D&D (2024) What will One D&D Eventually Be Commonly Called

[Campbell]

D&D.

 

[Cadence]

No, ISBN does not change with new printings, in fact the issuing of a new ISBN is what marks a book as a new Edition in publishing terms. The 3E PHB is 9780786915507 as opposed to the 3.5 PHB being 9780786962464, for example, so the 3.5 book was a new typical Edition, but any errata printings will have the same ISBN. Same

How big can changes be to count as just errata and not something new?

From a rational publishing perspective, we are looking at the 9th Edition of the PHB and DMG based on ISBN numbers (OG 1E, refresh cover, OG 2E, black cover 2E, 3E, 3.5, 4E, 5E and now OneD&D). The MM is slightly more complicated, but still, the idea of "Edition" is such a giant mess in D&D.

Is it a book or is it a game? How do board and computer games work edition numbers?

 

[Maxperson]

The WotC polls also refer to the editions by number when they ask you which edition you started playing with.

 

[Parmandur]

How big can changes be to count as just errata and not something new?

Per Google, "US practice is...if the change in cover substantially changes the product (ie, would lead to customer complaints), then a new ISBN should be used."

FAQs: How Changes Affect the ISBN

ISBN FAQs: Does this change to my book require me to use a new ISBN?

www.isbn.org

Is it a book or is it a game? How do board and computer games work edition numbers?

Most RPG companies follow a more standard publishing nomenclature. TSR and WotC have abused the term "Edition" severely enough tonmake it meaningless, which is why they are letting it go live on a nice quiet farm where it will be happy.

 

[Cadence]

It feels like "D&D" is a great answer when either a non-gamer or someone who what your gaming preferences are asks "What are you doing Thursday?" (And I'm guessing a lot of people use that answer for games ranging from 5e to PF to 13thAge to any RPG with some askers).

It feels like "D&D" is an atrocious answer to the question "Which Players Handbook should I buy?" or "Which fighter and wizard are you comparing?" or "What version?"

 

[Cadence]

Per Google, "US practice is...if the change in cover substantially changes the product (ie, would lead to customer complaints), then a new ISBN should be used."

FAQs: How Changes Affect the ISBN

ISBN FAQs: Does this change to my book require me to use a new ISBN?

www.isbn.org

Thanks!

These two seemed particularly helpful...

"What’s the difference between a reprint and a new edition?
A reprint means more copies are being printed with no substantial changes. Perhaps a few typos are being fixed. A new edition means that there has been substantial change: content has been altered in a way that might make a customer complain that this was not the product that was expected. Or, text has been changed to add a new feature, such as a preface or appendix or additional content. Or, content has been revised. Or, the book has been redesigned."

"If changing the cover of a book, does a new ISBN have to be assigned?
US practice is if the book is just out or the idea is to give a marketing boost to the product, then no, a new ISBN should not be assigned. However, if the change in cover substantially changes the product (ie., would lead to customer complaints), then a new ISBN should be used."

 

[Azzy]

Rhubarb

 

[Cadence]

Rhubarb

That might get my dad to try it if we can put it in a pie. I'm not a fan.

 

[Dausuul]

Just thought of another possibility if they call it the 50th Anniversary Edition: 50E.

 

[Charlaquin]

Officially they've never used edition numbers.

That just isn’t accurate