DMG II + PHB II + MM II-IV = 4th Edition?

[Agamon]

Seeing as how I've bought none of those books (and I will assume many other D&D players haven't either), I can't see how they could take the place of a 4th edition, which I would buy, just 'cause, even if I didn't play it. They're just supplimental books like the class, race and environment books.

 

[Writers_Blog]

What you all are saying and making light of is that you all will actually buy a 4e and then when Hasbro decides that WoTC isnt making its sells is it going to be a 5th edition or a 6th...
Their is a point where I am tempted to throw up my hands and call it a day, just because some corp exec is looking at a print out saying that sells are falling, so a bell rings in his peanut of a brain and walla 7th Edition


Why fix something when it isn't broke. That is what Editons are right fixing it to keep it working, or make it more simplified.

I think that Additons are better than editions and have no intention of buying nor reading 4th Edition why waste time learning new stuff when the old stuff is so good.

 

[Writers_Blog]

(and I will assume many other D&D players haven't either),

Actually most of my gaming group owns a copy of DMG 2, and I personally have thirteen monster manuels. As a whole we have over 80+ books for 3e and 3.5e that are well written and thought out, and every new book is looked forward to. Players guide to Eberron is my next wish list item.

Supliments are the money, Malhavoc Press, and Mongoose Publishing know this and have done good on supply gamers with decent work, others including EN Publishing, and Ronin Arts ( Philip Reed) have done well by gamers. What is so broke about 3.5 or even 3.0 that it requires a whole new expendiature of all that money just so I can contine enjoying the hobby. I say throw it in the back burner and leave it for a rainy day when their is actually a way of doing things better than their is now.

While many itch to get their hands on these new editions I wretch, and so does many of the people I play with, and know. Sarcastically, all I can think of regarding 4e is they might make a more seductive pic of a Nymph in MM 4e. I was mad when 3.5 Came out, I have since gotten used to some things, and tossed other things, but fourth edition is a red flag for me that not all is well in the house of the Wizards.

Ill stick with small time publishers that have the sense to not change their product line to 4e
better money spent

 

[Dragon-Slayer]

As long as a new edition isn't really coming down the pike for a few years, I will be happy. I have heard the 4th edition rumors and hope they are just that. If there is going to be a new edition every 3-6 years and I have to rebuy core books, just as well switch to another system, one of the systems that has endured for over a decade.

 

[Squidibus]

It occurs to me that the PHB II and the DMG II greatly resemble the Players Option and DM Option books that came out near the end of second edition. I must admit that I am a bit apprehensive about the PHB II, due to the fact that the name may imply that the content is 'standard', which could cause some friction between PCs and GMs. However, given tha I was a big fan of the Combat and Tactics and the Skills and Powers books from second edition, I'm also kind of looking forward to it.

If the pattern holds, then 4th edition may not be far away...

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Their is a point where I am tempted to throw up my hands and call it a day, just because some corp exec is looking at a print out saying that sells are falling, so a bell rings in his peanut of a brain and walla 7th Edition

So what should they do? Simply close up shop and say "hey guys, there's no need for anything else. Guess we'll put ourselves out of work now"? Would anyone here go into work and say "hey, y'know, I've made enough money on this job, I think I'll quit. Wouldn't wanna put anyone out by continuing to make money"? Plus, who here has already bought the latest game console? How many has anyone here bought over the past 10 years or so? Yeah, I'm sure there'll be a flurry of posts from folks saying they've never bought the newest console, or upgraded their OS, or that those differ from RPG books in some way. I'd bet there are plenty here who have upgraded, though.

A new edition that collected all the various new bits that have cropped up (like, say, the Warlock, or the new stat blocks, or any number of bits from Unearthed Arcana) and smoothed out the various inconsistencies that have been brought to light via years of play and discussion (such as on the internet, a resource games of the past would've done well to have) would be welcome. I dont feel an entire overhaul of the game is necessary, but there is always room for improvement.

 

[Eternalknight]

Plus, who here has already bought the latest game console? How many has anyone here bought over the past 10 years or so? Yeah, I'm sure there'll be a flurry of posts from folks saying they've never bought the newest console, or upgraded their OS, or that those differ from RPG books in some way. I'd bet there are plenty here who have upgraded, though.

That's a really good analogy. I might use that whenever anybody says 'If they make 4th edition I'm not buying it!' if you don't mind?

 

[Dragon-Slayer]

There comes a point when maybe instead of a new edition every 3-5 years there could be research and development into the advertising mode used. Advertising the PHB in Dungeon and Dragon magazine is extremely pointless to me. WotC needs to branch out and use some thought in the actual advertising they do. There are many contributors to a decline in sales, including the constant revamping and the poor advertising choices. If it looks like there will be another version soon, what would induce anyone into buying anything from now on until 4E comes out? I could use the money for console games and role play with the books I have. Or, I could sell off the 3.5 books and go with a system that looks like it will keep the core books for a while, like Warhammer2 or the Omni System.

There is a balance to strike between need more sales and need to sell another version to keep afloat. There are choices that need to be made in marketing and advertising to promote what is out there now to continue sales. If it looks like 4E will be out in 2007 or even 2008 the books I buy in 2006 won't even get much use. I thought the whole idea of the OGL/SRD system was to get people into the game. That was a stroke of genius. If it looks like my Green Ronin, Malhavoc and WotC books will become obsolete in a year or two, then the system has failed and has discouraged a DM and players who will be playing another game.

WotC should look into 3.5-izing their own intellectual property before going to 4E. Instead of dribs and drabs in Dragon magazine, why not work on a streamlined, revitalized version of Planescape? Or Mystara? Or any of the settings that aren't licensed out?

 

[MerricB]

There comes a point when maybe instead of a new edition every 3-5 years there could be research and development into the advertising mode used. Advertising the PHB in Dungeon and Dragon magazine is extremely pointless to me. WotC needs to branch out and use some thought in the actual advertising they do.

Wizards has recently entered into a new advertising contract - they used to have the same company advertise for both Magic and D&D. This is now taken by two different companies.

With regard to the ads of the PHB in Dragon: I've noticed that a company will normally create one ad per month or two months, and it will be printed in *all* magazines they use. D&D definitely advertises in other magazines, and so the PHB ads were mostly for other markets than those reading Dragon and Dungeon mags.

Charles Ryan has noted that this year has had a bigger promotion budget than last year - and last year was a big one for the 30th anniversary.

Cheers!

 

[Dragon-Slayer]

Wizards has recently entered into a new advertising contract - they used to have the same company advertise for both Magic and D&D. This is now taken by two different companies.

With regard to the ads of the PHB in Dragon: I've noticed that a company will normally create one ad per month or two months, and it will be printed in *all* magazines they use. D&D definitely advertises in other magazines, and so the PHB ads were mostly for other markets than those reading Dragon and Dungeon mags.

Charles Ryan has noted that this year has had a bigger promotion budget than last year - and last year was a big one for the 30th anniversary.

Cheers!

I haven't seen the advertisements in other magazines, but I would figure that they also advertise in InQuest and other magazines of that ilk. One could also deduce that most people don't pick up an issue of Dungeon or Dragon without a clue of the content. Sure, some people will, but it seems that enough people know this that those advertising dollars can be spent elsewhere.

What it boils down to is that I rather resent people who justify a new edition so soon based on the need to sell. That is a company passing off its own incompetence to the consumer. Considering the pitfalls that Dungeons and Dragons has overcome over the years, it seems sad that now they need (or would even entertain the idea of) a new edition, which effectively zeroes out the work of other companies working to support the d20 license and the hobby. You don't bring new people into the hobby by making them constantly upgrade, I have seen a lot of people drop Games Workshop and go with another miniature game (Confrontation) over this issue. Many people drop miniatures wargaming entirely over this constant drive for new miniatures and rulebooks. Instead, these companies need dynamic marketing teams that promote what is already released and bring new people into these games. It only takes a little brainpower and a good plan to promote something. Making the hobby more appealing and more dynamic while encouraging other companies to contribute to the d20 license makes more sense than changing everything so often.

While I do upgrade my computers, hardware and some software, I do need these upgrades myself, I use my computer for work as well as entertainment. Another edition of DnD comes down the line before 08 or 09 and I will take up checkers or chess.


edit: little grammar errors