D&D 5E Am I no longer WoTC's target audience?

[jayoungr]

Tolkien had a huge influence on D&D, despite some of Gygax's protestations. It's just that there are other influences, as well. Which is a good thing, to be sure....but I don't think we can deny the influence of Tolkien.

To be clear, I'm not denying that Tolkien influenced D&D. I'm disputing the idea that D&D as it ended up bears much resemblance to Tolkien overall once all the other influences were added in.

 

[Anoth]

Well I will finish off the thread then. We grognards are not the target audience. Nothing wrong with that. There is a whole new generation being born every generation... er.. something like that

 

[hawkeyefan]

To be clear, I'm not denying that Tolkien influenced D&D. I'm disputing the idea that D&D as it ended up bears much resemblance to Tolkien overall once all the other influences were added in.

I think it depends on how deeply you know both properties. For those of us that are deeply familiar with both, sure, the differences may seem like a bigger deal than the similarities. But to folks who are only familiar with one, or only passing familiar with both, they're gonna seem pretty similar. Elves and dwarves and dragons and rangers and balrogs ooops I mean balors and so on.

Tolkien himself was inspired by norse myth and other folklore, and D&D was influenced by a lot of folklore, too, so it makes sense that they'd be very similar.

 

[Anoth]

I think it depends on how deeply you know both properties. For those of us that are deeply familiar with both, sure, the differences may seem like a bigger deal than the similarities. But to folks who are only familiar with one, or only passing familiar with both, they're gonna seem pretty similar. Elves and dwarves and dragons and rangers and balrogs ooops I mean balors and so on.

Tolkien himself was inspired by norse myth and other folklore, and D&D was influenced by a lot of folklore, too, so it makes sense that they'd be very similar.

I wish add to be a jerk. Tolkien was very inspired by Finland’s sagas and prose also. And they are very distinct from Norse sagas

 

[Alzrius]

Halflings were initially called Hobbits in D&D, at least until the Tolkien lawyers came knocking.

Fun fact: the "Tolkien suit" of 1977 was neither a lawsuit, nor did it come from the Tolkien estate. Rather, it was a cease and desist letter sent by Elan Merchandising, who at the time held the non-literary rights to Tolkien's work (source: Playing at the World, Section 5.10).

 

[Fenris-77]

Fun fact: the "Tolkien suit" of 1977 was neither a lawsuit, nor did it come from the Tolkien estate. Rather, it was a cease and desist letter sent by Elan Merchandising, who at the time held the non-literary rights to Tolkien's work (source: Playing at the World, Section 5.10).

That is a fun fact, thanks for sharing. You get a cookie. I love trivia.

 

[JeffB]

"Should any player wish to be one, he will be limited to the Fighting Men class as a halfling*"
Men & Magic-1974

Then the Thief came out in GH and buggered up everything. Dr. Holmes and Tom Moldvay tried to course correct but it was too little too late.

*hobbit originally.

 

[Manbearcat]

TSR/WoTC moves away from all of us at some point.

I’ve been estranged since the 2nd phase of the 5e playtest and have only GMed the new game sparingly in the intervening 6 years (and that as a favor).

And given that this board isn’t the audience for the games I like, I rarely visit it anymore.

But these things change given enough time. So hang in there...and maybe try some other games in the interim! We live in a golden era of gaming and design even if the present direction/iteration of D&D isn’t your deal!

 

[Anoth]

There are many directions that are just not for me. That’s why I think everyone has to eventually learn to create the settings and adventures they like. No one else is going to make them for you. Most things made will be for the current crowd and newbies. Once you evolve past the mainstream it is all up to you. That’s why i Pity those that want everything to be official. If you want everything official many just will not get the things they want.

 

[Parmandur]

If they were ever to publish a 5e GH setting book, I'd assume that they follow the guidelines of the PHB for the rarer races. Basically that they don't exist in the setting but if you want to include them in your version of GH they give some basic guidance on possible ways.

They already have, in Ghosts of Saltmarsh discussing how the Saltmarsh folk would be fairly taken aback by Dragonborn or Tiefling PCs .