Wizards R&D Seminar at GenCon 2007

[Treebore]

Graz'zt Demonomicon article in D&D Insider? Doh!

I'm glad this is during the free period.

 

[Glyfair]

Whoa. Starting fresh...with new PLAYERS? This tells me LG is done done or am I confused?

Given the focus on "we found upgrading didn't work well before" POV, I imagine they want to avoid all that nastiness and are just going to wrap things up and start over.

 

[marune]

D&D 4E won't be my ideal RPG, however from what I've read above, IMHO it will be a much better game than 3.xE.

 

[wagnert]

Dungeon/Dragon Magazines

Every adventure we put in Dungeon magazine will be portable to the Digital Gametable.

.

But August 2007 is the last issue of both Dungeon and Dragon magazines?

Are they now going to take them back in house after spinning Paizo out originally to publish them?

 

[Michael Morris]

1st 4e seminar notes

Also posted on the news page. Discuss.

The following is some of the information that came out during the 2 PM (CT) seminar here at Gencon concerning 4th edition.

Mike Mearls is the lead developer for 4th edition. The other panelists where Rich Baker, Andy Collins and Bill Slavesiek

• The 3.5 Rules Compendium will be something of a last hurrah for 3e, "A celebration and compilation" (Bill Slavesiek). The book will feature an encyclopedia like layout and have designer commentaries on why the rules were structured are the way they are.
• Many of the products between now and may will have 4e material for them on D&D Insider
• Elder Evils was discussed. It is a compilation of mini adventures structured around famous super monsters that aren't quite god level in power such as Kezef Chaos Hound and Dendar the Night Serpent.
• Some new monsters from the 4e Monster Manual will debut in D&D miniatures in November
• Books that are being put out between now and May will be of an "edition proof" nature.
• Dungeon Survival Guide was discussed. It will be a pictorial tabletop / coffeetop book that takes you through famous dungeons in D&D including the Tomb of Horrors and the original Castle Ravenloft.
• Innfighting was announced - it is a non collectabale dice game designed by Rob Heisno. It is to dice what Three Dragon Ante was to cards.
• In the Forgotten Realms A Grand History of the Realms will be released as a book. This is an adaptation of the web release of the same name with new art and additional entries from authors including Ed Greenwood and Eric Boyd.
• Wizards Presents series will lead into 4e. To products where discussed - classes and races; and worlds and monsters.
• April will have an introductory adventure with quick start materials for 4e.
• The cover of the Player's Handbook cover is finalized. DMG and MM are close to final.

Here are some highlights among the quesitons asked.

• How many core classes - this question was repeatedly avoided until it was admitted there would be fewer than the current number (11). How fewer and who was cut wasn't discussed.
• Character classes which haven't been classes before now have resources to manage
  similar to spells.
• Character Powers are to be sorted into at will, per encounter and per day.
• Vancian 'spell slots' will be reduced in how much they control a caster's total ability.
• Encounters are going to be wholly redesigned
• Monsters will have roles outlined in the MM. Monster design will be more open ended. Not all monsters will have information necessary to make them playable characters.
• Monster Manual is 288 pages and the DMG 256 pages
• Assumed world that will be "points of light in a dark world."
• Question of whether Greyhawk will be the the default world was avoided, however Greyhawk proper names will remain.
• To the question of whether XP will be required to make magic items Andy Collins replied, "No, Hell No." How magic items will be made in character wasn't discussed beyond a vague statement that you wouldn't be burning a feat on it, and out of character the structure of magic item creation will become more loosened.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

When are gnomes coming back?

None of the leaked 2008 books seem to be an obvious home for them.

 

[thundershot]

The only thing I DON'T like is that bit about using monsters as PC's. It took me years to have an official Giff and Sylph to use for my 3E campaign. I LIKE having playable monsters. At least the humanoid ones.... Ah well. I'm starting over with a brand new campaign anyway...

In any case, I can't wait!

Chris

 

[Odhanan]

But August 2007 is the last issue of both Dungeon and Dragon magazines?

Are they now going to take them back in house after spinning Paizo out originally to publish them?

Dragon and Dungeon are now part of D&D Insider. See dndinsider.com for more information and previews.

 

[Glyfair]

[*]Some new monsters from the 4e Monster Manual will debut in D&D miniatures in November

New monsters in the MM? I wonder how many.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Thanks a lot, ashockney.

My take on what you posted is:

"In 4e everyone knows kung fu. Including the monsters."