D&D 5E Wanting more content doesn't always equate to wanting tons of splat options so please stop.

[Maxperson]

Well, the decided lack of "me too" posts in these threads kinda points in that direction. The fact that apparently 2/3rds of games out there allow 3rd party products also puts you in a minority position.

The fact that 2+ years into the run, 5e is STILL selling spectacularly well also points to the fact that most people are apparently content with the content. I mean, if the majority of gamers want new content, why are all these PHB's flying off the shelves?

Because they're falling apart?

Seriously, though, just because people are willing to settle for current content does not mean that they do not also want new content. You are making an assumption there that isn't backed up by anything.

 

[nswanson27]

Well, the decided lack of "me too" posts in these threads kinda points in that direction. The fact that apparently 2/3rds of games out there allow 3rd party products also puts you in a minority position.

The fact that 2+ years into the run, 5e is STILL selling spectacularly well also points to the fact that most people are apparently content with the content. I mean, if the majority of gamers want new content, why are all these PHB's flying off the shelves?

Well I guess put me down for "me too". But I would not say this forum is a good representation of 5e in general. Can't verify this - just from personal experience talking with people in various shops and cons.
Also, I honestly don't understand the beef here about people objecting to new content so strongly:
Official content will never be the same as 3rd party/homebrew for various reasons already stated in this thread and elsewhere.
It's pretty clear WotC isn't interested in bloating 5e, and rather wants to keep things simple and balanced. All objective evidence suggests they will continue this theme if/when they do release stuff.
If you don't like what's released, you're problem is literally solved by doing nothing. If you're a DM and you don't like what's released, you simply say "no" (or try opening your horizon?).
All of these points seems obvious to me.
Even if a person isn't being the most respectful or articulating this as clearly as they could, this should all eventually land home. I just don't know what the fuss is about. Are there reasons people have here that they aren't being forthright about?

 

[MichaelSomething]

This is the first time in what, 15 years?, that WOTC isn't going splat heavy? I think the anti-splat people deserve their time in the sun for once

 

[nswanson27]

This is the first time in what, 15 years?, that WOTC isn't going splat heavy? I think the anti-splat people deserve their time in the sun for once

Assuming WotC continues their theme and emphasis for 5e, they will continue to have their sun, even if more content is released.

 

[hawkeyefan]

Well I guess put me down for "me too". But I would not say this forum is a good representation of 5e in general. Can't verify this - just from personal experience talking with people in various shops and cons.
Also, I honestly don't understand the beef here about people objecting to new content so strongly:
Official content will never be the same as 3rd party/homebrew for various reasons already stated in this thread and elsewhere.
It's pretty clear WotC isn't interested in bloating 5e, and rather wants to keep things simple and balanced. All objective evidence suggests they will continue this theme if/when they do release stuff.
If you don't like what's released, you're problem is literally solved by doing nothing. If you're a DM and you don't like what's released, you simply say "no" (or try opening your horizon?).
All of these points seems obvious to me.
Even if a person isn't being the most respectful or articulating this as clearly as they could, this should all eventually land home. I just don't know what the fuss is about. Are there reasons people have here that they aren't being forthright about?

Speaking only for myself, although I'M sure others would agree, I like the fact that they are releasing content slowly. I actually am not against some new mechanical content. I just want any such mechanical content to be released slowly. I don't want the error of past editions where the publishing model requires a higher number of books and then the quality starts to plummet. I'd like this edition of te game to be around for many years.

I think the title of the thread is vague. There's no general consensus about what would be an acceptable level of "more content". Exactly how much is "tons of splat"?

Some folks will say that they simply want a "little more" and then list 12 subclasses, 4 classes, 8 races, and a couple dozen feats as being "a little more". I would say that's too much all at once.

I actually think that WotC has handled it well so far. SCAG had a good deal of options, and they've provided other options in some of the adventure books and through Unearthed Arcana articles. We're on the verge of Volo's Guide to Monsters, which will have a few playable races. We know they are working on another "mechanical expansion". But many who are calling for more...not all, but many...will not even acknowledge that these things exist. They say WotC has not provided any additional material.

I don't think more is the answer from a business sense. This edition has been designed for customization. They've created the DMsGuild as a forum for people to share content. I'd prefer that players and DMs learn to lean on one another if there is a specific need for their game. Again...this is a resource that is dismissed out of hand..."it doesn't count" and so on.

So yeah...that's my take on it. I actually wouldn't be averse to a little more new content. At about the pace we've been getting it. I prefer that the folks who work on the game continue to do so in the way that they think will be best for the game. So far, they're doing well. I'd hate for their attention to be diverted simply to create a bunch of splat content to meet the demands of the few that are not happy with the options that exist.

 

[nswanson27]

Speaking only for myself, although I'M sure others would agree, I like the fact that they are releasing content slowly. I actually am not against some new mechanical content. I just want any such mechanical content to be released slowly. I don't want the error of past editions where the publishing model requires a higher number of books and then the quality starts to plummet. I'd like this edition of te game to be around for many years.

I think the title of the thread is vague. There's no general consensus about what would be an acceptable level of "more content". Exactly how much is "tons of splat"?

Some folks will say that they simply want a "little more" and then list 12 subclasses, 4 classes, 8 races, and a couple dozen feats as being "a little more". I would say that's too much all at once.

I actually think that WotC has handled it well so far. SCAG had a good deal of options, and they've provided other options in some of the adventure books and through Unearthed Arcana articles. We're on the verge of Volo's Guide to Monsters, which will have a few playable races. We know they are working on another "mechanical expansion". But many who are calling for more...not all, but many...will not even acknowledge that these things exist. They say WotC has not provided any additional material.

I don't think more is the answer from a business sense. This edition has been designed for customization. They've created the DMsGuild as a forum for people to share content. I'd prefer that players and DMs learn to lean on one another if there is a specific need for their game. Again...this is a resource that is dismissed out of hand..."it doesn't count" and so on.

So yeah...that's my take on it. I actually wouldn't be averse to a little more new content. At about the pace we've been getting it. I prefer that the folks who work on the game continue to do so in the way that they think will be best for the game. So far, they're doing well. I'd hate for their attention to be diverted simply to create a bunch of splat content to meet the demands of the few that are not happy with the options that exist.

In general I agree with you, but it seems like WotC is pretty resolved to not go back to splat-fest - not by a long shot, so I don't see any legitimate reason to actually worry about this. I do like the options that have been released. I thought SCAG could have done without some of the fluff, but the content that was in there was good. One thing they haven't done yet is release a new class, which after more than 2 years is starting to stretch the definition of "slow".
As far as the title of this thread goes, I don't think it's a matter of where the lines are drawn - obviously everyone will have their own opinion on that. It's when some people who don't want any new content at all want to shut down any such conversations (extreme or not), and crying "splat" every time is a convenient way to accomplish this. Not that there isn't a time and place recall the pitfalls of previous editions, but when it becomes a "thought-police's baton"... not ok.

 

[Maxperson]

In general I agree with you, but it seems like WotC is pretty resolved to not go back to splat-fest - not by a long shot, so I don't see any legitimate reason to actually worry about this. I do like the options that have been released. I thought SCAG could have done without some of the fluff, but the content that was in there was good. One thing they haven't done yet is release a new class, which after more than 2 years is starting to stretch the definition of "slow".
As far as the title of this thread goes, I don't think it's a matter of where the lines are drawn - obviously everyone will have their own opinion on that. It's when some people who don't want any new content at all want to shut down any such conversations (extreme or not), and crying "splat" every time is a convenient way to accomplish this. Not that there isn't a time and place recall the pitfalls of previous editions, but when it becomes a "thought-police's batton"..., not ok.

What's more, if there are a lot of people out there who want more general content, and there most likely are, the longer WotC waits the worse it will be. It will take more to placate them and get them to buy or come back to D&D, so the odds that WotC will have to engage in the quick, frequent splat books goes up.

 

[pkt77242]

What's more, if there are a lot of people out there who want more general content, and there most likely are, the longer WotC waits the worse it will be. It will take more to placate them and get them to buy or come back to D&D, so the odds that WotC will have to engage in the quick, frequent splat books goes up.

Why would it it take more for them to buy? If they are already playing 5E, why wouldn't they jump all over it?

From a business standpoint it makes more sense to wait to release the product till there is a critical mass of people clamorous for it, the product is ready for release and it makes sense from a profit standpoint (long term). If one of those is not right then it is best to wait.

You want a splat release because you prefer it, do not confuse that with it being a better business decision.

* I have to admit that I want a splat book that covers races, classes and backgrounds for all of the settings that they aren't supporting.

 

[Maxperson]

Why would it it take more for them to buy? If they are already playing 5E, why wouldn't they jump all over it?

Why bother if it's just going to be another 2-3 years for the next tidbit? All buying is going to do is give you a bit more to use up well before another book shows up.

From a business standpoint it makes more sense to wait to release the product till there is a critical mass of people clamorous for it, the product is ready for release and it makes sense from a profit standpoint (long term). If one of those is not right then it is best to wait.

By the time you get that many people clamoring for it, you've lost a ton of people to other games.

You want a splat release because you prefer it, do not confuse that with it being a better business decision.

I'm not.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

That's a False Equivalence Making friends =/= reviews.

They don't actually have to be equivalent for my point to be clear; choosing to abandon review reading entirely was not your only option, and is an option with a very clear downside since it helps prevent you from finding game materials that are to your liking.