Who would you pick to design Fourth Edition?

[arscott]

meh, I don't know enough about the particulars of various designers to answer this question particularly well. But:
Bill Slavisek, Rich Redman, and Jeff Grubb-- The folks who brought us d20Modern. (plus Bill did alternity too, and Jeff Grubb's the only d&d novelist I've ever really liked.)

Ryan Nock, Monte Cook, Mark Rein•Hagen, Jonathan Tweet, Bruce Cordell and whoever came up with the wealth system rules from the previous three.

I'd lock them in a room and not let them out until they designed the best magic system in the multiverse. I'm probably missing someone, but I'll get them too.

Keith Baker. Not just because of Ebberron, but because he did that book on fey (which I haven't actually read). The fairy folk have been getting the short stick since elves became a player race.

Rich Burlew. He manages to skewer the nonsensical bits of the D&Dverse in his world designs just as well as he does in his comic strips. Also, his bitter rivalry with Keith Baker would make the whole event much more interesting to watch.

Pliny the Elder, H. P. Lovecraft, and Neil Gaiman to write the monster manual. Plus, two of them have passed on, so hey, free undead.

Mike Mearls and a big giant (but non-magical) sword. For use when anybody tries to make equipment factor into balance.

And Me, to be god-emperor of the universe. Because someone has to be in charge, and I'll shoulder the burden if I really really have to.

 

[M.L. Martin]

I want Steve Long on the team.

Matthew L. Martin

 

[Krypter]

Wolfgang Baur - some of the best flavour from the best campaign world (Planescape, of course)
Kevin Siembieda - not for rules (God forbid!), but for wild, zany, awesomenest ideas. Alright, how about half of his brain only?
Mike Mearls - rules crunch and stuff that makes sense. He's obviously got a very structured mind, and I like his "back to basics" attitude
Erik Mona - a deep and abiding respect for the history of the game. +Easter Eggs!

I'd say Monte Cook because he's such a good designer, but I don't like a lot of the things he did to 3E. Purely difference of opinion though, his work is top-notch.

 

[Iku Rex]

Bruce Cordell - He's done some very solid work with psionics.
Sean K. Reynolds - A good game designer, and maybe even more importantly, he listens to people and cares about his work.
Online Message Board - I would like to see any new edition (shudder) developed with the help of a dedicated message board. Sean could be in charge of it, and lieutenant volunteers (like, say, Hypersmurf) could try to filter out the inevitable BS. (Step one: Post new rule/system. Step two: Comments from the unwashed masses. Step three: Lieutenants deliver summaries of perceived problems to the designers. Repeat as needed.) If "open" development is too radical, make it a closed, PW protected board for select volunteers/playtesters.

 

[John Cooper]

Wow, I'm really honored that my name has come up a few times here, amongst such big names in the industry. I hope, however, that 4E remains purely hypothetical for a good, long time.

 

[Sunderstone]

Sean Reynolds
Dave Noonan
Chris Perkins
James Jacobs
Bruce Cordell
Skip Williams
Erik Mona
Chris Pramas
Andy Collins

 

[Crothian]

I'm sure Teflon Billy will back me up on this one

Rebecca Borgstrom

 

[Cam Banks]

I'm sure Teflon Billy will back me up on this one

Rebecca Bromstrom

Or Borgstrom, even.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Crothian]

opps, fixed that

 

[pogre]

Ben Durbin - Grim Tales
Jervis Johnson - Space Hulk
Erik Mona - Dungeon editor
Chris Pramas - Green Ronin - WFRP2


The only one of the originals I would retain is Tweet.