Why hate 3eR before it comes out?

[William Ronald]

I admit to being somewhat puzzled by the release of three new books, but there may be a sound explanation for it. Possibly the changes are spread through out different sections of each book, and would make little sense out of context in a single volume. (That and you would have to list which page numbers in the PHB, MM, or DMG that the new books would refer to.)

The WotC design team and management should try to explain the rationale behind the changes. Fortunately, this message board and others will give them the opportunity.

However, I would not really worry about too much feedback leading to "the inmates taking over the asylum." (No insults meant, people.) 3e was developed in part because many people expressed an interest in new rules. (Okay, what percentage of people used ALL the rules from 1st and 2nd edition?) Gamers on these boards hold very divergent opinions. Heck, I doubt that you could get 100 gamers in a room and have all of them sing "Happy Birthday" to Gary Gygax. (Some people I have run into on these boards might use lyrics that would REALLY upset Eric's Grandmother. )

 

[Daiymo]

Daiymo, more good and valid points all of which fuel my hatred.

By the way you are most definitively NOT being paranoid... if it makes them a dollar they'll do it.

Hey a first for me- a valid point

Anyway, Id love to hear what people here associated with the industry think of all this. Ive liked what 3e has brought to gaming in the last few years- the OGL/d20, sort of a decentralization of material, and increased interest. But my bitter cynical side thinks this is a way to recapture the old magic of the 3e release and rekindle a bit more excitement(and money).

 

[Dark Jezter]

Still its money that WotC is forcing me to spend... tonar cartridges, or Kinkos its an expense I shouldn't have to spend.

I resent being ripped off... I resent WotC.

WotC isn't forcing you to spend any money whatsoever. I'm assuming from your previous post that you already have the 3E core rulebooks. Just ignore 3.5E and keep using the old books, nobody is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to use the revised rules. Several others here, like Eric Noah, have already said that they'll probably keep using the older 3E rules. There are also people here who still play 1E and 2E AD&D. Nothing wrong with that.

It sounds to me like WotC is in a no-win situation; if they don't do anything, people will keep complaining about broken rules, but if they revise the rules, people will complain that they're forcing their players to repurchase their rulebooks.

Personally, I'm undecided at the current time whether or not I'll be buying the revised rulebooks or just downloading the SRD, but I am happy to see that WotC is making an effort to fix broken rules and improve the D&D rules after listening to fan feedback. If I don't get the revised rulebooks, I will definately be using the new SRD, simply because I like the changes I've heard about so far.

 

[Nathal]

The rules needed an overhaul [and this perception was fueled by player feedback], and so they propose to print 3 years of play-testing incorporated into new volumes with clarified text and updated guidelines.

I will buy the new books because I am not happy with the overall organization or clarity of rules in the current volumes. That some aspects of play are changed in minor ways is no different than walking into any new campaign. Most groups have house rules implemented anyway, so it is amusing that so many DMs cry havoc when they are so prone to change the rules themselves. If the house rules of the DM don't "invalidate" all of their source material, then how does a new and updated printing of the books "invalidate" everything previously printed? It does not.

Even the translation of 1st or 2nd Edition material to 3rd is not so tough or time consuming, imo.

 

[William Ronald]

Besides, even the most confusing thing in 3e is still less confusing than the grappling, wrestling, and punching rules or the psionic attack charts in the 1st Edition DMG.

 

[megamania]

Because it is nothing more than a ploy to get your money. If you don't like some of the current rules. Change em.

what she said.

But just the same...I proberly will still buy it

 

[LostSoul]

People fear change.

 

[Limper]

If everyone else in your community wants the new books and you can't find a group who doesn't... IF you want to play with them, you get stuck picking up the books...

I like change, I hate buying something I already bought.

Maybe if they lowered the price back to 20 dollars for a core book it wouldn't chaff me so much.

 

[Absentminded Wizard]

Daiymo, more good and valid points all of which fuel my hatred.

By the way you are most definitively NOT being paranoid... if it makes them a dollar they'll do it.

The salient point here is, if it makes them a dollar, they will do it. So, what does it take to make it profitable for WotC to release revised books. Obviously, it takes a certain amount of dissatisfaction with the core rules as written. If most users are completely happy with the current rules, then there would be no demand for revised rules, and WotC would lose money on the project.

However, there is a fair amount of dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the core rules, mostly the balance of certain core classes and the lack of clarity in some rules descriptions. In fact, WotC staff members have listed customer service feedback and complaints on message boards as the source of many of the changes. I don't believe that the company responsible for the OGL--a great example of an enlightened, long-term view of self-interest--would be dumb enough to release a new revision when there's no demand for it.

 

[Dragongirl]

The salient point here is, if it makes them a dollar, they will do it. So, what does it take to make it profitable for WotC to release revised books. Obviously, it takes a certain amount of dissatisfaction with the core rules as written.

Or count on sheep mentality. Well if so and so are going to have it, I will have to have it.