How much support are WotC's settings going to get?

[Fallen Seraph]

White Wolf looks like they're having success with a similar model, and if something really takes off, you can extend it for a little while without having fans expect 6-8 books every year.

Yeah that model has worked quite well for WW. There has actually been rumours of more Changeling books, because of how well it did. This could be the case with settings in 4e. Take for example Eberron, if Eberron was a new setting and it took off like it did then they could expand it (making it a standard setting)

I think too, if they go the way of WW. Then they could go back and forth between new and old-settings. Like WW with the new Promethean, then remake of Changeling and now possible remake/possibly entirely new Hunter.

Also if they do it in this manner, then the core-settings won't have any less material then normally would since they are a separate entity.

I actually would like to see splat-books done in a similar way. So say a couple side books on steampunk, a couple on pirates, etc.

 

[Najo]

I'd rather have Spelljammer: Shadow of the Spider Moon (or similar standalone setting) before Dark Sun. I also rather have Dragonlance after Eberron and before Greyhawk.

Sorry, not so much of a Planescape fan.

My list isn't based on my personal preference. It is my professional opinion what I think is best for WOTC to do based on my understandings of 4e, D&D settings, the interests of the fanbase and what seems like the likely path. I could be wrong though. Personally I would like to see Spelljammer earlier too.

 

[Najo]

With the exception of 4.5e, I think that's not a bad guess. I don't see Dark Sun, Ravenloft or Planescape (even though it is one of my favorite settings) coming before these as they are more "niche" settings. Spelljammer I don't think will ever see the light of day again to be honest, neither will Ghostwalk...

Dragonlance and Greyhawk aren't different enough from Forgotten Realms or Eberron in gameplay or market perception to warrant doing them that soon. Greyhawk and Dragonlance suffers from lack of campaign setting interest too.

I would bet Darksun and Planescape are the first two around the corner after the two big ones they have commited too. The only exception being a 4e new setting.

 

[Steely Dan]

My guess is that, outside of the Realms and Eberron, we'll get one-shot books or short product runs (2-5 books) for each setting, every year.

That's what I would like for all campaign settings; I find that if too much product comes out for a setting it can become polluted and less robust.

 

[Connorsrpg]

I too would be more likely to invest in a setting if only one book was to come out for the setting. Too many ruin what you have created with the setting. Extras should merely be more options, not changes to the setting.

But I would love to see one off campaign books for some old favs: Dark Sun especially.

C

 

[Jhulae]

I'd really like to see Mystara in that lineup, too. Since it seems 4e is trying to capture the BECMI feel, that setting would be right at home.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

I don't see WotC rehashing a lot of 'old' stuff for 4e. More likely, they take the Core Rules Set III (or maybe IV) as starting point for a new setting, which uses the new stuff (like power sources).

---
Huldvoll

Baron von Bomberg

 

[Cam Banks]

Dragonlance suffers from lack of campaign setting interest too.

I beg to differ...

Cheers,
Cam

 

[I'm A Banana]

I'm going to go ahead and say that we'll probably see a new setting after Eberron rather than rehash TSR's old settings. At least I hope so.

This.

I don't really think WotC is going back to the watering hole with their old settings.

Maybe. It would certainly be pretty sweet. But why would they? The buzz from fans who started during the 1e/2e era is not really what they're trying to hit with the game. They're trying to hit the middle school - college crowd. This crowd doesn't give half a shake what went on during 2e.

I also think that new settings are part of what Gleemax is designed to funnel into WotC. A social community can easily track the most 'popular' settings and pump them straight into production.

 

[Dragonblade]

Dark Sun novels are going to be reprinted starting this fall as well, so that's another possibility if those sell well enough.

Whoa! Where are you getting this information?