D&D 4E 4e, Gleemax, and DDI info from GAMA Trade Show

[Zulithe]

I gotta say, if they do update Dark Sun, I want to see some new Brom art. Who's with me?

 

[GravyFingerz]

*golf clap*

Well played, WotC. Well played.

 

[Elphilm]

I gotta say, if they do update Dark Sun, I want to see some new Brom art.

Abso-frickin'-lutely.

 

[nothing to see here]

Or will this lead to the problems of TSR and AD&D? Too many settings fracture the fan-base and you'll find less and less buyers? On the other hand if they really give us only 3 books per setting, the risk is probably minimized. It's not the same as supporting dozens of settings for multiple years.

But my real problem: One setting per year means I have to wait one year for each setting! I don't want to wait! I hate waiting! I want all this stuff available now, immediately!

My hope: I hope that each setting will be covered via the GSL or a similar license, so that third-parties can put out adventures and other stuff for them. I am definite in for some Eberron adventures, for example.

My guess is 'limited release' solves this problem. Settings don't become 'product lines' (with the base-facturing side effects). They become more like 'supplements' (for those that prefer a style of play).

This approach also seems to follow more of the 4e philosophy...rather than indulging the completist tendences of geek culture with the never-ending sub-regional setting splats -- the new approaches is about giving people the tools they need to actually PLAY the game.

There were solid business reasons for re-unifying settings under 3e after the TSR debacle. AT the same time however, it left them just sitting around on a ton of useable IP that already had significant cache and marketing appeal to a significant chunk of of their fan base.

 

[HRG]

I really like the 3 book model. An updated Dark Sun is even cooler, and if Brom happens to be involved my head just might explode! Al-Qadim would also make me very happy.

 

[hong]

Roll on 4E Kara-Tur!

 

[Pale Jackal]

I really like the 3 book model. An updated Dark Sun is even cooler, and if Brom happens to be involved my head just might explode!

Agreed. I'm not a huge fan of splat books, so maybe my opinion shouldn't count for much, but I could easily see picking up a one to three Dark Sun books (because I love Dark Sun?), especially if that's all that's going to be released. The three book system seems like it'd increase the probability of the books being quality items... I also don't need (or want, even?) everything to be intricately detailed. I like wiggle room, be it on a micro or macro scale... the ability to have your own meta plot can be diminished if there's too much background/established setting.

 

[Lizard]

3 books/setting is great. Not that I use settings, but I understand the economics of it and think it's a great way to avoid the problem of DMs telling players "You can't go there, there's no sourcebook for it yet". (Not to mention "Uhm, we've been adventuring for years in East Blandistan, but the sourcebook just came out and totally contradicts everything we've done". Game worlds ought to have huge areas of No Man's Land where no 'official' rules shall ever tread, IMO)

 

[vagabundo]

Is there a possibility that the FR Books would become released through the GSL?

Maybe the release of some of that IP is part of their weird choices.

Just a strange idea.

I think it is a possiblity. It would seem to me that they want the 4e SRD to link back to the core books (or settings books, if you will). So as releasing a licence for the IP results in products that reference the core books and lead to more sales of the core books I think WOTC would be happy.

I doubt it would happen for FR fluff, maybe some of the crunchy bits like Swordmage. I am hopping they GSL their implied setting fluff to some extent.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Agreed. Despite being a huge Forgotten Realms fan (although I'm not exactly thrilled with the changes to the 4E Realms. Well, except for the change I'mr responsible for, but this isn't the place to stroke my ego

Can I stroke it? It was the Torm thing, right? Torm freaking Rocks!