Time. No TTRPG has lasted longer then d&d and it did it by changing every few years
D&D (2024) What would change for you if Wizards started calling it 6E?
- Thread starter Mirrorrorrim
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payn
Glory to Marik
10 doesnt seem like a few, and the changes dont seem many.
Corinnguard
Hero
It depends on the edition. 4e probably had the most changes. I don't know which edition had the fewest changes.10 doesnt seem like a few, and the changes dont seem many.
Clint_L
Legend
I haven't bought a physical book from WotC since Xanathar's and I own almost every WotC published book and adventure. I think a LOT more folks have gone digital than folks realize. I just pre-ordered Bigby's on DDB for 25 bucks.
Edit: just remembered that I did buy the Critical Role books - I wanted the physical maps.
Vaalingrade
Legend
They got to 10 by having an incredibly anemic release schedule that padded out the life cycle paired with an explosion of free advertising via Actual Play series, Stranger Things and an unprecedented global event that itself paired with emergent technology to revitalize tabletop gaming.
It wasn't a masterful move that couldn't fail, it was a lottery winner.
It wasn't a masterful move that couldn't fail, it was a lottery winner.
mamba
Legend
yes, they got a lucky break, but they also had the right edition for it. I am not at all sure 4e would have gotten here given the same circumstances
payn
Glory to Marik
True. The size of the team was slashed and expectations bottomed out. Cant say they didnt learn anything from prior editions though. This system is very casual friendly and popular enough to maintain forward in a new digital era.
Is d&d 5e showing any signs that they are going to start loosing money any time soon?
I would say splat book churn is what stopped all of those editions from being profitable. All of those edition had a business model of trying to sell lots of book to every player. It works for a while, but with each new splat book they sell, they sell fewer copies and make less money. Eventually sales are low enough they need to scrap the whole thing and start over with a new edition. WotC finally realized that that is not a sustainable business model.
With 5e Wizards decided to try a new model. Instead of trying to sell lots of books to each player, they are trying to sell a few books each to many, many players. It is a completely different business model from the editions that you mentioned. And, you know what? It seems to be working. WotC is selling more books and making more money than they every did before. There is also no signs of slowing down. After nearly a decade sales continue to increase every year. They are selling more books after a decade than any of the other editions did in there first year. I would not be surprised if 5e is selling more books in a year than some editions did in total.
OldSchoolGamerGirl
Adventurer
okay and that changes what?
OldSchoolGamerGirl
Adventurer
I see no reason that ANY edition would not have done the same.
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