D&D General Is DnD being mothballed?

[payn]

Isn’t it the best of both worlds? Those that want lots and lots of supplements have a game tailored just for them. Those of us who are more comfortable with slower release are also getting what we want.

How is this not a win for everyone?

Why should everyone have to be the same? If the release schedule was reversed, I’d play Pathfinder. I’m failing to see the problem here.

Those games dont play anything alike. Thats like saying people who want a lot of options for automobiles should just hang out at the marina where they make a lot of boats.

 

[Parmandur]

Those games dont play anything alike. Thats like saying people who want a lot of options for automobiles should just hang out at the marina where they make a lot of boats.

I mean, they play alike. There are differences, but it's not boat versus car different.

 

[Hussar]

IMO I think where WotC is generally doing a good job of releasing material at a good pace is the rules options books. Too many rule options can make it confusing, especially if you’re using physical books.

What I would have liked to see was more adventures being released, but not the big AP releases but rather a short scenario that could be played out over 3-4 sessions. I liked having stuff like that during the 2e days. Since they don’t really do softcover stuff, maybe DDB could be an appropriate place for that sorta thing? If I’m not mistaken, they did release some surveys a couple months ago that seemed to be about this sort of thing so maybe it’s on their radar as an option. I’m aware DMs Guild is a thing, but it also can be difficult to find quality stuff there since there’s no form of quality control in what gets put out there.

This is really frustrating IMO. It's been ten years now. DM's Guild has authors on it that have dozens of publications. Heck, @M.T. Black has a whole bunch of FANTASTIC adventures - there's a pretty good reason he's a columnist here. He does great stuff.

This isn't the days of Web supplements. The DM's Guild stuff, or if that doesn't float your boat, Kobold Press, and various others, have years of experience with the system. It's not like 5e is that tight of a system that a couple of pluses one way or another is going to matter that much. It really does a disservice to everyone to not check out what's available. There are lots of fantastic short adventures.

I just ran Rats of Waterdeep three times this year with three different groups. Unbelievably fun.

 

[Maxperson]

No. There really isn’t.

Math says you are wrong. Very, very wrong. There is in fact, and it an absolute fact, a huge middle ground between the release rate of 5e and the release rates of 3e/4e.

At five books per year, that’s just a bit less than one every two months. More than that and your just cannibalizing your own sales.

First, there is no proof of that. WotC has never tried the middle ground. Second, adventures and settings =/= crunch books. It's apples and oranges.

It’s funny. WotC gets endlessly criticized for focusing on profit yet the only argument in favour of making more books is to increase profits.

Talk about damned if you do…

There's a difference between raising prices and/or selling setting books with little to no setting in them, and releasing a book on crunch.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Why? Couldn't you just...not buy everything? You'd rather they made less stuff for other people instead?

One could and that is what I did but buying less product leads to buying less product. I do not buy all product now but I pay attention to each release and buy more than I did in 4e or 3.x because the shear speed of releases means I stop paying attention and stop buying all together.

 

[payn]

I mean, they play alike. There are differences, but it's not boat versus car different.

I dont think they play alike at all. PF2 requires a level of tactical play that is not required at all in 5E. Skill systems different, system math assumptions different. I mean, yeah, they both have fighters, mages, and experts, but the play is not identical at all.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

On every survey I have seen from Wizards over the last, I dont know, 6 to 10 years across MTG/D&D, I have seen questions on the importance of the art.

I would put a might sum down on it being rated very important, by the vast vast majority of people responding.

People love great art, that doesn't mean skim on substance.

 

[Micah Sweet]

One could and that is what I did but buying less product leads to buying less product. I do not buy all product now but I pay attention to each release and buy more than I did in 4e or 3.x because the shear speed of releases means I stop paying attention and stop buying all together.

Ok, but to be frank that's on you. More releases means more options for more players. Fewer releases means fewer options for fewer players. Everyone can pick and choose what they want to buy, unless there's only one book every few months (or worse). Then your options are "A" or nothing.

 

[Micah Sweet]

People love great art, that doesn't mean skim on substance.

It really, really doesn't. Shame WotC doesn't see it that way.

 

[darjr]

IMO I think where WotC is generally doing a good job of releasing material at a good pace is the rules options books. Too many rule options can make it confusing, especially if you’re using physical books.

What I would have liked to see was more adventures being released, but not the big AP releases but rather a short scenario that could be played out over 3-4 sessions. I liked having stuff like that during the 2e days. Since they don’t really do softcover stuff, maybe DDB could be an appropriate place for that sorta thing? If I’m not mistaken, they did release some surveys a couple months ago that seemed to be about this sort of thing so maybe it’s on their radar as an option. I’m aware DMs Guild is a thing, but it also can be difficult to find quality stuff there since there’s no form of quality control in what gets put out there.

They do have some smaller adventures on ddb. Many of them are more like articles vs a release though and can be tougher to find.