4e Extravaganza Seminar (with Cover Pics)

[Jack99]

Look, it's pretty simple. WotC did learn from the-worst-edition-ever-of-D&D and the rules' bloat. But problem is, they still need to sell a lot of books to stay in business. So instead of commiting professional suicide and producing say 4 books a year to please people like you (who, I would like to note, is not even a customer) they decided to keep things (rules) in check.

So, in 4e, everything is run by R&D, everything is more tight. The products made have (crunchwise) an indefinitely higher quality than in 3.x. This (quality) control will (hopefully) keep 4e from spinning out of control, just like 3.x.

 

[MichaelSomething]

The issue is not with the company, it's with the model itself. There has to be a better way.

Well the patronage model is certainly another way of doing it. Open Design is proof that it can be done.

Another method is the world of fan produced products. OSRIC is just one example of what fans can do.

They're on Lulu, where you can print it on demand; which is another way of getting physical RPG materials.

If you're looking for a company that focus on adventures and campaign settings over more games rules, few can stand up to Paizo.

You could simply play a system that has no more (or few) rules books coming out for it. I don't expect that the The Song of Ice and Fire RPG will have 20 books out anytime soon.

I also must remind you that the internet is a great source of free RPG stuff, like blogs for example. I hear this blog is totally awesome.

Lastly, you could play an RPG system that is no longer being supported by a company.

 

[Hjorimir]

...and here I thought this thread was about upcoming products. Somehow it is now about the rpg supplement business model. If we're going to change it from the OP (which is rude of us), can we at least make it about something good, like chocolate cake? Or which cheese is better...cheddar or swiss?

I was having much more fun talking about the exciting new products.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Actually, if you have a computer, to get into 4e is pretty cheap (AND LEGAL).

DnD Testdrive

Seems to me that if a person is actually interested in just dipping their toes into D&D, you can't beat the price of "FREE".

Personally, I think this release shedule is certainly HEALTHIER over the long term that the previous model which was "split the base and publish niche products for every camapgin setting"

Especially the 2e years where TSR was putting out 2-4 splatbooks per month for their campaign settings.

They could add a paypal link that allows me to get 5 $ when downloading it.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I am looking forward to the Plane Below/Above and Underdark books the most. But I agree with Rechan - a book on the Feywild would be awesome.

I don't know what to make of the Player Handbook Race books.

The DMG 3 cover stand-in is funny.

The two city books look very interesting. A different take on setting books? Create a (POL) city that can be plugged into every setting? I am not sure how well it works if it lacks explicit connections to a settings story. But I think it might be great for anyone that homebrews a lot and likes to be able to plugin stuff more easily.

 

[CasvalRemDeikun]

My only question for WotC is why the heck are the first two Player's Handbook Race books for the races that are already over-represented in both options and art?

 

[Rechan]

I'm not really sure what of interest is in the Astral Sea. Aside from Hell and maybe Sigil... what is of interest in the Godly domains?

I sure hope the Underdark touches on the Fomorians in the Feydark. Sine otherwise we'll be waiting forever for info on them.

 

[Rechan]

My only question for WotC is why the heck are the first two Player's Handbook Race books for the races that are already over-represented in both options and art?

Probably because every edition has all ready pushed out the Elf/dWarf book (not to mention 3pps), so it's a little old-hat. Put the new races first.

 

[CasvalRemDeikun]

Probably because every edition has all ready pushed out the Elf/dWarf book (not to mention 3pps), so it's a little old-hat. Put the new races first.

But I want more halfling stuff! I guess I can understand the reasoning behind that, but it still irritates me to see the two races that already have enough coverage being covered first.

 

[Belorin]

Demonomicon - really looking forward to this
Hammerfast: A Dwarven Outpost - a generic dwarven town
HS1 Reavers of Harkenwold - part one of the Shadow over Nentir Vale
HS2 Raiders of the Stonemarch - part two
Martial Power 2 - meh
Player’s Handbook 3 - Psionics, Minotaurs and Githzerai!
Player’s Handbook Races: Dragonborn - sounds interesting
Player’s Handbook Races: Tiefling - same here
The Plane Above: Secrets of the Astral Sea looking forward to more Spelljamming goodness
Underdark - hopefully covers the Feydark and Shadowdark
Vor Rukoth: An Ancient Ruins Adventure Site - a Tiefling ruins setting
Other hoped for books; Feywild and Shadowfell, Primal Spirits and Primordials.

Bel