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Message: <blockquote data-quote="giant.robot" data-source="post: 5333100" data-attributes="member: 93119">There's one huge assumption that the core rulebooks are going away and D&D will now only be Essentials from now on. This assumption is based on a misunderstanding of some comments made by WotC people at GenCon. When asked if the core rulebooks will remain in print the WotC people said they had no current plans for new print runs. Every RPG blogger then ran out screaming that the core rulebooks were going out of print. The question and WotC's answer were in two completely different contexts. What the WotC people were saying was their sales channel was full of core rulebooks. They've printed a hojillion copies that are sitting in warehouses and on store shelves. They don't need to print more copies of the current books because supply has met and can continue to meet demand for an undisclosed (but known to them) period of time.This does not mean the core rulebooks are suddenly going to become unavailable any time soon. It doesn't mean the core rulebooks are being abandoned for Essentials. It means the market for the core rulebooks is pretty much saturated and existing inventory will be plenty to supply what demand does exist. WotC looked at their sales chart and saw that the rate of replenishment orders had begun to trend downward. Algebra may have been involved. The stuff about Essentials always being in print and being available is more about WotC's retail strategy. For one I'm betting they're trying to do a little more JIT (just in time) inventory with the Essentials stuff. They'll do smaller print runs that more closely meet the current demand. They're also likely offering discounts when the Essentials stuff is ordered as a compete bundle and further discounts when it gets displayed together. This is how you get a retailer to always ave the entire line in stock.Back to the core rulebooks, the current plans don't call for more print runs but it is possible and I think likely that the core boos will get collected as compendious and reprinted in the digest (9"x6") format. That size maximizes the number of units that will fit on a shelf and thus ake retailers happy by helping them maximize floor space. The assumptions made about print runs are really annoying to read. People don't seem to understand the business of printing and selling things but feel qualified to play industry pundit anyways. They also seem to ignore the fact that the product as been around for a few years now, the core rulebooks aren't exactly flying off shelves anymore. Not only do people own the boos but WotC can't afford to hire enough ninjas to destroy them all. The existing inventory for sale and in people's hands is safe. Essentials are reaching out to new players and helping them ge into the game. If they're happy sticking with Essentials books that's fine since they can play in everyone else's games. If they want to explore then the core rulebooks will be there for them. If there's a new demand for the core rulebooks they'll do additional print runs. Complain that Forgotten Realms and Eberron haven't gotten enough 4E love or the lay-flat binding of the Essentials books doesn't lay flat. Don't complain that WotC is trying to get new people interested in the hobby that you love.</blockquote>

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