WotC and D&D

[MerricB]

How do you feel about how WotC is handling D&D?

Myself? I'm pretty happy with what they're doing. I'm glad they're not flooding me with material, and what they do produce is of fairly high quality. I like the focus on hardcovers, and though I regret that they don't produce many adventures any more, I am grateful for their support of Dungeon magazine, the free adventures on the WotC website, and the OGL allowing other companies to make absolutely excellent adventures.

I think 3.5E was mainly positive - the few issues I have with it can easily be fixed by looking in an older rulebook. I'm very much looking forward to Eberron.

Overall, I'm happy that things seem moderately stable at the moment.

But that's just me. What do you feel?

Cheers!

 

[johnsemlak]

Ditto with the above pretty much.

My only regret is WotC's 'no adventures' policy at the moment. But I understand why and moved one. I get good adventures from d20 publishers the sources you mentioned

 

[Nightfall]

I like donuts and the Scarred Lands. WotC can do what ever it wants.

 

[bubbalin]

I don't really care, I'm not into fantasy, and the only reason I have D&D is to let me play other D20 games...

So I selected the donuts option.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I'm quite happy with the way WotC is handling D&D. With regards to suppliments, I'd rather have them releasing a few high-quality suppliments every year (like they're doing now), than dozens of mediocre suppliments with a few gems here and there (like TSR did back in the days of 2e AD&D).

WotC also regularly updates their web site with free maps, NPCs, classes, races, and adventures. Plus, WotC was the very first company to make their gaming rules available for absolutely free (via the SRD). They took a big risk by doing this, and I respect them a lot for this.

So, I voted "very happy" on the answers.

Oh, and for the record, I really hope this thread dosen't turn into a "let's gripe about 3.5e" session like the Worst 3.5e Publishers thread did.

 

[Ranger REG]

I don't know if "content" and "happy" are the same thing. I'd like to think of the former being one step below the latter, but that's how I feel about the company so far... content. There are some things that I like how they're handling D&D as well as other d20 game products, and some things that I do not think are the best business move. And yet there are some things that they should have been doing or released more of a certain product line rather than did what I think is not their best move in 2003.

Nevertheless, they have yet to improve on their editing and proofreading skills, which I still find them lacking year after year, and I wonder if WotC will ever bother to do something about it.

If I had to give them a grade: C+. Wizards, if this is the grade you're aiming last year, then congratulation. Otherwise, you could do better. Maybe try aiming for a straight B grade (not , okay?

 

[Trickstergod]

I'm rather neutral on the subject of WotC and D&D.

Truth be told, the entire 3.5 thing still sticks in my craw, and it's made worse for the fact that they're requiring Arthaus to reprint their core Ravenloft books in order to maintain the license on the setting. I also don't trust that they won't have another edition up-date sometime in the next four years. The stronger integration of miniatures into the game also doesn't quite float my boat.

Their books also have a severe lack of flavor to them, and are rather dry, mechanic-filled reads. But that's not particularly new.

Then again, what books they are making as of late do tend to nab my interest - Christmas brought me the Book of Exalted Deeds, and while it had a rather simplistic take on morality in the game, all the new stuff it offered up was rather snazzy, and then I'm really looking forward to seeing what's in Unearthed Arcana when it finally comes out. While some of their other stuff doesn't quite grab my attention - the Draconomicon, for example - I do see how it appeals to others, and might be on my list of things to get were my wallet a bit better filled. I'd little interest in the Complete Warrior to begin with, but the things I've heard have made me change my mind, just a little, which is a lot more than I can say about Sword and Fist, which even now still doesn't particularly appeal to me.

There's also no getting around the fact that their hardcovers, at the least, look good, at least at a glance.

So all told...rather neutral. I gave no vote due to that. They definitely could be doing things better, but conversely, they're creating products that I'm interested in buying and while their great books may be few, most at least hit the decent mark that other companies don't always seem capable of in my opinion.

 

[KenM]

I voted "I don't like what they are doing". They are turning DnD into a CCG or warhammer. 3.5 came out way too early IMO. Looks like every time they get done putting out all the sorcebooks they can, every few years, they redo the rules and come out with a new edtion. This will kill DnD IMO. The first two edtions of ADnD lasted about 10 years each, the only reason WOTC put out a new edtion was for money and not to improve anything. I have heard from a very high up source that WOTC was pressurred from the higher ups at Hasbro to put out 3.5 when they did.

 

[Dark Jezter]

And so it begins...

I voted "I don't like what they are doing". They are turning DnD into a CCG or warhammer. 3.5 came out way too early IMO.

I participate in D&D 3.5e campaigns that use neither minitures or collectable cards. It's not that hard, actually.

Looks like every time they get done putting out all the sorcebooks they can, every few years, they redo the rules and come out with a new edtion. This will kill DnD IMO.

If you think that WotC are "putting out all the sourcebooks they can", then you should take a look at what TSR was doing during the days of 2nd Edition AD&D.

WotC isn't putting out nearly as many suppliments a year as TSR used to.

The first two edtions of ADnD lasted about 10 years each,

And many people, myself included, feel that 10 years between editions was too long.

the only reason WOTC put out a new edtion was for money and not to improve anything.

Yes, WOTC released the 3.5e to make money. That's what buisinesses do. Buisinesses that don't make money don't survive very long.

If WOTC so desired, they could have just released the rules update to the internet where everyone could access it for free. Oh wait, they did, it's called the System Reference Document.

I have heard from a very high up source that WOTC was pressurred from the higher ups at Hasbro to put out 3.5 when they did.

Well, if that's true. Then I must commend WotC for working so well under pressure. I've found very few things to complain about in the 3.5e update.

 

[diaglo]

OD&D(1974) is the only true game. All the other editions are just a poor imitation of the real thing.


as to WotC. i've liked some of their stuff. and i've disliked some of it. i'm not keen on the recent hardbacks. mostly cuz i think they should be softcover due to their size and content. (although, i did like the Draconomicon) and i've never been a fan of the prices. (but i complained about the price of the Original boxed sets )