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D&D 4E Is the OGL the reason for WOTC's secrecy about 4E?
- Thread starter zoroaster100
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Mustrum_Ridcully
Legend
But - would more details on multiclassing, sample rituals, or the full class write-up of the Warlord help the others in your group to know more about 4E?ainatan said:
I'll answer that myself: No.
What gives them information about it is you. You have gone to ENWorld, noticed the 4E announcement and got to learn more about it. And now, you're probably talking with some of your friends about it - maybe you don't tell them about the sample characters from the DDXP, but do you hide the fact that 4E is coming from them? Most likely not.
The marketing of WotC has probably reach every 4-5th gamer directly. The rest is propogated by Word of Mouth, since most active gamers have a group and will probably say "Have you heard, 4E has been announced?!" If they aren't getting interesting by this tag-line to inquire more, then marketing can't do much more, unless you expect WotC to put commercials in every TV-Show describing the cool new fun features of 4E. it certainly won't help if there is a Ritual write-up or details on multi-classing rules, because to read about that would mean that the reader is already interested in it.
The next step in marketing is probably announcing it to the people that aren't D&D gamers yet. But I suppose that's only appropriate when the game is out, and these people have a chance to find a group and (for Wizards more importantly) can go out and buy the book.
No. I was just answering Hussar when he said: "The point of marketing is to get product awareness out there."Mustrum_Ridcully said:
I do think that's the point of marketing, and that's why I believe WOTC is doing a poor job so far, since everyone I know that doesn't have an internet life has no idea about 4E; a lot of people still think 4E is an online game; etc.
I also think WOTC should release more information about 4E (did they officially state which classes and races will be in PHB?), but it has nothing to do with the quality of their marketing. It's just frustrating for me to have more speculation than information about 4E.
I'm frustrated with all the secrecy.
Seems like they've released quite a bit of info, just maybe not in a traditional way. With 3e they did a lot of the preview releases through Dragon. With that having sort of gone away for awhile, they've done it a bit differently. First off, they have released two whole books that are all about preview info. Second, they've used their web site to release some preview info... we have the rogue and warlord classes and lots of other info. Third, they've used their blogs to give little pieces of info. Fourth, they used DDXP to release the basic mechanics, so full character write-ups, etc. They also had to basically know that people were going to get ahold of the monster stats and other bits of info. Fifth, they've released the entire rulebook for the minis game for free. Lastly, they've realized that with sites like this and their own messageboards, that there would be a viral marketing effect and that the information would get out, be discussed, etc. They have released enough info that people are actually already playing the game. Oh, and I forgot one, next month we get Keep on the Shadowfell, which will allow you to actually play the game in full and do basic leveling up. In other words, there is a lot of info out there. I think they've done a good job of being cryptic enough to get people interested and talking about it (and even playing it), while not spilling all the beans and leaving some reason to still buy the books.
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Um, yes.Mustrum_Ridcully said:
If the game's as good as we've repeatedly been told it is, more details on some key aspects of the game will do nothing but make me more excited about the game. And that will make me talk to my buddies about 4E more, not only making them more informed about the game, but making them more excited as well.
dm4hire
Explorer
I have to agree. There was a decent amount of discussion for 4e before D&D Exp then it swelled after the convention. Now it has begun to dwindle considerably, that might be due to the excitement over the content revealed wearing off, but they should keep stoking the fire now that they started it. Once you have a big preview like D&D Exp you have to do more to top it. The Warlord is the first effort of that type since the first weekend and nothing since. They don't have to release something every week, but every two weeks would work.
I think the biggest concern from Hasbro will be people making money directly related to D&D outside of licensing, to which they get a cut. The GSL doesn't make them money outside of requiring players purchase the core books. Once that point has been reached the players no longer need to buy products and Hasbro wants WotC to continue making money which requires players to keep coming back for more product.
The OGL opened a Pandora's Box and literally left hope (of returning sales) in the box. They are in a no win situation as they are going to lose money no matter what. They can only try to limit that loss now by making the right decision. I personally think option 3 above is the best thing for them, but most likely they will go with 1. I think the delay we are seeing right now is they are rethinking option 3 vs 2 and will finally conclude their initial decision of 1 is the best path for them.
I think the biggest concern from Hasbro will be people making money directly related to D&D outside of licensing, to which they get a cut. The GSL doesn't make them money outside of requiring players purchase the core books. Once that point has been reached the players no longer need to buy products and Hasbro wants WotC to continue making money which requires players to keep coming back for more product.
The OGL opened a Pandora's Box and literally left hope (of returning sales) in the box. They are in a no win situation as they are going to lose money no matter what. They can only try to limit that loss now by making the right decision. I personally think option 3 above is the best thing for them, but most likely they will go with 1. I think the delay we are seeing right now is they are rethinking option 3 vs 2 and will finally conclude their initial decision of 1 is the best path for them.
Monkey Boy
First Post
dm4hire said:
Hasn't this idea that the OGL hurts DnD sales been debunked multiple times by people in the industry? - Ryan Dancey, Monte Cook , etc... The OGL was good for WOTC. 3rd party producers are complementary to 3E not competitors.
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