D&D (2024) 6E When?

[Oofta]

Yeah they say that in the video. I didn't think it would have to much to do with D&D.

The video said tariffs and something involving magic.

If they dropped D&D entirely it's less than 17%. It's not a good report but it's not a disaster, they're not bleeding money.

When it comes to a company like Hasbro, D&D (or even MTG) is a pretty minor item on the budget sheet. D&D does gangbusters compared to other RPGs, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to the toy business.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, when sales do inevitably drop they can still keep publishing books as long as the books can be sold at a reasonable profit. Unlike the TSR days, the company won't go under if sales slow significantly.

 

[CydKnight]

When we look at the history of all the D&D versions released to date, the releases span between roughly 3 years (v3.0 - v3.5) and 12 years (v1 to v2). I would expect something in between that time frame going strictly by the track record we have.

My personal opinion is that 5E could last longer than any other previous version based on it's adaptability and from feedback received from other players. Of course there could be a number of tweaks in the form of official releases such as we have already had in the meantime.

 

[Zardnaar]

When we look at the history of all the D&D versions released to date, the releases span between roughly 3 years (v3.0 - v3.5) and 12 years (v1 to v2). I would expect something in between that time frame going strictly by the track record we have.

My personal opinion is that 5E could last longer than any other previous version based on it's adaptability and from feedback received from other players. Of course there could be a number of tweaks in the form of official releases such as we have already had in the meantime.

M 1E was printed into 2E that's unique so was in print for 13 years.

BECMI was technically in print 17 years but it wasn't continuous and was anywhere between 3-5+ sub versions depending on how you count it.

I would expect a long run anything less than 10 years would be a surprise, anything longer than 13 also a surprise.

A new MMO could be a sleeper hit for example.

If it was less than 10 years I would expect a recession or some other major eventv(Hasbro loses money, hostile takeover, new CEO, new game of some description).

 

[CydKnight]

M 1E was printed into 2E that's unique so was in print for 13 years.

BECMI was technically in print 17 years but it wasn't continuous and was anywhere between 3-5+ sub versions depending on how you count it.

I would expect a long run anything less than 10 years would be a surprise, anything longer than 13 also a surprise.

A new MMO could be a sleeper hit for example.

If it was less than 10 years I would expect a recession or some other major eventv(Hasbro loses money, hostile takeover, new CEO, new game of some description).

And you may ultimately be correct that we see a completely new release in a span ranging 10 - 13 years. The culmination of previous versions of the game ultimately led us to 5E. It is the progression to 5th edition and my assumption (perhaps misguided) that each new release leads closer to a more perfect verson (if such a thing exists). I freely admit that my personal biases surrounding my experience with 5E also lead me to my opinion that it may last longer perhaps with many updates. Still there are many unknowns to factor such as technology, new story lines, and even social tendencies.

 

[Undrave]

It's because of the trade war and tarrifs. Toys are made in China, There's a 20% tarrif taking effect.

Transformers production moved to Viet-nam...

 

[Zardnaar]

Transformers production moved to Viet-nam...

Lots of things are moving to Vietnam.
China's to expensive along with other problems (it's a police state, corrupt etc).

There's also a really big housing bubble over there.

 

[teitan]

Hasbro is suffering the USA-China trade wars, but it has got still a great future, at least better than Mattel.

I guess Hasbro doesn't want to be bought by Disney because it would be "all eggs in only one basket" and to enjoy complete independence.

Most of D&D 5th Eds are modules or refritos (refried, recooked), remakes of old things. Really no-module new sourcebooks are Acquisition Inc and Ravnica. The new class "monster slayer" isn't published in paper sourcebook yet although it is canon, isn't it?

Now the strategy is not to publish more books but to increase the number of players and fans. The next step will be to create a d20 system to be used in different genres. This is a true challenge for game designers because monsters are too dangerous or weak if PCs have got enough weapons and item. Do you remember Sebastian Castellanos in "Evil Within"? In the beginning he had to hide like in a survival horror, but later it was a battlefield like a standar shooter. In the DLC "the executioner" the PC as the Keeper, the boss monster with a safe as head could kill some monsters with only his hammer. D20 system isn't ready yet for a "G.I.Joe vs Transformers" or superheros as alien invaders.

Maybe Hasbro would like to use the d20 system to create a skirmish game (as Mordheim or Necromunda) to be a competitive e-sport, but it would need a lot of playtesting and work by game designers with questions about balance of power as to hire a warmage or a gunslinger, more magic item or gunpowder.

* Now I am thinking about if Hasbro publishes a "Endless Quest" board game with easy rules for +7y children then other companies could create their own clones using the open licence. And some fans could publish their own amateur "mods".

You keep saying the next strategy is a generic game but I see no indications beyond your assertions. Everything seems to point to just focusing on D&D and no other RPG lines. You've also asserted that all the modules are remakes or reworkings of old material. While I can see a very, very surface interpretation of Tyranny of Dragons being... kinda like Dragonlance, it's nothing like Dragonlance. Dragon Heist is pretty unique, I mean sure, it's a city adventure but I can't think of an adventure it's a remake or rework of. Out of the Abyss made a reference to Alice in Wonderland so maybe a very tenuous stretch to EX series but not really and it isn't really DQ series either. WHat's it a remake of? Baldur's Gate: Descent? It's Planescape but not very similar to any of the old Planescape materials. Is it because it's set in Baldur's Gate? I get Storm King's Thunder, sure, it's thematic like Against the Giants. Saltmarsh, PotA, Undermountain, sure, yeah remakes and updates but you're kind of exaggerating the issue.

 

[Zardnaar]

It's more throwbacks to previous adventures.

CoS and PotA. It's not inherently bad.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Lots of things are moving to Vietnam.

Fantasy, for instance!

…"Fantasy Vietnam?" ...no?

 

[Urriak Uruk]

Highly doubt you will see a new edition of D&D for at least 4 years, for two reasons.

1. 5e is designed as a fairly slim ruleset, making it easier to pick up and play for newer players. That also means its a much better ruleset to create new and more complicated rules for. Any new edition, to rival 5e, would likely have to match its simplicity.

2. Wizards has been pretty open that they have plenty of new material to adapt, including new settings and more innovative adventures.