WOTC books use non-core material now?

[Storyteller01]

It's not fair either way.

If you only use core-material than there is no incentive to purchase non-core material knowing they will never receive support beyond their initial introduction.

If you add in non-core material support, than you have complaints from those who don't have access to some or all of the non-core material support.

Lose-Lose situation.

The best route IMO? Either increase the page count to include non-core material support in books or create a line of books made simply for supporting non-core material. I would go for the latter. Two separate lines of books, one that enhances core-material and the other non-core, would work wonders.

Or include greater internet support for crossing non-core material. The internet might be free (no increase in revinue for WotC), but the support won't help anyone who hasn't got the books.

No increased page count (so no increase in cost of the books), no spending $30 for a new book that's effectively just 'tweak this rule for this class to fit this new spell, feat or ability...', and you don't have to find more self space for what could in effect triple your library.

 

[Storyteller01]

Dunno. I guess I'm seeing the 'boiling toad' syndrome.

 

[Dragonbait]

At least they're not putting info in books that require books that have yet to come out, like they used to do:
See these characters in the FR setting book? Well, you won't know what some of the info means till the Epic Level Handbook comes out next month.

I *did* notice that not only are the expanding to non-core books (which I'm glad, since I use 'em), but they are using product placement in the books.
the Ravenloft adventure used Three Dragon Ante
Three Dragon Ante showed up in several images in later books
The dragon chess game showed up in the Dragonmarked book
and so on

edit: it's hard to type fast when you have sausages for fingers..