D&D General D&D's Utter Dominance Is Good or Bad Because...

[Micah Sweet]

I meant the absolute #1 priority of the fandom is that their already purchased books are compatible.

They will allow for experimentation as long as the experiments don't invalidate, duplicate, nor replace stuff they already brought (unless the old stuff sucks)

As seen in the 2023 playtests, everyone was so cool with experiments until they realized that some old stuff could not be used with it until the update/remake books/pdfs could be made.

Again, that's what optional rules are for. If 2014 had been as modular as it was suggested it would be, this would just be adding more modules.

 

[Oofta]

Hasbro/WotC doesn't need the sales volume they have now.

So ... they should publish things that don't sell as well as the alternative for what reason now? They're a business, making things that will be less profitable to appease a minority that will in no way add to the bottom line over other investments is not what successful businesses do. It's what TSR did on a pretty regular basis, we know how that turned out.

I don't see what the issue is. If you want something WOTC doesn't provide but 3PPs do, there seems to be an obvious solution here.

 

[GrimCo]

Hasbro/WotC doesn't need the sales volume they have now.

Depends who you ask. If you ask Hasbro/WotC shareholders and C level executives, they would agree with you. They don't need sales volume they have now. They need larger and ever growing volumes of sales.

 

[Micah Sweet]

So ... they should publish things that don't sell as well as the alternative for what reason now? They're a business, making things that will be less profitable to appease a minority that will in no way add to the bottom line over other investments is not what successful businesses do. It's what TSR did on a pretty regular basis, we know how that turned out.

I don't see what the issue is. If you want something WOTC doesn't provide but 3PPs do, there seems to be an obvious solution here.

Alternatives are about goodwill and about appealing to potential customers who would otherwise go elsewhere. Both things together, not one or the other.

 

[FrogReaver]

Alternatives are about goodwill and about appealing to potential customers who would otherwise go elsewhere. Both things together, not one or the other.

One company doesn’t have to cater to all customers, nor is it practical for them to do so.

 

[Oofta]

Alternatives are about goodwill and about appealing to potential customers who would otherwise go elsewhere. Both things together, not one or the other.

Like all successful businesses, they need to analyze ROI. Which is why it's a good thing they support 3PP, and seem to be actively looking to add more support with DDB. Let those other companies fill in the blanks, take the risks and provide options for people that want them.

Meanwhile if most people don't use extensive 3PP (and in my experience, most do not), it's likely because they're happy with the core game and the options it provides. Because for some people, no matter how many options they add it will never be enough.

 

[FrogReaver]

Like all successful businesses, they need to analyze ROI. Which is why it's a good thing they support 3PP, and seem to be actively looking to add more support with DDB. Let those other companies fill in the blanks, take the risks and provide options for people that want them.

Meanwhile if most people don't use extensive 3PP (and in my experience, most do not), it's likely because they're happy with the core game and the options it provides. Because for some people, no matter how many options they add it will never be enough.

Or they’ll add the wrong options

 

[Micah Sweet]

One company doesn’t have to cater to all customers, nor is it practical for them to do so.

No, but considering how many aspects of gameplay used to be catered to in some way and now are not, or less so, that's when the goodwill aspect comes into play.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Or they’ll add the wrong options

As long as they're options, they can't be the wrong options.

 

[FrogReaver]

No, but considering how many aspects of gameplay used to be catered to in some way and now are not, or less so, that's when the goodwill aspect comes into play.

I support them in their decision not to provide such questionable ‘goodwill’.