Charizard's page

Games like chess stand the test of time, as they are simple to play, hard to master. The chess market is in selling new boards, pieces, not in new rules.

BUT..

For any RPG that tries to simulate a heroic lifestyle is a matter of opinion of what is the best approach to capture the feel of the genre. It could be said that a perfect edition could be created then the corporate entities would simply continue to provide support in the form of adventures, miniatures and accessories to survive. Like chess the rules would stand on how to attack, cast a spell or craft a sword.

The problem is the business model supports the creation of books that modify and redefine the rules set. These books form the basis of the business at hand. Thus new versions of all games are required to maintain the business model over the years.

It would be interesting to say 4.0 is THE Definitive Version of D&D, defining the function of the game through its rule set then shift the focus to developing worlds and accessories. A rules counsel would then oversee the rules; by first authorizing errata in the early stages then making rule calls in the later stages of the game. So the system of how to attack, wound, move would be set in stone, much like the rules for chess, the focus would then shift from the rules to world development, tournament play, and so forth and the business model would shift to this configuration, supporting the core for years to come.

A dream I know

KM

I like your ideas about having a solid game model. like chess you could just enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons with out rereading the same game all over again. Support with cool game products and fun tournaments would be great because players over time would learn the game and get more creative. Less time pouring over a new game would mean more time playing the game and better time spent with family and friends.

I also like your idea of a D&D consel. I would like to take it one step futher and suggest fans unite and buy D&D from wizards of the coast form a non profit and manage the publishing and distribution of the game we love. With the game in the new publishers possession the consel could decide what editions to publish 1,2,3 or continue withe the 3.5 rule set.

One more thing, a game does not have to always change in order to be good. I guess WOTC likes to pull the wool over peoples eyes and pull the rug from under their feet. They may be the man at TCGs but I have no reason to stick with a company that behaves like this. Trust me there is life after D&D and many other good companys to buy rpgs from.

Benoist Poiré wrote:

Never going to happen.

WOTC needs to publish new core books every few years to keep them selling decently (they are the only books that generate decent lifespans and cash returns as products, basically). If core books don't sell steadily, the whole game line stops being published.

The whole "our new edition roxxorz" and "the previous one is so flawed" stuff is just marketing crap, basically. To generate and sustain a steady revenue out of the brand is the real bottom-line.

Not necessarily.

Think of how long D&D lasted before WotC. Think of how long each edition lasted before they switched. Even still, the edition changes were mostly "addition" changes. Nothing was taken away from 1E, not much really, but material was "added" to 1E enough to warrant is as 2E. 2E to 3E was a mechanics overhaul, but the game remained the same game. And look how awesome it did for D&D.

Also, the difference is they weren't going for huge profits, like WotC was. They were writing the material for the game, for the love of the game, and the many authors there stood for that principle and ideal.

4E was not necessary at all, other than to generate a boatload of income. Ideals, as we all know, don't generate millions of dollars.

3E could've kept going another 10 years, maybe even 15. Would they make any money? After some time, probably not. That is, if they spewed out a ton of crap. But if they made sure their products were of outstanding quality, 3E would've kept going and generating enough profits. Maybe break even.

But that's not WotC wants. Hence, it was always a mistake since day 1 to have WotC purchase the D&D rights. I really wish some other company had it, but it's way too late now.

D&D players will either keep playing or stop. And for everyone that stops, another picks it up. WotC is trying to push that envelope. They're a dirty, greedy corporation. What more can you expect?

I feel the same way. I wish Wizards of the coast never bought TSR. Maybe the fans can buy the rights to D&D and free wizards of the burden of writing all their poop.