Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dausuul" data-source="post: 3957188" data-attributes="member: 58197">There was simply no way to keep 3.5E going "full steam" right up to the 4E release--except to keep the whole thing under wraps until the day 4E hit the shelves, which would make a lot of people really mad.  Otherwise, as soon as 4E was announced, 3.5E was going to start winding down, and it didn't matter how much 3.5E product WotC released in the meantime.WotC has clearly recognized this.  Instead of trying to squeeze a few last drops out of 3.5E, they're concentrating on creating buzz for 4E, keeping it on everyone's mental radar.  It's a tried-and-true marketing strategy.  Announce something several months ahead of time, then keep stirring the pot with teasers and hints and bits of leaked info, building up excitement so that by the time the actual release date rolls around, everyone is chomping at the bit to rush out and buy it.You have to time it right, of course.  If you announce too early, the excitement peaks too early and interest dies down.  If you announce too late, you don't have time to build up a good buzz.  But if you get it right, the result is huge sales on opening day, which kick-start the new product line and help you recoup your development costs.</blockquote>