Wizards Presents: Inside the making of 4th edition, plus new art

[JoeGKushner]

That's really unfair. "They" didn't write themselves a backdoor. One WotC editor blogged about a book she's excited about because her name's on the cover.

She says that "as of right now" all the art that's been ordered for the PHB is different. She says it's "possible" that one of the concept sketches (which some of the art is) in this book "might" be turned into a finished piece that gets added to the PHB between now and its final layout.

Sheesh, sometimes I think people are trying to be offended.

Well, if WoTC had a better track record, I wouldn't worry about such things. They've reused art before. Some of it very recently. The $29.95 FR history book for example. I mean, much of that came from the web no? The art reused no? And full cover price? Rules Compendium had reused art too but at least they had the decently to turn down the cover price a few dollars.

 

[Keefe the Thief]

I, for one, welcome these books. There are damn too few art books and "this here is how we´re doing things" books on the market for any game. I mean, how long ago published Shadowrun an Art book? And NOT A SINGLE PIECE of art in that book was new. And i damn loved that book. Because i like beautiful books.

 

[Li Shenron]

The more I hear about these two books, the more I am convinced that they are NOT preview books. They are actually interesting essays about RPG designing. As such, it doesn't even matter if the 4e tidbits are going to be final, because they're just examples. Anyone who buys these books as a preview is going to be very disappointed... don't say you weren't warned

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

I admit, as previews they weren't interesting. Of course, they were always a preview of what's IN 4e, rather than a preview OF 4e, so I wasn't all bent out of shape about it. But designer's essays on the why would interest me. I have a lot of questions about the "why" in some 1e rules (mostly things I have a speculative "why" in mind for, like spellbook scribing time) and having those up front for 4e would probably help me embrace the gameplay assumptions the rules set is designed for. And at both together for LGS core book price, I'll take 'em.

 

[Geron Raveneye]

Hmmm, got to say, that sounds a lot better than "preview book". And I don't know about others, but around here "Making Of..." specials for movies are usually aired on TV around or slightly before the movie hits the theaters, in order to increase the customer curiosity. Also, it might allow more people who are on the fence a better udnerstanding about the design decisions of the team around 4E, and a more informed decision whether to buy into 4E or not when it comes out.

 

[DaveMage]

The more I hear about these two books, the more I am convinced that they are NOT preview books.

But is says "4th Edition Preview" right on the cover:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/im.../002-2028907-5518467?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

 

[WhatGravitas]

The more I hear about these two books, the more I am convinced that they are NOT preview books. They are actually interesting essays about RPG designing. As such, it doesn't even matter if the 4e tidbits are going to be final, because they're just examples. Anyone who buys these books as a preview is going to be very disappointed... don't say you weren't warned

What means for me: I want to get those! Pure preview is boring. Good artwork + designer commentaries = great!

Cheers, LT.

 

[Li Shenron]

But is says "4th Edition Preview" right on the cover:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/im.../002-2028907-5518467?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Yeah, but didn't the Book of Exalted Deeds say "for mature audiences only"?

 

[Tharen the Damned]

Yeah, but didn't the Book of Exalted Deeds say "for mature audiences only"?

That was ok, you had to be mature to read this book and not start up your own religion as beggar monk.
It happend before, trust me!

 

[Wormwood]

I thought people on these boards were ASKING for the designers notes on why they chose what they did, when they did, etc.

No matter what's presented, someone's not going to like it.

I asked for them, and it look like I'm getting them. Seem I'll be picking this up.

But yeah, that's the internet: 80% porn, 20% bitching.