howandwhy99
Adventurer
I was thinking about this topic in response to this thread.
What format do you guys think these should be published in? I was thinking boxed sets like Gamma World (but with a little more material inside).
For example, a 50-page booklet could give all the information on the setting that both players and DM could read and understand that "this is our default setting" for the campaign. Yes, other material will be brought in, but here's the baseline. Another XX-page booklet would include all the modular rules that setting uses which are also added to the core D&D game. This would be everything from character rules to setting mechanics and could even reference other supplements as optional for highlighting specific setting elements (e.g. a mass combat supplement for the Greyhawk Wars). Lastly, add a map of the world, throw in some iconic miniatures, maybe some more dice, setting unique handouts or toys and I think we have a great one-buy campaign product.
By allowing integration from other settings by the core books setting design, we also allow integration of all of the previous material already published for so many of the D&D settings in or out of print. That means we are inclusive of previous material and it regains its value for play, but doesn't become a DM overwhelming canon by requirement.
I don't know what Wizards is planning to do with publishing older materials, but I know there is a drive to bring back PDF purchasing of them. By designing settings in this manner, a "setting light" yet growable design, those product's value can be leveraged. Perhaps a $5 PDF (on average) plus, say, $15 Print-On-Demand option could open up avenues for new customers to cheaply purchase this material? Not only does this keep campaign settings as single-print viable products, it also celebrates those settings, fans of those settings, and encourages incorporating all materials from any era. Plus they could make money off of products with little to no investment.
What format do you guys think these should be published in? I was thinking boxed sets like Gamma World (but with a little more material inside).
For example, a 50-page booklet could give all the information on the setting that both players and DM could read and understand that "this is our default setting" for the campaign. Yes, other material will be brought in, but here's the baseline. Another XX-page booklet would include all the modular rules that setting uses which are also added to the core D&D game. This would be everything from character rules to setting mechanics and could even reference other supplements as optional for highlighting specific setting elements (e.g. a mass combat supplement for the Greyhawk Wars). Lastly, add a map of the world, throw in some iconic miniatures, maybe some more dice, setting unique handouts or toys and I think we have a great one-buy campaign product.
By allowing integration from other settings by the core books setting design, we also allow integration of all of the previous material already published for so many of the D&D settings in or out of print. That means we are inclusive of previous material and it regains its value for play, but doesn't become a DM overwhelming canon by requirement.
I don't know what Wizards is planning to do with publishing older materials, but I know there is a drive to bring back PDF purchasing of them. By designing settings in this manner, a "setting light" yet growable design, those product's value can be leveraged. Perhaps a $5 PDF (on average) plus, say, $15 Print-On-Demand option could open up avenues for new customers to cheaply purchase this material? Not only does this keep campaign settings as single-print viable products, it also celebrates those settings, fans of those settings, and encourages incorporating all materials from any era. Plus they could make money off of products with little to no investment.
