What happens if we don't like it?

[pawsplay]

I like the look of the 4e design team, and I am certain the product will be considered a success. However, I do not like the sound of some of the changes. So my question is this: what if we don't like it? I don't mind holdouts, I mean, what if 4e is not considered a critical success and does not fully supplant 3.5 in popularity? What if 4e is the Champions: The New Millenium of D&D?

What then?

 

[Horacio]

5th Ed will solve the problem, just like Hero System 5th ed solved the Champins : New Millenium problem.

 

[pawsplay]

Yes, but... Hero 5e was published by a different publisher, and on top of a pile of bodies.

 

[grimslade]

If we don't like it, presumably, we don't buy it.
Low sales of the new books, means fewer printings.
We see 5E sooner to 'fix' the problems of 4E.
OR we see that the game is not as valuable as the licensing of the brand and 4E is the only game. Maybe new options for the D&DInsider a la Skills and Powers for 2E.

 

[Christoph the Magus]

If we don't like it we vote with our wallets. If books sales slow and DI users don't hit projected numbers WOTC will have to decide what to do to fix the problem. A 5th edition, lowering cost for DI, selling the D&D brand, etc, etc. I imagine that it will do just fine, but you never know.

 

[Agamon]

I dunno...oh, how about keep playing 3E?

 

[Howndawg]

I dunno...oh, how about keep playing 3E?

Or play C&C, Conan, True 20, etc. Heck, there are even some grognards out there playing 1e and 2e!

Howndawg

 

[pawsplay]

I see the potential of a massively splintered market... particularly if someone took up the challenge of supporting or updating 3.5.

 

[Bloosquig]

Edition 4.5? With new expanded xmas tree slaying powers!

 

[jefgorbach]

I like the look of the 4e design team, and I am certain the product will be considered a success. However, I do not like the sound of some of the changes. So my question is this: what if we don't like it? I don't mind holdouts, I mean, what if 4e is not considered a critical success and does not fully supplant 3.5 in popularity? What if 4e is the Champions: The New Millenium of D&D?
What then?

Then the fans continuing supporting 3.x. For example, WOTC may have effectively ignored Mystara for close to a decade but the fans remain loyal, filling in holes as they desire. Only in the case of 3.x, fans and vendors can legally publish under the OGL/SRD meaning the version need not die just because WOTC chooses to end their support for it ... just as we may/may not choose to end our support of them.