What's the big deal about gnomes not being in the PHB? **Edited for adversarial tone*

[Rechan]

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

And who's the authority on what one should do with D&D?

I'm pretty sure if you asked two gamers on what should be in the PHB, you'd get at least three different opinions. If it were up to me, the elves, dwarves and halflings would get the axe from the PHB along with the gnomes.

 

[The Little Raven]

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Agreed.

Just because you can just slightly revise the game to keep it roughly the same as a game made 30 years ago doesn't mean you should. After all, that game was already made.

 

[Falling Icicle]

And who's the authority on what one should do?

In the end, it's up to the paying customers to decide. WotC is taking a big risk with 4e. Sometimes risks payoff, sometimes they backfire. The risk they're taking is alienating a large portion of their existing fan base in the hopes of attracting new attention to the game by taking a radically new approach. It might pay off for them, it might not. But in any case, there are going to be quite a few long-time players that will be very unhappy with the changes, and feel betrayed by the implication that they don't matter. I wouldn't be at all surprised if D&D 5e's advertising schtick is a return to the game's roots.

 

[Falling Icicle]

Agreed.

Just because you can just slightly revise the game to keep it roughly the same as a game made 30 years ago doesn't mean you should. After all, that game was already made.

I don't recall suggesting that 4e should be a rerelease of 1st edition.

 

[Rechan]

In the end, it's up to the paying customers to decide.

And if the 4e succeeds, then what you would agree that what WotC did is what they should have done, correct?

I'm fairly certain that WotC isn't just making decisions willy nilly, rolling dice to determine what decisions they will make about what goes into the game. Market research, et al.

 

[The Little Raven]

I don't recall suggesting that 4e should be a rerelease of 1st edition.

"Why couldn't they leave them as they are?"

Seems to me to be support for them leaving things in the Gygaxian mold.

 

[Fifth Element]

I'm pretty sure if you asked two gamers on what should be in the PHB, you'd get at least three different opinions.

This is all kinds of true. Actually, you may be underestimating.

 

[Fifth Element]

Seems to me to be support for them leaving things in the Gygaxian mold.

Be honest. Did you mean to type 'mold' or was it a Freudian slip?

 

[Falling Icicle]

And if the 4e succeeds, then what you would agree that what WotC did is what they should have done, correct?

From a capitalistic standpoint, perhaps. My personal opinion of course differs. But everyone has their own tastes. To me, I think that if you are going to make a new edition of a game, you should respect its heritage. Its part of what I consider artistic taste. If you want to make something new, then make something new. Don't butcher the old thing just because you want to benefit from the recognition of the brand name, IMHO.

I'm fairly certain that WotC isn't just making decisions willy nilly, rolling dice to determine what decisions they will make about what goes into the game. Market research, et al.

Companies very often make mistakes, despite "market research." Anyone remember New Coke?

Besides, I don't think anyone can rightly say that every, or even most of the changes in 4e were promted by opinion polls and market research. Frankly, that would be rather insulting to the 4e design team. I am willing to go out on a limb and say that most of it was simply based upon the desires and tastes of those designing it. I respect and admire their talent and imagination, I simply don't agree with some of their choices.

 

[Falling Icicle]

"Why couldn't they leave them as they are?"

Seems to me to be support for them leaving things in the Gygaxian mold.

Keep in mind I was only referring to fluff with such comments. Rules and mechanics are always fair game.