I realized quite some time ago that I am no longer WotC target audience. Even though I do feel somewhat slighted as someone who has supported D&D for 40 years, I've accepted it and really don't care anymore. After the I buy and read the revisions, I may buy some other books in the future, I may not, who knows. If I do, I will judge them on their merit within the current iteration of the game rather than comparing them to what has come before. Last night after we finished a session of Mothership, one of the players said he wanted to play something else in the not-too-distant future. I could tell where he was going with and I said, "Like D&D 5E" and he said "Yeah". I immediately told them no thanks; I'm not interest in playing 5E 2014, but I would be open to buying and reading the 2024 revision and giving that a try. The conversation then turned to, from what I could gather the player characters are more over-powered now, and aimed at newer players and DMs, and just modern game design leans towards a more player friendly experience than in editions past. I mentioned how we are no longer WotC target audience, and the other person replied, "You guys had your editions, it's time for the younger generation to have theirs", I don't think he's wrong. There's other fantasy RPGs we can play.We as old DMs have all we need. So we are nit the target audience if they want to make money. It is the next generation's time to get their books. If some of us buy the new ones, that is an extra bonus for them. Maybe this is why their target numbers are exceeded by 50%.
I think WOTC's target audience are the people who buy their stuff. Where you put yourself within that audience is up to you.I realized quite some time ago that I am no longer WotC target audience. Even though I do feel somewhat slighted as someone who has supported D&D for 40 years, I've accepted it and really don't care anymore. After the I buy and read the revisions, I may buy some other books in the future, I may not, who knows. If I do, I will judge them on their merit within the current iteration of the game rather than comparing them to what has come before. Last night after we finished a session of Mothership, one of the players said he wanted to play something else in the not-too-distant future. I could tell where he was going with and I said, "Like D&D 5E" and he said "Yeah". I immediately told them no thanks; I'm not interest in playing 5E 2014, but I would be open to buying and reading the 2024 revision and giving that a try. The conversation then turned to, from what I could gather the player characters are more over-powered now, and aimed at newer players and DMs, and just modern game design leans towards a more player friendly experience than in editions past. I mentioned how we are no longer WotC target audience, and the other person replied, "You guys had your editions, it's time for the younger generation to have theirs", I don't think he's wrong. There's other fantasy RPGs we can play.
PossiblyI think WOTC's target audience are the people who buy their stuff. Where you put yourself within that audience is up to you.
After watching this video, it does seem like it has some good stuff in it, even if I ultimately don't end up playing 5E 2024 (I really hate that WotC didn't give it some moniker), I think some of the advice may translate to many other TTRPGs.Sounds like they've developed really useful material on adventure preparation, incorporated some aggregated community wisdom (that example about "making death saves a narrative moment" popped out to me), and packaged it all with a bit more organization, more "show not tell", and a lore glossary. Those seem like great steps for both onboarding new DMs and for the longevity of the game.
I think the company has lost my support at this point, but I enjoyed listening to Chris & James' design philosophies. I'm happy they were able to stay working on D&D long enough in their careers to get this DMG out there. It really sounds like it was their labor of love!
Giving it a name would have been an admission that it was a different game. Some people wouldn't have given them their $150.After watching this video, it does seem like it has some good stuff in it, even if I ultimately don't end up playing 5E 2024 (I really hate that WotC didn't give it some moniker), I think some of the advice may translate to many other TTRPGs.
if it were identical then no one would pay $150 for the new books when the old still do. The name is about emphasizing compatibility, not about fooling you into spending $150Giving it a name would have been an admission that it was a different game. Some people wouldn't have given them their $150.
Just my theory but I don't think D&D in any edition was ever a game that people just walked into a hobby shop or toy store without any prior knowledge and bought on impulse. Thats not to say it never happened but most likely out of the norm. From my experience people found out about the game by word of mouth or knew someone directly that had experience with it. For new players just getting into the hobby now I'd guess it's the latter and old players returning to the game after a hiatus are most likely going to know enough to explore their options before buying in again. So, I don't think giving it a new/different name would matter much.Giving it a name would have been an admission that it was a different game. Some people wouldn't have given them their $150.
Pretty sure they have stated as much IIRC.The name is about emphasizing compatibility, not about fooling you into spending $150
The free basic rules give you a good chunk of the DMG without Greyhawk setting. That should make you quite happy. 0$, a lot of content.Giving it a name would have been an admission that it was a different game. Some people wouldn't have given them their $150.