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<blockquote data-quote="scruffygrognard" data-source="post: 5429651" data-attributes="member: 8313">I think that WotC took a calculated risk when they released a drastically different version of D&amp;D with 4th edition.&nbsp; My guess is that the designers and WotC looked at 4th edition as a chance to revolutionize D&amp;D, incorporating elements that would balance the gameplay experience for all players while leaving behind its outdated, legacy rule mechanics.&nbsp; They worked to separate it from many of the staid, classic elements that did nothing to &quot;grow the game&quot; for the next generation by incorporating modern game design elements and making player race and class options flashier than in previous incarnations of the game.If 4th edition is failing, and has caused a rift in the D&amp;D fanbase, it's because many of D&amp;D's fans don't see 4th edition as a logical evolution of the game.&nbsp; There are plenty of great RPGs out there, and roleplayers are likely to try them in order to check out new settings, game mechanics, and new ways of telling shared stories.&nbsp; At the same time I'd guarantee that the thing that brings many gamers back to D&amp;D time-and-time again are its classic &quot;D&amp;Disms&quot;... those staid, classic elements that do nothing to &quot;grow the game&quot; for the next generation but make D&amp;D a comfortable, easily recognizable home for our shared stories.To answer the OP's questions:1) Is it possible to create an edition of D&amp;D that could largely satisfy 90% of the player base?Probably not.&nbsp; At the same time, the designers over at WotC should be able to make a version of D&amp;D that scratches the itch of a good cross-section of D&amp;D fans and prospective fans.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 2) If it's not possible now, was it possible in 2007, before 4e was released?&nbsp; Sure.&nbsp; That's what playtesting and market research are for.&nbsp; 3) If it's not possible (now or then), what should Wizards, or whoever owns the D&amp;D IP in the future, do about it?Open betas, extensive market research and opening lines of communication to WotC customers would go a long way towards helping &quot;fix&quot; D&amp;D.&nbsp; Sure geeks are a cranky, hard-to-please bunch... but I'm sure that you could sort through customer advice/complaints/preferences to get to the meat of what would make for a great version of D&amp;D.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="scruffygrognard, post: 5429651, member: 8313"] I think that WotC took a calculated risk when they released a drastically different version of D&D with 4th edition. My guess is that the designers and WotC looked at 4th edition as a chance to revolutionize D&D, incorporating elements that would balance the gameplay experience for all players while leaving behind its outdated, legacy rule mechanics. They worked to separate it from many of the staid, classic elements that did nothing to "grow the game" for the next generation by incorporating modern game design elements and making player race and class options flashier than in previous incarnations of the game. If 4th edition is failing, and has caused a rift in the D&D fanbase, it's because many of D&D's fans don't see 4th edition as a logical evolution of the game. There are plenty of great RPGs out there, and roleplayers are likely to try them in order to check out new settings, game mechanics, and new ways of telling shared stories. At the same time I'd guarantee that the thing that brings many gamers back to D&D time-and-time again are its classic "D&Disms"... those staid, classic elements that do nothing to "grow the game" for the next generation but make D&D a comfortable, easily recognizable home for our shared stories. To answer the OP's questions: [I]1) Is it possible to create an edition of D&D that could largely satisfy 90% of the player base?[/I] Probably not. At the same time, the designers over at WotC should be able to make a version of D&D that scratches the itch of a good cross-section of D&D fans and prospective fans. [I]2) If it's not possible now, was it possible in 2007, before 4e was released?[/I] Sure. That's what playtesting and market research are for. [I]3) If it's not possible (now or then), what should Wizards, or whoever owns the D&D IP in the future, do about it?[/I] Open betas, extensive market research and opening lines of communication to WotC customers would go a long way towards helping "fix" D&D. Sure geeks are a cranky, hard-to-please bunch... but I'm sure that you could sort through customer advice/complaints/preferences to get to the meat of what would make for a great version of D&D. [/QUOTE]

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