[4E+] Forked Thread: Why doesn't WotC license older editions?

[jephlewis]

Forked from: Why doesn't WotC license older editions?

I have nothing against older editions or other game systems. I have nothing against published worlds or modules. In fact, I'm pretty ambivalent about the entire industry.

I just thought that needed to be said before I continue.

I'm curious as to why WotC doesn't just make up some sort of OGL or GSL or whatever acronym fits, to allow third parties, or perhaps just one third-party, to publish for profit, things for older editions.

WotC could get a small slice of the pie for doing literally nothing but allowing it to happen. It'd make a lot of people happy that they have continued 'official' support. And it'd probably go a long way towards mitigating the hate, not to mention dialling down edition wars.

Or would it?

Is there something I'm missing that would make this a bad idea? I mean, someone like Dragonsfoot, for instance, could lobby to be the only third-party producer of 1e material, Diaglo could get the OD&D rights, and someone, surely, would want to take up the mantle of 2e. Wouldn't that go a long way towards making people happy(er)?

Like a few others, i'm of the opinion that it's easier to make money with one thing than making two things and hoping both of them sell as much to equal the money gained from selling that one thing. That being said:

Why doesn't wotc make a 4E 'unearthed arcana' that is all about emulating all prior editions using the 4E ruleset, including notes on how to convert newer adventures and such? For example:

1E: multiply xp requirements in 4E PHB by 1.5, PC's only recieve 1/2 listed hit points in 4E PHB, only spellcasters have powers, only thieves have skills. See 2E section for skill rolls. Award 1xp per gp removed from dungeon.

2E: take 1E and add a skill roll for all characters. PC takes level and/or attribute bonus depending on the action and DM approval, DM determines difficulty, PC rolls 1d20 and adds bonus.

BECMI: adjust all monster's hit points to 1/5th of listed in 4E MM; omit all movement powers.

So, people could get the 4E core, get this book, and then go to rpgnow and download a whole bunch of stuff to play.

Pros:
old rules 'in print'...kinda
easier 'old school' play under 4E [current] ruleset
greater interest in older supplements and adventures
greater interest in 4E
lots of different ways to play 4E = appeals to more diverse groups
don't need to spend $100.00 on a physical, dead tree rules cyclopedia on the secondary market
this book would allow everyone to take their favorite parts of different editions and combine them into their 'ultimate' D&D with 4E as the skeleton.

Cons:
won't be able to 100% duplicate 'old school'
need 4E core books to play
marketing to many people that aren't satisfied with 4E/ 4E isn't their thing
may require multiple books; 'unearthed arcana: basic edition resurrected!', 'unearthed arcana: using the 2E campaign settings'.
requires either owning older edition books, supplements, and campaign settings, or downloading them from rpgnow/drivethrurpg.



So, thoughts? Opinions? Would you use it? Pros? Cons?

 

[armorclass10]

I most definitely would be interested in something along these lines. Sure you can port most of the stuff yourself, but I'm 35 and work for a living...time is limited. I find this to be a very interesting "concept". If WotC wouldn't be interested in doing such a thing maybe some of us could.

It's not the hardest thing to do at a basic level IMO, I just finished up the 4th edition version of T1 for my players and so far it's been fun, but it did take some time...they like what I have done so far and so do I. But IMO T1 is very basic and short.

Pros:
Ease of conversion
Time saver
old school is made for minions IMO

Cons:
Some editions, whole and parts don't translate so well.
Earlier versions aren't based on formulas i.e they aren't d20 so the translation might be a bit weird.


That's a short list for now.

 

[darjr]

I would be interested.

I wonder if it'd be better if such a thing were produced by fans.

 

[Umbran]

Why doesn't wotc make a 4E 'unearthed arcana' that is all about emulating all prior editions using the 4E ruleset, including notes on how to convert newer adventures and such?

I think the reason why they don't do this is simple - playtesting. As it is, folks gripe because they feel the system doesn't get fully playtested. Now, you're talking about playtesting the system in three or four different incarnations so see if it works well across the whole 30 levels...

That's a daunting prospect.

So, thoughts? Opinions? Would you use it? Pros? Cons?

I have (or have access) to the actual other editions. If what I want is those editions, why would I not use them? Right tool for the job, and all that.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I have (or have access) to the actual other editions. If what I want is those editions, why would I not use them? Right tool for the job, and all that.

While I agree with that...95%...I also think that a product like that could be though of as kind of "The Missing Conversion Book" that could have made the 4Ed rollout much easier by letting people upgrade extant campaigns as opposed to starting over.

Despite my dislike of the system and my expressed intent not to buy another D&D product until possibly 5Ed, THAT would at least get some intense scrutiny and maybe, juuuuuuust maybe I'd buy it.

Seriously.

However, it would have to be pretty good to get significant numbers of non-adopters to dust off their 4Ed books at this point.

 

[jephlewis]

I think the reason why they don't do this is simple - playtesting. As it is, folks gripe because they feel the system doesn't get fully playtested. Now, you're talking about playtesting the system in three or four different incarnations so see if it works well across the whole 30 levels...
That's a daunting prospect.

Then give them very little playtesting. I think one of the things that makes older editions what they were is that balance was...weird in some places. I think it was part of their charm.

How much time and how difficult do you think it would be for wotc to playtest a 0E emulation? No feats, no skills, and all weapons do d6 [back then, they did all do d6, right? I never played 0E]. All monsters had d6 for HD, didn't they?

I have (or have access) to the actual other editions. If what I want is those editions, why would I not use them? Right tool for the job, and all that.

1. Multi tools are cool, even for the guy who has a full set of screwdrivers and stuff. Some people like screwdrivers, others like wrenches, and still others prefer sockets. all of them fix stuff. But when you bust out your screwdriver-socket-wrench, all of them are like, "cool! I want one!". And then we all get together to fix stuff instead of arguing about which tool is better. Lots more fixing gets done. It's the One Supplement To Bind Us All [together as D&D gamers].

2. I don't have my old 2E or BECMI books anymore, and neither do others. If wotc did it this way, something real close to them would be in print for people like me to get into again. Other people who never played older editions might get interested in them and want the rules in dead tree.

3. People who play older editions could run into people playing an emulation of their preferred edition, and it would be good for all people involved.

 

[malraux]

While I agree with that...95%...I also think that a product like that could be though of as kind of "The Missing Conversion Book" that could have made the 4Ed rollout much easier by letting people upgrade extant campaigns as opposed to starting over.

Despite my dislike of the system and my expressed intent not to buy another D&D product until possibly 5Ed, THAT would at least get some intense scrutiny and maybe, juuuuuuust maybe I'd buy it.

Well, mechanical conversion guides more or less don't work. But they did publish a thematic conversion guide.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Well, mechanical conversion guides more or less don't work. But they did publish a thematic conversion guide.

Actually, I thought the one for 2Ed to 3Ed was quite well done. I hoarded a few, and I'm constantly loaning them out. It certainly made that change much easier than from 3Ed to 4Ed.