WotC support for Eberron?

[Driddle]

I think I really, really like the setting and its elements. The first book seems to have a lot of potential for a fun, long-term game.

How much support do you think Wizards is going to give this setting, in terms of novelizations, game modules, and the like? Will it reach the marketing and fandom level of the Forgotten Realms, or die a slow, lingering death like ((insert one of many examples here))?

 

[LeapingShark]

They're rolling out the support big time. Who knows if it will last, but there's alot on the drawing boards. Here's what I've seen:

- 2 modules, city supplement, and lots of hints of additional stuff
- a series of paperback novels; "War-Torn"
- Real Time Strategy PC game (with 4 factions, including Thrane clerics & Shadow Elves)
- Massive Multiplayer Online PC game (by the Asheron's Call people)

 

[LeaderDesslok]

I think I really, really like the setting and its elements. The first book seems to have a lot of potential for a fun, long-term game.

How much support do you think Wizards is going to give this setting, in terms of novelizations, game modules, and the like? Will it reach the marketing and fandom level of the Forgotten Realms, or die a slow, lingering death like ((insert one of many examples here))?

I'm betting that Eberron will become the primary campaign world for D&D, and Forgotten Realms will--in about 3 years--die the gradual death that Greyhawk suffered in the early 90s.

 

[Knight Otu]

At the very least, it is planned. We'll see two adventures and a Sharn hardcover this year, as well as a few Dungeon adventures (and presumably some Dragon articles). Next year, we should see the first Eberron novels. There is a Real-Time strategy game in the making, and D&D Online will be set on Eberron, too.
2005 will likely see a number of gaming products, too. I'm predicting Magic of Eberron, Monsters of Eberron and some sort of regional supplement. I'd say, at least for a few years, Eberron will be safe. What happens after that will greatly depend on these first years. Will it reach FR levels? I don't know, but it seems to be quite possible. The early enthusiasm from fans, makers and borrowers is quite high apart from map issues, and if it continues even at half the current level, Eberron should stay around.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I see four or six products a year but it will be based on sells. If sells look good to great more products.

 

[William Ronald]

I would suggest heading over to Wizards of the Coast, and check on it. I understand that there are plans for novels, more books, and possibly a video game. I would hope that WotC promotes the setting and D&D heavily, so we can get some more people into out hobby.

 

[Sorren]

I think Eberron is here to stay. It's already got a lot of support coming down the pipe and it's certainly getting a lot of praise from customers.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I think they have invested a lot into this setting up front, so for a while at least, they will give it good support. After that, it will all depend upon how well sales go.

I think the one thing that concerns me most about introducing a new campaign setting is the possibility that they end up splitting up profits into smaller pieces. They put out a new FR book and it does not sell as well as it used to because a significant number of players have decided to focus on Eberron. They put out a new Eberron book and it does not sell as well as early FR books did because a significant number of people are not playing Eberron, but FR instead. If that happens, at some point some beancounter will come down and say that one of the settings must go in order to hopefully prop up sales and profit margins of the other.

 

[William Ronald]

I'm betting that Eberron will become the primary campaign world for D&D, and Forgotten Realms will--in about 3 years--die the gradual death that Greyhawk suffered in the early 90s.

One gamer I chatted with said that Eberron, being wholely owned by WotC, will replace Forgotten Realms. (I am not venturing an opinion, except I will agree that RPGA support of the Realms has been a bit light. Then again, the Living City campaign collapsed.) It avoids having royalties sent to Ed Greenwood, allows a new concept to be marketed, and may try to appeal to gamers who like intrigue as well as those who might like its "magic punk" look.

I would argue that WotC can support more than one official setting. Some products, such as Oriental Adventures, do not seem to fit into Eberron directly.

 

[Henry]

I really don't think Forgotten Realms is going anywhere, as it's a perennial cash-maker. I know a half-dozen game companies who would pay a pretty reasonable sum to purchase the Realms rights from WotC if they ever shelve it.

Eberron doesn't fit all their customers, and those who don't like it will likely want to keep gaming in the Realms with new material.