D&D 4E 4E in 2008? Fact or Fiction?

[Kanegrundar]

There is also the possbility that Hasbro will release 4E under the OGL, with no changes to the current arrangement. The only ruffled feathers would be from fans and publishers that didn't want a new edition. Sometimes the easiest thing is the thing that happens.

Kane

 

[diaglo]

That's how I see it as well. Besides, Wiz_Os aren't generally writers/developers.

you can say that again.

diaglo "who knows some WizOs in real life" Ooi

 

[jcfiala]

There are already collectible card elements being introduced. IIRC, they are called Feat Cards or something along those lines and are used by the rpga for tournament play and such....

Well, that's almost completely wrong, but it's an understandable mistake, really.

The RPGA player reward cards are collectable - except it's pretty easy to get complete sets without even trying, by playing lots of the Living games. And, they're only legal *in* the living games, so you don't need them unless you've already got them. (I'm not even trying, and they just sent me a full set of the second set of the Eberron cards.)

They're not Feat cards - they're more like specific hero points - they give you a little ability you can use in pretty narrow situations which can be useful. Such as one that lets you take action in a surprise round if you're surprised, or one that maximizes a healing spell when you're casting it on someone at negative hit points. They're useful, but you only get a limited number (1 per 4 character levels) and I forget mine most of the time. Other ones let you play restricted races (such as the psychic guys from Eberron) or give you a minor advantage from coming from a specific place, or such. (And the ones you use for character creation count in the limitations.)

And the RPGA doesn't do tournements anymore, more's the pity. Those were some good modules, too.

So, barely collectable, not feats at all, and not used for tournement play or home games. It's just something to send out to people to encourage play in Living Greyhawk and the like, and to promote the new Living Eberron campaign they started up.

Personally, I don't think a collectable roleplaying game would be popular. Either the cards aren't necessary as cards - in which case people would collect the text of the cards online and people would play without them - or the card form would be too much a part of play, and people just don't play card-based RPGs, on the whole.

 

[Desdichado]

3e came out in 2000.

That's 5 years ago. I think that's a pretty long time. 8 years between actual edition changes isn't terribly bad.

Yeah, except you forgot the 3.5 edition in there somehow.

 

[johnsemlak]

I've seen several people claim that that a small number of d20/OGL publishers likeGreen Ronin, Malhavoc, Mongoose would likely be able to adapt to a post d20STL/OGL world. I certainly hope that this is possible , but can we be sure that would happen? Very few of these companies are truely established. Certainly it is clear that these companies are trying to branch out in preparation for this possibility, but I find it difficult to believe the directors of these companies aren't worried about how they're companies would perform if WotC pulled the OGL.

 

[Ranger REG]

I've seen several people claim that that a small number of d20/OGL publishers likeGreen Ronin, Malhavoc, Mongoose would likely be able to adapt to a post d20STL/OGL world. I certainly hope that this is possible , but can we be sure that would happen? Very few of these companies are truely established. Certainly it is clear that these companies are trying to branch out in preparation for this possibility, but I find it difficult to believe the directors of these companies aren't worried about how they're companies would perform if WotC pulled the OGL.

Regarding WotC pulling the Open Gaming License, technically they cannot. HOWEVER, they can pull the d20 System Trademark License.

Even if WotC decided to close down the SRDs web page, there are others who have made SRDs in many easier-to-read and search formats and are available on the internet.

So, yeah, they're not worried. If the d20 label is suddenly off-limit, then meh. They still can use any version number of the OGL and the SRDs, and whatever third-party designated Open Game Content are floating around on this sorry rock of a planet.

The only concern they have is probably the popularity of the system. If our d20/OGL community is growing and still want it, they'll make them.

 

[Staffan]

Personally, whatever year 4e comes out, I expect it to be announced at the GAMA Trade Show of that year, and to be released at GenCon of that year.

Did you miss the link I posted to Charles Ryan saying there would be at least a year or two between announcing and releasing 4e?

 

[jrients]

Did you miss the link I posted to Charles Ryan saying there would be at least a year or two between announcing and releasing 4e?

Unless Charles Ryan is the majority stockholder at Hasbro, there is no reason to think that his words are writ upon stone.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Unless Charles Ryan is the majority stockholder at Hasbro, there is no reason to think that his words are writ upon stone.

So, in other words, we might as well just not trust anyone associated with WotC, and when they come to the boards here on ENWorld and post things like that we should just ignore it because it means nothing because the eeevil Hasbro will ruin it all and bring about the end of the world.

 

[jrients]

So, in other words, we might as well just not trust anyone associated with WotC, and when they come to the boards here on ENWorld and post things like that we should just ignore it because it means nothing because the eeevil Hasbro will ruin it all and bring about the end of the world.

Actually my simple point is that businesses change course all the time, but thanks for misreading so much into my post. 3.5 was pushed ahead of schedule, was it not? These things can change.