Eberron vs Greyhawk

[megamania]

I can't help but to note this has become a Forgotten Realms vs Eberron thread instead of Greyhawk.

Suppose it has to do with familiarity of the worlds involved? :\

 

[Silverleaf]

Will they come out with more Eberron books? Yep, you betcha. Will they detail more of the world? Yep. Will they cram it full of their own pet high-level characters and detail it down to the level of Elminsters housemaids pet pomeranian Thangar, destroyer of slippers? No. Keith Baker is fully aware that gamers want wiggle room in their worlds.

Keith Baker is the marketing team leader? If he's not, then his opinion is worthless. It's not his job to make those decisions...

 

[Glyfair]

Keith Baker is the marketing team leader? If he's not, then his opinion is worthless. It's not his job to make those decisions...

An overstatement, if I've ever heard one. Yes, it's not his job to make those decisions. However, his opinion is certainly not "worthless."

His input is still taken on Eberron. He doesn't have "veto" power. He still is one of the prime developers of the world and is very involved in the direction it's taking.

In addition, in the "Ask Keith Baker" thread on the WotC forums, you definitely can get a sense of what WotC's intent is for the campaign. They certainly want this as an alternative to other settings, rather than just more of the same.

 

[Silverleaf]

His input is still taken on Eberron. He doesn't have "veto" power. He still is one of the prime developers of the world and is very involved in the direction it's taking.

BINGO! He doesn't have veto power, because it's not his job to make business decisions. If it makes sense to release 100+ sourcebooks over the life of this campaign (like TSR did with Ed Greenwood's FR), they will do it, no matter what he thinks. You better believe it!
Incidentally a developer is emotionally attached and hence is a very poor source for business advice. This isn't new stuff here, it's SOP for big, successful companies. I'm sure they value him for creative advice though.

 

[Hammerhead]

WotC isn't big by any means, nor particularly successful. It's a big fish in a little pond. And considering that WotC sells creative material, it would pay for them to listen to their creative designer guy. Although I only have a minor in Marketing, given Keith Baker's role in creating Eberron, I or any other marketing guy would greatly value the input of Mr. Baker or any other Eberron designer and writer. It doesn't mean I would follow their advice, but to dismiss Keith Baker's opinion as "worthless" because he works for a "big corporation" is trite and an insult to the intelligence of any decision-maker at Wizards.