out splats and books for the sake of books...but that they WILL put put out stuff in formats not seen before. And that they won't announce stuff in advance. That leaves a LOT of room for more products in this upcoming year. This "only two books, and they will be adventures" is bogus - it's a total myth. WOTC never said that, you just took it that way and keep running with it like it's fact.

So yeah, 6 books is a middle ground, not 2.

I asked before, where is the six for 2015?

2014: PHB, DMG, MM, HotD, RoT, Starter Set: 6.
2015: PotA, OotA, ?, ?, ?, ?

Now, unless you have knowledge that between September and December of 2015, we are getting four new major releases, I fail to see how we get to 6 in 2015.

UNLESS you're using a nonstandard calendar (July 2014 to July 2015) to include all major releases as "year one" OR you are claiming that Fantasy Grounds, Elemental Evil Board game, Dragon+, and SCL releases as "Major" 2015 releases.

 

[Jester David]

Again, I disagree. I also count an entire 2 new lines of Wizkids mini's, DM Screens, and Spellcards, which are all for the table-top brand, (and very much heavily used at my table, and the tables of many of my fellow AL-DMs). So Yeah, Wizards is delivering alot more products that this poll suggests. And series 3 of the mini's for Rage of Dragons is about to launch.

The poll clearly states "products" not books. So yeah, we are actually getting more products than it suggests.

Once more, I think Wizards is release the right amount of products for the TT brand, not more, not less. If I had one type of product on my wishlist, it would be campaign settings. From the latest survey, it looks like the Wizards team is getting ready to produce these soon.

#nitpick
GaleForce9 is doing the spellcards and extra stuff like the secondary DM Screens, not WizKids which is just doing the board games and miniatures.

But, yes, you are right that we are getting far more products than the adventures when you consider the 2nd Party Products, and just for the tabletop game.

 

[delericho]

UNLESS you're using a nonstandard calendar (July 2014 to July 2015)...

In fairness, using such a calendar is pretty common practice. The release of the Starter Set would generally be considered Day One for the edition.

But other than that, I agree with you - it's pretty clear that those first few releases were at a faster than normal rate because that was necessary to get the complete game out and in print. And WotC (specifically Mearls) has indicated that they're looking at a much more boardgame-like release stategy - that is very occasional, big expansions.

 

[Queer Venger]

I guess I should have specified books and adjusted the numbers accordingly. Either way, the descriptions in the poll options shouldn't be too confusing for people to vote appropriately.

I guess you should have. I never suggested your poll was confusing, I stated its not accurate. If you don't want feedback, might be wise not to elicit it without condesencion

 

[Jester David]

I asked before, where is the six for 2015?

2014: PHB, DMG, MM, HotD, RoT, Starter Set: 6.
2015: PotA, OotA, ?, ?, ?, ?

Now, unless you have knowledge that between September and December of 2015, we are getting four new major releases, I fail to see how we get to 6 in 2015.

There was also the Elemental Evil Player's Companion and the DM Screen in 2015. It's a safe bet we'll see a Rage of Demons Player Companion as well, and that still leaves 3+ months for a final book or other RPG product.

 

[Remathilis]

There was also the Elemental Evil Player's Companion and the DM Screen in 2015. It's a safe bet we'll see a Rage of Demons Player Companion as well, and that still leaves 3+ months for a final book or other RPG product.

Does a 25 page PDF (mostly reprinting stuff in the PotA) count as a MAJOR release? Does the DM Screen (or really, any accessory, such as the Wizkid's minis or Galeforce 9 spellcards) count as major? Are we sure we're getting a RoDPG since WotC didn't mention it in the press release?

I'm hoping Gen Con announces something for the tail end of 2015 (or v. early 2016). We'll see.