Will you be buying the 'Wizards Presents' previews?

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

I don't get that impression at all. I think it's a preview of the concept art and a glimpse into the process of building a new edition from the ground up. I'm sure it will preview some rules, but I'm expecting something heavy on the side of game design insight and philosophy, and light on the side of rules. A preview of the mood, style, and look of 4E, but probably not the actual rules.

Interesting. I think it will be a mix of both though; I can't see publishing a preview without any crunch. I would imagine that's what many of the preview purchasers are looking for. Sounds like the subject for another poll!

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Where's the "I have no idea" option?

 

[wedgeski]

Interesting. I think it will be a mix of both though; I can't see publishing a preview without any crunch. I would imagine that's what many of the preview purchasers are looking for. Sounds like the subject for another poll!

More than once in the blogs and elsewhere I've seen comments along the lines of, "...but I can't talk about that until winter..." (don't ask me to attribute!). That would make no sense if the preview books didn't contain any crunch at all.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I don't buy advertisements. They cost almost as much as the PHB will!

 

[glass]

You have a poll with 6 options, but no "Maybe, I'd like to take a look at them first?"

What he said. Although, in my case its more a case of 'Maybe, I'll see how my cash flow is come street date'.


glass.

 

[delericho]

My preferred option isn't there: almost certainly not, and I may or may not buy 4e.

If these books are just teasers of the classes (and monsters) that will be 4e, how they were selected, and hints at their powers/features, then I won't buy them. The salient points will find their way online soon enough. If, on the other hand, they discuss the role of classes (and monsters) in D&D though the various versions, from OD&D through BD&D, AD&D1, AD&D2, 3e and now 4e... then I still won't buy them. But the latter sounds like a valid product to put out, rather than a blatant money-grab.

My strong suspicion is that the latter is a closer description than the former.

As for 4e: when it was announced, I was prepared to buy it sight-unseen. Since then, I have heard of one specific change that shifts me into the "absolutely not" camp. I'm now waiting for January, when the PHB will be finalised, at which point my decision will be made. If this change is implemented as has been described then I won't buy 4e, I won't ever play 4e, and I may stop playing any game called "Dungeons & Dragons" completely. On the other hand, if they change their minds, then I will buy the core rulebooks to show my support for this decision.

 

[JediSoth]

I'm not going to pay for a preview, like someone else said, that's like paying for advertising. I get enough of that when I go to the movies. I got my 3rd edition previews in Dragon magazine; they're what sold me on 3rd edition. I'll do the same for 4E. Oh wait, they canceled Dragon. As I don't want to subscribe to yet another website, I guess I won't get to see the preview material for 4E. And yes, I know D&D Insider is free NOW, but it won't stay that way.

JediSoth

 

[Fobok]

I'm not going to pay for a preview, like someone else said, that's like paying for advertising. I get enough of that when I go to the movies. I got my 3rd edition previews in Dragon magazine; they're what sold me on 3rd edition. I'll do the same for 4E. Oh wait, they canceled Dragon. As I don't want to subscribe to yet another website, I guess I won't get to see the preview material for 4E. And yes, I know D&D Insider is free NOW, but it won't stay that way.

JediSoth

Um.. D&D Insider is free until the game comes out. You can see preview articles free there until then.

 

[Imaro]

Here's a post that explains a little about what the books are...

I just leaned over and asked Bruce, and either he misspoke or was misquoted; these things happen at conventions. There are some mechanics details in the books, and I have no doubt that you guys will find every single last one. But their primary purpose is to serve as a primer to 4th Edition. The Classes and Races book that I worked on, for example, starts with the timeline of the game's development and then presents multi-page spreads on most of the races and classes that you'll see in the Player's Handbook. "Most," not all -- we want to save some surprises for later. ^_^ And as noted previously, those spreads are full of design and development commentary about the decision-making process for every aspect of the game.

Plus some amazingly kick-ass William O'Connor art. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

Michele Carter, RPG Senior Editor, Wizards of the Coast

Can't see myself actually buying these books. I'll probably stop by Borders and check them out over a cup a joe but I'm not buying previews for $20+ each. I'll also probably do the same with Shadowfell, though if I like it I'll probably purchase the module. I'm not going to spend money on something that doesn't serve a practical purpose in my gaming, and certainly not so that WOtC can "sell me" on their new edition.

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

As for 4e: when it was announced, I was prepared to buy it sight-unseen. Since then, I have heard of one specific change that shifts me into the "absolutely not" camp. I'm now waiting for January, when the PHB will be finalised, at which point my decision will be made. If this change is implemented as has been described then I won't buy 4e, I won't ever play 4e, and I may stop playing any game called "Dungeons & Dragons" completely. On the other hand, if they change their minds, then I will buy the core rulebooks to show my support for this decision.

That's, um, extreme. I wrack my brain to think of what this could possibly be...the Asmodeus kerfuffle?