The Really Interesting Hypothetical (RE: 3e/4e/5e)

[Dice4Hire]

For me, I was tired of the headache that DMing 3.5 was turning out to be, and the imbalances between character classes.

I still play 3.5, but I recognize the problems.

As for WOTC doing the 3.5+ edition, I cannot see it being too successful D%D needed something new, and I think WOTC did a fine job with 4E.

 

[an_idol_mind]

I think a lot would have depended on the state of the OGL/GSL. I think Paizo would have continued producing products that were compatible with D&D had it not been for the delay in the GSL forcing their hands. The restrictive nature of the GSL only made producing D&D-compatible material less appealing.

A lot of third party publishers were ready to jump on board with D&D, but the problems with the GSL forced them to go their separate ways.

Without a solid open gaming policy, I still imagine we'd see Paizo create their own system in some way, shape, or form. And I think it probably would have sold well. The appeal of Pathfinder to many is not the actual rules set but rather the very high quality of the game and its support. As long as Paizo's standards of quality remained the same, I think they'd still be a major player in the industry no matter what other companies did.