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<blockquote data-quote="Glyfair" data-source="post: 4005356" data-attributes="member: 53">I've been keeping an eye on various 4E discussions.&nbsp; One of the things I've noticed about the 3rd party discussion is that most of the 3rd party companies are planning or considering putting out their own setting for 4E.&nbsp; I really thing that isn't going to be a good thing in the long run.&nbsp; I know a lot of people's reaction is going to be &quot;...but more choices are a good thing.&quot;&nbsp; At the level, I agree.&nbsp; However, that ignores their overall effect.All of the companies involved have shown their ability to put out quality products (even if some of them might not be considered to do it consistently).&nbsp; They also are aware that to stand out from the crowd, even the expected to be narrow 4E crowd, they need to do something different.&nbsp; That's going to lead to a lot of compatibility issues with 4E materials.Once the initial setting wave is over you'll eventually see the adventure and sourcebook products make their way out.&nbsp; However, most groups will be sticking with one or maybe two settings.&nbsp; With the emphasis I'm seeing on &quot;different&quot; you'll find that most adventures (and to a lesser extent supplements) of quality will have a hard time fitting into other settings.&nbsp;&nbsp; I think that will have some effect of limiting the usefulness of most books to people who decide to use those settings.Now, I know there are those who aren't concerned with that.&nbsp; They can modify the adventures, supplements, etc. to fit the world.&nbsp; However, I believe that most who are interested in these sort of supplements tend to be less interested in adding to their workload by some heavy adaption.&nbsp; They are usually buying the products to reduce their workload (especially adventures).&nbsp; Now, this might not be too bad.&nbsp; If the companies take this into account and make sure their &quot;different&quot; settings are mostly compatible with the core assumptions (and thus most products that are released) it can easily be a non-issue.&nbsp; Even if the companies decide to do this, it's a fine line between &quot;different but compatible&quot; and &quot;the same old thing.&quot; Sure, I think it will be great if Pelgrane Press puts out a 4E setting designed by Robin Laws (especially if it borrows ideas from his GUMSHOE system).&nbsp; Still, the sheer number of different things out there may make using other 3rd party products with the setting.Thoughts?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Glyfair, post: 4005356, member: 53"] I've been keeping an eye on various 4E discussions. One of the things I've noticed about the 3rd party discussion is that most of the 3rd party companies are planning or considering putting out their own setting for 4E. I really thing that isn't going to be a good thing in the long run. I know a lot of people's reaction is going to be "...but more choices are a good thing." At the level, I agree. However, that ignores their overall effect. All of the companies involved have shown their ability to put out quality products (even if some of them might not be considered to do it consistently). They also are aware that to stand out from the crowd, even the expected to be narrow 4E crowd, they need to do something different. That's going to lead to a lot of compatibility issues with 4E materials. Once the initial setting wave is over you'll eventually see the adventure and sourcebook products make their way out. However, most groups will be sticking with one or maybe two settings. With the emphasis I'm seeing on "different" you'll find that most adventures (and to a lesser extent supplements) of quality will have a hard time fitting into other settings. I think that will have some effect of limiting the usefulness of most books to people who decide to use those settings. Now, I know there are those who aren't concerned with that. They can modify the adventures, supplements, etc. to fit the world. However, I believe that most who are interested in these sort of supplements tend to be less interested in adding to their workload by some heavy adaption. They are usually buying the products to reduce their workload (especially adventures). Now, this might not be too bad. If the companies take this into account and make sure their "different" settings are mostly compatible with the core assumptions (and thus most products that are released) it can easily be a non-issue. Even if the companies decide to do this, it's a fine line between "different but compatible" and "the same old thing." Sure, I think it will be great if Pelgrane Press puts out a 4E setting designed by Robin Laws (especially if it borrows ideas from his GUMSHOE system). Still, the sheer number of different things out there may make using other 3rd party products with the setting. Thoughts? [/QUOTE]

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