D&D 5E So this is how D&D 5e dies, a beautiful start only to die in disgrace because of mismanagement. RIP 5e

[Ruin Explorer]

Because, there's one thing about, the louder and more hysterical people keep getting, the less likely I am to actually have any sympathy for the position.

Your posts show you have zero sympathy for any position that isn't "This is fine" so how exactly would that change?

 

[bedir than]

I just checked puzzle and game reference books, where most RPGs live on Amazon. The best selling RPG, non-D&D is Cthulu at 22 and Zweihander Starter is at 25. These have both leapt up a significant amount.

They're selling much less than the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide.

D&D is still the king.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I'm willing to give the game more than a single month past this leak before predicting its future.

 

[Benjamin Olson]

When they announced that 5e was to be absorbed into “1 D&D”, it was actually pretty ominous if you think about it.

But 5.0 will live on, just as B/X and AD&D have. And your books will still work, just like before!

Yeah, I think at the end of the day, even if in many ways 5e was a "compromise edition" or "everybody's second favorite" or whatever, too many people (me for the most part included) came into the hobby or came into it full force with 5e D&D for it not to live on as a nostalgic touchstone. And there are lots of materials published for it, many of which are associated with other things that will doubtlessly kindle nostalgia ("oh my gosh, my old Tal'dorei campaign setting book! Remember classic Critical Role? Let's play some 5th edition!).

And yeah, there will be 5e clones. I don't know how soon people will be able to get away with creating one that is actually compatible enough to run with 5e modules, and captures that 5e feel (and heck, I'm not sure I'll know what "that 5e feel" is until I'm playing games that vitally lack it), but there will be lots of 5e clones and quasi-clones and eventually one or several will hit the sweet spot for a lot of people.

And as much as D&D is in a bleaker spot now than it was a short time ago I think it's a little misleading (or at least ironic) to discuss it in terms of the "death of 5e", because, setting aside its future nostalgic zombie existence, the newfound unwillingness of so many people who readily would have jumped on to 5.5 to further patronize WotC has probably actually substantially extended the lifespan of 5e as a major game, and probably even as the most played game, until the right new challengers come for the D&D crown. Whereas before I imagined most 5e players would be switching to the new system by 2025 or so, I now won't be surprised if it is still the most played TTRPG in '26 or '27 (probably ultimately being dislodged because WotC, upset over the failure of 5.5 and still not understanding their customers, will doubtlessly be using creepy tactics to actively kill and bury it).

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I'm willing to give the game more than a single month past this leak before predicting its future.

How you gonna look like Nostradamus and/or Cassandra with THAT attitude?

< puts on mysterious robes >

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I don't know how soon people will be able to get away with creating one that is actually compatible enough to run with 5e modules

My guess? Next month.

A5E is 9/10ths of the way there.

Whereas before I imagined most 5e players would be switching to the new system by 2025 or so, I now won't be surprised if it is still the most played TTRPG in '26 or '27

This is amusingly great point. WotC may have accidentally saved 5E and killed 1D&D instead. Whoopsie!

 

[Corinnguard]

If 5e D&D were to die, someone somewhere would either cast Resurrection or Reincarnate to bring it back. Not the same as before, but hopefully better.

 

[Corinnguard]

A5e could 5e's heir apparent.

 

[Parmandur]

Back in 2000, I believe WotC wanted to make fun games providing customers with something of value.

I mean, near as I can tell that is still the case. In 2000, their main revenue stream was a stream of ethically questionable Gacha pack sales. Still is.

 

[Parmandur]

That you're interpreting that extremely intentionally un-romantic and gross analogy as "romantic" is absolutely wild stuff.

Good god dude. What is your idea of dating like?!

I mean mind = blown here. It feels like I could have used an analogy about Transformers punching each other in the face and you'd have called it "romantic".

That's equivocation. I didn't say it was "romantic," as in the action is full of "Romance," but an abusive and toxic sexual relationship is "romantic" (and usually the romance is what fuels the toxic cycle).

However, I am not in a rrlationship with WotC, they make books and then I buy them or don't. They don't snuggle on the couch wirh me, or hit me. There is no relationship, just a series of commercial transactions.

No, you're not allowed to do this.

You drew the parallel, you said "well they were unethical before, why is it a problem now". So you don't get to try and act like you didn't argue that.

They were unethical before, are unethical now, and shall be unethical in the future, sure. If I had an ethical purity test for gaming material, I'd just stick to chess sets handmade by artisians.

I don't think that's really "ethically problematic", rather "problematic" in an entirely different sense but to be fair I've never seen it.

I mean, if perpetuating racist tropes that were obviously racist at the time isn't unethical, I dunno what is. And I like James Wyatt! He seems like a nice guy, who has even apologized for the book. It was still wrong. And WotC still sells it, though with a weenie apology and appeal to historical nuance.