Previews for July and Beyond

[Faraer]

I'm saying they've never previewed Star Wars in a D&D previews article before, why suddenly start now?

Maybe because they're realizing the need to promote the SWRPG to D&D players (and to Star Wars fans) better than last time.

What else could they be saying really? Most D&D gamers play or like Star Wars, so let's throw Star Wars ads on the D&D website?

Have you seen D&D books previewed on their Star Wars page? No. Why not?

Maybe because SWRPG players are aware of D&D far more than vice versa.

 

[pedr]

I imagine that the 'GO TO GENCON' thing will turn out to be primarily about the previews/information available about the D&D Digital Offering which it is becoming clearer and clearer will be launched, at least in some kind of beta format, at GenCon. See this week's GamerRadioZero on the Gleemax site, for instance.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Sigh. And even more than before, my fear that 4th Edition is right around the very corner, waiting in the shadows to pounce on us from out of nowhere, seems to be further supported by the signs of WotC's activity this year.

It's Friday! 4E is just around the corner! OH NO!

And most likely it'll be a cruddy mix of SW Saga Edition rules with just a bit of D&D rules, tweaked to emphasize collectible-miniatures wargaming, and maybe even make new miniatures purchases necessary just to play the game.

None of which, of course, is at all based in WotC's actual D&D track record. Are you recycling this rant from the days in which 3E had not yet been released?

If you so distrust WotC's vision on 4E, why on earth would you want to cling to 3E?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

coupled with all the changes they've been making on the Amazon board, would seem to herald 4e's arrival.

The what board?

 

[Zaukrie]

I liked the addition of the SW rulebook to the previews. It didn't take up space from anything else, it's not like it was a magazine with limited page space. Great idea - I probably would have put it at the end, though.

The product schedule seems a little light, at least in terms of what I'll be buying, I believe.

 

[theredrobedwizard]

I'm saying they've never previewed Star Wars in a D&D previews article before, why suddenly start now?

Actually, years back, they did. The old "(Month) and Beyond" articles covered D&D, Wheel of Time, d20 Modern, and Star Wars. This is not new, it's just different than the last four years have been.

[tangent]
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Also, I'm not saying that it's for everyone, but SWSE has been received very positively by nearly every single person I've talked to that owns it. Out of the (at least) 30 people I've met that own it, only one was really dissatisfied with it.

Though, to be fair, I've seen about the same spread of people who like the idea of the Digital Initiative (approximately 2 out of 30). I've honestly not met a gamer in the past 10 years who doesn't have internet access, so the fact of the DI being online doesn't affect them one bit. Heck, I'm pretty sure I only *know* two people that don't have internet access. They're my great-grand parents; they're also in their late 90s.

Maybe it's not a representative sampling of everyone who plays RPGs, but it's what I've got to work with. I'm assuming that Wizards did research and found about the same conclusion.
[/sblock]
[/tangent]

It's nothing new to have other game systems in the X and Beyond series. Heck, as recently as last September, they were running previews for d20 Dark*Matter in the D&D previews section. There haven't been any since then, but that's because no new d20 Modern products have come out. Before that (in March 06, February 06, September 05, June 05, March 05, and August 04) they ran preview articles for d20 Modern things in the supposed D&D previews. I can't find any more specific references, because they're only archived back to '04.

I'm not badwrongfun-ing anyone, but from the people I've talked to, a good 90% like the things that SAGA/d20 Modern did with talent trees and want to see a similar concept integrated into D&D. Same goes for static saves (Reflex Defense, Fortitude Defense, Will Defense).

Back directly to the topic at hand, MMV looks sweet. I probably won't pick it up, mostly due to strapped cash and the like; but if I happen to win a free copy at the WotC booth at GenCon...

-TRRW

 

[Acid_crash]

The new villian book is the only thing besides Star Wars that peeks my interest. I might be able to mine it for information for my other games.

 

[RichGreen]

Hi,

I also liked the soulfire demon. I'll almost certainly get MMV. I think I'll wait for a few reviews on Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk though after the lukewarm feedback on the Undermountain book.

Cheers


Richard

 

[RodneyThompson]

Actually, years back, they did. The old "(Month) and Beyond" articles covered D&D, Wheel of Time, d20 Modern, and Star Wars. This is not new, it's just different than the last four years have been.

Yeah.

I just asked Mat if he could help me promote the book a little bit. There's nothing sinister about it. I (Rodney) asked Mat (the author) if he wouldn't mind putting a little blurb in there. Nobody else involved in that decision-making process. No one is forcing anything upon you. Heaven forbid I thought maybe some D&D players might be interested in Saga Edition.

Little known fact: D&D is the bestselling RPG in existence. Doesn't need a lot of promotion on the Star Wars page.

Star Wars, on the other hand, just relaunched and I want people who are interested to learn more about it. Nothing sinister or ominous about it, and certainly no need to snap at me over it.

 

[Glyfair]

I just asked Mat if he could help me promote the book a little bit. There's nothing sinister about it. I (Rodney) asked Mat (the author) if he wouldn't mind putting a little blurb in there. Nobody else involved in that decision-making process. No one is forcing anything upon you. Heaven forbid I thought maybe some D&D players might be interested in Saga Edition.

While it's clear that the opinions vary on the matter, I think the biggest issue for most is that the "preview" is for a game that has been out for at least a month. Last month would be better. I don't mind Star Wars previews, just give them to me before the product is released.

Of course, I think the complaints will rise if an article seems to give a lot of Star Wars details and has a series of "I can't tell you much, but here's the back cover blurb" so-called previews of D&D products.