Is D&D evolutionary?

[Warren Okuma]

Like with life forms, some games find a niche in which they can survive for a very long time, mostly unchanged...

Until a parasite gets them.

 

[GVDammerung]

D&D evolves, as it its history demonstrates, but the process is neither evolution nor evolutionary like a living organism; there are other drivers of change, all related to the business of publishing the game.

TSR and Wotc _need_ new editions and changes within any edition's ruleset. This has often been referred to as the "treadmill" model of RPG publishing.

As well, due to buyer fatigue in part caused by the treadmill and a failure of imagination, IMO, TSR and Wotc have found it necessary to "reset" the game periodically and now with increasing frequency, as well.

D&D in any edition could be an "evergreen" product that always sells and sells well. This requires an approach radically different from the "treadmill" model, however, and that train likely left the station years ago.

I rather suspect the "evolution" in gaming we will get with 4e will see the "revolution" in gaming with 5e by 2013. The thing about the treadmill is that it only speeds up and 3x sped it up and then some.

Its a brave new world but it is not evolutionary; its the business of publishing games as usual, only more swiftly.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Like with life forms, some games find a niche in which they can survive for a very long time, mostly unchanged...

Palladium, the cockroach of RPGs?

I think D&D is evolutionary ... by fits and starts, gamers (and the market) cull out bits of game mechanics and products that are "unfun" so more fun gets passed on to the next generation. Mostly, at least.