Eric Noah's Info

[Tinker Gnome]

Hmmm, the poster who mentioned that they might actually sell the different classes in separate books had an interesting idea. I can imagine that they might also produce two sets of players rules if you went along this line. Meaning that they would have one "lite" players book, and one heavy players book. The lite one would remove a lot of the rules that people have said make combat take forever like AoOs and other such things. The combat rules in the book would be designed to make it go as fast as possible. There overall would not be as many rules in it, and the focus of the book might be more oriented towards roleplaying. The heavy book would have tons of combat options and rules. and just more rules for different checks in general.

This idea could be interesting for supplement products as lets say you liked Pact Magic in the Tome of Magic, but not Truename Magic. Well, instead of putting them all in one book they could sell smaller booklets with just one magic system per booklet. Same thing for new base classes. This way people who like one system of magic, but not the other, and who would not buy a book that is 30 dollars just for one system of magic will buy something.

The DMG would be the only book that would remain similar to how it was in previous editions.

As for price, I think it would be better if the books were all softcover, and maybe the Players Handbooks could be 20 dollars each, same with the DMG. All the class booklets could be 5 dollars. Supplement booklets could be around the same price, maybe a little more expensive.

 

[William Ronald]

I could easily see more products that work with miniatures along the lines of Dungeon Delve, as they are modular and might be fairly easy to adapt. Cards, similar to the ones the RPGA uses in Living Greyhawk, are something that I could see being used in a new edition. (Generally, these cards represent some sort of bonus or ability for characters for a limited duration.)

However, part of me suspects that a new edition -- if one is coming out in the next year or so -- probably will have many similarities to D&D 3.5. It would make little sense to create a product that will not attract an existing customer base. However, we might see more ways of incorporating miniatures into the game, but I suspect that miniatures will probably never be fully required for a game.

To me, one of the more interesting aspects of Eric's rumor is the possible sale/licensing of the RPG division. I would hope that a new company would try to listen to customers. I would also hope that the 3rd party companies and PDF publishers would still be able to put out comparable product. The OGL may become even more important with the advent of a new edition. My only hope is that if the RPG brands are separated from WoTC, that a company with experience in gaming and a passion for gaming takes over from WoTC.

 

[Banshee16]

Banshee,

yeah but consider how much some kids that were our ages are now shelling out on console video games, cell phones, etc...and then there's RPGs. So yeah we're not a market any more. Since now these kids are taking it from us! *is being slightly sarcastic*

I'm not sure if they're ever going to be able to get those days back.

I know I've purchased more products than probably 4-5 of the players in my group put together. I would think then, that out of those 5-6 people in my group (including me), it would be my money that WotC would be chasing the most.

Personally, when I was a kid, my allowance was like $5/week, so I didn't buy nearly as many books as I have as an adult. Maybe that's just me though.

Banshee

 

[pogre]

Just an expansion on an earlier thought, maybe 4E will not be called 4E, but something else, and will be more of a table top stratagy game made from the ground up to be just that. They could run both side by side for a while, and then drop active 3.5E production if it isn't profitable. Might lessen customer resentment.

Totally makes sense. Hardcore RPG gamers are not where the big money is at - and like any good company that's what WOTC is after. I do hope the new "4E" is a gateway for a whole new generation of gamers.

Collectable feats, miniatures, perks, would make for a cool game. I'm pretty stoked they are headed in this direction. It does not mean I will abandon my 3E campaign material, but as a Dad of young children I see huge potential for going this route for the younger folks.

 

[lior_shapira]

I want to take the "ostrich way" in this issue, I really prefer to put my head in the sand and ignore it. I like 3rd edition and the OGL market too much too try and ponder about 4th edition. Just thinking that perhaps in 3-4 years the whole market will be different is giving me the heebie-jeebies (a.k.a the creeps).

I want to believe that at least a part of the driving force for 4th edition is a desire to improve upon 3rd edition, but somehow I'm skeptic. Especially with these rumors about RPG's not being profitable, my concern is that business considerations will take first place.

Moreover, I'm almost 30 and although most of the gamers I know are grown ups, I have the feeling that Hasbro and WotC are going to aim a bit lower this time, and perhaps come out with something that simply won't appeal to me

Oh well, head back into the sand

lior

 

[Nightfall]

I'm not sure if they're ever going to be able to get those days back.

I know I've purchased more products than probably 4-5 of the players in my group put together. I would think then, that out of those 5-6 people in my group (including me), it would be my money that WotC would be chasing the most.

Personally, when I was a kid, my allowance was like $5/week, so I didn't buy nearly as many books as I have as an adult. Maybe that's just me though.

Banshee

Maybe but then again there is this age of piracy too. So who knows? In any case I know I feel the same as you in that I've spent more money now than I did 6-8 years ago on 2nd edition.

 

[BluSponge]

Why would it not be true for 3.5 but be true for 4E?

Who can say. I'm speculating here, but I expect there will be some streamlining and probably some significant changes in certain areas of the game to make it more accessible and easier to manage. Maybe it will even become more modular, allowing those who want the crunch to have it while keeping the core game pretty simple (for those who just want to break out the minis and go). There's really no telling. I didn't expect 3e to deviated from AD&D as much as it did, and it wouldn't surprise me if 4e were to go just as far.

So I remain cautiously optimistic. I have plenty of other RPGs that I enjoy.

Tom

 

[Darrin Drader]

Moreover, I'm almost 30 and although most of the gamers I know are grown ups, I have the feeling that Hasbro and WotC are going to aim a bit lower this time, and perhaps come out with something that simply won't appeal to me

Yeah, that's why I have an extensive collection of D&D/AD&D books from all editions. I also run the game and provide the books for my players. I could start a new 1E campaign tomorrow and we'd still be having fun regardless of what WotC decides to put out.

I have so many 3E/D20 books + Dragon and Dungeon magazines stuffed into my poor bookshelves that I really shouldn't need to buy any more gaming materials for the rest of my life. I'll have plenty to keep me and my players happy forever.

However, since I have a professional interest in the hobby, I'll probably be forced to keep up. Which one I play will depend greatly upon which one I actually prefer.

 

[BluSponge]

And LA isn't, for me & mine, Tommy-boy!

'sall well and good. Different strokes and all that.

Play what works for you. DnD doesn't for me. But I do like Greyhawk and Eberron.

EDIT: I suppose I should add that I really like what I've read of Castles and Crusades and True20. I like the core of d20 and 3e, I just don't like all the crap that's heaped on top of it.

 

[BluSponge]

I think Tom's more into Savage Worlds than LA, these days.

I like both, but Savage Worlds definitely has the leg up. I've basically converted a lot of LA stuff over to SW and even use the Lejendary Earth campaign setting. Best of both worlds IMHO.

But that's neither here nor there in regards to this thread, other than to second what a lot of people have said: if 4e doesn't do it for me, its not like there aren't plenty of alternatives.