The Nature of Change (or, Understanding Edition Wars)

[resistor]

Because you have to look at your future clientele.

Your current clientele might love what you're producing right now, but if you're not bringing in a new crop what then?

You'd need to make a chocie then wouldn't you?

Either you:

1. Stay with the status quo, and sell to the current clients as long as you can then close up shop...

or

2. Make some changes to your product in an effort to appeal to the new generation.

Number two risks loosing some of your current clients, but leaves room for future life.

Doesn't this just bring us back to the New Coke argument? Coca Cola has been doing pretty well for decades selling essentially the same thing to the same people (I mean, seriously, does anyone ever actually switch from a Coke fan to a Pepsi fan, or vice versa? The lines seem pretty drawn). And the one time they tried to make some changes, it became one of the most commonly referenced business disasters is modern history.

I think the take away point is that neither approach is a silver bullet. (1) risks market stagnation, while (2) risks loss of the consumer base. Either requires planning, careful marketing, and good management.

 

[DaveyJones]

Isn't that what Pathfinder is, essentially? Not to be too snarky, but seriously, hasn't that ship sailed for WOTC already since Paizo decided to do Pathfinder?.

ship hasn't sailed for WotC. they own the harbor. it would essentially be them opening back up the port.

Davey "wants an OD&D dock" Jones

 

[resistor]

i did. it took years of wading thru 2edADnD and d02 fanbois but i was able to form a group.

you just need to be vigilant and have patience.

stick to your guns. plug away.

edit: if you wanna play OD&D(1974) meet me at Gen Con.

While it was a rhetorical point, your comment re-enforces my point that, with 3e out of print, finding players for it will become harder and harder over time, just as it has to find OD&D players.

(As an aside, I appreciate the offer, but I've never actually played OD&D (or any D&D before 3e), and don't plan on being at Gen Con. Sorry!)

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Your current clientele might love what you're producing right now, but if you're not bringing in a new crop what then?

You'd need to make a chocie then wouldn't you?

I believe that you've offered a false dichotomy.

Nevertheless, I also believe that unfortunate adherence to that false dichotomy could explain WotC's choices with regard to gamers like me.

 

[DaveyJones]

While it was a rhetorical point, your comment re-enforces my point that, with 3e out of print, finding players for it will become harder and harder over time, just as it has to find OD&D players.

(As an aside, I appreciate the offer, but I've never actually played OD&D (or any D&D before 3e), and don't plan on being at Gen Con. Sorry!)

don't come to Gen Con. I am willing to teach OD&D in Stone Mtn, GA. find one of my threads.

 

[resistor]

don't come to Gen Con. I am willing to teach OD&D in Stone Mtn, GA. find one of my threads.

I actually grew up in Athens, GA. But now I find myself pretty far away, so unless you want to come to Seattle to teach me, I think I'll have to miss out.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Did I accidentally log into e-Harmony?

 

[pawsplay]

Isn't that what Pathfinder is, essentially? Not to be too snarky, but seriously, hasn't that ship sailed for WOTC already since Paizo decided to do Pathfinder? Though I haven't been involved in Pathfinder's development at all, I periodically go to the boards and read what they are doing and discussing, and quite frankly I don't think WOTC could ever do something like that. Doesn't seem to be their style. They haven't exactly demonstrated that they are open to that level of input in their design process. If they had, I think we would have a 4e which looked totally different than what we have now.

There are two different ways to do 3.75. The first way is to look at the game in an evolutionary manner, incorporating some of the 4e concepts while leaving the basic structure intact. The second way is to keep the game essentially the same, but replace broken subsystems with better stuff. For instance, replace poorly designed monsters with good ones, write some grappling rules that are simpler than the rules for aerial combat, etc. Pathfinder has gone basically the first way.

The second way is still open, to WotC or anyone else.

 

[diaglo]

I actually grew up in Athens, GA. But now I find myself pretty far away, so unless you want to come to Seattle to teach me, I think I'll have to miss out.

i might be in seattle this summer. i'll let you know when i'm in town.

diaglo "DaveyJones is my home account" Ooi

 

[resistor]

Did I accidentally log into e-Harmony?

You're the one with Romeo in his sig.