D&D 3E/3.5 4e VS 3.5: What do you plan to do?

[Urizen]

I'll admit, I haven't been following the development of 4th edition as much as should be. But at present I'm considering publishing material for both systems to cater to people who like both game systems.

Of course, this is contingent on even being able to publish 4e material.

I think I'll do is Dual-stat products so I'm not doing the extra work putting out 2 versions of the same product.

What is everyone else planning?

 

[wolfpunk]

I know we have had this discussion, but I have to agree, both of my gaming groups are staying with 3.5e so I would like to be able to continue to create for the 3.5 system. That being said, the majority of groups will probably move to 4e, so it makes sense to create for that system as well. Obviously, dual statting would be the best choice. The question is, how much of a product will apply to both editions?

 

[tensen]

It depends on the type of product. And just how different 4th edition is.
I imagine certain sorts of our products will not be useful in 4th edition, with the limited need for magic items, and the variations on the spells. These may require products that are completely different between 3rd edition and 4th, in which case it will also depend on whether there are enough customers that will still buy for 3rd edition and make the product cost effective for us to produce.

 

[Vigilance]

Too early to call this one, but assuming the game is as good as it seems it will be, and the license is right, then you have to go with 4e.

This is just my opinion, and is strictly from a business perspective. If you hate the rules and love 3.5, then you should continue doing that.

One thing I would NEVER do, however, is try to develop some sort of "3.75"

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

One thing I would NEVER do, however, is try to develop some sort of "3.75"

Oh come on, I know you got a bit of a masochistic streak in there somewhere.

 

[Baron Opal]

For my group it really hinges upon how easily I can extrapolate the racial rules from 4e to Arcana Evolved. Verrik and giants have become fixtures in my campaign now. While I can slide classes around as needed, the races have to stay.

If it's easy enough, we'll change. If not, we'll see...

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

One thing I would NEVER do, however, is try to develop some sort of "3.75"

Ehh, I might.

But admittedly more as a design exercise than an early retirement plan.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

I'll be making the switch completely. I'll convert all of my 3.5 stuff (if it's possible) and then produce only 4.0 from then on. Having watched what happened to the publishers that did not convert immediately from 3.0 to 3.5, I think it's safe to assume that if you are going to publish strictly fantasy-based D&D compatible material (like myself) then a complete switch is probably the best idea.

BD

 

[nexgen]

Converting the existing stock and switching completely to 4e seems to be the most intuitive approach. The problem with converting the material is wasting time in a line of diminishing returns (this all depends on the type of product - a race book conversion would be more sensible than a full module conversion). How many "new" players will come on board anyway? Most of your 4e customers will be repeat business that either have the old stuff and are loyal enough to buy the new. This is assuming that a sea of 3rd party pubs don't do a bit of accounting and realize they'd make more money in freelancing - then it's a completely different landscape.

Perhaps a good alternative is to provide a simple .pdf on the site with a bare-bones conversion of the most popular material.

Of course, we haven't a clue when, or if, this infamous 4e SRD will drop.

 

[kingpaul]

Perhaps a good alternative is to provide a simple .pdf on the site with a bare-bones conversion of the most popular material.

But hasn't WotC said that it'd be easier to start fresh instead of converting?