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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mercurius" data-source="post: 6057928" data-attributes="member: 59082">I think the problem here, Hussar, is that you are projecting more certainty on my part than I feel (or intend to communicate). I don't "know" anything - but there is also nothing wrong with speculating based upon some degree of solid reasoning.For instance, I think we can safely say that 4E today - or pretty much at any time, except for the first few months, is far less popular than 3.5 was at its heyday. Do I "know" that for sure? No, but I also don't know that you're not a Brazilian supermodel or a web-bot.What I think we can safely say with some degree of certainty is that 4E wasn't nearly as successful as WotC hoped it would be; but I'd go further and say that it was, at least financially speaking and in terms of long-term sustainability, an almost complete flop. Why? Well, look at the market - it is splintered into dozens of pieces. Now there are basically only two big pieces, but one - perhaps even the biggest - isn't even owned by WotC. Pathfinder is living proof that 4E isn't as popular as WotC had hoped it would be. And let's not kid ourselves into thinking that Pathfinder's gaming populace are largely new gamers - most of the original gang, and I imagine many of the later "converts," are disillusioned ex-WotC D&D players that wanted to keep playing (or go back to) 3.5, but as a living game.This is a really good and important question that I think gets overlooked a bit (and I love your post). I think it deserves its own thread.Don't worry, I won't! My plan would be simple: Have two core lines that roughly emulate BECMI and AD&D, but as one compatible game of different complexity levels. Beyond that you could still have "Modular Options" that can be added on to either version, although more likely the advanced one.On one hand you'd have a few box sets that present the basic version of the game, and then you'd have a series of hardcovers that present more advanced options. You release them pretty much together, with only a small lag (that is, the introductory box set might come out a month before the three hardcovers to acclimate people to the basic game).The introductory box set would be a complete, playable game - maybe even up to level 10 for the iconic classes and races (maybe 4-6 classes and 3-4 races). The second box set might be an "expansion pack" with more monsters, adventures, races and classes, and the third box set would be levels 11-20, with further possible expansions after that. So someone could stay the basic version of the game simply through 1-3+ box sets. In other words, D&D would be perfectly playable through 10 levels for the price of a $30-35 box set.Then you'd have the line of hardcovers which would include the basic rules of the game, but with layers of further complexity, more races and classes, more details about running a game, etc.Monster Manuals would be usable for both versions because they could be formatted with a basic/core text block, and then advanced options below.I think the so-called "complexity dial" can be simpler than it sounds because in a way it would really come down to two levels of complexity, with two modifications: Basic RAW - box sets onlyBasic modified - box sets with bits and pieces from other booksAdvanced RAW - hardcovers onlyAdvanced modified - hardcovers with modular optionsThat's what comes to mind, at least!</blockquote>

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