D&D 5E Greyhawk: Pitching the Reboot

[Jaeger]

I like your optimism. But DMsGuild may be the proof in the pudding as to why they have not opened it up. Gary and I always thought their recalcitrance in the matter was that they were now in control of the apparatus and would not re-surrender it to us, so to speak. I also get that feeling from others over the years but have never gotten that from Paizo. There was true respect there; and it was mutual.

IMHO you can see a similar trend with the DragonLance setting.

When they did try to reboot it - once the author they hired found out that Hickman and Weis were not on board - he bailed...

Hickman And Weis got a license from WOTC for their new book series. Which was a move entirely instigated by them.

I would be very surprised if a DL setting book was put out by WOTC even if the new DL book trilogy sells like hotcakes...

 

[Mort]

IMHO you can see a similar trend with the DragonLance setting.

When they did try to reboot it - once the author they hired found out that Hickman and Weis were not on board - he bailed...

Hickman And Weis got a license from WOTC for their new book series. Which was a move entirely instigated by them.

I would be extremely shocked if a DL setting book was put out by WOTC even if the new DL book trilogy sells like hotcakes...

Why?

If the novels sell - then it would be near trivial to put out a setting book. Heck, unless the novels go in a completely different direction - 75-90% of the book would just be converting old material.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

5e's approach has been to extensively mine the lore of the past, but not to be burdened by it (at least with FR, anyway). If it's good, that will work, but you still need that authenticity - see my point about the 4e FR campaign setting. In theory, it's a good book, with conflict, full-color art, lore to inspire. But because it didn't feel right with FR, it was overwritten the next time around.

Wizards could absolutely pull this off, I think, but I don't think it's as easy as just releasing something good.

The OP's point is to ignore all of that and just write something good. Good sells. My some connections to the past would probably help, but don't be burdened by it. Find a new niche and run with it.

 

[FrozenNorth]

Hasbro will not part with the GH license. And since they will not re-boot it, and they will never sell it; they will sit on it so that no one else can make money on it.

Copyright law has a lot to answer for, and I think that is the most damning indictment.

 

[Jaeger]

Why?

If the novels sell - then it would be near trivial to put out a setting book. Heck, unless the novels go in a completely different direction - 75-90% of the book would just be converting old material.

Because F-you Hickman and Weis. That's why.

WOTC outright owns the IP. But DL fandom still consider DragonLance to be Hickman and Weis's baby.

That's why Butcher bailed on WOTC when he found out Hickman and Weis had nothing to do with the reboot he was supposed to do.

I guarantee WOTC hated that. And they probably didn't like backing down from the recent lawsuit over the new trilogy Hickman and Weis slapped them with either.

Never underestimate a corporations capacity to be straight-up petty and vindictive about such things.
.

 

[dave2008]

I like your optimism. But DMsGuild may be the proof in the pudding as to why they have not opened it up. Gary and I always thought their recalcitrance in the matter was that they were now in control of the apparatus and would not re-surrender it to us, so to speak. I also get that feeling from others over the years but have never gotten that from Paizo. There was true respect there; and it was mutual.

It could be good proof though. Once they made an Eberron setting guide, it flourished on DMsGuild, so much so that the #1 selling product on the DMs Guild for months has been a setting expansion by Keith Baker. I think there is a real market for original setting authors and it I think it could work for Greyhawk. However, it has to he opened up first and we can only hope for that.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

IMHO you can see a similar trend with the DragonLance setting.

When they did try to reboot it - once the author they hired found out that Hickman and Weis were not on board - he bailed...

Hickman And Weis got a license from WOTC for their new book series. Which was a move entirely instigated by them.

I would be very surprised if a DL setting book was put out by WOTC even if the new DL book trilogy sells like hotcakes...

That could very well be true. I followed that a bit, constant rewrites WotC ordered for their novels, the resulting lawsuit, it being dropped. Pretty strange, as Tracy and Margaret (who I've met) are top notch individuals and creators. Biz-is-Biz, however. Oftentimes creators and biz-people come to terms within the arrangement, sometimes not.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

It could be good proof though. Once they made an Eberron setting guide, it flourished on DMsGuild, so much so that the #1 selling product on the DMs Guild for months has been a setting expansion by Keith Baker. I think there is a real market for original setting authors and it I think it could work for Greyhawk. However, it has to he opened up first and we can only hope for that.

BUT. They have not opened it up for Greyhawk. That's the proof and the pudding, no?

 

[Rob Kuntz]

There's more than one way to skin a 'Hawk.

Long day for me and the wife, off to Dream Land. G'Night!

 

[dave2008]

None are competing in the same High-Fantasy space as FR.*

Not that I think it really maters, because the are directly competing with FR whether they are high fantast or not, but how do you define high-fantasy? I feel at least Ravnica is pretty high fantasy and Theros has a similar feeling. Perhaps it is heroic-fantasy with the supernatural gifts and all.

Form the Pic of the rules you posted: "...the races in the Players Handbook are unknown on Theros, unless they're visiting from other worlds."

And there it is.

The catch-all loophole clause WOTC puts in to ensure that anyone can play anything....

And yes, I agree, it is a technical loophole. But it shouldn't be there at all.

Yet, WOTC puts it in...

And this approach would completely work for Greyhawk, IMO. It is a soft restriction that gives the DM the space to yay or nay to certain races or even classes. I don't think a DM should need that, but some do. Such a statement puts it firmly in the: they don't exist unless I say they do camp. I also don't see any reason it shouldn't be there. Why crap on other peoples fun?

WOTC has owned the D&D brand longer than TSR. Looks at WOTC track record...

Nary a Greyhawk setting book to be seen...

I'm good.

I thought you were referencing all settings, not just Greyhawk. Wasn't 3e default Greyhawk?