17% guessed 4th ed would be released, 83% did not.

[TerraDave]

There has been a lot of premature speculation on these boards. No longer. Now is the time for mature speculation.

In just a few days, WotC will say something about the future of D&D. What do you think it will be?

EDIT: ANSWER: its the first choice, 4th edition.

EDIT: created this thread to talk about what you knew, when.

 

[Aus_Snow]

It's a lull. I'm feeling unusually optimistic, I guess.

 

[Vigilance]

Four words: holographic collectible feat pogs

 

[Brown Jenkin]

They will announce

"You've been Punk'd. Psych, thanks for showing up. Glad to know people will still jump when we say so."

 

[Razz]

I believe, and hope, it's just a lull.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Not necessarily 'most' content but I think the DI will essentially be the beta-test and playtesting forum for new content.

 

[delericho]

If WotC are planning to do a 4th Edition in the reasonably near future (say, in the next five years), then the time to do it is now, before the DI goes online. Otherwise, all the effort that goes into software for the DI will need redone for the new ruleset when it hits. (Not to mention that that effort is much easier just after a new edition, so only the core rulebooks need supported, than for a system that has thousands of pages of options that will need supported.)

That said, I don't expect a 4e announcement. Instead, I'm rather expecting them to give us the full scoop on what they're doing with the DI, release dates for the subscription options, and a taster of the expected functionality.

 

[drothgery]

Though GenCon will be crazy with 4e rumors, it won't be announced at this time. Their 'major announcement' will be nicely unspecific and vague, which will cause fans and gamer media to read whatever they want into the implications of said announcement. But no one will be shocked when it is announced at the next D&D Experience.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

None of the above. My guess its details on the Digital Initiative.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

If WotC are planning to do a 4th Edition in the reasonably near future (say, in the next five years), then the time to do it is now, before the DI goes online. Otherwise, all the effort that goes into software for the DI will need redone for the new ruleset when it hits.

I don't agree. I think they get the DI working with 3.5, get people acclimated to it, and then they can hit the ground running with a tested system with 4E. I'm guessing 3E is announced Gencon 2008 or Winter Fantasy 2009 (with playtesting probably starting earlier), released Gencon 2009.