[wizards.com] Why still publish stats in 3.0e format?

[Kershek]

Piazo has gone ahead and started publishing Dungeon adventures with 3.5e compatible stats. Why, then, is wizards.com still publishing creatures with 3.0 stats? I refer to the most recent Wyrms of the North feature at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/wn/20030326a

 

[diaglo]

some people are still buying/using the 3.0ed rules. and the 3.5ed won't be available until GenCon. in July.

why cut the market off early without support?

they need to stick to what is available for the masses.

 

[Kershek]

It just seems to me, with Dungeon being "100% official", that all official sources would show things the same way.

 

[The Sigil]

It just seems to me, with Dungeon being "100% official", that all official sources would show things the same way.

*shrugs*

To me, "100% official" isn't worth the breath it takes to say it.

I lump it with other sayings/taglines from all marketing fields (not just RPGs) that are supposed to make a product look somehow "better" or "more attractive" or "guaranteed well-done" but IMO just look like worthless tooting of one's own horn.

--The Sigil

 

[Henry]

I'll let people in on a big secret why "Official" is no longer meaningful to me:

-I know that there are products released from several d20 Companies (Green Ronin and Sword and Sorcery Studios for two) that have had more playtesting time than many Wizards of the Coast products that have been released last year. Furthermore, said products are released by designers that formerly worked for Wizards, and are experienced in their craft. As a result, "Official" only means that the product was produced by WotC, and does not inherently contain any more or less playable and balanced rules and new offerings.

Whereas "Official" used to be something of a big deal years ago, it really isn't anymore, thanks to the scattering of talent throughout the d20 system made possible by the OGL.

 

[Kershek]

You guys aren't anywhere near the point I was making. I wasn't discussing the worth of official products vs. 3rd party d20 products. I was discussing standardization of how you present your product from official sources.

 

[Destil]

Since I don't think the 3.5 rules are finalized yet I'm of the opinion that Piazo is jumping the gun with their use of the ruleset.

 

[Ranger REG]

Whereas "Official" used to be something of a big deal years ago, it really isn't anymore, thanks to the scattering of talent throughout the d20 system made possible by the OGL.

Is that a good or a bad thing?

AFAIC, Wizards holds the D&D trademarks, and will only allow those exclusive companies to use said trademarks. So it is about as official as Wizards licensed that trademark to the approved licensees. Did the d20 trademark make the D&D less meaningful? If that is the case, Wizards may have some concerns over the value of the D&D brand. Is the D&D brand in danger of trademark dilution? I hope not. Because if it is, Wizards will end the royalty-free, limited use of the d20 trademarked brand, just to protect the D&D brand.

 

[Temprus]

Money

Dragon & Dungeon are out to entice you to buy them, the freebies on WotC are about just remembering WotC has a website.

 

[Henry]

Because if it is, Wizards will end the royalty-free, limited use of the d20 trademarked brand, just to protect the D&D brand.

And if things keep going this way, it wouldn't matter much in the long run. D&D would continue to grow in the manner it always has, through recruitment of new players, and most OGL products would continue to be associated with D&D, legally, through the inference.


Kershek, going back to your original question, keep also in mind that different companies and even different departments in the companies have different policies. The coordination of all departments and companies on the issue would be very difficult to manage. I suspect the reason Paizo is doing it is to prepare the audience through bits and pieces of info at a time for 3E revised. (God, I wish they'd drop that dreadful "3.5e" name.)