David Noonan on playtesting experience

[BSF]

BTW, now that the D&D site is up, can anyone see where to apply to playtest?

Would love to see that too. I would like to look over the guidelines and see if one of my groups would be a good fit for playtesting. Alas, children are making it hard for me to scour the site to find the application.

If a kind soul would post the link, I would be most appreciative. Otherwise, I will just find it when I find it.

 

[Abisashi]

First off, I doubt the expanded playtest will last 6 months running from level 1 to 30. More likely it will be divided up over multiple groups. Some will be asked to create 1st level characters and play them through 4-5 levels. Others will be asked to create higher level characters, or maybe given pregens,and bring them up another 4-5 levels covering the entire range of levels.

Second, if they have any brains, they are already doing compiling and editing especially of sections that are less rules-intense, or simpler and less likely to need significant changes following expanded playtesting.

Last, I think you would be surprised at how quickly the books can be printed once they are ready. Harry Potter books I believe were being printed a few months in advance of release, but they were dealing with having to have millions of copies available on the release date.

Also, I am sure they will be continuosly updating, rather than waiting until the very end to make all of the changes.

 

[Glyfair]

All i want to know is how to get my group into the playtests.

Scott posted this on the WotC forums here:

There will be limited public play testing roughly between Sept-Dec. We will be selecting RPGA members as well as members of the D&D Insider community (read anyone on the D&D Boards) for this.

Stay tuned to D&D Insider for info on the play test announcement.