D&D 4th Edition Next Year?

[Einan]

Okay, since we've already exhausted the 4e whining, let's all be inventive and announce the obvious next step:

5th Edition D&D! It's just like 3rd edition, but it costs $92.99 and was written by a clone of Monte Cook in an alternate future where WOTC bought the White House and Erik Mona is the Supreme Overlord of Mega City-Reston! Thrill at the triumphant return of THAC0! Shudder as Rangers gain four-weapon fighting at every odd level! Laugh as all Drow have abandoned their evil ways and taken up dual scimitars and long moralistic diatribes!

Let the ranting commence!

 

[francisca]

Okay, since we've already exhausted the 4e whining, let's all be inventive and announce the obvious next step:

Maybe they'll follow the software industry, and call it D&D'07. Or maybe jump a rev: D&D 7.0.1.1, with updates/erratta available via a subscription service which gives you DRM protected pdfs.....

 

[Prince Sharam]

Better if the physical book itself were wireless and PDF compatible

 

[jaerdaph]

Okay, since we've already exhausted the 4e whining, let's all be inventive and announce the obvious next step:

5th Edition D&D! It's just like 3rd edition, but it costs $92.99 and was written by a clone of Monte Cook in an alternate future where WOTC bought the White House and Erik Mona is the Supreme Overlord of Mega City-Reston! Thrill at the triumphant return of THAC0! Shudder as Rangers gain four-weapon fighting at every odd level! Laugh as all Drow have abandoned their evil ways and taken up dual scimitars and long moralistic diatribes!

Let the ranting commence!

5th Edition!!!! I can't sleep at night worrying sick about 4.5e as it is!

 

[William Ronald]

I think there will eventually be a 4th edition, but I think that there will be several things considered before any announcement. These include an analysis of whether the bulk of existing customers would purchase a new edition, financial considerations by WotC and Hasbro, and the state of the rules. So far, it seems D&D 3.5 is doing well, so there may be little pressure to release a new edition. I don't know how much it cost WotC to do the work for 3rd edition -- as I recall, some preliminary work was being done at TSR before it was sold -- but I imagine that creating a new edition involves considerabale resources -- financial as well as creative.

I would imagine that one thing WotC might consider doing prior to development work on a new edition is to survey existing customers about the rules and how they play the game. This was done prior to 3rd edition, and was reflected in such concepts as an assumption of a 4-player adventuring party and the current rate of level advancement.

 

[harmyn]

So then, an announcement at '06 Gencon for an '07 release would be about right. So he wasn't too far off --- provided it is true. Which is no guarantee. And was most likely speculation from the sounds of it. But the speculation does make a certain sense. But all we need do is wait a year and see. Simple enough.

As to the cost issue, $100 in books once every 4 years is reasonable, your right.

But what about this math?
$105 for the first 3 (at $35/ea)
$120 for the class books (warriors, arcanists, divine, roguish - $30/ea)
$120 for the race books (elves, dwarves, halves, and halflingish - $30/ea)
$95 for the 3 extra monster books ($30/ea for 2 and $35 for 3)
$65 for the miniatures/battles books ($30 & $35)
$120 for the environment books ($30/ea)
$35 for the DMG II
$35 for the PHB II
$60 for Exalted and Vile ($30/ea)

Total for this: $765 (probably $520 or so on Amazon though)

And then there are 3rd party types - which I have basically given up on because its just too much work to find good quality products, and the various D&D settings that WOTC puts out.

Now, I don't mean this as a rant or anything, because all in all WOTC's newest batch of books have all been quality products. I am merely pointing out that there is more than $100 tied up in the game. I also didn't buy all the books and some were given as gifts to me, but still, to have your fan base keep forking it over every couple of years gets tedius and a little too pricey for me.

Also, as the rumor appears to be speculation fears can be calmed for a time.

 

[francisca]

I think there will eventually be a 4th edition, but I think that there will be several things considered before any announcement. These include an analysis of whether the bulk of existing customers would purchase a new edition, financial considerations by WotC and Hasbro, and the state of the rules. So far, it seems D&D 3.5 is doing well, so there may be little pressure to release a new edition. I don't know how much it cost WotC to do the work for 3rd edition -- as I recall, some preliminary work was being done at TSR before it was sold -- but I imagine that creating a new edition involves considerabale resources -- financial as well as creative.

I would imagine that one thing WotC might consider doing prior to development work on a new edition is to survey existing customers about the rules and how they play the game. This was done prior to 3rd edition, and was reflected in such concepts as an assumption of a 4-player adventuring party and the current rate of level advancement.

Now see here!

We're having fun with this thread! Keep your solid arguments and well thought out conclusions to another thread, if you please!

 

[Numion]

As for buying the alleged 4e, I'm actually going to do the reckless thing and wait and see if the damn thing is worth my money

I'm not going to decide years in advance whether I'm going to spend money on something, like "if its out in less than 8 years, I'm not buying it, ever". It's coming, I don't know when, but when it does, it either is or not worth my money. I'll see then.

Don't overreact, people.

 

[William Ronald]

Now see here!

We're having fun with this thread! Keep your solid arguments and well thought out conclusions to another thread, if you please!

Well, I expect that sales for 4trh edition would plummet if any of the books included nude pine ups of E. Gary Gygax or Ed Greenwood. Hmm, too logical a conclusion -- although reaction to such images could simulate the effects of a failed Horror check.

 

[Maggan]

I heard a rumor at Gencon from a fairly big industry type...

Would it be Dave Arneson by any chance?

I have heard this vague reference several times, and the person "in the know" was mr. Arneson.

Care to confirm or deny this?

/M