Mercurius
Legend
Please read these four points carefully before voting:
Some factors to consider: First of all, each classic setting requires varying degrees of work. All require writing actual text, gathering lore, etc, but they vary in terms of how much work they need in terms of crunch (mechanics) and fluff (lore). In that regard, consider the current socio-cultural zeitgeist, as well as a younger fan-base. Secondly, each has varying degrees of nostalgia. While nostalgia is mostly a factor with older players, they (we) still make up a significant voice. Finally, and what I think should be the most important factor (even if it isn't to WotC), ask what the setting brings that is "new" (to 5E); that is, how does it expand the possibilities of D&D 5E? If it is more of the same but in different clothes, do you think it is worth the effort? Etc. And then, of course, balance all three factors, and consider others that you thought of that I didn't mention.
Context for guidelines (4 and through 2024): As most reading this will know, it has been mentioned that they have "three classic settings" in various stages of development, or at least that they're planning on doing something with. We know one is Ravenloft, so that leaves two. I don't think this is set in stone, but at least it gives us something.
It also seems likely that they plan to continue to publish two setting books a year. Whether or not they'll up their every-other-year pattern for Magic settings remains to be seen, but even then it implies that we might see one classic setting per year, maybe more this year if they don't publish a Magic setting (that is, Ravenoft + another setting). So if we take 2024 as the "all bets are off" point, that gives us three and a half years of possible settings to consider, or about to seven settings: One more in 2021 and two each in 2022-23, and anywhere from zero to two in 2024, with the possibility that they only publish one in one of those years. that gives us a range of 4-7, with 5-6 more likely than 4 or 7 (in my opinion).
Note: I originally made the poll for only three, but added a fourth because I also added 2024 (and also, admittedly, because I was struggling to whittle it down to just 3). But I think 3 is more likely in the given timespan, but 4 gives us some wiggle room.
General Thoughts: Of course ultimately we don't know anything. The above is just what I hope to be reasonable conjecture, which leads me to think that in the next three and a half years we'll see at least five official setting books: at least two for Magic, at least two Classics, and at least one Exandria expansion and/or a Big Surprise! (new setting...Iomandra? Sylvan-Fey-Dragon World?).
And of course they may continue to publish settings after the anniversary year. They could revise 5E in 2024, call it "Edition Perrenis" and then set out to publish a book for every classic and magic setting, plus more, for years and decades to come. But I think it is more reasonable to consider only the next few years, which is both more realistic (considering the way things change, both within the game itself and in society), and also gives us a bit of structure for our considerations.
OK, have at it. I'll share my four picks and reasons in a reply.
EDIT: That should be Ghostwalk, not "Ghostlight." Whoops.
- By "publish" I mean a dedicated setting book. It can be a setting-adventure hybrid, but it shouldn't just be implied and background flair like Saltmarsh/Greyhawk, or any of the FR story arcs.
- I am not asking what you hope they publish; share your wishful thinking in the comments. I'm asking which ones you think they'll publish. In other words, which settings you think make sense for WotC to publish in the current time.
- Pick up to four and only four, and consider only the 2021-24 timeframe (reasons explained below).
- Please share your reasoning in the comments. Why did you pick the ones you picked?
Some factors to consider: First of all, each classic setting requires varying degrees of work. All require writing actual text, gathering lore, etc, but they vary in terms of how much work they need in terms of crunch (mechanics) and fluff (lore). In that regard, consider the current socio-cultural zeitgeist, as well as a younger fan-base. Secondly, each has varying degrees of nostalgia. While nostalgia is mostly a factor with older players, they (we) still make up a significant voice. Finally, and what I think should be the most important factor (even if it isn't to WotC), ask what the setting brings that is "new" (to 5E); that is, how does it expand the possibilities of D&D 5E? If it is more of the same but in different clothes, do you think it is worth the effort? Etc. And then, of course, balance all three factors, and consider others that you thought of that I didn't mention.
Context for guidelines (4 and through 2024): As most reading this will know, it has been mentioned that they have "three classic settings" in various stages of development, or at least that they're planning on doing something with. We know one is Ravenloft, so that leaves two. I don't think this is set in stone, but at least it gives us something.
It also seems likely that they plan to continue to publish two setting books a year. Whether or not they'll up their every-other-year pattern for Magic settings remains to be seen, but even then it implies that we might see one classic setting per year, maybe more this year if they don't publish a Magic setting (that is, Ravenoft + another setting). So if we take 2024 as the "all bets are off" point, that gives us three and a half years of possible settings to consider, or about to seven settings: One more in 2021 and two each in 2022-23, and anywhere from zero to two in 2024, with the possibility that they only publish one in one of those years. that gives us a range of 4-7, with 5-6 more likely than 4 or 7 (in my opinion).
Note: I originally made the poll for only three, but added a fourth because I also added 2024 (and also, admittedly, because I was struggling to whittle it down to just 3). But I think 3 is more likely in the given timespan, but 4 gives us some wiggle room.
General Thoughts: Of course ultimately we don't know anything. The above is just what I hope to be reasonable conjecture, which leads me to think that in the next three and a half years we'll see at least five official setting books: at least two for Magic, at least two Classics, and at least one Exandria expansion and/or a Big Surprise! (new setting...Iomandra? Sylvan-Fey-Dragon World?).
And of course they may continue to publish settings after the anniversary year. They could revise 5E in 2024, call it "Edition Perrenis" and then set out to publish a book for every classic and magic setting, plus more, for years and decades to come. But I think it is more reasonable to consider only the next few years, which is both more realistic (considering the way things change, both within the game itself and in society), and also gives us a bit of structure for our considerations.
OK, have at it. I'll share my four picks and reasons in a reply.
EDIT: That should be Ghostwalk, not "Ghostlight." Whoops.
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