D&D Brand Dilution

[The Little Raven]

IMO the brand is still synonymous with Fantasy Role Playing, but when the term "D&D" is mentioned, the question from the listener now needs to be "which version?" (At least, that's what *I* ask. )

Now? As in, this hasn't been the case with the previous editions of the game, not to mention the BD&D/AD&D distinction? Did I imagine over 20 years of personal gaming in which people had to clarify whether they played 1e, 2e, 3e, OD&D, or BD&D?

 

[Imban]

Now? As in, this hasn't been the case with the previous editions of the game, not to mention the BD&D/AD&D distinction? Did I imagine over 20 years of personal gaming in which people had to clarify whether they played 1e, 2e, 3e, OD&D, or BD&D?

I imagine that for a lot of us, "D&D" always meant "whichever of 2e or the Rules Cyclopedia the group owned, plus whatever other books people had", to the point where a lot of people who I know played older editions when they were younger couldn't have actually told me what edition they were playing.

That said, I'd call pretty much anything that's 90% compatible with the 3e rules and designed for a fantasy setting - Arcana Evolved, the EverQuest RPG, Pathfinder, the World of Warcraft RPG, the Warlords of the Accordlands RPG, whatever - "D&D", because I very rarely play a game that, for instance, excludes all non-Pathfinder material or whatnot.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Either that's a very powerful brand, or a very dilute one. Not really sure which, since I know nothing about branding!

Its a double-edged sword.

If your product's name becomes synonymous with the market its a part of, its clearly a market leader. However, that can lead to problems when trying to enforce certain Trademark/Service Mark rights. See also: Kleenex, Xerox, Asprin, Coke.

 

[DaveMage]

Now? As in, this hasn't been the case with the previous editions of the game, not to mention the BD&D/AD&D distinction? Did I imagine over 20 years of personal gaming in which people had to clarify whether they played 1e, 2e, 3e, OD&D, or BD&D?

Well, it never mattered to me before - I'd play any version, though usually we were playing the latest.

Now, it does matter. No interest in playing 4E.