D&D 4E How many gamers even know there will be a 4e?

[Doc_Klueless]

I was reading the thread "Your habits, considering 4e is coming" when I started to wonder: Has WotC done anything yet to let the majority of players/groups who don't hang out on message boards know that there is gonna be a 4e?

I didn't know it until about two or three days ago when I popped on here again just on a whim to see what was up on Eeee Ennn World.

 

[Imaro]

The real question is do they want to? this would mean an even more significant drop in sales over lead-up time to 4th ed. It use to be that Dragon magazine served this purpose...I mean even if you didn't buy it, just seeing the cover heralded the coming of 3rd edition. So yeah I am wondering what their avenues of advertisement will be outside of the internet once they're ready for 4th ed. to take over sales completely.

 

[Doc_Klueless]

The real question is do they want to?

Hrrrm, I guess you're right. It would make sense to wait a bit longer before distributing fliers and whatnot to gamestores, etc.

 

[Psion]

It hasn't even come up in discussion with my group.

And as I intend to keep playing 3.5 until 4.5 shows up, I'm not feeling like it serves my best interest to bring it up.

 

[theredrobedwizard]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: It absolutely boggles my mind that there are gamers in this day and age that *don't* have regular internet access.

Seriously, I've not met one in the past 5 or so years. I think the last gamer I knew that didn't have internet access got it in 2002.

I'll ask around at the local gaming stores, just because I don't believe this group actually exists.

Now, in response to the original question; yes, I think there might be gamers that don't know about 4e. Those gamers live under a rock, on Mars, with their fingers in their ears.

-TRRW

 

[Imaro]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: It absolutely boggles my mind that there are gamers in this day and age that *don't* have regular internet access.

Seriously, I've not met one in the past 5 or so years. I think the last gamer I knew that didn't have internet access got it in 2002.

I'll ask around at the local gaming stores, just because I don't believe this group actually exists.

Now, in response to the original question; yes, I think there might be gamers that don't know about 4e. Those gamers live under a rock, on Mars, with their fingers in their ears.

-TRRW

Just because you have internet access, doesn't mean you go to game sites or keep up on rpg's to that extent using it. Of my five players all have internet access but only one does any type of surfing on gaming websites. The other four will check something out if I tell them about it...maybe, but they're just casual players and aren't into the game outside of what's actually happening in our group..

 

[Zamkaizer]

It hasn't even come up in discussion with my group.

And as I intend to keep playing 3.5 until 4.5 shows up, I'm not feeling like it serves my best interest to bring it up.

Thanks for telling us that.


As we come closer to release, we'll begin seeing advertisements in the appropriate venues. Penny Arcade, for instance, always runs banners for the newest Magic: The Gathering set. Expect pages in enthusiast magazines like EGM, bumps in television blocks like Adult Swim, and flyers in book and gaming stores. Wizards doesn't constantly conduct marketing surveys because they're boatloads of fun.

Finally, if you're looking for Dungeons & Dragons books, you'll hear about 4th Ed. In the hobby section of bookstores like Barnes & Noble, 4th Ed. books be stocked with covers facing outward. On sites like Amazon.com, 4th Ed. books will be the top results of any search for "Dungeons & Dragons." Gaming and book stores will undoubtedly be receiving packages containing flashy displays espousing just how awesome 4th Ed. is.

 

[lissilambe]

In response to the internet access deal, here's where my groups are on it:

I have two different gaming groups at the tabletop (not online, a third group). Combined, these two groups give me eight players, plus myself. Of them, all but one has internet access. Some have limited access, and others regular access. But most of my friends do not read gaming sites and fora. In fact, I find in general, of all the gamers I know (beyond my group, add another half-dozen or so former players or part of our social circle), most get the few books needed to play in a campaign, maybe supplements and the ilk that suit their particular jones, and otherwise, don't care to worry about the rest. Same with online groups like ENWorld and RPG.net and their likes. They may or may not know the exist, but it's just not in their interest to try and keep up with it all. I was the one that broke the news of 4e to my groups, and I'm pretty sure if I hadn't, most (if not all) would be unaware still of its impending arrival. And one of those friends (oddly enough, the one without internet access) works at Barnes and Noble.

Take that for what it's worth.

Take care
Don

 

[The Little Raven]

I don't see this being an issue at all. I'm an internet-savvy gamer, and I was informed about the 4th edition announcement by my non-gaming D&D-hating stepbrother, because the thing was Slashdot'd immediately, then as I was reading the news and watching the videos, like six other non-gaming friends sent me IMs about it, asking if I knew.

If seven people who don't play D&D can find out before/at the same time that an internet using gamer can, I don't think there's a problem with the news getting out.

 

[Wik]

Well, I know that when 3e came out, I was at the hobby store, saw it on the shelf, and saw the title - DUNGEONS and Dragons. No "advanced".

"Hey, it's cute that they're making a harcover for OD&D" I said to myself, and picked up some 2e material. No one even said to me "Hey, there's a new edition out".

It wasn't until a few weeks later that a friend showed up at my house with the book (and the fast play rules) that I realized there was a new edition, and it was SWEET.

The players in my group are all fairly casual, and none of them would have known that there was a new edition of D&D (or that Robert Jordan had died, for that matter) had I not told 'em.