Unexpected Reactions

[Gundark]

I've been surprised that most of what I've heard I think is an imporvement. I would have expected the game to be dissapointing somwhere. That said we havn't seen the mehanics, only the theory of the game changes.

 

[Greatwyrm]

They will not use AE rules. I think that's fair to say. Perhaps some inspiration, but OGL flows from Wizards (in scraps once you're past the core books) and not toward them.

I'd say it more flows "around" them. The overwhelming majority of open content is generated outside of WotC. Further, WotC has already taken open content and put it in one of their subsequent books. In MMII or MMIII (can't recall which), WotC included two or three OGC monsters from outside sources. I'll admit, that's an extremely small step, but it shows they're looking at what's out there.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

I wish they'd have reduced the reliance on magic somewhat, though, as it seems like the Core will be even more high magic than the current.

I thought they were reducing dependency on magic items... unless you're referring to possible Bo9S-style abilities for warriors. Or the per encounter refresh mechanic for spells that's been hinted at. I don't know if a per encounter spell recharge necessarily means higher magic; I'll reserve judgement until I see what the 4E spells are like. If the Bo9S wuxia stuff (assuming it's present) is restricted to specific talent trees, I'd be happy with that too.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

I'd say it more flows "around" them. The overwhelming majority of open content is generated outside of WotC. Further, WotC has already taken open content and put it in one of their subsequent books. In MMII or MMIII (can't recall which), WotC included two or three OGC monsters from outside sources. I'll admit, that's an extremely small step, but it shows they're looking at what's out there.

If I may niggle? Content flows around them. The license (I wrote OGL) flows from them.

However, aside from one monster in Fiend Folio, IIRC two in MMII, and Unearthed Arcana, Wizards has only released the core stuff as Open Game Content. Many other publishers have released far more open content, but at far fewer sales. Wizards, aside from UA (to the best of my knowledge), has never used content from anyone else.

 

[Horacio]

I'm bummed that DI is PC-only though (which I assume means "Windows only", since both Max OS X and Linux both run on x86 "PC's"). That kills it for me and most of my group.

Actually that's the only thing that I dislike about 4e, I won't be able to use DI

If not, I fully agree with OP, they seem to have listened to players and DMs complains, 4e seem to be designed by gamers for gamers (I thought the same thing of 3e eight years ago ), and I like that !

 

[BryonD]

They can use whatever is Open Content. I am not sure what qualifies in the AE or AU.

RC

They can, but I really doubt they will.
I expect that the core books will be closed, just as in 3E. The SRD will be an open mirror of most of that material. So anything that would force the core to be OGL would be out.

Of course that doesn't mean we won't see stuff that is very clearly inspired by some OGL stuff out there.

 

[BryonD]

One interesting thing I have noticed in the overall reactions is the trend in who is optimistic and who is looking at things negatively.
It seems that people who liked 3E a lot tend to be the people most eager to see 4E. You would expect the people happy now to be more cautious and the people with issues in 3E to be glad to see a new take. But that doesn't seem to be the way it is developing.

 

[BryonD]

I thought they were reducing dependency on magic items... unless you're referring to possible Bo9S-style abilities for warriors. Or the per encounter refresh mechanic for spells that's been hinted at. I don't know if a per encounter spell recharge necessarily means higher magic; I'll reserve judgement until I see what the 4E spells are like. If the Bo9S wuxia stuff (assuming it's present) is restricted to specific talent trees, I'd be happy with that too.

I think that is exactly the idea.
Characters will have more "powers" (some magic, some not) and this will reduce the need for gear.
Of course what I think could just be really wrong speculation.

 

[Malhost Zormaeril]

Actually that's the only thing that I dislike about 4e, I won't be able to use DI

Remember, "Wine is not an emulator", but can do the job pretty well, I expect.

In other words, DI is not as inaccessible as all that, I expect...

 

[Greatwyrm]

If I may niggle?

You may if I may.

Content flows around them. The license (I wrote OGL) flows from them.

Absolutely true, but in that context, I believe you were discussing content, not the license. I may be incorrect.

However, aside from one monster in Fiend Folio, IIRC two in MMII, and Unearthed Arcana, Wizards has only released the core stuff as Open Game Content. Many other publishers have released far more open content, but at far fewer sales. Wizards, aside from UA (to the best of my knowledge), has never used content from anyone else.

Take a look at pages 220-221 in MMII. "We've decided to use some of the best new content created by another publisher - the razor boar and scorpionfolk, the creatures described on this page and the facing page - as a supplement to the monsters in Monster Manual II." And later in that same sidebar, "...we hope to use more and more material created by the independent pool of d20 System designers and publishers..."