D&D 4E Fewer WotC books in 4E?

[SteveC]

In looking at the catalog for next year, and in hearing the plans for the various different product lines I am getting the impression that WotC is going to release far fewer books.

First of all, does that seem to be the situation, and if it is, does that make sense?

In the last editions, we had psionic books released within short order of the main books, and they sold a lot of copies. From what we've heard so far, it's going to be a year before we see them in 4E. Similarly, the plans seem to be to have no 4E Eberon book until 2009 at the earliest.

If all of what I'm saying is true (and that's a big "if") aren't we seeing a huge opportunity for third party companies?

So what do all of you think?

--Steve

 

[Bacris]

I'm expecting their catalog just isn't filled in yet, since most of the 4E products will be 2nd half 2008.

Either way, the delay in a psionic system for 4E leaves a very noticable gap. While I would personally have it in 3Q 2008, I'll accept the fact that it won't be until probably 2Q or even 3Q 2009 and port over rules in the interim.

If they do start making fewer books, it does open up a huge opportunity for 3rd party, but then, they may have other product lines in mind, rather than the rules supplements we came to expect in 3.5.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I was wondering if this might happen, due to the digital initiative.

WoTC needs to generate a revenue stream; in the past the only way to do this was to produce printed products. In 4E however, it might be possible to have the DI take up the slack. In fact, in order to promote the DI, it would probably be a good idea for WoTC to tighten the supply of books, hence leading to a pent-up desire for product. 3rd party publishers will no doubt feed some of this need, but we all know there are a lot of people for whom only WoTC products are acceptable.

 

[Mercule]

I've been assuming that they will be releasing fewer books and hope to ride the DDI for the difference in funds. That would be my preference.

 

[Reaper Steve]

I think fewer books, but each one indispensable. As opposed to 'core' and 'splat,' it will all be core. The expectation will be that each book sells more on its own. Plus, it appears that there will be a DM book and a PC book per setting, which enables more sales to players.

If this is the case, I like it. I couldn't keep up with 3.X, and none of the splats felt 'real' to me. Sell me fewer books, with the expectation that they will be used just as much as the PHB, DMG, and MM.

I'm sure DDI will help with this too.

 

[crazy_cat]

... 3rd party publishers will no doubt feed some of this need...

Not if WOTC don't make some form of the 4e SRD or advance copy of the 4e rules available to these 3rd party publishers they wont - at least not in the period immediately following the 4e launch.
[/Conspiracy Theory]

 

[Reaper Steve]

Finishing what I started above...

Will this leave holes for third party? Maybe... it depends on the nature of the license. Also, I would expect that if a third party rushed out a psionic book (for example) it would be superceded by the official one in the future. By that I mean, later official D&D products would seamlessly integrate the official psionic rules, making the official psionic book indispensable.

So, while a 3rd party might get something out the door, I don't think initial rules supplementsfrom them will have staying power once WotC does the official version. It seems 4E is being built from a modular view, with integrated expansion in mind.

Again, that's if 3rd parties are even allowed to make rules supplements. Maybe in 4E all they can do is adventures and worlds, but won't be allowed to tinker with rules?

 

[Cadfan]

If I were running WOTC's product line, I'd leave some time during which releases were light. I'd expect most gaming groups to spend a little time getting used to an entirely new system before they'd be in the market for new books. Plus, there's a finite amount of material that can be released for a system before you end up releasing quirky or experimental products. I'd want to save things like psionics, druids, monks, and swashbucklers for at least a short while so that they would become available at about the point in the product lifespan where players are comfortable with what they have, and are looking for something new.

 

[SteveC]

I think fewer books, but each one indispensable. As opposed to 'core' and 'splat,' it will all be core. The expectation will be that each book sells more on its own. Plus, it appears that there will be a DM book and a PC book per setting, which enables more sales to players.

If this is the case, I like it. I couldn't keep up with 3.X, and none of the splats felt 'real' to me. Sell me fewer books, with the expectation that they will be used just as much as the PHB, DMG, and MM.

I'm sure DDI will help with this too.

Steve,
This is what I am thinking as well...if you have a smaller number of books released, each one can have more useful information as opposed to needless stuff. Give me three books that I can use, as opposed to a dozen that have about as much useful information, but also include lots of filler that I won't ever use. Complete Champion, anyone?

What I'm hoping is that the production schedule moves D&D books back to being "evergreen" as opposed to being entirely disposable.

--Steve

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Not if WOTC don't make some form of the 4e SRD or advance copy of the 4e rules available to these 3rd party publishers they wont - at least not in the period immediately following the 4e launch.
[/Conspiracy Theory]

You can recreate most of 4E with the 3E SRD. It's more work, certainly, but it won't be impossible to do.