D&D 4E When the time eventually comes, will you play a retro-clone of 4e?

[Tallifer]

Not a few fanatics of Fourth Edition are becoming discouraged about the future of Fourth Edition these days.

Regardless of when it happens, eventually there will be a Fifth Edition (or a Fourth Edition mutated beyond recognition).

I am actually looking forward to the time when Fourth Edition is an old-fashioned, grognard edition: then publishers who publish purely out of love of the game will create retro-clones and additional material. I hope.

(Will the GSL be too restrictive? Will it matter to on-line pdf publishers?)

I watch the Old School Renaissance with envy: so much creativity, so many adventures and worlds, so many new resources.

I really want Arcane, Primal and Divine Power II. But I know that the market is too small for the Wizards to publish them. However a small desktop publisher would gladly print such.

Likewise, Dragonlance, more Eberron stuff, the Dungeon Master's Guide III for epic level, the Players' Handbook IV for unusual races, the Adventurers' Vault III. And adventure paths for each setting.

Perhaps Paizo or a new company like it will make Fourth Edtion a success long after Hasbro has finally and mercifully abandoned it?

 

[Jools]

I'd certainly give it a go, though to be honest I'd much rather people put their creative efforts into making 4e work for other settings like Star Wars, X-Men etc.

 

[Tallifer]

I'd certainly give it a go, though to be honest I'd much rather people put their creative efforts into making 4e work for other settings like Star Wars, X-Men etc.

And that is one reason why I look forward to a "4e Renaissance." A plethora of third-party publishers can satisfy every fanatic's distinctive dream. Just like the Old School has derived diverse such things as Hackmaster, Mutants & Masterminds, D&D Modern, Carcosa and Lamentations of the Flame Princess.

 

[Zaran]

I think WotC has put too many restrictions on the 4e license for others to use without a lawsuit. WotC will take their 4e ball and go home.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I think WotC has put too many restrictions on the 4e license for others to use without a lawsuit. WotC will take their 4e ball and go home.

Yes, I am pretty sure 4E will never be open enough for 3pp to really do things lbut I really do not know how much 4E stuff a 3pp can really do legally.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I doubt it. I'm pretty sure 5e will solve several big problems with 4e, thus making it in many respects a game that I would rather play.

It's weird to me to look forward to nostalgia for 4e. Or anything. I do not enjoy dreaming about the day in the future that I will be dreaming about a day in the past. I think I would prefer to live in the present, as much as possible.

 

[ferratus]

I probably wouldn't for the same reason that I don't use current retro-clones. There are features in the old rules that have been replaced with rules that I find simpler, more efficient or more consistent. To play a retro-clone is re-adopt rules I find inferior. Sometimes better ideas come along.

We've been playing 4e for 3 years now, so the flaws are starting to show. Would I play a game inspired by 4e's playstyle, with minis based combat and interesting tactical powers? Sure. Would I play a retro-clone that mimicked 4e's rules in their entirety, warts and all? No, I wouldn't.

 

[Dausuul]

A direct retro-clone of 4E? Doubtful. I have too many issues with the game as written. If somebody hacked together a blend of 4E and BECMI, though, with BECMI's clarity and simplicity and 4E's careful balance, I'd play that. Heck, I might play it right now. (Especially if it got rid of Vancian casting, like they said they were going to do with 4E... *grumble*)

Of course, to a great extent it depends on what replaces 4E. I like the post-Essentials trend of greater mechanical diversity, cleaner tighter classes, less fiddly combat, and more verisimilitude; so if that trend continues into 5E, I see no reason to go all retro. I'll stay current.

 

[TerraDave]

The OGL and the loose copyright rules for games (ie you can't copyright a mechanic) means that it is possible, and somebody will do it. However, it will have to make use of other terms...so it won't be a pure clone in the same way many retro clones are.

As for me, I don't know. I have the 4E books as it is...I guess if a streamlined version compiled all the relevant material in one place, maybe. Or just stick with 4E, or 5E. It just all depends.

 

[Zephrin the Lost]

I've been gaming for 25 years and 4e is letting me run the best campaign I've been a part of. 5e will have to trump 4e the way 4e trumped 3e for me to consider moving, and apart from the next edition providing free pizza and a babysitter, I'm not sure how that would happen.

So that's my line in the sand. If WoTC can't get me to cross it, then send in the clones!

--Z