D&D 5E (2024) WotC Should Make 5.5E Specific Setting

[mamba]

I just don't think that's a decision that will ever have to be made. We humans just don't change that quickly. They can go for both demographics today, and in 30 years when the current batch is the 30 year old group, they can go for both groups then as well.

as an exclusive either/or, no, but there are plenty of complaints from grognards about one change or another which cannot be avoided by catering to the grognards while hoping to still attract a new audience

 

[Zardnaar]

Counterpoint: when was the last time a Bond film was culturally relevant? They have stuck stubbornly to the same formula (handsome while male actor, quippy dialogue, gadgets, Bond girl, supervillain with genius plan, title song, etc). The tropes were so well worn even the parodies have parodies at this point. And Brosman and Craig's attempt to "modernize" were very shallow adjustments. Which is why each Bond movie comes and goes with little fanfare. A blip of discussion on "who is the new Bond girl?" Or "what will they do different?" That eventually boils down to a mediocre box office and is quickly forgotten. It's been that way for 30 years at least.

That's what happens when you don't attract new people. You stick to the well worn formula. It becomes stale. Bland. Forgotten. The IP equivalent of a McDonald's on the highway: you know what to expect, but you also know it's not going to wow you.

So the question becomes: at what point do you decide that an IP should opt for McDonald's and be safe, reliable and boring? We already complain WotC is adverse to risk, but at the same time people demand they play the hits and don't change the formula. Don't just make another Moonraker, make Moonraker again with better set work.

And each Bond film makes money which is the only metric that matters. I don't think they've had an outright flop. One came close iirc.

They cant really change the formula to much. Imho of course.

 

[Zardnaar]

they have 10 times the player base now that they had then, and most of the old ones are not playing any longer. They would be fools to try to capture the old audience rather than a new one

Well they went with 5.5 vs 6E.

May be a reason for that.

 

[Azzy]

That's not an absolute truth.

There are no absolute truths.

If they water down what made the setting appealing in the first place..... I think Spelljammer and Planescape did that. Ravenloft as well.

I'm not sure how you got there from my statements, but whatever. Dwarven wizards, dragonborn, and tieflings don't water down what made Greyhawk or Forgotten Realms appealing.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

We may have forgotten a possible important point. Maybe they should but not now. Why? We know psionic handbook was sold more thanks Dark Sun setting, do you start to get it? Maybe the setting they need to publish is to promote all those player options beyond the corebooks. In this new setting not only psionic may be important but other classes with special game mechanics like the martial adepts or incarnum soulmelders.

 

[Zardnaar]

There are no absolute truths.


I'm not sure how you got there from my statements, but whatever. Dwarven wizards, dragonborn, and tieflings don't water down what made Greyhawk or Forgotten Realms appealing.

Greyhawk and FR have a bit more leeway. Its not unlimited. See 4E FR essentially retconned away.

If you're selling something a bit more specific your options narrow.

Mostly its target demographics and how you market towards them.

Sometimes trying to expand audience works well. Sometimes it blows up on your face. Sometimes its obvious it will blow up on your face.

 

[mamba]

Well they went with 5.5 vs 6E.

May be a reason for that.

there most likely is, but that is mostly the new crowd already, i.e. the players that started with 5e, not people who have played D&D for 30+ years

 

[Zardnaar]

there most likely is, but that is mostly the new crowd already, i.e. the players that started with 5e, not people who have played D&D for 30+ years

They've probably trained a new generation of neo grognards.

What got over with the masses was 5.0. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Regardless of the results I expect ENworld to dig in and argue with reality.