D&D (2024) Is the 5E player base going to split?

[Reynard]

What is the answer? I mean, if they cant do revisions and updates after a decade when can they?

It isn't that they can't, it is that they should expect some attrition. They should also, hopefully, elicit feedback and if enough people feel a certain way, adjust their design. I think it is pretty common a reasonable for people to feel a little put out when they realize the thing they have loved is changing in a way that makes it not that thing anymore. it doesn't mean that person is demanding anything. It's just an expression of grief or frustration or disappointment.

 

[billd91]

What is the answer? I mean, if they cant do revisions and updates after a decade when can they?

There is no single answer. Sure, they can revise whatever they want, whenever they want. But people who don't like the changes can make their own decisions based on that content. Maybe they'll update, maybe they won't, maybe they'll shift to something else if the game moves in directions they don't like. This is the way it has always been and will always be - with respect to RPG editions. WotC just has to decide what risks they're willing to assume.

 

[payn]

It isn't that they can't, it is that they should expect some attrition. They should also, hopefully, elicit feedback and if enough people feel a certain way, adjust their design. I think it is pretty common a reasonable for people to feel a little put out when they realize the thing they have loved is changing in a way that makes it not that thing anymore. it doesn't mean that person is demanding anything. It's just an expression of grief or frustration or disappointment.

I know there have been some conscientious updates in the past, I just think this overblown. If WOTC announces that 5E is cancelled and that they are releasing 4.5E, then I could see the call for alarm, but really I agree with the sentiment that its a risk worth taking after a decade. Gotta move on at some point.

 

[Reynard]

I know there have been some conscientious updates in the past, I just think this overblown. If WOTC announces that 5E is cancelled and that they are releasing 4.5E, then I could see the call for alarm, but really I agree with the sentiment that its a risk worth taking after a decade. Gotta move on at some point.

That sentiment about "moving on" is so strange and such a RPG specific attitude. I wonder why people think it's time to move on for a given iteration of D&D when clearly many people still play previous versions. Who is asking for a new edition?

 

[Micah Sweet]

I know there have been some conscientious updates in the past, I just think this overblown. If WOTC announces that 5E is cancelled and that they are releasing 4.5E, then I could see the call for alarm, but really I agree with the sentiment that its a risk worth taking after a decade. Gotta move on at some point.

It's fine to like the direction things are going in, but that doesn't mean you can tell people that feel differently that they shouldn't or that their concerns are irrelevant. I like the game we had. It was easy to hack into what I wanted. The more stuff they release lately and the more they announce they intend to release, the harder that becomes for me.

I'm just glad the game lasted long enough for some great people to design Level Up in response to it.

 

[Micah Sweet]

That sentiment about "moving on" is so strange and such a RPG specific attitude. I wonder why people think it's time to move on for a given iteration of D&D when clearly many people still play previous versions. Who is asking for a new edition?

Excellent point. Who is actually asking for a new edition, aside from WotC shareholders?

 

[payn]

It's fine to like the direction things are going in, but that doesn't mean you can tell people that feel differently that they shouldn't or that their concerns are irrelevant. I like the game we had. It was easy to hack into what I wanted. The more stuff they release lately and the more they announce they intend to release, the harder that becomes for me.

I'm just glad the game lasted long enough for some great people to design Level Up in response to it.

I didnt like the direction of 4E, couldn't do nothing about it. I didn't like the direction of PF2, couldn't do nothing about it. All you can do is say I dont want that but ultimately the producers will do what they want.

Now, as has been said, I can take my business elsewhere. Its my only option just like you.

 

[payn]

That sentiment about "moving on" is so strange and such a RPG specific attitude. I wonder why people think it's time to move on for a given iteration of D&D when clearly many people still play previous versions. Who is asking for a new edition?

I am. 5E is an ok base, but Id like to see it expanded. If you still play your favorite why does a new edition effect you?

 

[Reynard]

I didnt like the direction of 4E, couldn't do nothing about it. I didn't like the direction of PF2, couldn't do nothing about it. All you can do is say I dont want that but ultimately the producers will do what they want.

Now, as has been said, I can take my business elsewhere. Its my only option just like you.

It isn't your only option. We are lucky than these days we can communicate with those making the game and let them know how we feel. Individually it isn't much but collectively it is something.

 

[the Jester]

I'm hoping that the anniversary stuff will be presented like Essentials, i.e. "this overlaps with but is different from the legacy 5e material and you can play them together", instead of the 3.0 to 3.5 change, where it was more "this replaces and changes enough of the game that you really can't play 3.0 and 3.5 together without having a lot of wonkiness".

If the change is akin to 4e to Essentials, I think the split will be much smaller than if it's more like the 3.5e revision, but a split to some degree is probably inevitable.