WotC acknowledges 4th Edition Not for Everyone?

[Fifth Element]

Two words people... FIFTH EDITION. You heard it here first.

I don't think so. I remember hearing about it, oh, just about when 4E was announced, I think.

 

[Fifth Element]

Logically, I agree.

However, it is sort of contrary to statements by WotC that they "don't want any fence sitters" re:GSL. The marketing front here seems less than united. Which I guess is a good thing.

Wasn't that with respect to publishers, not customers?

 

[Jack99]

Wasn't that with respect to publishers, not customers?

Yes

 

[DaveMage]

Logically, I agree.

However, it is sort of contrary to statements by WotC that they "don't want any fence sitters" re:GSL. The marketing front here seems less than united. Which I guess is a good thing.

Yeah, I found it interesting that this particular marketing text speaks to all players of D&D, regardless of edition.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

I can't believe this has two pages of replies.

Here's the deal: People are actually still playing other editions of the game. WotC produces these tiles, which actually can be used with any edition, because they're basically just visual aids, and the game has always used a 1" scale for tabletop maps. The tiles can actually be used for any other game that is compatible with a square 1" grid map, but WotC doesn't want you to buy those other games, so they emphasize only its compatibility with D&D. Since they no longer produce or support previous editions of D&D (with the exception of PDFs of older editions, which probably account for <1% of D&D sales, and so aren't a threat to the new edition), it's safe enough for sales to mention backward compatibility in tiny text on the back of the packaging.

The point is so that no one sees the product with the new D&D logo on it and says "durrr...these tiles are 4th edition tiles. I can't buy them for my 3rd edition game, cuz they won't work." Yes, WotC is interested in selling games even to people who can't find their noses without a map.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Logically, I agree.

However, it is sort of contrary to statements by WotC that they "don't want any fence sitters" re:GSL. The marketing front here seems less than united. Which I guess is a good thing.

Wasn't that with respect to publishers, not customers?

Yes

Yeah, I found it interesting that this particular marketing text speaks to all players of D&D, regardless of edition.

Publishers don't spend money on D&D. They generate value for D&D by creating products that tie into the current WotC edition and thus make it a good idea for consumers to buy 4E because they can also get the 3rd party support for it.

Consumers spend money on D&D, even if they are just buying the terrain tiles.

Still advertising it as "compatible" or "for use" with 4E makes sense - because now even the most clueless customer will understand that if he bought any of the 4E Core products, he will find a use for the terrain tiles, too! But "older" customers will be happy to know that these terrain tiles will not force 1-1-1 diagonals or similar rules upon them and they can use them just like those 3E or even earlier editions, too. (And they are still informed: Hey, there's a 4E out there? I can still use the tiles? And these are the product names I should look out for? Cool!)

 

[Arnwyn]

"All Dungeon Tiles products are compatible with all editions of Dungeons & Dragons."

Very interesting... maybe. Does anyone know when the last time the existence of previous editions was noted on the back (or front) cover marketing blurb?

 

[jaerdaph]

Acknowledging that 4e is not for everyone is kind of like acknowledging that some people are male and some people are female....

 

[justanobody]

Very interesting... maybe. Does anyone know when the last time the existence of previous editions was noted on the back (or front) cover marketing blurb?

On a 2nd edition product referring to 1st edition?

But that doesn't say "previous", just "all". Other than dice and pencils the tiles are about he only thing that are useful across all editions.

 

[DaveMage]

Very interesting... maybe. Does anyone know when the last time the existence of previous editions was noted on the back (or front) cover marketing blurb?

The only things similar I remember are:

The Dungeons & Dragons (basic) Dawn of the Emperors box set indicates that its compatible with the AD&D and 2nd Edition AD&D game systems. Also, the Greyhawk Adventures hardcover indicates compatibility with both 1E and 2E. IIRC, both products came out just prior to the release of 2E.