WotC says "Return of the Red Box"

[WSmith]

The intro package could have pre-genned characters, a small scenario and maybe even a "And if you like this, here are some other things you can look forward to.." text blurb that just describes things that could happen in-game. Heck, I even have ideas for getting women interested in role-playing instead of just catering to the typical gamer.

What is the difference between this and the failed Adventure Game?!?! Answer: very little.

Forget all this hogwash about splitting the market. There is a vast audience out there, like me, who do not buy 3rd ed products at all, because of the complexity of the added stuff on top of the Basic d20 engine. If they make it right, WotC will capture some money from a disenfranchised lot of older gamers, money that they wouldn't get anyway.

 

[TalonComics]

What is the difference between this and the failed Adventure Game?!?! Answer: very little.

Forget all this hogwash about splitting the market. There is a vast audience out there, like me, who do not buy 3rd ed products at all, because of the complexity of the added stuff on top of the Basic d20 engine. If they make it right, WotC will capture some money from a disenfranchised lot of older gamers, money that they wouldn't get anyway.

The difference in this case is that this intro pack would be sent free to places willing to run introductory demo events. This wouldn't be something people could buy on the shelf.

I already schedule regular RPGA game days. This would be something I could set up whenever. With a possible advertising compensation from WotC I could even advertise in newspapers or wherever for it.

The key to this whole package would be to bring in those whom have never played a RPG before. That's the hard part and that's the challenge I'd welcome to accept.

~D

 

[KnowTheToe]

I suspect the costs of the books can deter a few potential gamers.

I would never had started gaming if it cost me $90. The intro or "red box" set would be a great idea.

 

[WizarDru]

Well, I'm sure they're hoping to get the new red box in Toys 'r' Us and other similar venues, that might not normally carry the 3E books. I couldn't tell you if that's a good strategy or not...but Hasbro can certainly wield some power in THAT venue, to be sure.

I think a red box is a good idea, as I can give it as a present to my nephews, for example. It should be a lead-in to the game, not a different game.

As for Wal-Mart...they change their tune about their supposed moral stance as soon as something becomes profitable enough. Out and out criticims of their stores (such as Cheryl Crow did) is one thing...but when 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' becomes the single largest printing of any new book, EVER...they want a piece of that action. The same applies to albums with explicit lyrics and other materials.

(Oh, and Derek, by the way, the second set of books arrived and I'll be sending them back shortly...the wife misunderstood me, and didn't refuse them. I'll ship them tomorrow, most likely. I'll send you an e-mail. Thanks again.)

 

[Desdichado]

It doesn't really say much about what the "red box" is, do they? Maybe they'll be a mid-80's brit-pop band that sings "Lean on Me?"

Anyway, I could have a use for a "red box" if it's truly a D&D-Lite. I tried to get my wife playing, and although it wasn't a spectacular failure, it didn't work out very well for me, either. She was a bit overwhelmed by the complexity of it (and her personality to be a perfectionist and not make a move until she's considered every possible option and picked the best one.) When I try to sit down with her and explain stuff, she just looks at my huge stack of d20 books and says "I don't think so."

 

[Moxie]

I agree that there needs to be MUCH more advertising in computer and gaming magazines. The first mention I EVER heard or saw of D&D was on the back of a Sci-Fi movie magazine back in 1980. All it showed was a picture of the three AD&D books and that image stuck in my head for months later until a friend of mine told me more about the game. We robbed 3 d6 from board games and he walked me through rolling up a character. At that point I was hooked!

I think a stripped down version of 3.5 with four races and four character classes. No feats and only stripped down skill sets that are pre-set for the rogue and maybe the wizard. Possibly a few pre-set feats could be built into the fighter class. But keep it simple. Maybe it should go up to 10th level, but the characters are still pretty basic.

WotC needs to avoid the mistake of making more products for it that create a separate game the way TSR did. If any expansion product is released for it, just make it a bridge to the core 3.5 books.

I did buy the original D&DAG for my nephews and I still hold out hope that it will be the seed that leads them to 3.5. The problem is there is such a huge gulf between that game, and 3.5.

 

[Desdichado]

TSR used to advertise in comic books a lot in the 80s -- that still true?

 

[William Ronald]

A friend of mine owns Game Kingdom, a comic shop in Chicago that also sells collectible card games and RPG products. I will try to talk to him soon about the level of support that WotC gives to D&D products.

There is a dearth of advertising about RPGs. Heck, WotC should be greatful that GE placed the 3rd editions Player's Handbook in one of their commercials.

Maybe a new Red Box and game demos might be a good strategy. Also, perhaps the gaming industry can try to work together to promote the hobby, or at least dispel some of the myths.

 

[Emiricol]

This is exactly what a "red box" shouldn't be, IMO, and is why the D&D Adventure Game and its ilk failed miserably. You don't want to give people a board game, you want to give them an RPG. The Red Box was a complete game, with all the rules you needed, built around creating your own adventures. The Adventure Game was a board game witha fewbad adventures, with nowhere to go once you reached the end.

I say the new "red box" should be 3.5 for characters 1st-5th. Provide say 6 classes (fighter, rogue, cleric, wizard, and perhaps paladin and bard) and five races (human, elf, dwarf, halfling, and half elf). Simplify the skill descriptions. Drop any feats that 5th level characters can't have anyway. Trim the spell list down considerably (but keep it versatile). Split it up intothree books and make sure that there is a solo adventure in the first one.

If they do that, i think it will work. you will see a return to the time when older gamers bought their younger siblings, cousins, etc... game stuff in order to get them hooked. hell, the nostalgia factor might draw in a small group that hasn't played in a while.

And if WotC/Hasbro flubs this one, I say screw it and do it myself with the SRD.

I am fully on board with this idea. I'm fondly remembering my old boxed set Though it should have dice (not chits like my old boxed set), having Return to the Keep on the Borderlands would be cool


EDIT: And the comments about it being able to be stocked on the shelves of Toys R Us and Wal-Mart, etc., and a great gift for the nephew, a cheap way into the game... All these seem very compelling to me. I could probably get my wife to play, even, if the rules weren't 1000 pages long

 

[DerianCypher]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a red box?

DC