Fifth Element said:
You'll just have to wait then. In the meantime, there are many people for whom $20 seems small price to pay for access to the designer notes and commentary provided in the book.
Isn't that what they're already releasing in bits and pieces? Whoever suggested that this is the stuff for their website and not for a separate product is dead on the money.
I suspect this will backfire for them, as, while it's frustrating to read all the quotes checking for some actual rules, buying a preview book that is likewise bereft of detail is crossing the line for most people with a relatively limited budget. Still, it's a good case study in why you should look over a book before buying it.
Also, designer notes and commentary is great when it is a companion piece to the thing being designed and commented upon. And where might that be? Won't know til June.
I know I'm coming across as hostile here, and I apologize for that. I think it stems from frustration and disappointment. I've wanted for so many years to see D&D finally get it right enough that I'd be happy with it warts and all instead of having to house rule many of its weakest points. The early buzz, months ago, is that they were going to finally make 4e something special, and the early rumors suggested this would be the case. But now they're several months further along in the released quotes, and very little is concrete. I'm not sure what to conclude from this other than they're fearful to actually give us some details. What could it seriously hurt at this point to do so? I think the lines between the buyers and the non-buyers for 4e are already forming rather clearly.
And yes, I think someone willing to spend $20 on something that is the rulebook equivalent to the "extras disc" without purchasing the movie is a bit crazy.