Is 5th Edition a Real Thing?

[Keeper of Secrets]

They'll certainly BE a 5e (unless, of course, you believe in the 2012 prophecy but they're won't be a 5e for different reasons). Gaming is like a business and the next generation of product is always on the minds of the decision makers as that is how profits grow.

Though, I would imagine they are in a bit of a bind at this point. 4e and Pathfinder are really splitting a lot of the market. Whereas a lot of people like 4e, I doubt they will be willing to jump ship so soon. But with the amount of people who like 3.5/Pathfinder, 4e, OD&D, etc., the market is kind of fractured. 5e would really have to be something special.

Though, I am not really concerned about it. If its an edition I like, I will play it. If its not, then I will politely pass and continue to play the edition I prefer or some other game or spend time with friends and family. No biggie.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

I think they'll surprise everyone and go straight to 6E. When people ask about the missing edition, the insiders will simply smile nervously and say, "You really don't want to know," and then glance over their shoulders.

 

[rkwoodard]

my guess

I don't think they will announce 5th this year.

I think they will announce a new product for 4th.


It will be a tool box, for taking the core 4th edition rules and either dialing them down or up in complexity. It may be a book, a box set, or just a DDI add-on. Or all three.

Regardless of the name, some will call the 4th AD&D, some will call it 4.5, some will call it 5th edition.

RK

 

[TerraDave]

given all the splintering that has taken place already, 5 does not make that much sense...except for:

-products that feel late editiony
-clear issues with market share vis-a-vis PF
-mearls, now finally king of D&D, outlining a new edition in a series of prominent online columns.

Maybe it will be a toolkit(s) for "4E", that guess is as good as any.