If 4th Edition didn't use the "D&D" moniker...

[kuonji]

I probably wouldn't because I have enough new games to last the rest of my life, but I wouldn't have bought into third edition if it hadn't been labeled D&D either, and I loves me some third edition D&D. The same with second edition D&D. I probably wouldn't have bought into it if it wasn't labeled D&D, but I rode that horse for over a decade.

This.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

If it wasn't called D&D, we wouldn't even be discussing it this much. We'd have a few threads at best, just like other games, even the most successful ones like Iron Heroes or Arcana Unearthed. I don't think those who voted "yes" can really believe they'd give the same credit to the game if it wasn't called D&D: most of us would be ignoring it and would still wait for 4e.

Many of those that vote "Yes" would have probably always be interested in the game if WotC or Mike Mearls were involved. (These are two factors that stand out). In a way, these two factors definitely its own "brand".
I certainly agree that without any of these 3 factors, D&D 4 would have a hard time - but it might still compare/compete with White Wolf Vampire/Mage/Werewolf games...

 

[Simon Marks]

May I make an observation?

If this wasn't intended to be "D&D 4e", and as such was marketed by WotC as "Fantasy Game" instead they wouldn't have written the system they have written.

I would by the system they have proposed 'cos it looks good. I'm less likely to buy it if it didn't have D&D on the cover because the whole thing screams D&D to me.

So much of what I expect in D&D is in 4e that there if it existed in a Non-D&D game I would probably just think "Why not play D&D instead?"

The poll, for me, is deceptive. I would buy it if it didn't have D&D on the cover, but if it didn't have D&D on the cover it wouldn't be the system they have presented.

 

[diaglo]

Channelling diaglo?

that's my home account.

 

[RandomCitizenX]

I would most definitely pick it up. It's an RPG with mechanics I am enjoying. It could be called Fwqguagads and I would still buy it.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

I would be more likely buy it if it wasn't called D&D. The system seems fun and I am interested in trying it. I also think it isn't D&D and I am upset at WotC for destroying what I consider to be D&D. So right now I might borrow someone else's books and I might play but I will not be giving WotC money. If WotC thinks that they will make more money from the new system great for them, but I am not obligated to buy it and I will make my vote on 4E D&D by not opening my wallet. As for D&D I can and will still play it, it will just be 3.5 or earlier.

 

[Carnivorous_Bean]

Definitely. I'm buying it because it fixes all the things that made me abandon 3rd edition permanently about a year ago. I tried FUDGE, but it was just of meh, probably because of lack of time to construct an entire system to suit my game. I'd basically given up on role-playing games entirely until the 4th edition announcement came along.

All this is assuming that I knew about 4e what I do know about it, of course.

 

[diaglo]

Definitely. I'm buying it because it fixes all the things that made me abandon 3rd edition permanently about a year ago. I tried FUDGE, but it was just of meh, probably because of lack of time to construct an entire system to suit my game.

so you packed in on Fudge.

 

[Vayden]

I voted no, but it's a qualified no. Here are the reasons I'm getting 4E, and which of them are tied to the brand name:

- Part of it is that the D&D name is a big draw - I love D&D and all that comes with it, Giths, gnolls, beholders etc. (tied to the brand)
- I'm also a fan of the d20 baseline - I'm currently in one 3.5 game, one SWSE game, and one McWoD game, so the evolution of the d20 system is a big selling point for me. (not tied to the brand)
- I've heard of it - there are a lot of indie games out there that interest me, but I can't find out that much about them online browsing around - 4E has multiple boards devoted to pouring out info about it, and I like what I hear. I doubt that would happen if it wasn't D&D (tied to the brand)
- In Mearls I trust (also Collins, Rouse etc) - I've enjoyed the work these guys have done in the past, and I like what I'm hearing from them now. If Mearls and a bunch of the 4E team were putting out an indie game under their own name, I'd definitely be interested (not tied to the brand)
- WotC support for the product line - One of the best things about the D&D line (and WoD, though I don't really like the d10 system) is that you know there are going to be a ton of people buying their stuff, which means you're going to get a nice steady stream of splat-books, adventures, setting, and other support for the line. Some people hate this because they're broke - I love it because it gives me more pieces to use in our games. As much as I like Iron Heroes, there are what, 3 books out for it? The fact that it's WotC and has the selling power of the D&D brand means I'm going to get lots of awesome stuff coming out on a regular basis - and even if some of that stuff bombs, I don't have to buy it all, just the ones I want. That's a big, big reason I'm on board. (tied to the brand).

 

[Seule]

The biggest factor in buying 4e isn't the name, it's the support it's going to get. There will be people all over the world playing, including online, and for that alone I'd be buying it.
If some other company put out the 4e product under a different name, but could credibly claim the player base that 4e will have, and the support that 4e will have, as well as the quality that it looks like it'll have, I'd buy it.

--Penn