innerdude
Legend
Back in 2014 when 5e was released, the 50-year anniversary was still a decade away.
Well in the blink of an eye, it seems, 7 years have passed and we're now less than 3 years from 2024.
So just like the subject line says, if you're in charge of Hasbro/WotC marketing, what do you do to mark the event of D&D's 50 year anniversary?
If you're a total cynic, it would be easy to say "6E!", but I don't think that's in the cards. I suppose it's still possible they could start in late 2022 and still manage a decent 18-month dev cycle for a 6E launch in 2024, but I wouldn't bet a single red cent on that actually happening.
Here would be my take.
Well in the blink of an eye, it seems, 7 years have passed and we're now less than 3 years from 2024.
So just like the subject line says, if you're in charge of Hasbro/WotC marketing, what do you do to mark the event of D&D's 50 year anniversary?
If you're a total cynic, it would be easy to say "6E!", but I don't think that's in the cards. I suppose it's still possible they could start in late 2022 and still manage a decent 18-month dev cycle for a 6E launch in 2024, but I wouldn't bet a single red cent on that actually happening.
Here would be my take.
- A mild refresh with a "5.1" / errata-ed rulebooks, made available as premium "collector's editions". And I mean, really pull out all the stops. Faux leather covers, premium print with gilded edges. Increase the page count for the PHB, DMG, and MM slightly to include artwork from all 50 years of the game's run. I fully expect copies of these books to sell in the $100-$110 range.
- In addition to the collector's editions, refresh the existing "core" books with errata, and maybe give them some new cover art (but otherwise largely left intact).
- In the same vein, do a MASSIVE standalone "50th Anniversary Art of D&D" collector's book, once again highlighting the contributions of the game's artists. Once again, spare no expense --- Retail price ~$100-$110.
- A hardcover compilation / compendium of the 10 best / most popular standalone modules.
- Special edition reprints of Dragonlance Chronicles, Dragonlance Legends, and Legend of Drizzt.
- Special edition / collector minis of the most iconic D&D characters, including making a digital set specifically for use in VTT play.
- Set aside a modest marketing budget (~$1 million) and commission a movie production documentary that gets a limited release in movie theaters, and then distributed to a digital streaming service, highlighting the history of the game. Interviews with well-known and lesser-known media figures (Vin Diesel, Stephen Colbert, Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton, George R. R. Martin, et. al.).
- Rebuild Baldur's Gate I and II into a modern game engine (using the BG3 toolset, maybe?) and release them to much fanfare.
- Push hard to get exclusive retail space in Walmart, Target, and Barnes and Noble to celebrate the event, with custom kiosks with digital displays, showing streaming sessions of Critical Role in the stores, and previewing the aforementioned BG1, BG2, and BG3 video games.