WotC Sneak Peek Seminar

[Steel_Wind]

I was sitting at the back of the room in that seminar, and did a quick count. Something like 35 people raised their hands when Chris asked if people were interested in content that tied back to the lore of D&D.

I'm pretty sure that only two people raised their hands to say that they didn't care for such products.

Not at all surprising, given the reaction to nostalgic content when we put it in Dragon and Dungeon, but an interesting data point none the less.

--Erik

I'm not doubting the positive feedback in terms of Dungeon or Dragon reader feedback either, Erik.

The problem is, a Gencon seminar inevitably gets data from "gamers most likely to go to Gencon" and subscriber feedback gets data from "people who are likely to subscribe or buy Dungeon or Dragon".

My point: My expectation is that, in both cases, the feedback is coming primarily from older, hardcore RPG players. While it is true that the median age of the RPG player seems to be advancing (and has been for some time) what do the younger players think of this nostalgia stuff and how do you find out what they are thinking?

 

[Maggan]

WotC gets slammed no matter what they do.

Aint that the truth.

Creating new material is slammed because WotC are "forgetting their past".

Reworking old material is slammed because they are "not creative" and/or "regurgitating old stuff".

So whatever they do, they'll be slammed for it.

/M

 

[Maggan]

... what do the younger players think of this nostalgia stuff ...

My theory is that they approach this "old" material just like any new stuff coming out. They don't know the background, so for the younger players it could be a cool vampire mega-adventure ... a bit like I6 was to me when it was originally released.

/M

 

[Shade]

The beauty of nostalgia products are that newbies won't necessarily know they isn't new. If you're new to the game in 3E, the title "Expedition to Castle Ravenloft" doesn't scream "nostalgia" any more than "Dragondown Grotto" or "Red Hand of Doom".

It's like the old NBC reruns promo...if you haven't seen it, it's new to you.

 

[Mark CMG]

I'd disagree.

I'd say it speaks volumes about the power of nostalgia.

What ever happened to that? I kinda miss nostalgia . . .

 

[Faraer]

It just isn't what it used to be.

 

[johnnype]

I'm ambivalent on nostalgia products (did we just coin a new term?), probably because I've been into D&D since the late 70's and early 80's and I have a lot of the original material. IMO much of it hasn't aged well. That said, the reason I'm not entirely opposed to nostalgia products is because the revisions usually enhance and add on to the originals so, even though there might be some duplication it's not a complete waste of money.

And lets not forget, we always have third party publishers to provide us with new and fresh material.

 

[Ron]

I'd disagree.

I'd say it speaks volumes about the power of nostalgia.

You're right about nostalgia. However, if you consider that the early modules defined the genre, you cannot deny that they were very original.

I am all forward new versions of old classics. As long as they are well done! The Return series was awful. It would be much better if they only translate the old products to the current rules set and, perhaps, make a few changes here and there as well as creating a little more of detail as needed by the current taste.

 

[Bagpuss]

Listen to the very end he says Four is coming out after September 2007.... transcribed from the video

"...line of third edition three point five products coming out, erm Four. Products that sort of contine...."

I might have got my puctuation slightly wrong.

Oh and my spelling.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

I'd love to see a revised/replacement Savage Species.

Oh, yeah.

I *loved* Savage Species. I'll gladly take a 3.5ized version, assuming it doesn't completely suck.

Brad