D&D 4E GenCon - 4e News.

[Warlock75]

So, after 2007 but before 2010? I geuss with only 3 years it doesn't really matter to me. Looks like it's time to stop buying 3.5E books and save up for 4E! I figure I'll need about 100 dollars for the three core books and another couple hundred for supplements and modules ( not counting more miniatures of course ). Yep, with 1-3 more years to go I wont be spending any more cash on 3.5E products.

 

[teitan]

Hmmm... OK -- so if this has some legitimacy, why don't they just come out and say this officially?

Maybe they've gotten tired of saying it?

 

[librarius_arcana]

He did confirm that there is no work being done in the development of a 4th edition that would force players to use miniatures to play the game. *

We also confirmed that at this time no 4th edition product will be in any Wizards of the Coast's product catalogs through 2007. *

Good to know

 

[Razz]

Now, if 4E is as backwards-compatible as 3.5 is with 3E, then that's really good news for everyone.

It would be, but now the problem is will WotC give us an online free update to all 3.0/3.5 books to 4E or do we have to buy books again with only some updates of 3.5 stuff to 4E, like another "Complete" series or something?

I would not mind going 4E if it's close to 3.5E as 3.5E was to 3.0E AND they updated the books we all have surely spent tons of money on by now.

Like a PC game. The game is still playable, you simply spent money to just get the update and those that don't have the update can still play it with everyone else. They just don't have access to the new and updated stuff.

 

[Pants]

So... 4th edition will be announced in 2/07 and released when? At winter fantasy 08?

You guys read way too much into this stuff.*

* And you bastages will be right about it, guessing my luck!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

 

[Knight Otu]

I don't think that they would, even if asked, tell someone that yes it is coming out or that they are working on it. If they mentioned it right now, ahead of when or if they plan to, they might lose sales on products that are coming out. I mean if these people signed NDA's, they are bound to not tell anyone what is going on, til the company is ready to announce it.

If my understanding is correct, if they have signed an NDA with regards to 4th Edition, they couldn't comment on a 4th Edition this way even if it wasn't being worked on. They'd have to say something like "We can't comment on that" no matter what the status as long as its unpublished. Of course, the status of 4th likely qualifies as a trade secret. Trade secrets shouldn't normally be revealed...

 

[crazy_cat]

So, after 2007 but before 2010? I geuss with only 3 years it doesn't really matter to me. Looks like it's time to stop buying 3.5E books and save up for 4E! I figure I'll need about 100 dollars for the three core books and another couple hundred for supplements and modules ( not counting more miniatures of course ). Yep, with 1-3 more years to go I wont be spending any more cash on 3.5E products.

$33 a year is one book a year by my calculations - I think WOTC business model for whatever version is current (3.5 or 4, or 3.75) sort of assumes that the average customer buys the core books as a starting point and then a sizeable group of customers carry on buying add ons at a considerably faster rate than that.

If the average WOTC customer bought 1 book per annum and no more then D&D would be dead and buried as a brand and they'd be focussing on generating revenues elsewhere.

If anything I would expect 4e to lower the price for the entry level products (Basic game, PHB etc) to make money on the volume sales and hopefully grow the brand by encouraging new players to try the game. The specialist stuff and extra crunch and fluff will stay pricey as they know their core repeat customers have disposable income and will buy it.

 

[Banshee16]

Something I think a lot of fans might appreciate is single-book translations of a few of the older settings like Dark Sun, Planescape etc., sort of like what was done with the Dragonlance setting. Not to splinter the fan base or anything, but I'm sure a single book would be appreciated.

They've already said they don't want to have too many campaign settings. But maybe doing it before an edition change would be good timing for a "throw away" setting adaptation. Or maybe it's just a horrible idea..

Banshee

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It's not a horrible idea. Splintering the customer base (if that would actually happen with an all-in-one supplement -- Ghostwalk didn't destroy 3E, after all) right before you abandon ship for a new one isn't a big worry.