Full Release when?

[McTreble]

I just disbanded my 4e game (cinematic TPK situation coupled with a lot of real world commitments) and I told em all that when we next pick up the game, it'll be to usher in 5e. In my mind, that means Aug 2013.

Think it'll be next GenCon? Now I know that the baseline answer is filled with a lot of "if"s and "as long as"s, but I gotta think that it's their goal to roll this puppy out by then.

This year has a scant few items left for retail release. The Menzo book, Greenwood's Realms book... a map pack and dungeon tile set, maybe some novels? DDI is looking pretty empty except for 5e stuff. Dungeon Command could be a good source, but who knows?

Makes me think that Big Brother Hasbro is watching the clock on a division whose release schedule is damn near empty. Mearls and co. need to be paid, and the lights need to be on in the building, even without the money rolling in. They can't realistically let this thing hold out till 2014, can they?

My theory? GenCon 2013 gets the following products, along with HUGE marketing pushes: PHB, DMG, MM, Tactical Rules Module, 3-5 adventures designed to showcase game's flexibility.

Everything else, even if ready to roll, gets sold throughout the next year, keeping a consistent schedule (but not an overwhelming one, as was 4e's 1st two years)

 

[delericho]

I just disbanded my 4e game (cinematic TPK situation coupled with a lot of real world commitments) and I told em all that when we next pick up the game, it'll be to usher in 5e. In my mind, that means Aug 2013.

I suspect that's right. Indeed, I thought I saw mention of this in the "5e info" section of this site, although I don't think WotC have confirmed anything.

My theory? GenCon 2013 gets the following products, along with HUGE marketing pushes: PHB, DMG, MM, Tactical Rules Module, 3-5 adventures designed to showcase game's flexibility.

I suspect this isn't right, though. My guess would be the PHB/DMG/MM set, maybe a Starter Set (that is, they really should release this on Day One, but I doubt it somehow), and probably an adventure. The Tactical Rules Module may actually be found in the DMG itself, but I think we'll be waiting a while before any expansion modules hit.

 

[Shadeydm]

The smart play would be to have the basic modules to emulate each edition ready to go at launch. Idk if that means a DMG for each or a chapter for each. The big question then becomes can those be ready and how long can they wait for them before financial needs/issues force the launch.

 

[MatthewJHanson]

Gencon 2013 is what signs currently point to, though I'm a little nervous about that given factors like Monte's departure and the delay of the next playtest.

As for what they release?

I really hope they put out a starter set, but I'm not counting on it.

Other than that probably just the core three plus (maybe) one adventure. They'll probably want to space things out, both for the sake of the developers and the consumers.

 

[Mattachine]

In 2013, I bet they will release a preview game, as when they introduced 4th edition.

Don't expect a full release until 2014.

 

[Jester David]

On or around GenCon is the easy money.

Their first deadline is likely before, so everyone has the books for GenCon and the big release for the Con can be something else, like the Realms. And that way they can talk about what's next rather than 5e still being news.

But GenCon itself is the fall back date if they aren't quite done. They might ave a preview at GenCon and release after.

Hard date is prior to Thanksgiving. No way they go into a second holiday season without books.

 

[pauljathome]

In 2013, I bet they will release a preview game, as when they introduced 4th edition.

Don't expect a full release until 2014.

I think that they're more likely to shelve DnD Next entirely than they are to delay it until 2014.

If something very substantial isn't ready by Gencon 2013 then I think it will be killed (or "indefinitely postponed").

 

[TerraDave]

I agree: summer 2013. Or should be.

That means play-testing probably has to be over by January, at the latest.

Which is the problem, at the rate they seem to be going...

 

[Mercurius]

My guess, or hope really, is that they release a starter set in June of 2013 (levels 1-5 with basic rules only, along with an adventure from 1-3), followed by an expansion adventure (lvls 3-5) in July and the three core books at Gen Con, with the core setting in the next month and the whole dang thing starts over again.

 

[was]

I'm hoping we get lucky and see a release early in 2013.

 

[JeffB]

Im thinking a core set initially...something akin to the MCM B/X sets in one hardback or box. Enough for everyone to get started and whet the appetite. Along with a couple modules. 2014 will see the "advanced" PHB, MM, and DMG

 

[Mercutio01]

My guess has been previews at GenCon with releases for the holiday season so they can market it to coincide with the 40th anniversary.

 

[GX.Sigma]

They have said they're going to release it when it's done, and not rush it (presumably because rushing 4e was arguably the worst decision they've ever made). So that's what I'm hoping for.

No one will remember if it was late. Only if it was great.

 

[Campbell]

On or around GenCon is the easy money.

Their first deadline is likely before, so everyone has the books for GenCon and the big release for the Con can be something else, like the Realms. And that way they can talk about what's next rather than 5e still being news.

But GenCon itself is the fall back date if they aren't quite done. They might ave a preview at GenCon and release after.

Hard date is prior to Thanksgiving. No way they go into a second holiday season without books.

We know the big con release will not be the Forgotten Realms. That's coming [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Greenwood-Presents-Elminsters-Forgotten-Realms/dp/0786960345/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342500832&sr=1-4&keywords=forgotten+realms"]this October[/ame].

The FORGOTTEN REALMS is the most successful and widely known DUNGEONS & DRAGONS campaign setting ever created, and it owes its existence to creator Ed Greenwood.

This 160-page hardcover book describes the campaign setting as it lives and breathes in the imagination of its creator. Through the alter ego of Elminster, Archmage of Shadowdale, Ed Greenwood presents the Realms as a setting where companies of crazed adventurers are born and have rich lives, and where they get to call the shots. In this book, Ed presents a world where friendships are forged, endless intrigues unfold, and heroes wage war against the monstrous inhabitants of famous dungeons and untamed wildernesses.

For the FORGOTTEN REALMS fan, this book provides a rare glimpse into the setting as imagined by its creator, with new information on its visible and clandestine rulers, various merchant and trade princes, the churches and mercenary companies of the Realms, renown magic-users and secret societies, adventuring companies, and the web of alliances and enmities that connect them. The book is aimed at all Forgotten Realms enthusiasts, including players of every edition of the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game.

 

[Jester David]

We know the big con release will not be the Forgotten Realms. That's coming this October.

That looks less like the 5e Forgotten Realms campaign setting and more like an edition-neutral filler product. A fluff piece for FR fans letting Ed Greenwood wax historically about his Realms games and the changes from official canon.

 

[delericho]

I'm hoping we get lucky and see a release early in 2013.

I don't think that would count as "lucky" - to release early next year, they basically have to have it ready to print round about now. Unless the playtest is one huge smokescreen, there's no way that that could be the case and for 5e to be at all good.

They have said they're going to release it when it's done, and not rush it

Have they? Could you cite for this one, please, since it's a rather key quotation.

No one will remember if it was late. Only if it was great.

Problem is that the D&D business unit is currently bringing in negligible sales to Hasbro, and is investing very heavily in R&D. Now that's fine, provided it's part of a plan. But if it becomes late, and indeed if it becomes too late, then there may come a point at which they declare "enough", and shelve it entirely. (And this is especially true if D&D is a borderline product in the first place, which seems to be the case.) I would be very surprised if WotC did not have a very firm release date that they have to hit - publish, or perish.

So, I agree that "late but great" would indeed suit us. But "so late it doesn't arrive at all" certainly does not.

 

[GX.Sigma]

Have they? Could you cite for this one, please, since it's a rather key quotation.

June 26, 2012:

Greg Tito: How far away is the release of D&D Next?
Mike Mearls: I think a better question would be, "How long will it take to make the playtesters happy?" We don't have a date in place yet, primarily because so much of our work will be dependent on how people react in the playtest. We're definitely not making any assumptions on how things will work out.

I thought I read/heard him say it one other time (like in an interview where someone asked him "if the next round won't come out until end of summer, how long will the playtest take?" and he says "as long as it needs to take"), but this was all I could find with a few minutes' googling.

Problem is that the D&D business unit is currently bringing in negligible sales to Hasbro, and is investing very heavily in R&D.

Haven't the D&D board games been consistently successful?

 

[delericho]

Haven't the D&D board games been consistently successful?

Sure, but when was the last one released? Months ago?

"Dungeon Command" does look like it could also do quite well. But I'd be wary of expecting it to carry the D&D brand on its own for too long.

 

[GX.Sigma]

Sure, but when was the last one released? Months ago?

"Dungeon Command" does look like it could also do quite well. But I'd be wary of expecting it to carry the D&D brand on its own for too long.

There's also Menzoberranzan, the 1e reprints, Ed Greenwood's Forgotten Realms, the Dungeon board game, the 3.5 reprints... That's just the next few months, and all of those are pretty highly anticipated. I don't think they'll have trouble paying the bills any time soon.

Edit: On the other hand...

CH: Do you have a plan on how many playtests are coming, and where it’s going?
MM: We mapped out a plan for playtesting that covers 6-8 months of playtest content. We have flexibility built in, so if for example the tactical rules go over like a lead balloon, we can loop back to it and do some more work there. We have a schedule to go from the beginning to the end, if we have more work to do, we’ll work it in.

 

[Jester David]

Sure, but when was the last one released? Months ago?

"Dungeon Command" does look like it could also do quite well. But I'd be wary of expecting it to carry the D&D brand on its own for too long.

Lords of Waterdeep, released on late March.

There's also "Dungeon!" coming in October and I cannot give WotC my money for that game fast enough.