D&D 4E Gencon and 4E

[Kanegrundar]

Nothing really makes me think that a new edition is coming out anytime soon. There are a lot of books slated for release, and really no inklings from WotC making me think that 4E is in the pipeline. I guess we'll know for sure when there is no announcement of 4E at GenCon (not like that will stop the 4E threads from popping up).

Kane

 

[Masquerade]

A new week a new 4e thread...

4e? We don't need steenkin' 4e

(not like that will stop the 4E threads from popping up).

We appear to be trapped in an endless Twilight Zone-esque cycle.

We don't need 4e, and we don't need 4e threads.

 

[William Ronald]

I do not see the need for 4E at the present time. I think 3.5 is working quite well.

Mind you, I think there will eventually be a fourth edition. I would hope that the developers at WotC are paying close attention to how people are using their products, as well as many of the great and innovative D20 products. Also, I think it would perhaps be wise to assemble a team of the best developers well before any official move to produce a new edition. Maybe just an informal meeting to find out what the best developers think of the current rules, and how they can be improved. Similarly, I think that WotC would need to get a lot of feedback from gamers on the current rules and see what people are doing in their own games.

So, possibly the 40th anniversary of Gen Con might be a good time for WotC to take a look at the rules, the state of the RPG industry, and its customers. Of course, I think a lot of what I mentioned in the previous paragraph probably goes on under the radar. (For example, I think EN World helps give developers a lot of feedback on their products and what is happening at the gaming table.) Mind you, I hope to make Gen Con next year and in 2007. So, I think there should be something special for the 40th anniversary of Gen Con. If not an announcement of a date for Fourth Edition (preferrably not for a few years yet), then perhaps something fitting to the occassion. (Okay, WotC developers, start thinking of something that will take everyone's breath away for Gen Con 2007 and dispel talk of 4E for a while. )

 

[TroyXavier]

No 4.0 for a while I hope.

 

[MaxKaladin]

A horrible thought...

I just had a horrible thought. I'm about to start a new D&D campaign. The last time this happened, WotC decided to release a new edition of D&D. I've inadvertently doomed us all! 4E is coming! They'll announce it at GenCon this year! Eric Noah will start a 4e rumors site! It's happening all over again! Nooooooooooooooooo!

<- (Runs off into the hills screaming incoherently)

 

[Hammerforge]

So, possibly the 40th anniversary of Gen Con might be a good time for WotC to take a look at the rules, the state of the RPG industry, and its customers.

I would actually hope for more like 2017, if ever. After three editions, I don't think the current system needs so much changing as to justify an entirely new edition. Any rules changes that need to be made are probably so few in number as to be houseruleable by DMs.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

4e better not come out till at least two thousand and ten.
As you can tell I didn't feel like reaching for my number pad.

 

[Eva of Sirrion]

We don't need no stinkin' 4E

We don't need no new core books

No more darn complex rules to learn

WotC, leave the rules alone.

Hey, WotC! Leave the rules alone!

All in all it's just a-nother brick in the wall.

 

[William Ronald]

I would actually hope for more like 2017, if ever. After three editions, I don't think the current system needs so much changing as to justify an entirely new edition. Any rules changes that need to be made are probably so few in number as to be houseruleable by DMs.

Well, I meant this more as a time of reflection than starting up plans for 4th Edition. Realistically, I think there will be a fourth edition but hopefully not for a few years. Based on the history of the industry, as well as the way that rules tend to accumulate over time, I suspect that we would see a fourth edition before 2017. Possibly, there could be new innovative gaming mechanics or industry pressures for a new edition. Indeed, by the end of 2nd Edition people could end up playing very different games from table to table. (Skills and Powers being a case in point.) Also, the issues of what Hasbro (or whoever owns WotC down the road) wants to do might be an important consideration when a new edition is released. So far sales of 3.5 products seem to be going well, so I don't see a good financial reason for a new edition for sometime or a good reason based on the current state of the rules.

What I would like is that there would be an approach to have extensive play testing of future editions, as well as drawing on the best design talent in the industry. So, Hammerforge, I doubt we will see a new edition by 2007 but I would be surprised if we did not have one well before 2017.

As for Gen Con 2007, I think some sort of GREAT product is in order for a 40th anniversary.

 

[Crothian]

In a suprising move, WotC is going to release 4E first at a little convention in Nome Alaska .