[Rant] is D&D going the way of the CCG?

[Mordane76]

I'm well aware of the SRD -- but I want to buy the books. I like the text, I like the pictures... I just don't like the hassle I get at home about it, and an extra year would definitely give me a bit more leverage in getting all three at once.

I like WotC, I really do -- I just don't know if the length of time between the revision and the original is enough, IMO. I will support them, even if I don't agree with their marketing strategy, because I like their product, and I really enjoy my hobby.


As it stands... I might have to envoke a DM tithe from my players so I can secretly horde the money away until I'm ready to buy the books, then just kinda slowly introduce them to the shelf as I unintroduce the old ones into the closet, and see if my wife notices...

 

[Pielorinho]

I hear they make good paperweights. Maybe I should send them to the starving children in Ethiopia.

How can you even THINK about children starving in Ethiopia, when there's the new version of D&D coming out?! Where are your priorities, man? If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!

Daniel

 

[Zappo]

I want the books. With all the pretty pictures. In color. Oh the pretty colors...

 

[Trip]

I honestly have to agree with some a bit about not being overly thrilled with this. At the same time I think it's great that the company helps their players in such a way.

I just recently got into the hobby a year ago, and bought the three core books about 6 months ago. Now they are updating it. Not that that is bad . . but I just bought the books, among other ones. Argh! So I won't be buying the revised books anytime soon, maybe ask for one for my birthday in july . . . but that's it. Guess it's the SRD for me. As somebody else mentioned 90$ is a bit much to throw out in one sitting, and I basically just did that.

And while only three years seems a bit low to me as well . . . It's good to see a company jump right in and try to fix all the broken points. It shows a good dedication to the community. As long as they don't to out of hand and have 4 different revisions pop ou within 5 years like microsoft (windows), then I can deal with it.

Bottom line: I won't be buying the books any time soon, but it still shows a bit of dedication which is good.

 

[gariig]

You can buy it from Amazon.com and get them for 60...but support your FLGS(if you have one).

Gariig

 

[MerricB]

From my point of view, the sooner the better.

Why? Because it helps people who are now coming to the hobby.

Although us established players may whine about having to upgrade, we don't actually need to... there's so much material out there already that upgrading probably isn't necessary at all. Ask yourself exactly what products coming out after the 3.5E books you really, really need.

Hmm...

But for a newcomer, the 3.5E revision is great, because it makes the game better and easier to understand for them.

There may be some targeting of the established players with this release, but the true target is the players of the future. Do they want to sell them a game that is merely good, or a game that is superb?

Cheers!

 

[ichabod]

I just totalled the price of my fantasy d20 books, and with tax it comes out to about $840 (US). Given the ammount of time I have spent playing and prepping for the game, I figure I have paid about $1.71 per hour for said entertainment. There are only three other entertainment products I have ever purchased in my entire life that were that cost effective: Ender's Game, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and Repo Man. I don't enjoy them as much as I used to, but I'm still playing D&D strong

Will I be complaining about paying $90 for some more books? I don't think so.

 

[Quinn]

Since everyone hear obviously has an internet connection, then you can always get the new rules from the System Reference Document. Sheesh, I've never heard so many people complain about spending money on a game they play regularly before, particularly one in which they could pay a grand total of $10 at the used bookstore and get old copies of the 1st edition Player's Handbook, DMG, and Monster Manual if they are really that frugal. Even if you bought the 3rd edition when it first came out 2 years ago, you paid a grand total of around $60 to $70 with tax. Save $1 every day for the next year, and you'll be good for the next five editions!

 

[Prince Atom]

I think my biggest problem is the same one I had back when 3E was first announced and released.

Everyone's going to be playing this new publication, spending money on it, &c.

No one is going to be spending money on "boring old" 3E.

So basically that means my set of core rulebooks is going to be worthless, or darn near it.

Now, I have a friend who's got several (complete) sets of 1st Edition books, and he's hoarded them until now. He intends to sell at least one set at GenCon this year. If I were to try and sell off my books, they wouldn't bring nearly as much (and I'd probably lose money to boot).

Have I touched my 2nd Edition books since I got 3E? Except for a few peripherals like the World Builder's Guidebook, no. They just sit in a box under my bed, unloved.

So I am feeling a little indignant that the money I spent on the books is going to mean little to none over the next few years until the original 3E comes to accrue a little collectible value.

Anyway, I am definitely not going to buy the new books. I don't even know if I'm going to download the new SRD for sure, but I might. I'm sorry if I sound like I'm whining or complaining, but I don't feel that I have gotten my $60 worth yet.

And yes, I do have books for other systems that I don't use, but those are different: there's always hope that I'll use them someday. My old AD&D books just wallow; no one wants to play it any more around my stomping grounds.

But, don't let me rain on your parade. I have no problem with people spending their money the way they want; knock yourselves out, and have a wonderful time doing it!

TWK

 

[Prince Atom]

Arrg!

If someone says, "I don't want to pay $90 for something that contains less original material than what I paid $60 for," then there are people who respond with comments like "Quit whining, suck it up, and shell out."

I think that position is just about as immature as the whining. It implies an insistence that people all do the same thing. It's a sort of peer pressure, and one that I have felt before. Granted, it's not a strong peer pressure. Frex, I have not given in and bought the 2nd Edition of d20 Star Wars. I thought the first edition sucked for reasons that have nothing to do with game-mechanic problems, and are unlikely to be solved in a new version.

Arg. I've gotten sidetracked. Sorry.

Anyway, I think that some people should be able to say, "Thanks, but no thanks, I'll pass on this" without other people replying, "Whiner. Grow up and do what we're doing, loser."